Maurice Preston Hail, age 91, died at a local hospital on May 21, 2011.

Much like Will Rogers, Maurice never met a stranger. He was a natural born storyteller and could regale you for hours with
encounters from his life.

His own story began with his parents, Alfred Cleo and Maggie Hail, to whom he was born on January 26th, 1920 in Tahlequah, OK. He grew up in Sand Springs, where his performance on the high school football team would earn
him a scholarship to the University of Tulsa.

His love of football would earn him All-Missouri Valley Conference in 1942, along with
a trip to the Sun Bowl. The following year,1943, would find him playing in the Sugar
Bowl. He was drafted by the New York Giants, but chose to serve his country instead,joining the U.S. Navy. It would prove to be
a fateful decision, since he met the love of his life, Veronica, while stationed as a Chief Petty Officer in Newfoundland, Canada.

They had six children; Rose, Maureen, Maurice,Margaret, John, and Larry.

After the war, he continued his football expertise as Athletic Director and Coach at Holy Family
High School in Tulsa and Sand Springs High School. He then went to work at Phillips Petroleum in sales and marketing for 30 years.

In his later years he was very passionate about tracing his Cherokee heritage, as he always took great pride in being a Native
American. His love of football continued his entire life as he followed the University of Tulsa athletics endlessly.

He is survived by his wife, 6 children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 am this Friday, May 27th, at Fitzgerald SOUTHWOOD Colonial Chapel, 3612 E.. 91st Street. Visitation will be 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Thursday, May 26th at the Fitzgerald SOUTHWOOD COLONIAL CHAPEL.