Celebrating the Producer of the Fellowship Statuette

The Fellowship was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Thomas Jefferson ‘T.J.’ Denton V, the owner of Thomas Denton & Co., the Los Angeles sign, print and engraving shop that has produced the Fellowship statuettes for over a decade.

The statuette itself, of two hands reaching for a third hand holding a torch inscribed with the initials ASP, was originally designed and sculpted by Jaroslav ‘Jerry’ Gebr the acclaimed film and television artist. ASP are the initials of Antenor Patiño, Jr., the namesake of the Fellowship and a personal friend of Gebr’s.

During his career, Gebr provided commissioned portraits to the White House during the Ford Administration and served as chief artist for legendary filmmakers, including Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, David Lynch, and others.

For many years, Fellowship Coordinator Janice Warren has worked with Tom and T.J. Denton to produce and engrave the statuettes, which are presented, along with the title of Fellow, during the annual Selection Day ceremonies at our partner law schools.

T.J. Denton (pictured) was a warmhearted man who was a joy to work with and a leader in his community. Though not a Tony  Patiño Fellow himself, T.J. lived in accordance with the aspiration that is engraved on the Fellowship statuette: “Be a leader of mankind in all that is honorable, just and compassionate.”

To learn more about T.J. Denton and his family business, see his obituary.