THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 84 | AUGUST 2026 Douglas Reese Allen of Norman died March 24. He was born June 2, 1954, in New York City. He graduated from Norman High School in 1972 and attended OU, where he was a member of the OU Men’s Basketball team for the 1973/1974 season. Mr. Allen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from OU in 1976 and received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1980. In 1980, he opened his private law practice, where he dedicated 45 years to serving his clients. He was a longtime member of the South Oklahoma City Rotary Club, where he served as president. Additionally, he served 12 years on the Wesley Foundation Board, eventually serving as its president. Wayne Morris Boettcher of Muskogee died Aug. 3, 2025. He was born Feb. 28, 1957, in Pittsburg, Philadelphia. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force from 1976-1980. After his military service, he completed his undergraduate degree and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law. Mr. Boettcher practiced law while establishing roots in Muskogee, where he lived for approximately 30 years. He worked as a supervisor at the Department of Veterans Affairs, advocating for education benefits. Barry Wayne Brandon of Beggs died Dec. 26, 2025. He was born Jan. 17, 1961. He received his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 1987. For more than three decades, his work focused on federal Indian law, tribal governance and economic development in Indian Country. Mr. Brandon served in senior roles across federal government, private practice, consulting and tribal enterprise. He worked with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of the Interior on complex matters involving treaty rights, water rights settlements and the federal trust responsibility to Native American tribes. He later became a partner at a national law firm, where he was a founding member of its American Indian law and policy practice. In that role, he advised Indian Nations, tribal enterprises and public entities on legal, regulatory and policy matters. He went on to lead his own consulting firm, continuing to provide legal counsel to tribes and organizations working throughout Indian Country. A significant chapter of Mr. Brandon’s career was his work with the Seneca Nation of Indians. As senior vice president and general counsel of the Seneca Gaming Corporation, he played a central role in the legal and regulatory efforts that helped establish and grow the Nation’s gaming operations. The Seneca Gaming Corporation has continued to expand and has had a significant and positive impact on the economy of western New York. David W. Buxton of Oklahoma City died Nov. 5, 2025. He was born Feb. 23, 1937, in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from East High School in 1954 and graduated from the University of Kansas, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Mr. Buxton received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1961 and was a member of the Kansas Law Review. He was hired out of law school by the Wichita, Kansas, firm of Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, where he was engaged in general civil practice. He subsequently became a partner, then left the firm after 13 years to serve his church as executive administrator in a challenging period of their growth. Following seven years and upon completion of his goals with the church, he accepted a position in the legal department of Mustang Fuel Corporation in Oklahoma City. OG&E acquired the gas portion of the company from Mustang Fuel and Mr. Buxton moved into management where he ultimately became president of the gas marketing subsidiary, Enogex. Von Russell Creel died July 7. He was born March 9, 1942, in Ardmore. Mr. Creel graduated from Midwest City High School in 1960. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree with distinction from OU in 1964 with a major in history. He was a member of the debate team and in the Phi Alpha Theta (history) Pi Sigma Alpha (political science) and Delta Sigma Rho (speech) honor societies. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1968. During law school, he was a member of the Oklahoma Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. After graduating, he served as law clerk for Chief Judge Alfred P. Murrah of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit from 1969-1971. He joined the faculty of the OCU School of Law in 1971 and remained a member of the faculty until his retirement in 2011 after 40 years as a faculty member, having taken a leave of absence from the law school in 1975-1977 In Memoriam
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