Hardy Summers
Introduction
Edward Hardy Summers (1933–2012) was a Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court from 1985 to 2003. Born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, he earned degrees in government and law at Oklahoma University. After graduation, he enlisted in the Judge Advocate General division of the U. S. Air Force. When he was discharged, he returned to Muskogee, where he served as Assistant County Attorney, before joining a private law firm, Fite, Robinson and Summers. In 1976, Governor David Boren appointed him District Judge for the 15th Judicial District. In 1985, Governor George Nigh appointed him to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He served as Chief Justice in 1999–2000, and retired from the court in 2004. He died in Oklahoma City on September 12, 2012.
Early life
Hardy Summerswas born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on July 15, 1933. He was educated in public schools there. After finishing high school in 1951, he went to Oklahoma University, where he earned a B. A. degree in 1955 and the L. L. B. degree in 1957. He was note editor of the Oklahoma Law Review and admitted to the Order of the Coif. After the University, he enlisted in the U. S. Air Force, where he served three years in the Judge Advocate General division.
Judicial career
In 1960, he returned to Muskogee, where he was hired as Assistant County Attorney. He joined a private law practice (Fite, Robinson and Summers) in Muskogee in 1962, and worked there until 1974. Governor David Boren appointed him as Judge for the 15th Judicial District in 1976. As District Judge until 1985, he held court in Muskogee, Wagoner, Cherokee, Adair and Sequoyah counties. During that time, he was unopposed for reelection. Summers was elected president of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference in 1984. He served on the Court of Tax Review, the Committee for Uniform Civil Jury Instructions and chaired the Committee for Recodification of the Criminal Law and Procedure.
Death
Retired Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Hardy Summers died at his Oklahoma City home on September 12, 2012. He was buried September 27, 2012 in Muskogee. A memorial service was held at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Oklahoma City on September 20, 2012.
Honors
- He served as president of the Luther Bohanon American Inn of Court.
- In 2000 he was named "Distinguished Alumnus" by the OU College of Law.