--- title: "Gary Rulon | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-rulon-7311" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Gary Rulon Kansas Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Kansas Court of Appeals - State: Kansas - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Kansas, 1988-present - Gary Wayne Rulon (May 18, 1941 – August 21, 2024) was an American judge best known for his nearly 30-year service on the Kansas Court of Appeals, where he held the role of Chief Judge from 2001 to 2011 - 1988–2011: Judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals in Topeka, appointed Chief Judge in 2001 - 1981–1988: Administrative Judge of the 5th Judicial District (Lyon and Chase Counties) - Remembered for his intelligence, compassion, and legal scholarship, as well as his dedication to justice and public service ### Education - He later earned his B.A. in 1969 and J.D. in 1971 from Washburn University ### Additional information - Judge Rulon died on August 21, 2024, in Olathe, Kansas, at age 83, following a lengthy illness. - Practitioner, 1987-1987 - He was honorably discharged in 1964. - He graduated from Topeka High School in 1959, began an apprenticeship in plumbing, and in 1962 volunteered to serve in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as a Seabee (construction branch), assigned to build wells in Vietnam. - Date of birth: 1941-05-18 - overseeing one of Kansas’s first televised court cases - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly ordered state flags to fly at half-staff, calling him a lifelong servant to Kansas and the U.S.. - As Chief Judge, Rulon championed open media coverage of appellate cases, administrative streamlining, and docket control to ensure timely resolution of appeals - Rulon was born in Manhattan, Kansas, and grew up in Topeka. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media electronic device coverage Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 requires media members to obtain written court permission before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding. Evidence excerpt: A media member must get written permission from the court before using an electronic device to photograph, record, transmit, or provide live coverage of a court proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### advance media request timing Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 directs media members to request permission at least one week before the proceeding, unless the court waives the timing requirement for good cause. Evidence excerpt: At least one week before a court proceeding, a media member must ask the court or media coordinator for permission to use an electronic device during the proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### judge controlled device location Scope: statewide Kansas statewide Rule 1001 leaves the authorized device location to the judge, presiding judge, or appellate clerk depending on the court, and local orders control when they conflict with Rule 1001. Evidence excerpt: A judge will designate where a media member may use an electronic device during a district court proceeding. [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7311/gary-rulon/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7311/gary-rulon/) - [Court of Appeals of Kansas current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7311/gary-rulon/) - [Kansas Supreme Court Rule 1001: Media Coverage of Court Proceedings](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Rules/Rule-1001.pdf?ext=.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7311/gary-rulon/) - [Wikidata: Gary Rulon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5525862) - [Kansas Supreme Court opinion reporter note identifying Gary W. Rulon as retired](https://kscourts.gov/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Opinions/102645.pdf?ext=.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7311/gary-rulon/) - [Wikidata: Gary Rulon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5525862) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-rulon-7311", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gary-rulon-7311", "name": "Gary Rulon | KnowJudges", "description": "Gary Rulon, Kansas Court of Appeals. 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