John David Maley

Judge John David Maley, born October 15, 1930, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 11, 2014, after suffering a heart attack. He was the son of Mary Frances Myers Maley, a missionary nurse, and Emil Franklin Maley, an Okmulgee oil and gas attorney. John David graduated from Okmulgee High School and following in his father’s footsteps attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia before being called home due to illness in the family. He subsequently graduated from Oklahoma University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the OU School of Law and was admitted to the bar and to practice before the US Supreme Court in 1959. He was also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity. In the interim he became an Air Force pilot and served in Europe, Africa and Turkey and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He also was one of the few to wear both Command Pilot and Judge Advocate General, JAG, insignias, and was a retired Colonel in the Air Force Reserve for over 30 years. During his tour of duty he was awarded the Italian Solidarity Star by the Italian Government for his humanitarian missions during Europe's blizzard of 1956. He was selected to represent the US Air Force in a private audience with Pope Pius XII in which one of his fellow flyers yelled out “Three cheers for the Pope: 'Hip, Hip Hooray.” Upon his return to Okmulgee in 1959 John David opened his law practice and in less than a year was elected Okmulgee County Judge, the youngest seated judge in Oklahoma at age 34. In 1964 he was elected District Judge for Okmulgee, Okfuskee and Creek counties. In his capacity as judge he was the longest seated judge in Oklahoma after nearly 50 years on the second floor of the historic Okmulgee County Courthouse. He also served as the district’s only Chief Justice. In 1987 he became presiding judge for the ten counties comprising the East Central Administrative District. During his career on the bench he was the president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference, past president and one of the founders of the Oklahoma Trial Judges Association and a 50 year member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Currently he was of counsel with the Law Firm of Seacat & Seacat, Okmulgee. In addition to writing precedent opinions for the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals he is given credit for the implementation of the black robes worn by Oklahoma County judges. It was suggested to him and he approved the idea of respect for the court and donned the first black robe, a used discard from his church’s organist! Judge Maley’s honorable life extended far beyond the bench and he lived the Golden Rule in both his courtroom and daily activities. An active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Okmulgee from birth, he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a member of the “Session” and even gave a few sermons when called upon. His devotion to the Word of God extended to a summer in the pulpit in Checotah to fill a temporary vacancy. He loved and was active in The Boy Scouts of America, a lifelong member, receiving the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given for voluntarism. He was a past board member of the Salvation Army receiving the “Others Award” for outstanding service and past member of the Tulsa Philharmonic board bringing concerts to Okmulgee. He was also a dedicated member of the Lions Club and was a Melvin Jones Fellow of that organization. As much pleasure as he received from his service to those organizations he also enjoyed flying, golf, story telling, good food and wine, his days crewing at W&L, playing the saxophone, the Tulsa Men's Club and the Chaine des Rotisseurs. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Louise, and son John Maley and wife Anita of Tulsa, daughters Mary Ellen Bull and husband Steven of San Antonio, Ann Kapp and husband Roger of Victoria, TX, Donna Summers and husband Brian of Okmulgee and son Jimmy Martin and wife Ginger of Atlanta, GA, and 12 grandchildren, Chris Maley, Emma Maley, Patrick Maley, Ellen Bull, Emily Bull, Stephanie Bull, John Martin, Bryan Martin, Auburn Jacobs, Jason Summers, Jonathan Summers and Chris Summers and 4 great-grandchildren, Gavin and Josiah Jacobs and Carter and Adden Summers. John David’s life is a model for a life well lived. His Oklahoma roots were the source of his integrity and pride in his state and his service to it. Community meant everything to him, particularly his hometown, Okmulgee. It was his residence of choice even though the world beckoned. He chose the community he loved to pursue his career and raise his family living most of his life in the Maley family home, an Okmulgee landmark. His tall lean stature, impeccably tailored appearance and unsurpassed character will be forever remembered, respected and admired by all who knew him, loved him and whose lives were made better because of him. At the age of 83 he hadn’t even begun to get old. Funeral services for Judge Maley will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Okmulgee. Interment will follow the service at the Okmulgee Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers remembrances be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Okmulgee, 401 S. Seminole Ave., Okmulgee 74447, The Indian Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 4295 S. Garnett, Tulsa 74146 or your charity of choice. Services are pending with McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, 303 E. 7th St., Okmulgee, OK.

John David Maley

October 15, 1930 - March 11, 2014