THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 70 | MARCH 2025 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 twoyear 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 In Memoriam
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