Don Barnes (judge)
Don Barnes | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court | |
| In office 1972–1985 | |
| Preceded by | W. H. Blackbird |
| Succeeded by | Hardy Summers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | W. Don Barnes December 25, 1924 Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Died | March 3, 2011 (aged 86) |
Don Barnes (1924–2011) was a long-time attorney and judge in Oklahoma. Born in Tulsa, he first became a judge in 1954, when he was elected superior court judge in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He was given the nickname "The Praying Judge," because he began each court session over which he presided with a prayer. In 1972, Oklahoma Governor David Hall appointed him as an associate justice of the state supreme court. Barnes remained on the court until he retired as chief justice in January 1985.