In Memoriam

Honoring OBA members we have lost

2025

August

Paul T. Boudreaux of Broken Arrow died May 14. He was born Aug. 20, 1955, in Oklahoma City. He was a multi-letter athlete and an all-city basketball player at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. Mr. Boudreaux graduated from OCU with a bachelor’s degree in 1977, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1980. He was a trial attorney on the defense side before becoming a plaintiff’s advocate. He focused on the prosecution of medical and dental malpractice and insurance bad faith litigation.

John Jay Bowling of Jenks died May 17. He was born March 18, 1970, in Jefferson City, Missouri, and graduated from Purdue University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications. Mr. Bowling received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1995. He began his legal career in Tulsa as an associate for Martin & Associates and Best & Sharp. He then worked in-house at The Hanover Insurance Group, where he served as lead trial counsel for Oklahoma claims before becoming the assistant city attorney for Broken Arrow. Mr. Bowling returned to his insurance defense practice by joining Angela Ailes & Associates, where he remained for several years before joining his friends as a partner at the law firm of Aston, Mathis, Campbell. His legal career spanned over 30 years.

Earl Calvin Cates Jr. of Phoenix died Oct. 25, 2024. He was born March 3, 1953, in Tulsa. Mr. Cates enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1970 and served as a hospital corpsman. After his honorable release, he earned an associate broker license and joined his father’s brokerage, holding his license in Wyoming for 45 years. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree and received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1987. Mr. Cates started his law practice in Sapulpa and served as an attorney advisor in the Social Security Administration Office of Hearings and Appeals in Tulsa and Salt Lake City. He was appointed as a federal administrative law judge by President George W. Bush and worked for the Social Security Administration in Florence, Alabama, and later in Phoenix. He retired from the federal government after nearly 40 years. He was also a member of the Utah State Bar Association and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served as ward librarian and assistant ward clerk. He was an assistant scoutmaster for several years and joined in many outdoor adventures.

Richard H. Champlin of Oklahoma City died April 2. He was born May 12, 1935. He graduated from OU, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and the senior class president. Mr. Champlin received his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and was assigned to the 16th Signal Battalion at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and Fort Hood, Texas, as a training officer for the 53rd Signal Battalion. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1961. During law school, he was senior class president and a member of Phi Alpha Delta. His law career began with Leeway Motor Freight, where he retired in 1981 as vice president and general counsel. He joined the Transportation Lawyers Association in 1964, of which he served as president in 1987, and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1994 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. He later became executive vice president of CL Frates and Co., retiring in 1999. During his time with Frates, he was vice president of BancInsure Inc. Mr. Champlin was a 50-year milestone member of the OBA and a 50-year member of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. His community involvement included serving as vice president and director of the Oklahoma City All Sports Association and as a trustee of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

William Craig Collier of Ardmore died April 14, 2024. He was born June 28, 1953, in Altus. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1991. Mr. Collier was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints most of his life and served as a clerk for many years with the ward in Mariposa, California. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America in California and Oklahoma, serving as a scoutmaster. Mr. Collier volunteered to help with legal issues pro bono and at local soup kitchens.

Laura Jean Cooke of Edmond died May 1, 2024. She was born Sept. 24, 1951. Ms. Cook received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1985.

Kevin Lee Dodson of Pryor died April 28. He was born Sept. 2, 1974. He graduated from Pryor High School in 1993 and from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1997. Mr. Dodson received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 2001. He served as a municipal judge for both Pryor and Locust Grove. Early in his legal career, he interned under former Sen. Don Nickles and also worked as a graduate assistant at the TU College of Law. He was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Pryor and a member of Gideons International for the past 10 years.

Larry Rodmon Edwards of Muskogee died May 12. He was born April 4, 1958, in Tulsa. He graduated from Mason High School and OSU, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma. Mr. Edwards worked as a market analyst after graduation. He attended night classes and received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1990. By that time, he was already leading the Juvenile Bureau at the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office. He served as an assistant district attorney in Tulsa for nine years. Over the course of his career, he also trained law enforcement professionals nationwide on principles of criminal and constitutional law. Mr. Edwards worked in private practice as a defense attorney for nine years before he returned to public service as the first assistant for the Rogers, Mayes and Craig counties district attorney’s offices. He rejoined the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office as a homicide prosecutor in 2018. In January 2020, he was asked to serve as first assistant for the Muskogee County District Attorney’s Office and was appointed as Muskogee County’s district attorney by Gov. Kevin Stitt in October 2021.

Randolph S. Francis of Tulsa died Feb. 11, 2024. He was born Aug. 10, 1955, in Tulsa. Mr. Francis graduated from Edison High School in 1973 and attended OU for three semesters. His next semester was completed on a student ship, the S.S. Universe Campus, and he later earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco in 1977. Mr. Francis received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1982. He practiced law initially in his father’s law firm, Francis & Francis.

A.T. Gibson of Tulsa died April 24. He was born Jan. 6, 1928. Mr. Gibson received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1963.

William D. Graves of Oklahoma City died April 2. He was born Oct. 4, 1937. He graduated from Putnam City High School in 1956 and was offered a track scholarship at OU. Mr. Graves left OU in 1962 and joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1968 and entered private practice. In 1978, he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served for 24 years. He served 12 terms before term limits ended his tenure in 2004. Mr. Graves was elected Oklahoma County district judge in 2006 and reelected in 2010 and 2014, serving 12 years.

Thomas H. Gudgel Jr. of Tulsa died March 29. He was born Dec. 15, 1933. He graduated from TU in 1958 and received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1961. He began his legal career as a Tulsa County public defender and an assistant district attorney. Mr. Gudgel later entered private practice as a litigator with the firms Gudgel, Scott & Winn and Gudgel, Scott & Associates. He served as treasurer of the Tulsa County Bar Association, an adjunct professor at the TU College of Law focusing on constitutional law, a state industrial court judge and later as senior vice president and general counsel for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.

Ray F. Hamilton III of Tulsa died Dec. 4, 2024. He was born March 21, 1936. He graduated from College High School in Bartlesville in 1954 and from OU with a bachelor’s degree in geological and petroleum engineering. Mr. Hamilton received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1966. In 1960, he began his service as an infantry member of the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1974. He spent his entire legal career practicing corporate law and eventually became a partner at the Tulsa law firm of Sneed, Lang, Trotter & Hamilton.

Bill C. Harris of Shawnee died Jan. 27. He was born Feb. 10, 1935. He graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1961. At OU, Mr. Harris was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the football team, which won two national championships. Mr. Harris served active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army for 11 years and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. He practiced law in Oklahoma City and Shawnee for 50 years and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

Christa Rochelle Hensley of Oklahoma City died April 28. She was born March 19, 1975, in Oklahoma City. She attended Harrah High School, where she was an all-state softball player. Ms. Hensley graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1997 and became an eighth and ninth grade biology teacher. After teaching, she became a stay-at-home mom. She received her J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2013 and practiced in the areas of criminal and employment law. Ms. Hensley was a member of City Church Moore and a bible study fellowship leader.

Karen M. Jayne of Oklahoma City died April 7. She was born Oct. 6, 1957. Ms. Jayne received her J.D. from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles in 1990.

F. Lovell McMillin of Ardmore died Oct. 30. He was born July 25, 1936, in Ada. He graduated from Classen High School in 1954 and from OU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1958, where he served as president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Mr. McMillin received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1960. He began his legal career at Fischl & Culp in Ardmore, where he practiced for 43 years. He held leadership roles, including president of the Oklahoma Association of Defense Counsel and chairman of the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners. He was recognized as one of three outstanding young Oklahomans. Mr. McMillian served on the Board of Directors for the First National Bank of Ardmore, including as chairman, for over 18 years. He also served as city commissioner for Ardmore and chaired the board of the Mercy Health Foundation.

Lynn Allan Mundell of Tulsa died April 18. He was born Dec. 21, 1948, in St. Joseph, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1971. He was on the dean’s honor roll and served as president of Alpha Kappa Psi. In college, he joined the Army National Guard and served until being honorably discharged. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1975. After law school, he opened his first law practice in Tulsa and practiced for 43 years until his retirement in 2019.

John Wayne Norman of Oklahoma City died May 24. He was born Feb. 18, 1944, in Duncan. He graduated with honors from Temple High School in 1962 and from OU with a bachelor’s degree. Mr. Norman received his LL.B. cum laude from the OU College of Law. In 1968, he was admitted to the practice of law. He practiced in the areas of personal injury, product liability and wrongful death. In 1978, he was invited to join the Inner Circle of Advocates and served as president from 2003 to 2005.

Margaret J. Patterson of Tulsa died March 9. She was born July 8, 1933, in Casper, Wyoming. She attended Principia College and received her J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1973. She worked as a private secretary for Sen. Frank A. Barrett in Washington, D.C., a legal secretary for Dawson, Nagel, Sherman & Howard in Denver and a deputy clerk for the 7th Judicial District Court in Casper before starting her legal career. She became an attorney for Phillips Petroleum Co. in the credit card department, from which she later retired. Ms. Patterson volunteered as first and second reader, treasurer and Sunday school superintendent for the Christian Science churches of Casper and Bartlesville. She served as a docent at the Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, an advocate for CASA, a literacy tutor, a volunteer for the La Quinta Preservation Foundation and the president of Feminine Financiers. Ms. Patterson was a member of Chi Omega, the Casper Legal Secretaries Association, Business & Professional Women, the American Association of University Women, the Desk and Derrick Club of Tulsa, Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Bar Association.

J. Mark Phelps of Seminole died April 19. He was born July 24, 1951, in Seminole. Mr. Phelps graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1973 and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1981. He practiced law in Seminole for 45 years. He was involved in the Seminole Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club of Seminole, the Seminole Lions Club and the National Champion Elks Lodge Ritual Team. For decades, he contributed to countless community causes and organizations.

Patrick C. Ryan of Oklahoma City died May 3. He was born June 15, 1935, in Clinton and attended St. Gregory’s High School. Mr. Ryan served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1961 and attended night classes at the OCU School of Law while working full time at the Oklahoma Insurance Department. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1968. Mr. Ryan was named general counsel for the Oklahoma Insurance Department after graduation. He was appointed by the governor as director of the Oklahoma Department of Securities and later as director of the Oklahoma Department of Consumer Affairs. In 1974, Mr. Ryan was appointed to a judgeship at the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Court, where he rose to the level of presiding judge and oversaw the Denver Davison Building. While serving as a judge, he also taught workers’ compensation law as an adjunct professor at the OCU School of Law. In 1984, he formed the law firm known as Boettcher & Ryan, from which he retired in 1998 but continued to serve as “of counsel” to the firm (now known as Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons). He was an OBA member for more than 56 years, earning his 50-year milestone anniversary pin in 2018.

Mitchell E. Shamas of Tulsa died April 7. He was born Oct. 15, 1948, in Bristow and graduated from Bristow High School in 1966. He attended OSU and graduated from OU in 1970. Mr. Shamas received his J.D. from the OU College of Law. He practiced in Oklahoma for 52 years, primarily in the areas of oil and gas, personal injury, workers’ compensation and social security. His legal career began in Bristow before he joined the firm of Bailey, Ash & Romine in Okmulgee in 1974. He started his own firm in 1980 and moved to Tulsa in 1989. Mr. Shamas was honored with the OBA Outstanding Service to the Public Award in 1984 for his pro bono work for people impacted by a tornado in Morris.

Heidi Brown Shear of Swampscott, Massachusetts, died Jan. 1. She was born Oct. 22, 1958. She attended Tufts University, where she majored in political science. Ms. Shear received her J.D. from the Boston University School of Law in 1983, where she also earned an LL.M. in tax law. She worked at Maselan & Jones in Boston after law school, where she focused on tax and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. She eventually moved to Oklahoma City to work with her husband as lawyers at LSB Industries. Ms. Shear retired and moved to Swampscott, becoming involved in the community. She served as president of the ReachArts Community Art Center, baby cuddler at Beverly Hospital and on boards for the Jewish Journal, the Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University and the Metrowest Women’s Fund. Additionally, she started an art gallery in Boston for her husband’s abstract paintings.

Donald Lee Sprague of Coalgate died Jan. 3, 2024. He was born Aug. 12, 1932, in Parker. He graduated from Coalgate High School in 1950, where he was the National FFA Organization president. Mr. Sprague enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Airborne (Green Berets) as a paratrooper. He graduated from La Salle University and received his J.D. from the Temple University Beasley School of Law in 1964. Mr. Sprague practiced law for many years in Philadelphia while also maintaining some ranch operations in Coal County before returning to Oklahoma to expand his ranching operations in 1999.

Charles W. Stratton Jr. of Lawton died April 20. He was born July 5, 1935, in San Francisco. He graduated from Lawton High School, where he served as senior class president and district judge for boys’ all-state. Judge Stratton attended OU and was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He joined the U.S. Army in 1956 and spent three years on the East German border. After his service, he graduated cum laude from Southwestern State University. Judge Stratton received his J.D. from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1964. He opened his first law practice in Mt. Washington, Kentucky, before returning to Lawton and opening a private practice. He served as a juvenile probation officer and professor of real estate, business law and economics at Cameron University and founded the Southwestern School of Real Estate. He was appointed as lead counsel and a board member of the American National Bank. Judge Stratton mentored younger attorneys and took pleasure in watching them prosper in their careers. In 1994, he was appointed special judge for Comanche County, and he was elected associate district judge in 1998, where he served four terms before retiring at the age of 80. He was honored with the Comanche County Bar Association Professionalism Award, the OBA Alma Wilson Award and the Gang Prevention Association Gang Prevention Award. Judge Stratton served the community as a board member for United Way of Southwest Oklahoma and Lawton Arts for All and as president of the Lawton Community Theatre and Lawton Country Club.

Clifton Decherd Thomas of Jenks died June 15. He was born July 31, 1973, in Alexandria, Louisiana. He graduated from Altus High School in 1992 and from OSU, where he earned a degree in agricultural communication. Mr. Thomas received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 2004. He practiced in the areas of criminal and family law, and he was dedicated to advocating for others.

Arthur L. Thorp of Oklahoma City died Jan. 18, 2024. He was born Dec. 19, 1932, in Foss. He graduated from Stafford High School as the valedictorian and earned bachelor’s degrees in history and education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and accounting from OU. Mr. Thorp received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1966. He spent two years in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Lee, Virginia, and Fort Sill, where he received a college deferment in 1956. He was a member of the Soldier Creek Baptist Church in Midwest City and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a 32nd degree Mason, a long-time secretary and the last worshipful master at Broadway Circle Lodge. Mr. Thorp was a partner at Owen & Thorp Inc. for over 50 years.

Charles D. Tomlins of Cape Coral, Florida, died Jan. 29. He was born April 28, 1933. Mr. Tomlins received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1958.

James Roll Tourtellotte of Oklahoma City died April 8. He was born May 12, 1935, in Wilburton. He attended Stillwater High School, where he was involved in wrestling, music, drama and debate. He graduated from OSU and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law. Upon graduation, he was a commissioned officer in the Military Police Corps, where he served for three years. After being discharged, he returned to Stillwater to enter private practice and served as a county attorney for Payne County. During this time, he served as vice president and president of the Oklahoma State County Attorney’s Association. His other positions included general counsel of the Grand River Dam Authority, assistant general counsel for the electric side of the Federal Power Commission, assistant chief hearing council and Senior Executive Services member at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. During his last four years at the NRC, he served as chairman of the Regulatory Reform Task Force. In 1985, Mr. Tourtellotte started his own law firm. He was a member of the International Nuclear Law Association and the Cosmos Club. For the next several years, he practiced law and started a lobbying firm as well. He spent the 1990s as the chief operating officer of Juno Systems, a company that provided services to investment banks in New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Mr. Tourtellotte was involved in the Town & Gown Theatre, where he appeared in several productions, a gospel quartet and the DC Masters as a swimmer.

Jerry Lee Venable of Beaver died Dec. 30, 2024. He was born May 17, 1945, in Beaver. Mr. Venable graduated from Beaver High School, where he was an all-state quarterback and won the state football championship in 1962. He graduated from OU and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law.

Carol Ann Walker of Oklahoma City died March 26. She was born on Dec. 15, 1951, in Stillwater. Ms. Walker received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1979.

Daniel G. Webber of Yukon died April 11. He was born June 5, 1942. He attended OSU, where he was a member of ROTC. Mr. Webber served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard during the Vietnam era and was named to the Governor’s Twenty for pistols and rifles. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1975 and received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1978. Mr. Webber established a law practice based in Watonga and Kingfisher and served as a municipal judge in Okarche for 50 years. He also served as the city attorney in Watonga and as a judge in the courts of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Mr. Webber coached track and baseball at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Okarche and was a longtime booster of Watonga’s sports programs.

Mickey Dan Wilson of Tulsa died April 18. He was born Dec. 5, 1931, in Tulsa. He graduated from Central High School in Tulsa in 1950 and attended TU, where he had a tennis scholarship and was a member of the cheer team and Sigma Chi. He graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1956. After law school, Mr. Wilson was appointed assistant county attorney in Tulsa County. He entered the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant in 1957. He worked as a staff judge advocate, stationed in Crete, and he received an honorable discharge at the rank of captain in December 1959. After his service, he returned to Tulsa to focus on corporate and commercial law. He was appointed as a bankruptcy judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma in 1983. While on the bench, he was active in the American Bankruptcy Institute, the Commercial Law League of America and the American Inns of Court. Mr. Wilson was also an adjunct professor at the O.W. Coburn School of Law and a guest speaker at seminars held by the ABA, the OBA and the Tulsa County Bar Association, among others. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and served on the boards of directors for the Indian Nations Council and the Tulsa Historical Society. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served as chancellor, vestryman, lay reader and usher chairman for many years. Mr. Wilson was honored with the Silver Beaver Award, the Award of Merit and the Founders Award, and he was elected to the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2013.

Charles Wren Wolfe of Magnolia, Texas, died Feb. 22. He was born April 25, 1935. Mr. Wolfe received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1967.

Marvin B. York of Norman died March 22. He was born June 26, 1932, in Fredonia, Kansas. After graduating from Claremore High School, he joined the U.S. Air Force and played trombone in the Air Force Jazz Band. Upon discharge, he earned degrees in English and instrumental music from Northeastern State University. He taught honors high school English to college-bound students in Kansas and at U.S. Grant High School in Oklahoma City while attending night school at the OCU School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1963. Mr. York was elected to the Oklahoma Legislature in 1968. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate, where he was elected president and pro tempore. While serving in the Legislature, Mr. York was credited with spearheading the creation of Oklahoma City Community College. He also worked with Oklahoma City, the state and the Chickasaw and Cherokee nations to bring the First Americans Museum to fruition and brokered an agreement with legislative leaders to enact a bond issue for the continued development of the project. Mr. York was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Oklahoma City Community College in 1982 and the First Northeastern State University Distinguished Graduate Award in 1984. He was named an honorary member of the OCCC Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012.

William G. Paul

Nov. 25, 1930 – June 24, 2025

1976 OBA President

William G. “Bill” Paul of Oklahoma City died June 24 at the age of 94. He was born Nov. 25, 1930, in Pauls Valley. He graduated from Pauls Valley High School as valedictorian in 1948, where he was president of the student council, played on the football team and was in the band. Mr. Paul graduated from OU in 1952. During college, he was selected as the outstanding freshman student in 1949 and the outstanding Navy ROTC student in each of his four years in the unit, where he was the student battalion commander. He was involved in the varsity debate team, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Beta Kappa, the university aviation team and PE-ET, where he served as president, and was awarded the Gold Letzeiser Medal as the outstanding male graduate in the university. Mr. Paul served two years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, including service in Virginia, California and Korea. He was released from active duty in July 1954 and continued as an officer in the reserves, serving annually on two weeks of active duty and rising to the rank of colonel. He resumed law school in 1954 and was a member of the Order of the Coif and Phi Delta Phi. He also served on the Oklahoma Law Review Board of Editors and as a research assistant to the dean during his last year. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1956 and had a legal career that spanned nearly 70 years. Mr. Paul briefly practiced in Norman before joining Crowe & Dunlevy in Oklahoma City. Except for the time when he was with Phillips Petroleum Co., he continued his affiliation with Crowe & Dunlevy until his death. At the firm, he was an active trial lawyer and served as managing partner of the firm for six years following the death of V.P. Crowe. He served as president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association in 1971 and the OBA in 1976. Mr. Paul was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1978. In 1986, he was named president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, and from 1999 to 2000, he served as president of the American Bar Association, one of only three Oklahoma attorneys to serve in that role and the first Native American (Chickasaw) to lead the ABA. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2003.

May

Ben T. Benedum of Norman died Oct. 23, 2024. He was born Aug. 12, 1936, in Norman and attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana. Mr. Benedum graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1959 and from Indiana University with a master’s degree in business administration in 1961. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965. He was in law school when his army unit was activated during the Berlin Crisis in the early 1960s and was later honorably discharged as a captain in the Military Police Corps. From 1965 until 2013, he practiced in Norman with the law firm of Benedum & Benedum. His practice evolved into estate planning and real estate law, and he played a part in the development and growth of much of Norman in his 40-plus years of practice. Mr. Benedum served on the OU Foundation Board of Trustees and started three scholarships, including one at his alma mater, the OU College of Law. He also served on the boards of the Norman Area Land Conservancy, the Cleveland County YMCA, the Jacobson House Native Art Center and the Norman Community Foundation. He also served as a director at the local and state levels of the American Cancer Society.

Beverly Pierce Carson of Tulsa died Nov. 15, 2024. She was born March 31, 1929. Ms. Carson received her J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1968.

James Richard Cox of Enid died Dec. 19, 2024. He was born March 29, 1932, in Carmen. He graduated from OU with a geology degree in 1958 and worked as a geologist for Lone Star Petroleum in Abilene and Midland, Texas. Mr. Cox received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965. That year, he and his family moved to Enid, and he joined Mitchell Law Firm, where he became a partner and primarily practiced in the areas of litigation and oil and gas law. He practiced at the firm until 1981 when he opened a private practice focusing on oil and gas, real estate and probate. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; the Northern, Eastern and Western federal court districts of Oklahoma; and all Oklahoma courts. Mr. Cox was an active member of Central Christian Church for nearly 60 years and served as an elder and chairman of the board several times. He also served in the Northwest Oklahoma Emmaus Community, as exalted ruler of Enid Elks Lodge and as state president of the Oklahoma Elks Association. He was active in Oakwood Country Club and various service organizations, such as AMBUCS and Horn of Plenty.

William R. Davis of Oklahoma City died March 24. He was born Dec. 11, 1931, in Maud and graduated from Guymon High School. Mr. Davis served in the U.S. Army. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1960. His passion for the law was evident throughout his 50-plus years as a dedicated personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City. He was a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a member of the Bourassa Family CPN. He served as an associate district judge for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation from June 2010 to the present. Mr. Davis’ career was marked by his commitment to justice, and he touched the lives of countless individuals with his advocacy and compassion.

Ira L. Edwards Jr. of Tulsa died Dec. 23, 2024. He was born Jan. 5, 1949, and graduated from Will Rogers High School in 1967. Mr. Edwards served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart for his courageous service. He graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1978. He practiced for more than 40 years in the legal profession, including at the law firm of Pray Walker and at the law firm of Riggs Abney in Tulsa for the past 15 years.

Robert Allan Flynn of Tulsa died March 28. He was born June 3, 1950, in Tulsa and later moved to Claremore, where he graduated from high school in 1968. Mr. Flynn received his J.D. from the Oral Roberts University O. W. Coburn School of Law in 1983. He opened a law practice in Tulsa, where he represented injured workers for more than 30 years.

Fred R. Harris of Corrales, New Mexico, died Nov. 23, 2024. He was born Nov. 13, 1930, in Walters. Mr. Harris received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1954. He practiced law in Lawton and was elected to the Oklahoma Senate in 1956, the youngest member of that body at the time. Mr. Harris became a U.S. senator in 1964. Instead of running for reelection, he ran for president in 1972 and 1976, becoming a candidate in the 1976 democratic primary for president. He then moved to Corrales and became a political science professor at the University of New Mexico. Mr. Harris chaired the Democratic Party of New Mexico and authored three novels and political science texts and reports. He also created an endowment at the University of New Mexico Foundation to continue to support UNM students participating in the Fred Harris Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C.

Richard L. Harris of Tulsa died Nov. 23, 2024. He was born Feb. 14, 932, in Anson, Texas, and graduated from San Angelo High School in 1950. He attended Texas A&M University as an Air Force cadet and graduated with a business degree in 1954. Mr. Harris served from 1954 to 1956 in the U.S. Air Force as an air police officer stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas, obtaining the rank of second lieutenant. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1956 but continued his service in the Air Force Reserve until 1968 at the rank of captain. After being discharged, he worked for El Paso Natural Gas in Farmington, New Mexico, where he began to take an interest in oil and gas law. Mr. Harris received his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1963 and started his legal career at the Tulsa law firm of Farmer, Woolsey, Flippo & Bailey. He began making his own oil deals and growing mineral interests, and he subsequently took the position of attorney and investor in Viking Petroleum Co. in the 1970s. He started his own law firm soon after and created two oil entities: Jones County Minerals and Windmill Oil and Gas, which his sons now operate.

Allison Herzfeld Longwell of Oklahoma City died Oct. 8, 2024. She was born Jan. 29, 1962. Ms. Longwell attended Heritage Hall, OSU and OU. She studied law at the University of Oxford Faculty of Law and received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1987. Ms. Longwell was a proud member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and Phi Beta Kappa, both of which celebrated her love of writing and her dedication to education. She was a survivor of the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing.

Robert Dudley Looney Jr. of Oklahoma City died Feb. 20. He was born Feb. 4, 1946, in Oklahoma City. Mr. Looney attended Harding High School, where he played football, baseball and basketball and was an All-State quarterback. He graduated from OU and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He attended the Georgetown University Law Center for one year and then received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Phu Loi Base Camp, a helicopter base, in Vietnam from 1971 to 1972. He was in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and attained the rank of captain. Mr. Looney practiced law at Looney, Nichols, Johnson & Hayes for almost 30 years and then at Hall Estill as a partner until his retirement. Mr. Looney was a charter member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and was selected as a charter fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. He authored many legal publications and was a member of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, the Pros 4 Vets Board of Directors and the OBA Military Assistance Committee, receiving numerous awards and honors.

Christan P. Mai of Broken Arrow died Jan. 31. He was born July 16, 1951, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Mr. Mai graduated from Torrington High School in 1969 and the University of Wyoming in 1973. He received his J.D. from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1977. Early in his career, he worked as a lawyer in the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office. He moved to Broken Arrow in 1980 and worked as an attorney for several oil and gas companies, starting with Cities Service Co. in Tulsa. In 2000, he transitioned to family law practice until his retirement in 2021.

Thomas G. Marsh of Tulsa died March 3. He was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Oklahoma City. He graduated from TU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1953. Mr. Marsh attended night classes while working as a clerk at the Tulsa County Courthouse and received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1957. Following graduation, he took a job with Dyer, Powers & Gotcher, which later grew into Marsh & Armstrong. Mr. March practiced in the areas of commercial, banking and automobile law, with an emphasis on automobile dealer and manufacturer relations. He served as general counsel for the Oklahoma Automobile Dealers Association and executive secretary and general counsel for the Tulsa Automobile Dealers Association. He was a member of the Automotive Trade Association Executives and the Tulsa County Bar Association. Mr. Marsh was appointed to serve as a special judge on the Oklahoma Court of Appeals in 1982. Through his work with automobile dealers, he was named chairman of the Oklahoma Highway Users Federation and helped draft legislation regarding the use of seatbelts and car seats in automobiles. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a trustee and elder. He was also involved in the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa and served as president and lieutenant governor of the Texas/Oklahoma Division. He was a Legion of Honor recipient and served on the board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oklahoma, as past president of the TU College of Law Alumni Association and as a lifetime member of the Wolcott Family Society as an ancestor of Oliver Wolcott, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence.

Charles Dale Mayhue of Ada died Feb. 17. He was born Oct. 9, 1942, in Stillwater. He graduated from Ada High School in 1960, where he played on two state championship teams and one state runner-up team. Mr. Mayhue continued his football career at OU, starting for the freshman team and getting elected as co-captain. For three years, he played as a defensive starter, including in the Orange Bowl in 1963 and the Gator Bowl in 1965. After graduation, he spent one year as an assistant football and track coach at Ada High School under Head Coach Craig McBroom, winning a football state championship in 1965. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1970 and served as special judge of Pontotoc County for two years. Mr. Mayhue practiced law for over 50 years and was known around the area as the person to see for oil and gas issues. He was also known for his service to the Ada community. He was an avid supporter of the Ada School District and served on the school board for more than 40 years. The district’s board meeting room is named in his honor, and in 2017, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Valley View Hospital Authority during the relocation and building of the new hospital.

John O. Moffitt of Fort Gibson died April 10, 2024. He was born Dec. 26, 1930. He graduated from Northeastern State University with a bachelor’s degree in business and from OSU with a master’s degree in accounting. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1966. Mr. Moffitt began his career at Coopers & Lybrand before leaving to start his own accounting firm. He went on to become a professor at Northeastern State University. Mr. Moffitt was honored by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants as the chapter’s 2018 distinguished CPA for his community involvement, professionalism and activism in the profession. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and contributed to numerous boards, including the Kate Frank Manor and the Oklahoma-Arkansas River Commission, among others. He was also an active member of the Fort Gibson United Methodist Church, attending for years and serving as treasurer. Mr. Moffitt was a Korean War veteran. He served in the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard, also known as the Thunderbirds, where he achieved the rank of first lieutenant and made lifelong friendships.

John Parrish Neihouse of Fayetteville, Arkansas, died Feb. 22. He was born June 19, 1962, in Denver. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1985. During college, he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and a big brother to the Phi Mu sorority. He held leadership positions in both groups and served as treasurer and president of the Student Government Association and senior fellow in the accounting department. He later served as a senior fellow on the college’s alumni board. Mr. Neihouse began his career as an accountant with Bracken & Gardner CPAs in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law in 2009, where he graduated fifth in his class and served as a finance editor for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law Review. Mr. Neihouse received an advanced LL.M. in taxation and estate planning from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He practiced law in Dallas for three years before moving to northwest Arkansas. Since 2010, he had served as a partner at RMP Law in Springdale, Arkansas.

Don R. Nicholson II of Norman died Jan. 28. He was born April 2, 1935, in Oklahoma City. In 1962, he graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and became a CPA. Mr. Nicholson received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965. He had a law practice in Oklahoma City, originally partnering with his father-in-law, James Eagleton. He was most proud of his contribution to founding Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, a nonprofit organization providing legal representation to abused and neglected children in Oklahoma County.

Gary Page Sibeck of Los Angeles died March 27, 2024. He was born Dec. 25, 1929. He graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OU and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1962. Mr. Sibeck taught at Western New Mexico University and practiced law in Oklahoma City for three years before joining Loyola University as an assistant professor in 1965. He became an associate professor in 1971 and a full professor in 1977. Mr. Sibeck retired after 53 years at the university. He was a member of several professional organizations, including the United States Court of International Trade, the American and Pacific/Southwest Business Law Associations and the Business Association of Latin American Studies.

Louis Everett Striegel of Tulsa died April 15, 2024. He was born March 21, 1932, in Salisbury, Missouri, and graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Striegel joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in April 1951. He graduated from William Jewell College in 1958 and received his J.D. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 1981. He graduated with a master’s degree in political science from Wichita State University and completed all coursework toward a doctorate in political science from the University of Kansas. He began his legal career working as special counsel for Wichita, Kansas, businessman Willard Garvey. He then traveled throughout Kansas selling law books to local law firms for the Vernon Law Book Co. He joined the legal staff of the Environmental Protection Agency in Denver, writing water quality standards. That work led him to the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., first as special assistant to the solicitor and then as deputy undersecretary. While in Washington, D.C., he also served as minority council for the House Interior Committee and held a short term as an appellate court judge, as well as a member of the legal staff for the World Bank. He moved to Tulsa and was asked to serve in the newly created Department of Energy as deputy chief council for the Southwest District Office, as well as acting deputy director of the Economic Regulatory Administration. Mr. Striegel later moved to Stigler, where he operated a farm and opened a private law practice. He was elected associate district judge for Haskell County and retired from his law practice in 2007.

Ralph L. Wampler of Enid died June 29, 2024. He was born Feb. 2, 1929, in Norman and graduated from OU in 1950. Mr. Wampler served in the military from 1950 until 1953 and then entered the Army Reserves. He achieved the rank of colonel. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1959 and worked for the Corporation Commission, where he became general counsel. In 1968, he was appointed judge for the federal government, where he served until his retirement in 2013.

Allan R. Woodland of Oklahoma City died March 12. He was born Sept. 24, 1973, in Winnemucca, Nevada. After graduating from high school, he served a two-year mission in South Carolina for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mr. Woodland moved to Washington, earned his pharmacy technician certificate and worked as a pharmacy tech while taking classes at the local college. He eventually went to Phoenix, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer systems. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2006. Mr. Woodland started his own law firm, Woodland Law, in Oklahoma. He was appointed a special municipal judge for the municipal court of record for a two-year term in July 2014. During this time, he appeared in a Nike commercial and in the movies Gosnell, as an attorney, and Reagan, as the bodyguard, among others. Mr. Woodland moved to Salt Lake City after his youngest child graduated, and he was working as a prosecuting attorney for the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office at the time of his death. He remained active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life.

Andrea Lea Worden of Norman died Oct. 27, 2024. She was born Jan. 11, 1981, in Fort Gibson. Ms. Worden graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma and received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 2006. She founded Worden Law Firm, now Worden & Carbitcher. She was a criminal defense attorney who trained numerous attorneys and paralegals.

April

Annette R. Bohling of Gilbert, Arizona, died April 25, 2024. She was born Feb. 3, 1952, in Afton. Ms. Bohling was active in the Wyoming Department of Education and joined the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement in 1998. For the last several years, she served as the chief accreditation and certification officer of Cognia, the umbrella organization for the North Central Association, the Northwest Accreditation Commission and the Southern Association Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Ms. Bohling received her J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1986. Memorial contributions may be made to the Annette Bohling Doctoral Scholarship at Acacia University.

David L. Boren of Norman died Feb. 20. He was born April 21, 1941, in Washington, D.C. Mr. Boren graduated from Yale University in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in American history and from the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes scholar, in 1965 with a master’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1968, where he was named an outstanding graduate in his class by faculty. Mr. Boren began his political career in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he served from 1967 to 1975. He was sworn in as the 21st governor of Oklahoma in 1975. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1994 and was tied for the longest-serving chair of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Mr. Boren resigned from his Senate seat in 1994 to assume the role of president of OU. During his time at OU, the university expanded its programs and facilities, including opening an honors college and a college of international studies that was later named in his honor. He served the university for 24 years and retired from the position in 2018.

George Camp of Oklahoma City died Feb. 9. He was born Aug. 15, 1926, outside of Drumright. Mr. Camp served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was stationed in Gen. MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo after the war. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1950 and was a longtime attorney and public servant. He served as a county attorney of Major County, a first assistant U.S. attorney in Oklahoma City and a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 18 years.

John B. DesBarres of Sand Springs died Feb. 8. He was born Nov. 5, 1961, in Pittsburgh. Mr. DesBarres graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in 1980 and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from TU in 1984. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1987 and began his legal career in 1986 as a licensed legal intern at Ungerman, Conner & Little. During his nearly 40 years of practice, he completed client matters ranging from contracts and durable powers of attorney to trial of complex bodily injury cases for both the plaintiff and defense sides. Starting in 2012, Mr. DesBarres became a solo practitioner, focusing on general civil practice, plaintiff personal injury and civil insurance defense in Oklahoma state and federal courts. He was involved in his community, including organizations such as the Rotary Club of Tulsa, the Sigma Chi Fraternity (Delta Omega Chapter) and the Tulsa County Bar Association. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Gary Matthew Hunt of Norman died Feb. 18. He was born Dec. 30, 1950, in Stillwater. Mr. Hunt graduated from Lawton High School and the University of Arkansas in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and retired after 20 years of service. His service included additional education at the Officer’s Basic and Advanced Field Artillery Training Center and the Command and General Staff College. Mr. Hunt was honored with the Meritorious Service Award (4), Army Commendation Medals (2), Army Achievement Award, National Defense Service Medal (2), Overseas Service Ribbons and the Field Artillery St. Barbara’s Medal. During his last assignment as battalion executive officer at the Oklahoma recruiting command, he attended night classes at the OCU School of Law, where he received his J.D. cum laude in December 1993. While in law school, he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity for academic achievement. Following 10 years of solo practice, Mr. Hunt accepted a position at the Office of General Counsel with the Oklahoma Child Welfare Services, retiring as chief administrative law judge in 2016. He volunteered as board president of the Sooner Swim Club from 1990 to 2004 and spent many hours at major fundraisers and on deck as a USA Swimming official at swim meets. Memorial contributions may be made to the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center for metastatic prostate cancer research or the Wounded Warriors Project.

Tom R. Gann of Tulsa died Nov. 13. He was born Nov. 21, 1944, in Tulsa. Mr. Gann graduated from Webster High School in 1963 and from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1967. He participated in the U.S. Air Force ROTC for all four years and played on the baseball team. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1970. Mr. Gann served in the U.S. Air Force and was selected as one of the four members of Shaw AFB 1132nd USAF Field Extension Squadron in 1972. In 1973, he was selected to attend the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received his judgeship. He served for seven years, attaining the rank of major, while traveling from North and South Carolina to Southeast Asia, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal Zone. During his years of private practice in litigation, he represented the Tulsa Airport Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, along with various other clients, and served as the city prosecutor of Bixby. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of Saint Mary.

Joseph Emory McKimmey of Shawnee died Nov. 10. He was born June 11, 1937, in Phoenix. Mr. McKimmey received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1974. He served as a politician in the city commission, a restaurateur, an entrepreneur, an attorney and a Sunday school teacher throughout his time in Shawnee. Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite place of worship.

Frederick Heins Miller of Edina, Minnesota, died Feb. 13. He was born June 22, 1937. Mr. Miller graduated from Oakwood High School in Dayton, Ohio, in 1955 and from the University of Michigan with honors in 1959. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 1962. He moved to Columbus, Ohio, and practiced law for several years before becoming a professor at the OU College of Law in 1966. Mr. Miller taught in the areas of commercial and consumer law at OU for 45 years. In recognition of his scholarly work and his dedication to teaching, he was awarded the George Lynn Cross Research Professorship and named the McAfee Professor of Law. In 1975, he was appointed by Gov. Boren to the National Law Conference and the Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, where he was instrumental in drafting material parts of what has become the Uniform Commercial Code. He served as the executive director for nine years and then as president of the National Law Conference. Mr. Miller received various awards for his work in consumer and commercial law, including the Sen. William Proxmire Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers. He was a member of the American Law Institute, the ABA and the Ohio and Minnesota bar associations. Memorial contributions may be made to the OU College of Law through the OU Foundation.

Phillip Reed Scott of Waurika died March 17. He was born Jan. 14, 1943, in Waurika, where he grew up and played center and linebacker on the football team, participated in 4-H and was on the 4-H National Champion Livestock Judging Team. Mr. Scott graduated from Waurika High School in 1961, attended OSU for two years – where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity – and graduated from OU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1969. During law school, he joined the Army ROTC, where he became a brigade commander, was named the outstanding ROTC graduate and received the Gen. Hal Muldrow Pistol. He served from 1969 to 1971 in the U.S. Army as a lawyer stationed at Fort Benning, Fort Holabird and Fort Knox and did a tour of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Scott was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal twice during his service. He returned to Jefferson County in 1971 and became the assistant district attorney before opening his own practice in 1973. During his legal career, he also served as the city attorney for Waurika, Ryan, Temple, Terral and Randlett. In 2022, he retired after 52 years of legal practice. He actively served on the Waurika School Board, the Master Conservancy Board and the Jefferson County Hospital Board. He was also a member of the First Christian Church, the Rotary Club and the Waurika Chamber of Commerce. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Waurika or a charity of your choice.

March

Gary C. Bachman of Oklahoma City died Dec. 30. He was born Dec. 9, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated from Midwest City High School in 1961. He attended the University of Central Oklahoma and worked nights at Tinker Air Force Base. He received his J.D. with honors from the OCU School of Law in 1970 and worked at the law firm of Rhodes, Hieronymous, Holloway and Wilson, which later became Holloway, Dobson & Bachman. Mr. Bachman practiced law in Oklahoma City for more than 50 years. He co-founded Zion’s Gate International with his wife, served as an Executive Board member of the International Christian Embassy and partnered with several other Christian and Jewish ministries and institutions. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chabad Community Center for Jewish Life and Learning in Oklahoma City.

Gemma Morrison Bennett of Los Alamos, New Mexico, died May 30, 2023. She was born June 22, 1943, and was raised in Georgia. Throughout her life, she worked various jobs, including secretary, train dispatcher, house mother, oil field technician, writer and editor, landlord and patent attorney. Ms. Bennett received her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1987. She founded For the Animals, a nonprofit organization that supports Los Alamos County Animal Shelter animals. Memorial contributions may be made to Felines & Friends New Mexico.

Bryan Keith Drummond of Tulsa died June 15, 2024. He was born Feb. 8, 1967, in Great Falls, Montana. He served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ventura, California. Upon returning, he earned his bachelor’s degree at OSU and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1995. Mr. Drummond worked at the law firm of Rosenstein, Fist & Ringold from 1996 until his death. During that time, he became a partner and shareholder, working with his colleagues to represent numerous school districts and municipalities across Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be made to your local school district to help students in need purchase items like sports gear, coats, shoes, lunch bills, glasses, etc.

Peter Culver Godfrey of Madill died Nov. 26. He was born Sept. 25, 1956. Mr. Godfrey received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1983.

Harvey L. Harmon Jr. of Oklahoma City died Jan. 22. He was born March 6, 1947, and graduated from Harding High School, where he was on the swim and tennis teams. He spent his freshman year at Wesleyan University in Connecticut but transferred to OU his sophomore year, joining many friends in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Mr. Harmon received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1971 and began his lifelong practice of law, primarily in contract negotiations. He practiced with several firms, including Kerr/Davis, Lawrence, Ellis and Harmon. He served as general counsel for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority and AFS, a small tech company that grew to international scope. He was a member of the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association. He always found time to do pro bono work for many of his wife’s students and friends.

Samantha Rae Jones of Claremore died Sept. 11. She was born Sept. 20, 1973, in Claremore. Ms. Jones attended school in Oolagah and won two softball state championships as a pitcher. She attended Rogers State College and transferred to Evangel University in Missouri, where she was the first pitching recruit for their new softball team. She graduated from Evangel University with a bachelor’s degree in government cum laude and received her J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1999. Ms. Jones took on the role of campaign supporter for her husband in his successful bid to become the Oklahoma state representative for District 9. For the next 12 years, she supported him throughout his public service career while balancing her own legal career and family. She worked with the law firm of Carle and Mosier and was an assistant district attorney and title attorney before choosing to stay at home with her family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation. 

Ryan Dean Kiesel of Oklahoma City died Jan. 31. He was born Jan. 15, 1980, in Oklahoma City. Mr. Kiesel was raised in Seminole and graduated from Seminole High School in 1998. He attended OU, where he found his passion for politics. He began working on various campaigns for local and state candidates, including Rep. Bill Nations, and spent several years as a policy advisor to Sen. Kelly Haney. During the 2000 presidential campaign, he traveled the country as a staffer for Sen. Bill Bradley. Mr. Kiesel received his bachelor’s degree in political science in 2002 and his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 2006. During his second year of law school, he won the election to represent Seminole as state representative for House District 28 and served for three terms. Afterward, he served as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma from 2011 until 2020. Mr. Kiesel’s career included working in private law practice, as an adjunct professor at the OU College of Law and as a lobbyist and consultant for a variety of interests at the state Capitol. For 13 years, his insightful commentary on This Week in Oklahoma Politics – a weekly show on KOSU, the local NPR affiliate – offered listeners an honest and incisive look at state and national affairs. Memorial contributions may be made to a college education fund for Oliver and Claire at any BancFirst branch or https://tinyurl.com/KieselMemorialFund.

Jim D. Kutch of Aptos, California, died Dec. 15. He was born Nov. 21, 1935, in Hobart. Mr. Kutch graduated from OU in 1957 and received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1969. He received his certified financial planner designation in 1986 from the College for Financial Planning in Denver. He began his military service in the U.S. Navy at the Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and then served on the USS Basilone. He attended Fleet Sonar School and finished in the Naval Reserves in Oklahoma in 1972. Mr. Kutch detached from the Navy as a lieutenant. His career included serving in various leadership positions at Fidelity Bank, American Bank of Commerce, American National Bank of Midwest City and Security Bank of Midwest City. From 1987 to 1995, he practiced at the Oklahoma City law firm of Pate and Payne in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and charitable giving. He was the director of capital support and planned giving at OCU from 1995 until his retirement in December 2000. Mr. Kutch was a member of the American Bar Association, the Oklahoma County Bar Association, the Oklahoma City Estate Planning Council and the Registry of CFP Licensed Practitioners. He also served on the boards of several metropolitan civic organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the Chamber of Commerce of South Oklahoma City and Midwest City and several area YMCA branches. He was a member of Mayfair Church of Christ in Oklahoma City for over 30 years and served as a deacon for part of that time.

Ross Nicholas Lillard III of Washington died Jan. 11, 2024. He was born Oct. 6, 1947, in Oklahoma City. Mr. Lillard graduated from Lawton High School and attended OU, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam, where he received commendation medals, including two bronze stars. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1975. Mr. Lillard was an assistant to the district attorney in Cleveland County, a defense attorney and a federal prosecutor for the Western District of Oklahoma. He was president of the Cleveland County Bar Association from 1986 to 1987. Later, he received a Director’s Award from the U.S. attorney general. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Patricia Dougherty MacGuigan of Oklahoma City died Dec. 26. She was born Sept. 8, 1939, in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She received her J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1975. She also held a bachelor’s degree from OU and an LL.M. from the University of Virginia. She was an administrative law judge for the Oil and Gas Conservation Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission from 2003 to 2021. She served as judge and presiding judge of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals from 1982 to 1991. Earlier in her career, she was an assistant district attorney for Oklahoma County and an oil and gas litigation attorney for the Kerr-McGee Corp. Ms. MacGuigan served as master of the bench of the American Inns of Court XXIII in 1990.

Otis Leo Osborn of Tulsa died March 5, 2024. He was born Oct. 30, 1925, in Newalla. Mr. Osborn graduated from Shawnee High School in 1943. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, where he served as a pharmacist’s mate in the U.S. Naval Hospital. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law. Mr. Osborn was an OBA member for more than 70 years. He worked with Standard Oil Co., which eventually became Amoco Co., and he remained with them until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of the Asbury Methodist Church, where he was involved in bible study and accountability groups, volunteered in the church library and served as a greeter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

Annette C. H. Prince of Oklahoma City died Oct. 10. She was born Nov. 3, 1946. Ms. Prince received her J.D. from the OU College of Law.  

Jeffrey Lynn Shelton of Seminole died July 15. He was born Aug. 22, 1968, in Odessa, Texas. Mr. Shelton played collegiate baseball and attended OSU for his undergraduate studies. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1994, where he was a Carl Albert Executive Fellow. After law school, he worked as an attorney for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, where he received a governor’s accommodation for his legal work. He went on to work as the city attorney for Cromwell and Sasakwa and as a professor at Seminole State College. Mr. Shelton also coached high school football and was the vice commissioner for American Legion Baseball.

Edwina McKee Taylor of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died Jan. 11. She was born Nov. 20, 1952. Ms. Taylor received her J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1988. Memorial contributions may be made to Listening Horse Therapeutic Riding, Chaplain Joe’s Street Outreach, Scott’s House or the Equal Justice Initiative.

February

Walter Benton Ashabranner of Edmond died Nov. 22. He was born June 1, 1954. Mr. Ashabranner received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1994. 

Arthur S. Bay of Oklahoma City died Aug. 2, 2023. He was born March 1, 1927, in Windsor, Ontario. Mr. Bay received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law and began his career as an attorney in 1957. He was passionate about gardening, birding and traveling.

Patricia L. Carroll of Mesquite, Texas, died Dec. 13. She was born Oct. 15, 1926, and grew up on a farm near Arapaho, graduating from Arapaho High School in 1944. Ms. Carroll studied at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and OCU. She received her J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1956. While in law school, she worked for Judge John Jarmon and was among his most trusted staff in his Oklahoma office when he became a U.S. representative. Upon graduation, she and her husband practiced together at the law firm of Carroll & Caroll until his death in 1982, and she continued the practice by herself until 2018. Ms. Caroll received her 60-year milestone anniversary pin. She was a member of the Tulakes Baptist Church in Bethany and enjoyed teaching Sunday school classes to adults. For many years, she crocheted a large number of small hats for a children’s home and tracheostomy covers for veterans.

Murray Cohen of Oklahoma City died April 29, 2024. He was born Feb. 22, 1932, in Harlem, New York, and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx at 16 years old. Mr. Cohen earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1953 from OU. After graduation, he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Although trained as a forward observer for the Korean War, he served his tour of duty as the chief hospital administrator of the U.S. Army hospital in Nuremberg, Germany, during the Nuremberg war trials. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve until 1961. Mr. Cohen received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1959. He practiced law from 1959 until approximately 2000 and continued to counsel friends and clients for years afterward. He earned national recognition in the ‘70s and ‘80s as a gifted turnaround artist, reorganizing distressed businesses. Memorial contributions may be made to Emanuel Synagogue in Oklahoma City, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, or a charity of your choice.

Stephen A. Collinson of Tulsa died June 21, 2024. He was born Dec. 27, 1942, in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Classen High School in 1961 and received a bachelor’s degree in political science from OSU, where he was a member of Sigma Nu. After college, Mr. Collinson joined the Army National Guard and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for his participation in armed ground conflict in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1971 and worked at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission before moving to Tulsa to work for Texaco in 1977. He was a lifelong Episcopalian and a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, where he served as an acolyte master, lay reader and a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He supported his community and was a regular season ticket holder for TU sports, the Tulsa Drillers, the Tulsa Shock, the Tulsa Ballet and the Tulsa Opera. He also ran multiple Tulsa Runs and the New York City Marathon four times. Memorial contributions may be made to a nonprofit of your choice.

Adam Lee Haselgren of Tulsa died Dec. 11. He was born May 25, 1976, in Denver and spent his childhood in Broomfield, Colorado. In 1991, he moved to Sidney, Nebraska, and graduated from Sidney High School in May 1994. He attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney to begin the pursuit of his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 2004. After passing the bar, he began his career with the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office. Mr. Haselgren was adamant about providing public defense for clients who needed legal assistance. He was highly regarded and respected for his knowledge, devotion and compassion by those in Tulsa’s judicial system. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for the Adam Haselgren Memorial Scholarship at the TU College of Law to be awarded to a law student committed to public defense.

Eric H. Hermansen of Oklahoma City died Dec. 17. He was born Feb. 5, 1944, in Atlanta. Mr. Hermansen received a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1968 and a Master of Arts in political science in 1973 from Midwestern State University, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1981. During law school, he taught government and political science courses at Oklahoma City Community College. He returned to teaching in the late 2000s for several years. Mr. Hermansen practiced law in the Oklahoma City area for more than 40 years and took pride in being an attorney of the people. Memorial contributions may be made to Inheritance Adoptions or Mr. Hermansen’s funeral expenses at Vondel L. Smith & Sons Mortuaries.

Stephen Pendaries Kerr of Tulsa died July 15. He was born Nov. 10, 1944. Mr. Kerr graduated with his bachelor’s degree from OU. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1969 and his LL.M. from the George Washington University Law School. He also pursued further postgraduate study at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston and the Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands. Early in his career, he practiced law in Washington, D.C. He also became an adjunct professor of public international law and human rights. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tulsa Knights of Columbus.

Eric Russell Schelin of Portland, Oregon, died March 18, 2024. He was born May 5, 1976, in Butte, Montana. He attended Butte High School and Montana Technological University, where he graduated with honors. Mr. Schelin moved to Tulsa in 2000, where he worked full time as a contract negotiator at Williams Communications while attending the TU College of Law. He received his J.D. with honors in 2002 and was awarded the Student Bar Association President’s Award. He began his legal career at the Tulsa law firm of Frederic Dorwart, Lawyers PLLC and had recently moved to Oregon and joined a new start-up firm in Portland before his death.

Ronald Stephan Willdigg of Floral Park, New York, died Aug. 14. He was born Oct. 13, 1942. Mr. Willdigg received his J.D. from the OU College of Law.

Bert Randolph Willert of Columbia, Tennessee, died Nov. 22. He was born June 15, 1962, in La Jolla, California. Mr. Willert graduated from La Jolla High School in 1980. He took an interest in music at a young age and started playing the drums in junior high. He played the drums for more than four decades and performed with several bands, including Army of Love, The Voices, The Greasy Petes, Red Truck and Billy Bacon & The Forbidden Pigs. He could also sing and play multiple instruments by ear. Mr. Willert graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1990. He received his J.D. cum laude from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2004, where he was an editor of the Thomas Jefferson Law Review and the Legal Writing II honors course, and his LL.M. from the University of San Diego School of Law. His career as a probate attorney included practice in the areas of tax, business, real estate, bankruptcy, entertainment law and corporate law. For 15 years, he taught graduate-level courses in business law as an online instructor for Liberty University. He was an active member of Calvary Chapel, where he served as an instructor for the School of Ministry.

Richard D. Winzeler of Edmond died Oct. 15. He was born Feb. 10, 1935, in Gridley, Kansas. Mr. Winzeler graduated from Gridley Rural High School in 1953, a class of 22 students, and from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1957. He was president of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Mr. Winzeler began working for Pan American Petroleum and Transport Co. and later for Moak, Hunsaker and Rouse CPAs. During this time, he attended night classes at the OCU School of Law, where he received his J.D. in 1965. He became a trust officer at Liberty Bank Trust Department. Afterward, he worked as a tax partner with Robinson, DeCordova & Billups CPAs, which eventually became Grant Thorton CPAs, where he retired after 43 years in public accounting. Mr. Winzeler also served on the board of Nichols Hills Bank, now RCB Bank. He was a member of Crossings Community Church and enjoyed his men’s bible study at Oak Tree. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossings Community Church.

Michael Grey Wolf of Tulsa died Nov. 5. He was born July 1, 1951. Mr. Wolf received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1988.

Duane A. Woodliff of Edmond died Oct. 1. He was born Nov. 7, 1941, in Norman. He graduated from Henryetta High School in 1959 and earned his bachelor’s degree from OU, where he was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1966, where he served as an editor of the Oklahoma Law Review and The Advocate. After graduation, Mr. Woodliff proudly served as a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Army Security Agency in Asmara, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Fort Ord, California, until 1970. His career included teaching business law at the University of Maryland Global Campus – European Division, maintaining a general practice in Henryetta and serving as the Henryetta municipal judge, Okmulgee County special judge and associate district judge. He retired in 2014 and served as a volunteer attorney for Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO). He was recognized as one of the Oklahoma Outstanding Pro Bono Attorneys of 2016. As an ancillary duty, he established and presided over the Okmulgee County Drug Court, the Anna McBride Mental Health Court and the Family Drug Treatment Court. He was involved with the OBA Board of Governors, the Professional Responsibility Tribunal, the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce, the Henryetta Education Foundation and the Henryetta Medical Foundation, the latter two of which he was a founding officer. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Henryetta and served many years on the parish board. Memorial contributions may be made to the Okmulgee County Drug Court, the Henryetta Education Foundation or the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

J. Thornton Wright Jr. of Oklahoma City died July 6. He was born Oct. 25, 1930, in Bowie, Texas. He graduated from Classen High School in 1948 and proudly served as vice president of the school and his senior class. He graduated from OU with his bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1954. He was a member of Kappa Sigma and the Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. Mr. Wright served in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate from 1954 to 1956. Afterward, he practiced law in Oklahoma City from 1956 to 2008, except for eight years spent as an Oklahoma County District Court special judge. He was a member of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and received his 70-year milestone anniversary pin from the OBA in May. He was a commercial pilot and enjoyed golfing, fishing and quail hunting. He previously served as president of the Oklahoma Society to Prevent Blindness, Golf Inc. and Twin Hills Golf & Country Club. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church on April 25, 1954, and maintained his faith through life. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

January

Debra Carol Cook of Norman died Sept. 25. She was born Aug. 18, 1958, in Edmond. She attended Norman High School and graduated from OU. Ms. Cook received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1982. She spent 35 years at the accounting firm KPMG, where she was a tax managing director before retiring in 2018. After retiring, she maintained friendships with many of her former colleagues around the country. Ms. Cook had also conducted genealogy research and recently completed a college-level genealogy course.

Gregory Ben Dixon of Norman died Nov. 17. He was born Dec. 16, 1966, in Muskogee. He was primarily raised in Checotah, where he attended school and graduated from Checotah High School in 1985. Mr. Dixon continued his educational and athletic career at OU. He was a member of the OU football team, achieving three conference championships and one national title and lettering all four years. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1994. With experience in both public and civil litigation, he was elected district judge for Cleveland, McClain and Garvin counties in 2011. He also served as supervising district judge for McClain and Garvin counties. After four years on the bench, he returned to private practice and became a partner at Nichols Dixon. He served on various ministry boards and participated in many organizations and clubs, such as Sooner Brotherhood, rotary club and the chamber of commerce. Memorial contributions may be made to Susie Peters, Mr. Dixon’s dear friend who is battling cancer.

Michael Scott Fern of Nichols Hills died Oct. 10. He was born May 29, 1954, in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Putnam City High School in 1972, earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from OU in 1978 and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1980. He spent the first decade of his legal career as an assistant attorney general with the Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General and devoted the remainder of his career to the higher education sector. He served as general counsel to the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges in the late 1980s, and for the largest part of his career – over three decades – he acted as counsel to the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. During that time, he also taught several courses to undergraduate students at OSU in higher education law, administrative law and constitutional law. His career culminated with him being named executive vice president of Oklahoma City Community College in 2022.

Harry H. Goldman of Seattle died Nov. 22. He was born Nov. 13, 1952. Mr. Goldman received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1976.

John Wayne Gosney of Yukon died Nov. 17. He was born Aug. 27, 1946, in Tulsa. Mr. Gosney graduated from Bethany High School in 1964. He then attended OU before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Mr. Gosney was assigned to the Air Force Security Service as a Russian linguist, placing him in the top 1% of basic training graduates. After attending language school in Syracuse, New York, he was stationed in Italy for the duration of his service. He then returned to Oklahoma and completed his undergraduate education at Central State College in Edmond. Mr. Gosney began working at Kerr-McGee in 1973 and eventually moved into the role of employee relations director. He attended night school and received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1978. He retired from Kerr-McGee in 2003.

Saundra Floreta Lapsley of Gainesville, Texas, died July 10. She was born Aug. 23, 1948. Ms. Lapsley received her J.D. from the OU College of Law in 2001.

Patrick Thomas Layden of McAlester died Nov. 17. He was born April 18, 1961, in McAlester. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1979 and earned his bachelor’s degree from OU and his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1987. As a third-generation attorney, Mr. Layden returned to McAlester, joining the Layden Law Firm and working alongside his family. His love for the law and dedication to his clients eventually led him to establish his own firm, Pat Layden Law Firm. He recently welcomed his daughter, Danielle, to the firm as a fourth-generation attorney. He was a proud, lifelong member of the community and served on several boards, including the Boys & Girls Club of McAlester and the McAlester Regional Health Center Foundation.

Brian Brendan Tully of Phoenix died Aug. 22. He was born Aug. 10, 1954. Mr. Tully graduated from the TU College of Law.

Terry Wayne Vanderpool of Jersey Village, Texas, died July 15. He was born Sept. 1, 1951, in Tulsa. After graduating from Will Rogers High School in 1969, Mr. Vanderpool joined the U.S. Army and served honorably in duty stations in El Paso, Texas, and Bavaria, West Germany. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1982 and received his J.D. from the Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2000.

Home | Members | Resources | About

News

2025

August

May

April

March

February

January

Contact Us

Members

Public

About

Contact Us