THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 86 | MAY 2025 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 Memoriam
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