Gathering for Graham's retirement

December 28, 2022

by Toni Hopper

Standing from left: Lawrence Wheeler, Stephens County Associate District Judge-elect; Rafe Hall, current Jackson County Special Judge and Associate District Judge-elect; Comanche County Associate District Judge Lisa Shaw; Jari Askins, former Stephens County Special Judge and current Administrative Director of the Courts; retired Comanche County District Judge Allen McCall. Sitting front and center are Justice Jim Winchester, left, and Chief Justice Richard Darby, right; next row from left: Brad Leverett, District Judge (Jackson, Tillman, Harmon, Greer, and Kiowa counties); Comanche County District Judge Scott Meador; retired Comanche County District Judge Gerald Neuwirth; retired Comanche County District Judge Mark Smith; Bill Reeves, former Comanche County Special Judge; back row from left: Brent Russell, current Stephens County Associate District Judge and District Judge-elect; retired Stephens County District Judge Joe Enos; retired Stephens County District Judge George Lindley; and honoree, Stephens County District Judge Ken Graham. Photo by Toni Hopper/The Marlow Review

More than 200 individuals gathered in the Stephens County District Courtroom for Judge Ken J. Graham’s retirement celebration, Dec. 20. Graham was elected District Judge for the Fifth Judicial District on Nov. 4, 2014. The event was filled with stories by fellow judges and attorneys.

Carl Buckholts, President of the Stephens County Bar Association, pointed out that during Graham’s first term in office he presided over two cases that drew national and world attention. The Allen Hruby and Christopher Lane trials

were two of the most notable murder trials at that time in Oklahoma.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Richard Darby and Supreme Court Justice James Winchester honored Judge Graham with their attendance. Each Justice expressed their respect for Judge Graham’s career as an attorney and as a

judge.

Justice Darby presented Graham with a plaque signed by all nine Supreme Court Justices. Former Comanche County Judges Allen McCall and Mark Smith, Jari Askins, Administrator of the Courts, also lauded Graham’s accomplishments.

After all the story telling was shared, Judge Graham thanked his wife, DeDe, for her love and support, and said his greatest accomplishments are his family. He is the father of Dr. Demetra Graham Cox.

Cox and her husband, Dustin, own and operate Chisholm Trail Assisted Living in Duncan. Judge Graham has two grandchildren - Graham Cox is a second-year law student at the University of Texas in Austin, and Gentry Cox is a junior majoring in pre-med at the University of Oklahoma.