Bob Lemon honored with Hero of Hope Award
Last month, Oklahoma City’s Cathedral of Hope Awarded their “Hero” award to a man who is well known not only in the state of Oklahoma, but across the nation.
He stands for both political and social rights, promoting equality and openly confronting bigotry and prejudice in all of its many different forms.
“Today we are here to present an award to a man who is a hero in our community,” said Rev. Dr. Joe Meinhart, Cathedral of Hope Interim Pastor. “He represents a beacon of light. His light has been shining even when it has been dark around him.” Meinhart is also the Assistant Professor at Oklahoma City University Sociology and Justice Studies.
Presenting the award was Eric Brooks, Cathedral of Hope member. These are just some of the eloquent words spoken by Brooks of Mr. Lemon:
“Robert Dell Lemon,’ your father would say, ‘Never be a prisoner of your experiences. You have lived that wisdom.’
If one calls to mind a stereotype of what an oil and gas attorney from Oklahoma practicing law in Texas could be, that image could include a rancher, 32nd degree Mason, city attorney of Perryton, TX, or season ticket holder for football and basketball at Oklahoma State University.
But that stereotype does not include a progressive liberal Democrat, advocate for equal justice and full inclusion in society of persons regardless of sexual orientation, executive producer of an independent film featuring all kinds of people talking about their personal private relationships, participant in peace and justice rallies, Gay pride parades, or member of the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Sierra Club, or of a thoroughly biblical, thoroughly liberal Christian congregation. Rather than being imprisoned by your experiences, you have used your education, your family life, your wealth, and your energy to work for freedom and justice for all.”
Previous Hero of Hope award winner Kay Holladay was unable to attend but sent these words, “I can’t think of anyone who is more appropriate for this award. He is a true ‘Hero.”
The Cathedral of Hope ‘Hero of Hope’ award is given to someone who works to change how the world thinks about LGBT people, change how LGBT people think about God, reach people (especially teens living in isolation) and redefine Christianity as an including faith rather than an excluding religion. “Thank you to this group: I will cherish this award,” said Lemon as he went on to tell a story from his childhood. “Years ago as a young boy growing up in the Texas panhandle, a cousin came to visit our family.” Bob said his mother mentioned he was bringing his ‘partner.’ Young Bob asked his mother, “What will the neighbors think?” To which she replied, “Robert, it’s none of their damned business!” Lemon said it was the only time he recalls his mother ever cursing. That statement had a profound impact on him.
Lemon closed with a prayer he heard some 20 years ago from a preacher named Bill Nichols in Washington, D.C., “I pray to God that the day will come that showing respect to ALL of Gods children will not be worthy of an award. Amen."
Cathedral of Hope is an open and affirming church. Services are held at 3901 NW 63rd St, OKC. For more information call (405) 232-4673 or visit their website at www.cohokc.com.
Bob Lemon was born in 1929 in Shattuck, OK. His parents and grandparents instilled in him the Oklahoma pioneer spirit that has enhanced every endeavor of his life. He married his soul-mate, Mary Lou Smith, in December 1950 and by their example instilled in their five children; Del, Jim, Robyn, Chrys and Eli “Moque” a love of music, caring for others; and a sense of public service that has made the entire Lemon family unique. Bob Lemon graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1951, he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law with multiple honors, and graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence with honors in 1954.
Bob Lemon served as chief counsel of the North Plains Conservation District for fifty years and as Senior Law Partner in Lemon, Shearer, Phillips & Good Law Firm of Perryton, TX, specializing in oil and gas and contract litigation, water law, and Civil Appeals. Bob lives in OKC and is a member of Mayflower Congregational Church. Bob is a long-time oil rights lawyer in Oklahoma City and the Texas Panhandle. He is committed to furthering the human rights work begun by he and his late wife, Mary Lou.
Both Bob and Mary Lou have a long history of promoting equal rights and to openly confronting bigotry and prejudice in all of its many different forms. On Oct 9, 2009, Bob and his family received the Bill Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cimarron Alliance. In November, 2009, the ACLU of Oklahoma selected Bob as their Man of the Year. In May, 2010, Bob received an honorary doctorate from Oklahoma Theological Seminary.