The Oklahoma Bar Journal September 2024

R onald E. Worthen of Ardmore died June 16. He was born Nov. 12, 1943, in Yuba City, California. He graduated from high school in Forrest City, Arkansas, in 1962 and from the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega, in 1967. Mr. Worthen graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1968. He was admitted to practice law in Arkansas in 1968 and Oklahoma in 1970. After graduation, he worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Oren Harris, chief judge of the Western District of Arkansas and judge of the Eastern District of Arkansas. He was licensed to practice in the state and federal courts of Arkansas and Oklahoma, the 10th Circuit

school department director, Sunday school teacher, Board of Trustees member and Personnel Committee member. He was a member of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Training Council for several years, a director of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Wildlife Federation and vice chair of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. He also served as pres ident of the Carter County Bar Association, as well as the associ ation’s secretary and treasurer for several years. Memorial contribu tions may be made to the Baptist Home for Girls in Madill or The First Missionary Baptist Church Ardmore Scholarship Fund.

Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Worthen served active duty in the Oklahoma National Guard, first as a communications specialist with a cryptographer’s security clearance, then in the Judge Advocate General Unit as chief prosecutor. He was awarded the Oklahoma Commendation Medal. He entered private practice after his service and later became the first assistant district attor ney. In 1974, he was appointed to serve as district attorney of the 20th District and was elected in 1974. He served in this role until Jan. 1, 1986, when he returned to private practice. Mr. Worthen served in various roles at the First Baptist Church of Ardmore, including as a deacon, Sunday

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THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL