The Oklahoma Bar Journal January 2023

W illiam John Free of San Antonio died Nov. 6. He was born Dec. 9, 1943. Mr. Free studied economics at the University of Michigan, where he gradu ated in 1962. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1969. Following his graduation, Mr. Free started a long career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. In 1995, he retired and remained in San Antonio, where he enjoyed playing golf, driving fast cars and motorcycles and caring for the animals on his ranches in Dripping Springs, Texas, and Bandera, Texas. In 2022, Mr. Free and his wife moved to Mounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. R ichard Lee Heath of Oklahoma City died Oct. 16. He was born Sept. 21, 1958, in Oklahoma City and grew up in Oklahoma City and Del City. He graduated from Del City High School in 1976 and received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from OU in 1980. Mr. Heath obtained his J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 1990. He was employed for several years with Farmers Insurance Company Inc. before being admit ted to practice law in 1991. He then opened his own law firm, Richard L. Heath PC, where he practiced until his death. In his spare time, he enjoyed tailgating, OU football, attending concerts and traveling. J oe C. Houk of Fairview died Nov. 8. He was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Enid. Mr. Houk gradu ated from Fairview High School in 1947 and attended OU, where he was a member of The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band and received his bachelor’s degree. In

P etra Lois DeLashmit Martin of Oklahoma City died Sept. 19. She was born May 10, 1970, in Springfield, Missouri. Ms. Martin graduated from Fair Grove High School, Missouri State University and went on to complete an MBA and criminal justice master’s degree in 2003 from Lindenwood University. She earned her J.D. from the OCU School of Law in 2012 and practiced law in Oklahoma City until her death. She donated many hours and dollars to rescuing and helping animals. Memorial contributions may be made to Bella SPCA. Q uentin P. McColgin Jr. of Madison, Mississippi, died Oct. 6, 2020. Mr. McColgin was a 1962 graduate of OU. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1965 and started a career in law that spanned nearly five decades. After beginning his general prac tice in 1965, he was an attorney advisor and trial attorney with the Federal Trade Commission until 1979, after which he was appointed administrative law judge for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration until 1983. He served as administrative law judge for the Office of Administrative Law Judges, United States Department of Labor (Federal Workers’ Compensation) until 1996. He then served as administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration until 2002, when he reentered private practice in Jackson, Mississippi, until his retirement in 2014. Mr. McColgin was a member of the Mississippi and Oklahoma bar associations and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.

1951, he entered the U.S. Army as a lieutenant and served over seas in the Army Artillery from 1951 to 1953. He continued in the Army Reserve from 1953 until 1966. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1953 and captain in 1958. Mr. Houk received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1955. He served as an attorney for the city of Fairview and the Fairview School System for many years. He enjoyed sports and refereed football and basketball. He was also a private pilot and owned several aircraft. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, the Fairview Chamber of Commerce and the Masonic Lodge. He participated in many fundraising projects for the Fairview school system and the Major County community. W illiam Hugh James of Yukon died Oct. 31. He was born Feb. 2, 1946, in Oklahoma City. Mr. James graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1964 and from OU in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He received his J.D. from the OU College of Law in 1973. He then served our country in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant junior grade. Mr. James spent his legal career as an assistant attorney general, public defender, assistant district attorney and in private practice in Yukon. He loved his family and enjoyed the sport of wrestling. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL