Nominated by David L. Boren Name Rudolph Hargrave Succeeded by Doug Combs Died April 1, 2014 | Spouse(s) Madeline Hargrave Education University of Oklahoma Profession Attorney, Judge | |
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Born February 15, 1925
Shawnee, Oklahoma ( 1925-02-15 ) Children Cindy Keefer, John Robert Hargrave, and Jana Howard Alma mater East Central State University
University of Oklahoma | ||
Rudolph Hargrave ● A Simple Tribute
Rudolph Hargrave (February 15, 1925 – April 1, 2014) served as a Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court from 1978 until his retirement on December 31, 2010. He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, attended East Central State University and earned a law degree at Oklahoma University in 1949. His public service included being Superior Court Judge and District Judge for Seminole County from 1969 to 1978.
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Early life and education
Born February 15, 1925 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, Rudolph Hargrave resided in Wewoka, Seminole County, Oklahoma for most of his life. His parents were John Hubert Hargrave and Daisy (Holmes) Hargrave. He attended Wewoka public schools, East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma, where he received his law degree in 1949. He was a member of Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity. He was in private practice in Wewoka, starting right after graduation. until 1964, then was elected County Judge for Seminole County, Oklahoma, 1964-1967. From 1967-1969, Hargrave was Seminole County Superior Court Judge and was Seminole County District Judge from 1969-1978.
Career
On October 10, 1978, Hargrave was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Governor of Oklahoma David L. Boren, replacing Denver Davison, who had been serving since 1937 as the District 8 justice. Hargrave was retained in 1989, 1986, and 1992 he was retained by the voters for full six-year terms. Hargrave was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma on January 1, 1989. During his term as Chief Justice he was elected by the National Conference of Chief Justices as Vice-President of that conference, the only Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice ever to serve in that position. He was also a member of the Seminole County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, American Bar Association and the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. Hargrave retired from the court effective December 31, 2010. Governor Brad Henry announced that Judge Douglas L. Combs would replace Hargrave on January 1, 2011.
Personal
Hargrave and his wife, Madeline, had three children, Cindy Keefer of Ada, Oklahoma, John Robert Hargrave of Wewoka, Oklahoma, and Jana Howard of Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Hargrave was a 32nd Degree Mason and belonged to the United Methodist Men's Group.
Death
Hargrave died on April 1, 2014. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka.