John McHenry Mee

John was born in Oklahoma City on March 19, 1930 and is the son to William Mee, Jr and Florence Mee (McHenry). John attended Classen High School in Oklahoma City and then attended Pomona College and graduated in 1951. He went on to attend the University of Oklahoma College of law where he served on the Law Review for 2 years, and graduated in 1954 with his Juris Doctorate degree. While in law school, he was named to the board of Editors of the Law Review and was a member of Phi Alpha Delta. After serving one year as a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C., he then served two years in the Judge Advocate General Department of the United States Air Force, stationed at the Flying Training Headquarters in Waco, Texas.

Prior to his time in Waco, Texas he met Carolyn Clarkson, and they were joined in marriage on April 7, 1956 and were married for 67 years until his death.

In 1957, John began a private law firm in Oklahoma City by the name of Richardson, Shartel & Cochran. It was in 1971, John and two other members of this law firm joined McAfee & Taft as a shareholder, vice president and member of the board of directors until his retirement. John has numerous achievements as part of McAfee and Taft, most of all including serving as lead counsel in more than $2 billion of mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings and initial public offerings in the food, energy, environmental, manufacturing and publishing sectors over his distinguished career. John was named a Legacy Honoree for his contributions and commitment to the firm for over 40 years of service.

John has a long list of achievements in the community as well; he served on numerous civic boards including the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and Travelers Aid Society. He has also headed the professional division of the Oklahoma City United Way, was President of the Economic Club of Oklahoma, served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and on the board of the Oklahoma City Golf & Country club.

Furthering John’s list of achievements, he served 3 terms as a councilman and Mayor of Nichols Hills, (where he was Mayor during the first Redbud Classic). He was named one of The Best Lawyers in America and is the co-author of “Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel” published by the American Corporate Counsel Association and the WestGroup in September 2000. He was a board member of the Appeals & Review Board, Oklahoma City Council, and a member of the American, Oklahoma and Oklahoma County Bar.

John was also the President of Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, President of Thunder Bird Golf & Country Club, an OU Century Club Member and was on the Vestry at All Souls’ Episcopal Church. Furthering his commitment to his faith he was a Sunday School Teacher and taught Communion classes at All Souls for many years. He also attended Bible Study for over 25 years led by Ken Mendenhal with Search Ministries. And finally he was instrumental in starting the Tuesday morning Bible Study at the Thunderbird Golf and Country Club.

John’s hobbies included golf, highlighted by two holes in one. The first one was on hole # 8 at the Thunderbird Golf and Country Club with the second one on hole # 11 at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. His best round ever was at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, when he played with Charlie Coe, and after double bogeying the first hole, proceeded to par the next 17 holes straight. He was also an avid gin player and enjoyed spending time in the card room during his later years whenever he could with his friends. Finally, he was a devoted OU Football Fan and was able to watch his team win one last time in a thrilling comeback over the Texas Longhorns on October 7th.

John is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Carolyn Mee, son William Mee (Tracy), daughter Deva Mee Jackson (Jim) and daughter Kathryn Mee Crabb (Jay). He is also survived by his nine loving grandchildren Kristen, John, Alex, Jennifer, Nicki, Will, Michael, Cameron and Colton, and survived by his nephew, Stan Bevers (Jessica) and niece, Dana Bevers Price (Matt). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara Mee Bevers.

A memorial service to honor John’s life will be held Friday, October 27, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116, with Fr. Andrew Johnson officiating. There will be a reception following the service at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club for those who wish to join the family. In lieu of flowers, the Family requests that Memorial contributions be made to the John Mee Scholarship fund at the University of Oklahoma Law School. Arrangements are under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors.