Over two decades of service to the law is coming to an end Friday.
Okmulgee County District Judge Michael Claver will be walking out of the court house for the final time. That ends a career of public service that he says was a real blessing.
A native of Tulsa, the 62-year-old judge says he never thought of a judicial position when he graduated from Oklahoma State University.
"I graduated with a degree in advertising and public relations. I was in radio and tv performance for awhile then went into advertising and public relations."
Along the way he met his wife, Sherry, while they were in college and he was working at the Holiday Inn in Stillwater.
They moved to Henryetta in the 1990's and found, "there's not too many jobs in advertising and public relations there. I was looking for a job and went to the fire department. They sent me to the police department."
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The judge said that proved God works in mysterious ways. "I never thought about being a policeman. Everything tracks to where I am now."
He spent nine years on the Henryetta police force, the last four going to night school at Oklahoma City University then Tulsa University graduating with his law degree.
"I was blessed because I went to work as the assistant district attorney for Tom Guilloli.   I learned a lot in the seven wonderful years there. I tried 80 to 100 cases that gave me a lot of trial and court room experience.
The blessings continued when, in 1995, he was selected out of 31 applicants to be appointed special district judge. After four years, he became an Associate District judge for two terms calling on his education in public relations and advertising to win those races.
A good many of those years were spent handling divorces and adoptions. They have been tough he admits. "I have no definite plans for the future. I want to rest up. I'm physically exhausted."
 The Okmulgee County Bar Association will hold a retirement party Friday afternoon, July 29 at 2:30 for Judge Claver.
 It will be held in the Okmulgee County court house third floor courtroom.
 All friends, co-workers, county officials, and law enforcement are invited to attend.
He still thinks back with pride on the good times when he was able to help families. "The best time is in adoptions. You create a new family with a new baby."
Conversely, the toughest times came when some cases such as divorce made a life altering decision for the entire family. "I care about people so the mental stress to make the right decision is overwhelming."
To help children through those tough times, Judge Claver maintained a table filled with stuffed animals. He would tell a child to pick one in an effort to make them feel just a little better.
"I was at Homeland one time when a man came up and told me I had helped him in an adoption. He told me his granddaughter was given a stuffed bear and named it Judge Claver."
After July 29, he says he still wants to help people. "I'm going to work but don't know exactly what at. I'm not much of a hobby guy but I do like to rebuild cars."
He will be staying busy with the First Baptist Church in Henryetta. In the past years he has been a Sunday school teacher and kept busy in some committees there.
He and Sherry also have two children, a son and daughter who have professions but will be available for visiting. Their son, Nathan, is an emergency room doctor in Ardmore while daughter Ashley is a child life specialist working in Oklahoma City with children afflicted with cancer.
"I can't imagine him being still for too long," Sherry said. "He likes to stay busy."