June 28, 2023
By Landry Brewer
Loy Simpkins was nonstop.
Like the 10-dollar founding father who excelled and climbed and died young, Simpkins lived like he was running out of time.
According to a story in the October 26, 1954, edition of the SWOSU student newspaper, Simpkins graduated from Elk City High School in 1952 when he was 16—while a college student at Southwestern in Weatherford.
Three years later and barely 19, he graduated from SWOSU.
He was also married and had a child.
The Elk City native was active while at SWOSU, then known as Southwestern State College.
A member of the Southwestern debate team, Simpkins was also president of the campus chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, Beta Tau Beta, and Pi Kappa Delta honor societies, and had leadership roles in the Senate Club.
Despite all his other commitments, he found time to be a member of the National Guard.
Simpkins earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from Southwestern in 1955 with a double major in history and business, and he only lacked two classes for a third major in speech.
After graduating from SWOSU, he began law school at the University of Oklahoma in Norman where he was elected to the honor council.
A mid-year law school graduate, Simpkins joined his father’s Elk City law firm immediately after graduating in January 1958.
The Simpkins & Simpkins law firm opened then in a new two-story office building at the northeast corner of 3rd & Jefferson in Elk City, where Walgreen’s now stands.
Continuing his meteoric rise, Simpkins was admitted to practice before the Oklahoma Supreme
Court in March 1958. Less than two years later, in February 1960, he was admitted to argue federal cases before the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.
In addition to working with the Beckham County Bar Association—of which he was president— and the state bar association, the young lawyer was active in several local civic and business organizations. Simpkins served as secretary of Elk City Industries, Inc., vice president of the Kiwanis Club, and 1961 president of the Elk City Chamber of Commerce.
Then, in 1965, he took his family to Waco, Texas, and joined the Baylor University Law School faculty where he taught family-law classes.
Not surprisingly, Simpkins was known at Baylor as a runner. He and a colleague frequently went on three-mile jogs.
The result of two years of research and writing, Simpkins published his multi-volume book “Texas Family Law” in 1975.
The Texas Council on Family Relations gave Simpkins the 1983 Moore-Bowman Award of Excellence.
According to a May 2, 1983, Baylor University press release, he won the award for his “tremendous contribution to the Texas Family Code, his book on Texas Family law, his teaching classes on domestic relations and his service as a past president of the Texas Council.”
Simpkins died 121 days later. He was 47.
Baylor University Law School honors his memory by giving the annual Loy M. Simpkins Memorial Award, a scholarship for students making the highest grades in marital property-law classes.
Simpkins graduated from Elk City High School, SWOSU, and the University of Oklahoma College of Law while very young and very busy.
Then he became a very young and busy attorney, then a law-school professor on the run.
Simpkins excelled and climbed, and he did it in a hurry.
Like the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury—also a lawyer and author who died at 47—Simpkins lived like he was running out of time.
He was nonstop.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Elk City House Fire Quickly Contained
Elk City, OK – At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, firefighters rushed to the 900 block of Halsey Drive after receiving a call about a house fire. Engine 3, A-shift arrived to find heavy smoke billowing from the
The Price of Progress
By Landry Brewer Elk City, OK – As Elk City’s Downtown Construction Project moves into its next phase, downtown businesses are doing their best to meet shoppers’ needs. Crews completed work at Main & 7th and have
Clinton Man Arrested for Attempted Burglary in Custer County
Clinton, OK – A Clinton man was arrested on February 7th after allegedly attempting to break into a residence on South 5th Street, according to court documents filed in Custer County. Jesse Moses Boyd, 20, is facing
Clinton Man Charged with Aggravated Drug Trafficking in Custer County
Custer County, OK – A Clinton man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after a traffic stop led to a significant drug bust in Custer County. Bradley Allen Cometsevah, 46, has been charged with aggravated trafficking
SWOSU Digital Commons Reaches Two Million Downloads
Weatherford, OK – As the SWOSU Digital Commons is about to reach its nine-year anniversary, downloads for the entire collection have surpassed the two million mark for the institutional repository at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). As
ECPD Announces Multiple Arrests in Child Neglect and Abuse Cases, Urges Community Vigilance
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Police Department has announced multiple arrests in connection with two separate child neglect and abuse cases over the weekend. Authorities say these incidents have raised significant concerns about child safety
Sales Tax Revenue Sees Modest Growth Across Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma cities have reported their December 2024 sales tax revenue figures, with mixed results compared to December 2023. While some cities saw a slight increase, others experienced a decline. The statewide total showed a modest increase of
Elk City Fire Department Now Hiring Paramedics
Elk City, OK – The Elk City Fire & EMS Department is actively recruiting paramedics for a dedicated paramedic-only position. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced EMTs looking to advance their careers or for licensed paramedics
SWOSU to Host Pharmacy Day for High School Students
Weatherford, OK – The SWOSU College of Pharmacy will be hosting a Pharmacy Day for high school students on Friday, March 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This program will consist of hands-on, interactive lab activities
Brace for Round Two: Extreme Cold and Snow Threaten Western Oklahoma
Now that the first round of the latest winter storm has struck the region, officials say to get ready for round two, which includes dangerously low temperatures tonight and tomorrow morning. According to the National Weather Service
SWOSU Named Top 10 for Affordable Early Childhood Education
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is ranked #10 nationally for the most affordable online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education programs, making it the highest-ranked university in Oklahoma for affordability, according to
Winter Storm to Impact Western Oklahoma Tuesday: Snow, Ice, and Hazardous Travel Possible
A winter storm is set to bring snow, sleet, and ice to western Oklahoma on Tuesday, impacting travel across Roger Mills, Custer, Washita, and Beckham counties. The National Weather Service in Norman warns of slick roads, reduced
Custer County Sheriff's Office Investigation Leads to Arrest in Child Exploitation Case
Custer County, OK – The Custer County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, has made an arrest following a detailed investigation into child exploitation. According to a press release, on December 15, 2024, deputies
First Baptist Church of Elk City Opens Shelter as Arctic Blast Approaches
Elk City, OK – With a bitter arctic front set to grip western Oklahoma this week, First Baptist Church of Elk City is stepping up to help those in need. From Tuesday, February 18, through Friday, February
SBA Relief Still Available to Oklahoma Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by May Storms Deadline to Apply for Economic Injury Loans Approaching
Sacramento, CA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Oklahoma of the March 14, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic
Weatherford Man Arrested for High-Speed Chase Through Custer County
Weatherford, OK – A Weatherford man has been arrested and charged with felony eluding and reckless driving after leading police on a high-speed chase that exceeded 100 miles per hour through Custer County. According to court documents,
Primary Election Results for Cordell and Altus
The primary election for Cordell Public Schools and the City of Altus city council races have concluded, with results now finalized. The race for Office No. 5 on the Cordell School Board has narrowed down to two
Elk City Man Wanted for Allegedly Exploiting Mother Arrested
The Elk City man wanted for allegedly exploiting his elderly mother has been located and arrested. According to the Elk City Police Department, 38-year-old Robert Wade Leyja was located and arrested by Sayre police in Sayre on
Two More Victims ID’d in Jackson Co. Crash
Officials have identified two more victims of the tragic two-vehicle collision that occurred last Thursday near Duke. According to the latest information released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition has been
Fastenal Supports SWOSU HERC
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Fastenal has made a generous gift of equipment in support of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) National Aeronautics & Space Administration Human Exploration Rover Challenge (NASA HERC) Team for 2024-2025. Each
SWOSU Jazz Festival Celebrates 55 Years
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – The 55th annual SWOSU Jazz Festival is coming up on Feb. 13–14 in Weatherford, Okla. A tradition spanning over five decades, the festival is one of the region’s most anticipated music
SWOSU Faculty Member Earns National Pharmacology Educator Award
Weatherford, OK – Dr. Wael Eldahshan, an Assistant Professor in the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Pharmacology Educators Award by the American Society for Experimental Pharmacology
SWOSU’s Dr. Todd Wiggen Appointed Editor-in-Chief of Management Teaching Review
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Dr. Todd Wiggen, Associate Professor in the Everett Dobson College of Business and Technology at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford, has been named the new Editor-in-Chief of Management Teaching
Busey Brothers Make Major Gift to SWOSU
SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has received a generous philanthropic gift from SWOSU graduates and brothers Philip Busey, ’04, and Brian Busey, ’05, both of Oklahoma City. The Busey brothers serve
Update on Elk City Police Department Renovation Project
Elk City, OK – Last April, Elk City voters approved the extension and re-purposing of an existing half-cent sales tax for eight years to fund expansions and upgrades for the city’s fire station and police department. During
