Tulsa oilman and philanthropist Henry Zarrow died Saturday, January 18, 2013 in Tulsa. He was 97.

Henry was the oldest son of Sam and Rose Zarrow, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1916. As an infant, he came to Tulsa when his father relocated the family to join relatives in the grocery business. At the age of 13, Henry was already a hard worker and opened his first business, a grocery store, working around his school schedule. A lifelong Tulsan and 1934 graduate of Central High School, he built a successful oil and gas supply firm, Sooner Pipe & Supply Company, in Tulsa. His father Sam and brother Jack joined him in what became a family business. Acquiring other companies and subsidiaries, Henry guided the business to prosperity and eventually established one of the largest international oil-and-gas supply companies. He sold his last company in 1998 at age 82.

Zarrow began giving to charities at an early age. With the encouragement and involvement of his wife, Anne, he focused his charity towards projects affecting children and alleviating poverty. Local libraries and schools were frequent beneficiaries of the Zarrows' generosity. Fighting homelessness was another favorite cause. Henry and his brother Jack, and their wives, donated the land where the Day Center for the Homeless was built in downtown Tulsa.

Zarrow served on many boards, sharing his wisdom and leadership. He was recognized and honored many times over for his philanthropy and business acumen.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Rose Zarrow; wife of 63 years, Anne Zarrow; and brother, Jack Zarrow. He is survived by his children, Judy Kishner and Stuart Zarrow.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, 12 Noon, at Congregation B'nai Emunah, 1719 South Owasso, Tulsa. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151