THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 80 | APRIL 2026 firm, where he practiced for more than 50 years. His practice focused on estate planning, real estate, probate and energy law. Gerard F. Pignato of Norman died Feb. 24. He was born April 22, 1959, in Meriden, Connecticut. He grew up in Elmira, New York, and graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in 1977, ranked third in his class. Mr. Pignato played baseball at Brown University and was a member of the Phi Delta Sigma fraternity. He graduated in 1981 and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1984. Mr. Pignato practiced law for 40 years and was proud to serve as a trial lawyer. Troy Wayne Poteete of Webbers Falls died Feb. 5. He was born March 6, 1955, in Muskogee. Mr. Poteete received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 2001. He served as a Cherokee Nation Tribal Council member from 1991 to 1999, helping shape legislative policy during a pivotal era of growth, and his dedication to protecting the tribe continued after he was appointed a justice of the Cherokee Nation Supreme Court in 2007. He also served as director of the Arkansas Riverbed Authority. He helped found the National Trail of Tears Association and served as the executive director. Robert Lee Rabon of Hugo died Jan. 30. He was born Jan. 1, 1961, in Hugo. He graduated from Hugo High School in 1979, where he lettered on the basketball team. He graduated from OSU in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in history. Mr. Rabon received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1988, graduating second in his class. He practiced law alongside his father in Hugo for more than 30 years. He was an advocate in shaping the modern application of the Indian Child Welfare Act, which applies to tribes across Oklahoma. Keith Sims of Bartlesville died Feb. 16. He was born Oct. 6, 1949, in Tulsa. He attended Sand Springs Public Schools and graduated from Charles Page High School in 1967. Mr. Sims earned his associate’s degrees in applied science and police science in 1974 and his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1985. He received his J.D. from the California Western School of Law in 1987. Upon graduation, he returned to Sand Springs and eventually moved to Bartlesville in 1989. He was admitted to the bar in 1988. Mr. Sims served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971 and left as a police sergeant. He worked for the Bartlesville Police Department from 1971 to 1981. He then worked at Heskett & Heskett Law Firm and later served as the assistant district attorney in Osage County. As an ADA, he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors and represented the state on behalf of children in deprived actions. Mr. Sims retired at the age of 62 but continued to work for Osage County as an attorney, representing the interests of deprived children. His most notable achievements included being named attorney of the year by the Pawnee/Osage CASA in 2014 and receiving a citation from the Oklahoma State Senate, District 10, State House District 36 and speaker of the house for his professional accomplishments and years of service to Oklahoma citizens. He was also recognized by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council. Stuart Lee Yates of Las Vegas died Sept. 9, 2024. He was born July 14, 1962. Mr. Yates received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1995.
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