APRIL 2026 | 79 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL in 1976. He held a number of jobs before becoming a lawyer, including merchant seaman, clerk with the post office, CPA and accounting professor. Mr. Dell was admitted to the practice of law in Oklahoma in 1977 and in Texas in 2004. He was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court; the U.S. Circuit Courts for the 5th, 9th and 10th circuits; the U.S. Tax Court; and U.S. district courts in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. Thomas G. Ferguson Jr. of Edmond died Aug. 16, 2025. He was born May 12, 1948, in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia, in 1966 and attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. He received his J.D. from the Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1973. He then moved to Lawton, where he was commissioned as a first lieutenant, serving in the Field Artillery at Fort Sill. After passing the Virginia bar exam and being admitted to practice law, he was promoted to captain in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and served from 1973 until 1977. After being honorably discharged, he joined a private practice in Bluefield, West Virginia. He later joined the Army Reserve, again serving as a JAG officer, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring in 1998. He received two Meritorious Service Medals and honorably served his country for over 23 years. He was a trial attorney, practicing law at his firm, Walker, Ferguson & Ferguson. His legal career spanned more than 52 years. He also served as the city attorney for Union City and was a member of the Defense Research Institute. Frank L. Gruntkowski of Tulsa died Dec. 19, 2025. He was born Oct. 25, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Gruntkowski received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1996. He was a practicing attorney in Tulsa. Robert George Haney of Miami died March 2. He was born May 12, 1950, in Tulsa. He had lived in Miami since 1975, moving from Hominy. Mr. Haney attended OSU and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1975. He was in private law practice before becoming a district judge for Ottawa and Delaware counties. He was a member of Miami Masonic Lodge #140, the Tulsa Scottish Rite Consistory, the Akdar Shrine and the Grand Lake Shrine Club, among other organizations. Timothy D. Leonard of Oklahoma City died March 2. He was born Jan. 22, 1940, in Beaver. He attended Beaver High School, where he played basketball, ran track and served as class president for three years. He attended OU on a four-year track scholarship, was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1962. Mr. Leonard received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965. He joined the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and attained the rank of lieutenant commander. He served in the Pentagon and as a White House military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson. He served as an assistant attorney general under G.T. Blankenship before entering private practice. In 1970, he went into law practice with his father at the firm of Leonard, Trippet & Leonard (later Leonard, Trippet, Leonard & Kee). In 1979, he was elected to the Oklahoma Senate, where he served as minority leader. He went on to serve as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma and a U.S. district judge from 1991 until 2026. Lawrence A. Martin II of Cleveland died Jan. 3. He was born March 27, 1949, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from Cleveland schools in 1967 and attended Rogers State University, Northeastern State University and OSU. He received his J.D. from the TU College of Law. After returning to Cleveland, he opened a private law practice where he represented underprivileged children and the public. Mr. Martin served as a Pawnee County district attorney before opening a new private law office in Cleveland. He represented many clients and held offices as the city judge for Cleveland and Mannford. Gary L. McKnight of McAlester died Dec. 19, 2025. He was born Jan. 2, 1942, in McAlester. He graduated from McAlester High School in 1959, earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from OU in 1964 and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1966. Mr. McKnight served two years as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He then returned to McAlester to begin his legal career, including serving as an assistant district attorney. In 1970, he launched his real estate venture with McKnight Realty and opened his own law
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