Jessie Vinson Pilgrim, 68, passed away in the early morning hours of March 31, 2026, with his wife, Tina by his side. Jessie was born on March 17, 1958 to Walter and Lois Pilgrim in Cushing, OK. He graduated from Cushing High School in 1976 and then attended Oklahoma State University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He graduated in 1984 with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa and began a long and successful career as an attorney. Jessie started his career at Moyers Martin Law Firm in Tulsa, later he formed his own practice. He was an excellent trial lawyer and represented both plaintiffs and defendants. He had an extensive background in public service as a former member of the Oklahoma State Legislature where he represented District 33 in Payne County. He held the position of Chairman of the Judiciary Committee during the 43rd and 44th Legislatures. At the time of his death, he was General Counsel for Dexxon, Inc., Keifer, OK and was an Attorney-of-Counsel with Moyers Martin LLP. During his career he traveled to many European, Asian and African nations as a consultant for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). He traveled to these countries to help write their election laws and voting procedures helping them move from authoritarian states to democratic republics. He contributed to numerous publications as author or editor, most notably for the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Warsaw, Poland and The Carter Center in Atlanta, GA. Jessie was known for his love of the law and always strived to seek justice.
Jessie was an avid runner having participated in hundreds of running events including the Tulsa Run, Route 66 Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC and the Los Angeles Marathon. He also enjoyed running the Bacon Strip race in Fort Collins, CO with his daughter, Mary. He was well known in the running community in Tulsa, and when he wasn’t practicing law or running, he enjoyed spending time with his family in Santa Fe.
Jessie is survived by his wife, Tina, daughters Mary Pilgrim (Mike Jebb) and Anna Pilgrim (Jordan Brown), step-daughter Madeleine Brady, brothers, Gary (Sara), Don (Billie), Jim (Geri), sisters Vickie Hall (David) and Rita Evans. He is survived by grandchildren, Ava who was more like a daughter, Skyla and Piper, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his stepson, Albert Gallatin and brother-in-law John Evans.
A Memorial Service will be held at Fellowship Congregational Church located at 2900 S. Harvard Ave. in Tulsa on Friday, April 17th at 11:00 am. Please come early to visit with the family starting at 10:30 am.
You can honor Jessie by being kind to people, going for a jog or taking a walk, and exercising your right to vote in every election available to you. Memorial donations to the ASPCA will be welcomed. https://secure.aspca.org/donate/ memorial
