AUGUST 2026 | 87 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL OU College of Law in 1972. He opened his law firm in Norman in 1974 and practiced there until his retirement in 2020. After retiring, he continued to serve the community as a judge in Valley Brook. John Edward Lee III of Edmond died Feb. 21. He was born Jan. 25, 1951, in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines and received his J.D. from the OU College of Law, graduating at the top of his class. He served as a petroleum engineer, spending a lifetime traveling overseas and later as an oil and gas attorney. Jim Allen Lyon of Oklahoma City died May 16. He was born Feb. 13, 1947. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1980. David L. Peterson of Tulsa died March 25. He was born April 22, 1943, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He was part of the first graduating class of Nathan Hale High School. Mr. Peterson attended Brigham Young University, where he majored in political science and Portuguese. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law. After several years in private practice as an attorney, Mr. Peterson was appointed as a special judge for Tulsa County and later as a district judge by Gov. Nigh. Later in his career, he served as the presiding judge in Tulsa County and as chair of the Oklahoma Assembly of Presiding Judges, earning the respect of colleagues and the community for his fairness, integrity, and dedication. In retirement, he was deeply involved with the Tulsa Rotary Club, where he co-led the Nicaragua Project. Robert James Reid of Helotes, Texas, died June 18. He was born Sept. 11, 1940. Mr. Reid received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965. Thomas Hill Reynolds of Tulsa died April 17. He was born Sept. 12, 1949. He graduated from Central High School in 1967. Mr. Reynolds joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1968, later serving on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-1974, where he was honorably discharged. He graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1977 and received his J.D. from the TU College of Law in 1982. John Thomas Severe of Stillwater died June 6. He was born Nov. 17, 1951, in Perry. He graduated from Perry High School in 1970, where he wrestled and was the drum major for the marching band. He graduated from OSU in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law. While at OCU, he was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and graduated 6th overall of 169 in his graduating class. Mr. Severe was an attorney and counselor of law for over 47 years. For the majority of his professional career, he operated a private law firm practicing criminal law, civil law, civil litigation, personal injury, family law and estate planning. At the beginning of his professional career, he served as the Stillwater city attorney, assistant district attorney for Payne and Logan counties and Yale city attorney. Over his lifetime, he was an active member in the Stillwater community and region serving on the Stillwater United Way Board of Directors, Stillwater YMCA Board of Directors, Stillwater Life Center Board of Directors, Stillwater Wrestling Club, Valley Hope Association Advisory Board, Noon Lions Club, Salvation Army Advisory Board and Perry High School Alumni Association Board of Directors. Fred Douglas Shirley II of Norman died June 17. He was born June 7, 1948, in Watonga. He attended Watonga High School, where he earned his Eagle Scout rank and graduated in 1966. He attended OU, where he was an active and proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and the OU ROTC program. Mr. Shirley graduated in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was soon commissioned as a first lieutenant in the United States Army. Following his military service, Mr. Shirley received his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1975. After graduation, he moved his family back to Watonga and joined his father in the practice of law at Shirley, Stephenson, Shirley and Webber. He later opened his own practice, where he retired in 2015. He practiced as an attorney for 50 years. He was a member of Kiwanis, the Watonga Hospital Board, the American Legion and the Watonga First United Methodist Church, where he served in numerous leadership roles. He was also active in the Watonga High School Booster Club, the Watonga Chamber of Commerce and as a Boy Scout troop leader. He coached Little League teams, placed flags throughout the community for holidays, taught Sunday school and volunteered for countless civic and community activities. For many years, he was “The Voice of Eagles,” calling Watonga Eagle Football games under the Friday night lights.
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