R. Hayden Downie

Robert Hayden Downie, 77, Tulsa, OK, passed from this life on January 4, 2019, surrounded by family. Hayden was born June 28, 1941, in Topeka, KS, to Robert and Margaret Downie. He received his BBA from Washburn University and was a member of Delta Theta Phi. Hayden and Betty married August 30, 1980. Hayden dedicated his professional life to law. After earning his JD at Washburn University in 1966, Hayden was admitted to the Bar in Oklahoma and Kansas. His legal practice spanned a variety of public and private settings in Tulsa. After a short stint with Texaco, he served as Assistant District Attorney. In 1970, Hayden was appointed Judge of Tulsa's Municipal Criminal Court. During his tenure, Hayden led creation of Night Court and participated in development of the Driving While Intoxicated School, with the latter now used by the district courts throughout Oklahoma. For his innovative work, Hayden received the "Extra Mile Award" from the Tulsa Council on Alcoholism and was awarded "Outstanding Court of the Nation for Cities Under 500,000" by the American Bar Association. Following his service to the public, Hayden entered private legal practice at several firms, including Sneed, Lang, Adams, Hamilton, Downie, & Barnett and Main & Downie. Hayden concluded his career by returning to public service as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Broken Arrow. Beyond his direct legal work, Hayden furthered the legal profession in a variety of roles. A lifelong member of the Tulsa County Bar Association, Hayden served as President (1986-87) and Director at Large. Hayden was honored by the association as "Outstanding Senior Lawyer 1990-91." He supported Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma as Chairman of the Board (1982) and member of the Board of Directors. Hayden also served on various Oklahoma Bar Association committees. Hayden's professional memberships also included the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, and Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He was admitted to the United States District Courts (Western, Eastern, and Northern Federal Districts) and United States Court of Appeals (Tenth Circuit). Outside of his professional life, Hayden was passionate about the Memorial High School basketball team, for which he served as statistician for 20 years. Hayden was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Margaret. He is survived by wife Betty, sister Jeanne Page and husband Paul, sister Sharon Cooper, daughter Whitney Moore and husband Ken, son Tim Downie, daughter Allyson McKay and husband John, son Kenneth Downie, grandchildren Chelsie Downie, Andrew Moore, Alexandra Moore, John Moore, Khloe Downie, Payne McKay, Cade McKay, and many nieces and nephews. The Memorial Service will be held 2pm, Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the First Baptist Church Caring Centers and Family & Children's Services - School-Based Department, both in Tulsa. Moore's Southlawn (918) 663-2233

R. Hayden Downie

June 28, 1941 - January 4, 2019