Edwin Dale Abel

Edwin Dale Abel “Ed” was born on February 1, 1942, in Okemah, Oklahoma to Verlin and Florence Abel. A lifelong Sooners fan, Ed received his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Oklahoma, earning his juris doctorate in 1966. In 1976, he founded Abel Law Firm, formerly known as Abel, Musser, Sokolosky & Clark.

Ed was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 8 years old, a condition that eventually robbed him of his eyesight. Ed started going blind in his 30s. In response to this, Ed leaned on his faith. He prayed for guidance and the message he received was: “My grace is sufficient for you.” His fortitude led to an illustrious career wherein he broke records for obtaining the largest jury verdicts in several Oklahoma counties. He co-authored the Oklahoma Evidence Code, for which he received the Leo Whinery Award. He was named Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association Member of the year, inducted into the prestigious fellowship of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and received the OBA’s John. E Shipp Award for “representing the highest standard of ethics of the legal profession.”

Many in the legal profession looked to Ed as a mentor. He has long shared a reputation for working with young lawyers. He frequently taught at the OU College of Law and was elected by the OU College of Law faculty as an honorary member of Order of Barristers. He received the OBA’s Earl Sneed Award for Outstanding Continuing Legal Education Contribution. He even taught the public in his “Law and You” series, in which he answered common legal questions. He held various leadership roles and board positions with the Oklahoma Association for Justice, American Association for Justice, The Law and You Foundation, Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, and Mid-American Christian University. Those who worked with him will remember him as a staunch but respectful advocate whose main objective was to help others. His coworkers will miss the bible studies he routinely held in his office.

When Ed was not lawyering, he was working and hunting on his ranch and spending time with his family. An avid coonhunter, Ed operated Sooner Black and Tans kennel, which produced several world champion hounds. He’d trade in his three-piece suit for blue jeans, don a hard hat with a headlamp, and take his hounds out to chase racoons until the early morning hours. He served as president and director of the American Black and Tan Coon Hunters Association, was active in the Oklahoma Federation of Coonhunters, and wrote a monthly article named “The Legal Hound.” He ran cattle, kept bees, and raised chickens. Nothing made him happier than gifting loved ones with a freezer full of beef, real honey, and farm fresh eggs. A lover of the outdoors, Ed was appointed by two governors to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and served over 16 years.

Ed is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol Abel; his children Stephanie Fugler (Gary), Cristi Watson (Andrew), Luke Abel (Laura aka “Sissy”), and Dacia Abel; and his six grandchildren: Curt, Aaron, Ethan, Asher, Harper, and Cort.

Ed’s family will host a celebration of his life at Crossings Community Church,14600 Portland Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73134, on Monday July 1, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu flowers, the family requests donations be made “in memory of Ed Abel” to a camp for children with Type 1 diabetes, Camp Sweeney. Donations can be made on Camp Sweeney’s website or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 918 Gainesville, TX 76241.