Scouting Experience and Recognitions
I joined BSA as a Cub Scout in 2nd grade (1960-61) in what was then the Will Rogers Council in north-central Oklahoma. My Pack was sponsored by and met at the Will Rogers Elementary School in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I earned my Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Lion ranks before transitioning into Boy Scout Troop 17, sponsored by the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Stillwater when I turned 11. As a member of Troop 17, I advanced through the rank of Life Scout before aging out of the program when I turned 18. Our Troop short-term camped most every month and always spent a long-term camp at Will Rogers Scout Reservation (near Cleveland, OK) every year. I was elected to the Order of the Arrow by my Troop and attained Brotherhood status in OA as a youth. I also was awarded the God and Country Award in 1969. When I aged out of Boy Scouting at 18, I continued Scouting in a local Explorer Post for one year. I then took a break in Scouting until I had a son of Scouting age.
We registered my son, Aaron, when he became 6 in the Tiger Cub program sponsored by Pack 12, Last Frontier Council, sponsored by John Carrol Catholic School in Oklahoma City. My wife, Nancy, was Tiger leader and later Cubmaster of that unit. When Aaron turned 10, as an Arrow of Light candidate, he became eligible to begin camping and Nancy (knowing I was a Boy Scout in my youth) recruited me to get involved with him, particularly in the camping and long-term camping that he was eligible to commence with his Cub unit. At that point in time, about 1990, I became a registered Adult Leader with the Last Frontier Council.
When Aaron turned 11, he joined Boy Scout Troop 4, Last Frontier Council, sponsored by Westminster Presbryterian Church in Oklahoma City, and I enrolled there as an Adult leader as a member of the unit’s Scout Committee and then was trained as an Assistant Scoutmaster. That unit camped most every month, and attended Slippery Falls Scout Camp on an annual basis as its long-term camp, and we also tried to provide our older scouts a “high adventure” camp each year. During 1990 through 1994, I camped with the Troop on most of the short-term camp-outs and during portions of each long-term camp. In that role I served as an Adult advisor on two Philmont backpacking treks in the mountains of New Mexico (1993 and 1995), 2 Kanik Snow Camping experiences at Philmont, and one Northern Tier canoeing voyage (1994). We also took Troop members to San Isabel High Mountain Camp in Colorado for a long-term camp and participated in a Pecos Wilderness Backpacking Trek organized by the Great Southwest Council in New Mexico. We also began going annually to the Trappers Rendezvous, held in January in a park near Newton, KS. I completed WoodBadge training and earned my beads.
During this time I became active with District Committee with Baden-Powell District. I participated in the organization of our annual District Camporees and did FOS and FFOS presentations in support of the Council.
We moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1995, and I registered with Boy Scout Troop 828, Will Rogers Council, that was selected by my son as the unit where he would complete his Eagle rank, which he attained in 1998. I remained active as an Adult leader with Troop 828 after Aaron was awarded his Eagle. During our membership with Troop 828, we attended long-term camp at Slippery Falls and Will Rogers Scout Reservation, as well as camped most every month in short-term camping experiences. We participated in several Trappers Rendezvous weekends and also a Kanik snow camping experience at Philmont. I served as an Adult advisor on Philmont backpacking trek in 2000 crewed with Scouts from Troop 828 and participated in several Ouachita Trek backpacking treks with Troop members that were organized by the Council.
About the time my daughter, Kristin, turned 14, I helped organize co-ed Venturing Crew 17, sponsored by the First Christian Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma, in order for my daughter to be able to participate in the BSA, and became the Unit’s first Adult Advisor. Kristin had always wanted to officially participate in the activities she saw her brother doing but could not join Scouting at that time. Apart from numerous short-term camping events by the Crew, we also completed a Philmont backpacking trek and a Northern Tier canoeing voyage as well as participating in Trappers Rendezvous. I received my Training Knot at this time.
I continued to participate in District Committee in the Will Rogers Council, which eventually became Cimarron Council, and served a term as District Chairman for our district. I continued making FFOS presentations on behalf of the Council. I was awarded the District Award of Merit for service to the District.
When my wife and I eventually moved back to Oklahoma City in 2013, I was recruited by Judge Stephen Friot and others to become District Chairman of Baden-Powell District of the Last Frontier Council. After serving for several years as District Chairman and on the Council’s Committee, I became a District Commissioner for several more years serving Scout Troops 4 and 15 and Pack 4, and continued to make FFOS presentations to units in my District until FFOS presentations were discontinued. I have also served on numerous Eagle Boards of Review.
Professional Career
I was admitted as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association in October 1978, taking the Attorney’s Oath in the sanctuary of the First Christian Church in Oklahoma City. I have been privileged to serve the State of Oklahoma under the administrations of five (5) elected Oklahoma Attorney Generals: Hon. Larry Derryberry (1978); Hon. Jan Eric Cartwright (1978-1980 & 1981-1982); Hon. W. A. “Drew” Edmondson (2002-2008); Hon. Scott Pruitt (2021-2005); and Hon. Mike Hunter (2005-2018). I have also served five (5) elected District Attorneys: Hon. Robert H. (Bob) Macy, District 7 [Oklahoma County] (1982-1995); Hon. Paul Anderson, District 9 [Payne and Logan Counties] (1995-1997); Hon. Robert L. (Rob) Hudson, District Attorney District 9 [Payne and Logan Counties] (1997-2002 & 2008-2011]; Hon. David Prater, District Attorney, District 7 [Oklahoma County] (2021-2022]; and Hon. Vicki Zemp Behenna, District Attorney, District 7 [Oklahoma County (2023 to present). I have also served for a short period as the Deputy Appellate Public Defender for the State of Oklahoma (July 1980-March 1981).
During my 40+ year career, entrusted with great responsibility and supervision over others. I have been designated the Unit Chief for the Multicounty Grand Jury Unit of the Office of Attorney General; Coordinator of Investigations, Special Services Division of the Office of Attorney General; the Chief of the Federal Division of the Office of Attorney General; Deputy Chief of the Federal/Criminal Division of the Office of Attorney General; Civil Division Director, Office of District Attorney, District 7 (Oklahoma County). I have been named Grand Jury Advisor for County Grand Juries empaneled in Oklahoma County, Payne County, Kingfisher County and Tulsa County. I have been appointed Special Prosecutor by the Attorney General of Oklahoma to prosecute cases litigated in McIntosh County, Muskogee County, Noble County, Oklahoma County, Rogers County and Woodward County.
In that time, I have litigated a wide variety of criminal and civil cases. I have tried felony cases involving First and Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter, Burglary, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Computer Crime, Bribery, Forgery, False Pretenses, Corrupt Organizations Act violations, VIN Switching Fraud, Securities Fraud, Home Repair Fraud, Conspiracy Against the State and Perjury. I have appeared as defense counsel in numerous civil cases brought against County and State Officers and Employees. In this regard I’ve defended clients as diverse as the Governor of Oklahoma, the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, County Commissioners (in several different counties), and common State and County employees sued in the course of performing their duties. I’ve appeared as counsel for the State in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Nuclear Regulatory Commission administrative proceedings.
Other Activities
I have always been active in my church. I currently am a member of St. Lukes Methodist Church of Oklahoma City where (over a period of 20+ years) I have served as Lay Leader, been a member of the Official Board, been a member of the choir, currently serve as a Sunday School Teacher and currently drive with my wife one weekend per month for Meals on Wheels. During my years spent in Stillwater I was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where I was first a Deacon, then an Elder, a Member of the Official Board, a member of the Senior Pastor’s Pastor/Parish Relations Committee, a member of the choir and Sunday School Teacher.
Personal
I have been married to Nancy J. Rogers since August 1976 (46 years). We have two children, Aaron J. Rogers (43 years old) and Kristin Rogers Jarnagin (39 years old). We have three grandchildren: Ethan C. Jarnagin (8 years old), Camden C. Jarnagin (5 years old) and Lucas M. Rogers (15 months old).
