Robert Dell Lemon: Tribute to a great man

by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief

I remember in 2002 when he was a candidate for House District 85. Living in the District allowed me to come to know this man named Bob Lemon. He was a friend to everyone, a giver and a true American hero.

“Oklahoma lost a great light last night. Bob Lemon passed from our midst leaving a legacy of generosity, progressive ideals, and an open-hearted spirit that touched so many lives,” said Paula Sophia on a Facebook post. “I am thankful to have known Bob Lemon, to have witnessed his undying idealism, his hope for humanity, and his belief in a better Oklahoma.

“I offer my prayers of peace to the Lemon family and to Mr. Lemon. May his spirit thrive and the work he began continue.”

Robert Dell 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 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.

Upon passing, Bob lived in Oklahoma City and was a member of Mayflower Congregational Church.

Bob was a long-time oil rights lawyer in Oklahoma City and the Texas Panhandle committed to furthering the human rights work begun by he and his late wife, Mary Lou. Both Bob and Mary Lou had a long history of promoting equal rights and to openly confronting bigotry and prejudice in all its many different forms.

His son Chrys posted this on his Facebook page, “My father, Bob Lemon, 87, died comfortably yesterday in his sleep in Oklahoma City in the same part of the bed where our mother, Mary Lou, died in 2002. My twin sister, Robyn, was with him.

“Shortly before he married Mama in 1950, he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes and told he would be lucky to live to 40. When he gave her the option to end the engagement, she said, ‘Let’s just see what happens.’ He showed that eating healthy food, not smoking, exercising, working hard, and treating every individual as a human being can add quality years to your life.

“Dad – a trial attorney in the Texas Panhandle and a life-long Democrat who prided himself on being straight but not narrow – believed people from all walks of life should be able live together, independent of any classification or their lot in life. He also thought we should be good stewards of our world.

“Oh! And always thinking ahead, he voted absentee before he died – albeit in Oklahoma, so it may not do much good; but it’s the thought that counts…”

Working in journalism and covering many events, I had known Bob for several years and seen him around at events related to activism in our community. I grew to be friends with he and his family; his wonderful children. As the years passed, he was always there, a staple in the community and always there to “be a giver.”

In March of 2011, as the owner of The Gayly name, Bob began forces to begin publishing the newspaper. I came to work there a few months after, and by the end of the year, became Editor in Chief.

To this day, Bob is and will always remain Publisher Emeritus of The Gayly. As long as I’m in charge, that is!

“I hope everyone in Oklahoma, regardless of party affiliation or political leanings, will bow their heads for a minute and acknowledge how great of a voice we lost in Oklahoma,” shared Mark Faulk, an Oklahoma activist. “Thank you to Bob Lemon for being a lifelong beacon of light for all Oklahomans. You will be sorely missed.”

Copyright The Gayly, 10/24/2016 @ 9:22 a.m. CST