Bob Warren Rabon

Southeast Oklahoma has lost one its most respected lawyers. Bob Warren Rabon went to be with his Lord on March 5th, 2023, at Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City after a brief illness. Bob was 83 years old.

Bob was born on December 19th, 1939, in Hugo, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Lee "Smilie" Rabon and Trelma Charlotte Floyd Rabon and one brother Michael Lee Rabon.

He graduated from Rattan High School in 1957 and received his Bachelor's degree in Education from Southeastern State College in 1963. Bob went on to the University of Oklahoma School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor's Degree in 1968.

Bob was known as a "lawyer's lawyer" throughout the state of Oklahoma. He was extremely active in the Oklahoma Bar Association, where he served on the Board of Governors from 1987-1989, Vice President of the O.B.A., 1990 and served as President in 1993. He was a member of The Oklahoma Bar Foundation in 1992-1993, where he received the Distinguished Service Award. He served on the O.B.A.'s Committee on Bench and Bar, from 1971- 1974. Served as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association's Commission on Administration of Justice from 1975-1982. He served on the O.B.A.'s Committee on Specialization and Certification in 1996. The Long- Range Planning Committee from 1992-1993. The Bar Association's Farm Crisis Committee from 1992-1996. In 1997, he was admitted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, which distinguishes and recognizes the best trial lawyers in both the United States and Canada.

Bob served on the Board of Directors of Oklahoma Indian Legal Services from 1995-1997. Served in the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association in 1992-1993. · Finally, he served on the Committee to Draft Local Rules for the United States Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma from 1995-1996. In recognition of his exemplary service to the Bar, Governor Brad Henry proclaimed June 30th, 2004, "Bob Rabon Day".

Bob had served as General Counsel for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for 47 years and was currently serving as an Appellate Judge for the Nation's District Court. As General Counsel, he was the sole negotiator between the Tribe and the State in the adoption of the Model Gaming Compact which allowed the Nation to conduct Class 3 gaming in its casinos.

Bob had the distinct honor and privilege of arguing two cases before the United States’ Supreme Court. In 1989, he represented both tribes in a case styled "The Chickasaw Nation and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma V The United States of America". In 1995, he represented the Chickasaws in a case styled "Oklahoma Tax Commission V Chickasaw Nation."

He was instrumental in negotiating the settlement between both tribes and the United States for the loss of several million acres of timber around the turn of the century. Aside from the 87 million dollar damages the Tribes received, the settlement also required then President Barack Obama to appear at a tribal gathering in Durant.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Linda Karen Roan Rabon of the home. Two sons, Robert Lee Rabon of Hugo and Senator Jeff Rabon, who lives in Oklahoma City. 5 grandchildren, William Chancelor Rabon and his wife Bethany Rabon of Wichita Falls, Texas. Jeffery Warren Rabon II and his wife Kelsie Rabon of Oklahoma City. Temple Floyd Rabon of Durant, Oklahoma. Berrie Shannon Compton and husband Cole of Hugo. Jackson Thomas Rabon of Durant, Oklahoma, and one great-grandchild, Willa Bell Compton. Eddie Biggers and wife Ruby Biggers of Hugo. He will be sorely missed.

Celebration of Life services for Bob Warren Rabon will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm. at the Church of the Holy Cross in Paris, Texas. Inurnment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma.  

Family will receive friends from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on March 10th at Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Chapel in Hugo, Oklahoma.

Funeral arrangements were trusted to Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home, 216 E Jackson Hugo, OK 74743, (580) 326-6464. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bob Warren Rabon, please visit our floral store.