George E. Girouard

George E. Girouard passed peacefully on June 14, 2013 at the age of 92. George was born in Tulsa on December 4, 1920, to George E. Girouard, Sr. and Angie (Doucette) Girouard. He attended Central High School and the University of Tulsa. As a boy, George excelled at building and flying model airplanes. His love of science and math led him to study meteorology while serving in the Army during World War II, graduate from TU with a degree in Engineering Physics, and excel in a long career in the oil & gas business as a Petroleum Engineer. George married his true love, Elizabeth Ann O’Donovan on June 26, 1954 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa. Having met in the choir, they shared a love of classical music over their 59-years together. In 1955, George and Betty moved to Oklahoma City where they raised their family. George Girouard was perhaps best known for his passion for grape growing and winemaking, which culminated in his breeding of the "George Girouard Hybrids". In recognition of his persistent efforts to generate the hybrid grapevines, George received the “Lifetime Achievement Award for Grape Growers” presented by the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Winemakers Association. The George Girouard Hybrids are cross-pollinated wine-grape varietals resulting from a breeding program using wild grape varietals that George conducted for over 50 years in his backyard vineyard. Wine from the George Girouard Hybrids is currently being produced and is aging in-barrel in Downtown Tulsa at the Girouard Vines winery (producer of the Tulsa Deco wine brand) with an initial release anticipated in 2014. George founded the Oklahoma City Grape-Growers Association in the early 1960's and was a founding member and the initial Treasurer of the Oklahoma Grape-Growers and Winemakers Association. George is survived by his wife Betty; two sons, Chris Girouard and his wife Jan, Lance Girouard and his wife Beverly; two daughters, Patrice Sieja and Jeanne Marie Girouard; 5 grandchildren, Patrick Fuqua and Danielle Fuqua of Fort Worth, Texas, and Christian Girouard, Katie Girouard and John Paul Girouard of Tulsa; his brother Paul and his wife Margie; and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Girouard. His parents and his brother Dick Girouard preceded George in death. A family favorite was George’s witty one-liners that we call “George-Jokes”. George had many other passions which he pursued with study and excellence, but most importantly, George E. Girouard left us with a royal performance on how to live a Christian life. He was a devout Catholic, and he and Betty were founding members of St. Eugene Catholic Church in Oklahoma City in the late 1950’s. George had a heart of gold for the poor, the forgotten, and the judged. George was a peaceful, humble, kind, wise and faithful man who led by example with an elegance we will never forget. Our thanks to all the caregivers who took good care of George in his final days. Funeral services will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday, June 21, 2013, at 2:00 pm. Immediately following graveside rites Chris and Jan Girouard will receive family and friends at their home. A Memorial Mass will also be held in Oklahoma City at 10:00 am on Friday, June 28th at St. Eugene Catholic Church. FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151

George E. Girouard

December 4, 1920 - June 14, 2013