The Norman Transcript

Opinion

November 17, 2012

Leo H. Whinery: 1926 — 2012

NORMAN — Leo Whinery seemed just as comfortable discussing finite points in the law of evidence with international scholars as he was talking about the price and quality of hay for the Trakehner horses at his southeast Norman farm.

Leo and Doris Whinery came to Norman in 1959 and were active in university and civic life. They annually hosted a picnic for international students and the students’ OU international “cousins” to give them a glimpse of Oklahoma farm and ranch life. Judge Whinery’s death this past week leaves a void in our community. Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Norman.

Besides his faculty appointment at the OU College of Law, he served for nearly 20 years as a judge, dispensing justice and fatherly advice to many of us in the city’s municipal court system.

Judge Whinery had a variety of interests that ranged from the law, horses, music and education. Lawyers throughout the country still use his research and writings on the rules of evidence.

We join the Whinery family in mourning their loss, knowing Norman is a better place because he chose to move here more than 50 years ago.

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