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Norman “Keith” Sims, 76, of Bartlesville, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Keith was born October 6, 1949, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Norman Emil and Ramona (Daniel) Sims. He attended Sand Springs Public Schools, graduating from Charles Page High School in 1967. During his school years, he participated in basketball, football, and choir. Keith earned his Associate in Applied Science degree, Police Science in 1974 and his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1985. He earned his Juris Doctorate in 1987 from California Western School of Law – San Diego. After finishing his schooling, he returned to Sand Springs and then returned to Bartlesville in 1989. He was admitted to the Bar in 1988.
Keith married Elaine Burke in 1968 and had one son, Brian. Keith was in the Army from September 1969 to September 1971 and left as a police sergeant.
He married Kathy Lynn Keller in 1975 in Dewey, Oklahoma, and they were blessed with two sons Scott and Kevin. They met at the hospital when Keith, as a policeman, was delivering blood products to the lab and asked Kathy for directions. Kathy was smitten.
Keith worked for the Bartlesville Police Department from December 1971 to September 1981. He then worked at Heskett and Heskett Law Firm and later as the Assistant District Attorney at the Osage County Courthouse. As an ADA he did felony and misdemeanor prosecutions and represented the State on behalf of the children in deprived actions. He probably did everything at one point or another, to be honest. He retired at the age of 62 but continued to work for Osage County as an attorney, representing the interests of deprived children.
Among his most notable achievements include being declared Attorney of the Year by Pawnee/Osage CASA in 2014. He also received a Citation from the Oklahoma State Senate, District 10, State House District 36 and Speaker of the House for his professional accomplishments and years of service to the citizens of the State of Oklahoma. Keith was also recognized by the State of Oklahoma District Attorneys Council.
He enjoyed woodworking and motorcycle trips with friends. He especially loved his granddaughter Keni. She was his Peanut and he was her Papa Peanut. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Oklahoma City Thunder, a passion he shared with his son Scott. He also loved talking guns with his son Kevin and grandson Kyle. Keith liked hunting wildlife and watching old movies and history programs. He loved listening to music and his favorite singer was Neil Diamond. He was an avid reader.
Keith was a good husband, the best father, and most importantly a good person. He fiercely loved his wife, Kathy and his family. He was kind, once you worked past some rough edges. He was sarcastic and funny, and smarter than he gave himself credit for. He worked hard for everything, and his presence will be missed dearly. He was loved.
Keith is survived by his beloved wife Kathy Sims; three sons, Brian Sims, Scott Sims and his wife Kaity, Kevin Sims and his partner Crystal Maxey; a sister, Kay Stephenson and husband Steve; three grandchildren, Kyle Sims and wife Kaycee, Kody Sims, and Keni Sims; one great-grandchild, Porter; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Ramona Sims.
Visitation will be from 10-8 Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, 918-333-7665.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel with Pastor Eric Koenig and Robert Lee officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Davis and Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.
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