Robert James LaFortune

Robert James LaFortune, former Tulsa Mayor and long-time civic leader, passed from this world on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. His was a life of service - to his God, his family, his country, and his city. Bob was born on January 24, 1927, at Saint John Hospital in Tulsa. Less than a month later, he was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith at Christ the King Parish, which would be his faith home for the next 97 years. Bob was the youngest child of Joseph and Gertrude LaFortune, and the little brother of Jeanne Henry, Mary Ann Wilcox, and Buddy LaFortune. He graduated from Cascia Hall, briefly attended the University of Tulsa, and then joined the United States Merchant Marine to serve his country in World War II. Upon the end of his service, he received a degree in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and then began a career in the energy industry that spanned nearly eight decades. In 1951, Bob married the great love of his life, Jeannie Morse of Tulsa. She would be his partner in all they would build together over more than half a century of marriage until her passing in 2003. First and foremost for both of them was their family, which they wanted to be both large and devoted to one another. They succeeded on both counts. Bob and Jeannie had six children: Suzie Bynum (Ted), Kay Phoenix (Tim), Bob LaFortune Jr. (Cheryl), Annette Murray (Kevin), John LaFortune (Jennifer), and Phil LaFortune (Paula). They had 16 grandchildren: G.T. Bynum (Susan), Lindsey Ingraham (Jim), Maggie Szafranski (J.P.), Piper Bynum, Jay Phoenix (Sara), Jono Phoenix (Melissa), Emelia LaFortune, Lauren LaFortune, Lea LaFortune, Andrew Murray, Clay Murray (Ricki), Johnny LaFortune, Gracie LaFortune, Jocelyne Schutz (Kyle), Audrey LaFortune, and Louisa Ross (Cameron). And Bob was blessed at the time of his passing with 20 great-grandchildren: Robert Bynum, Annabel Bynum, James Ingraham, Sam Ingraham, Jack Szafranski, Luke Szafranski, Ben Szafranski, A.J. Szafranski, Matthew Szafranski, Tripp Phoenix, Elise Phoenix, Maddy Phoenix, Max Phoenix, Everett Lassiter, Brooks Lassiter, Silas Covington, Darby Murray, Kylynn Cowden, Augustus Schutz, and Iris Schutz. Bob was also beloved by his many nieces and nephews. Bob served seven elected terms, three as Commissioner of Streets and Public Property (1964-70) and four as Mayor (1970-78). As commissioner he worked for approval of the Port of Catoosa funding and acquired the 2,300 acre port site. As mayor he received approval of major bond funding for streets, traffic control, parks, water and sewer projects and major expressway construction. Mayor LaFortune helped initiate the start of INCOG, Indian Nations Council of Governments. With the help of John Williams, he gained approval of 50-50 private-public funding of the new $18 million Performing Arts Center. As a civic leader, Bob served with organizations impacting every aspect of Tulsa's community life. Among the boards of directors on which he served as board chairman or president were: St. John Health System; Tulsa Area United Way; Tulsa Library Trust; Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust; Philbrook Museum; Boy Scouts of America local, regional, and national boards; Oklahoma Ethics Commission; Cascia Hall Preparatory School; and Arkansas River Basin Development Authority. Bob served for many years on the boards of directors for both the Bank of Oklahoma and the Williams Companies as a champion of these important contributors to Tulsa's economy. Bob was inducted into both the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Tulsa Hall of Fame. He was named an Affiliate of the Augustinian Order of the Catholic Church. Among other awards he was honored to receive were: an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Tulsa; the Silver Buffalo from the Boy Scouts of America; Outstanding Philanthropist by the Eastern Oklahoma Chapter of the National Society of Fundraising Executives; the Governor's Arts Award; the Pathfinder Award by the Tulsa League Of Women Voters; the Outstanding Entrepreneur Award by the University of Tulsa Collins College of Business Hall of Fame; the Good Sense Award by the Oklahoma Policy Institute; the Kathleen P. Westby Lifetime Award by the Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa; the St. Francis of Assisi Education Award by the Diocese of Tulsa; the Benedictine Award from St. Gregory College; and the Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians & Jews. Despite his many accomplishments, what those who knew Bob appreciated most was not what he achieved but how he achieved it: with kindness, humility, and an abiding concern for others. Bob's family wishes to express our profound gratitude for the loving care he received in his final years from caregivers Beth Foster, Jan Rutledge, Niki Counce, and Leslee Nitz. Friends can honor Bob's memory by making a contribution to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Trust, Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, the Tulsa Library Trust, or a charity of your choice. A Rosary will be held for Bob at St. Rita Chapel of Cascia Hall on Thursday, April 18 at 7:00 PM. A Funeral service is scheduled for Friday, April 19, at 11:00 AM, at Christ the King Parish. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Robert James LaFortune

January 24, 1927 - March 27, 2024