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Gilbert LaPiere Obituary

June 29, 1923 - February 7, 2012 OKLAHOMA CITY Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere was born June 29, 1923 in Irvington, New Jersey and passed from this world February 7, 2012 in Oklahoma City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tillie and Albert LaPiere. Gilbert attended grade school and high school in Newark, New Jersey. While still in grade school, Gil proudly attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout his school years he was very active in sports, concentrating on track and baseball. He attended the University Of Missouri School of Mines at Rolla, Missouri and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was a member and past president of Sigma Pi Fraternity. World War 11 interrupted his college education for two-and-a-half years. Gilbert enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a bombardier on B-24s in the Western Pacific arena, accumulating thirty-five missions and surviving "ditching" his airplane into the ocean after a bombing mission. After graduation from college, he went to work as an Evaluation Engineer for City Service Oil Co. in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and was later offered the same position at the Chase Bank in New York City. At that time, Chase was the largest lender to the oil and gas industry. He worked on oil and gas loans, mergers and sales for major oil and gas companies and independent producers. Gilbert would always say, "This is where he really learned the oil and gas business". In 1952, he accepted the position of managing the Oil and Gas Department for W.E. Hutton and Co. on Wall Street, advising on oil and gas stocks as well as public offerings. After Hutton, he was employed as a vice-president of the newly formed oil and gas division of the Union Bank of California. Later, Gil decided to go into business for himself as a financial oil and gas consultant, mostly working as a "trouble shooter" helping companies and independent operators to establish financial stability, merge or sell. After repeated trips to Oklahoma City from California, Gilbert and his lovely wife, Beverly, moved here in 1966, carrying on his consulting work from Oklahoma City. Gil has been in the oil business since 1947 and has helped many oil companies and individuals open businesses both in Oklahoma and other states. After moving to Oklahoma City, Gil became a member of the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club where he enjoyed his favorite sport, golf, for thirty years. Gilbert and Beverly also loved cruising to various destinations and spending summers at their mountain home in Linville, North Carolina. There they enjoyed the cooler weather, golfed and acquired many lifetime friends. In recent years, he has particularly enjoyed the close friendship of the Moore family. In 1997, his loving wife, Beverly, preceded Gilbert in death after thirty-four years of marriage. Gil leaves four daughters, Verna Bullock of Oklahoma City, Cher of Malibu, California, Georgeanne Bartylak of Ventura, California, step-daughter Diana Spahn of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Daughter, Deborah Avery, preceded him in death. His grandchildren include Stacy Starchman, Kelly Hill, Christopher Borgen, Elisha Almond, Chas Bono and step-grandson Darren Lazarus. Gil was a special man. He was always the gentleman with a kind, generous and loving nature. He will be forever loved and missed by all those whose lives were enriched by knowing him. His family and close friends wish to give heartfelt thanks to his caregivers, Aquanna Carter, Latoyei Banks, Demetria Jordan, Valerie Carter and Linda Banks for their loyal and loving care of this dear man. Visitation will be at Hahn Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 10, 2012. The Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, at All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73116 under the direction of Father Patrick Bright. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to All Souls Episcopal Church, Habitat for Humanity or the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Oklahoman from Feb. 9 to Feb. 10, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Gilbert LaPiere

Sponsored by Kelly Hill.

Not sure what to say?





LaNell

August 26, 2024

An absolutely amazing life. It's sad not to know about a person's wonderful past and accomplishments until reading it once they are gone from this world. But better than not knowing at all.

Kelly Hill

February 3, 2020

Grandpa, I love you. Your greatly missed & never forgotten about. I cherish the time we spent together. Your in good company this is true.
All my Love,
Kelly

kelly hill

November 9, 2014

Your love and wisdom you shared, I will always feel that.

February 27, 2012

Mr. Lapiere it was an honor knowing you.
K Merrill

Verna Bullock

February 11, 2012

Dad,
I will miss you and I love you deeply.
Love you,
Your daughter,
Verna Bullock, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Margaret Cartwright

February 11, 2012

Rest in Peace,Gil.I'm sure that your inspirations to your many friends will continue to live on for years to come. My deepest condolonces to the family of this very nice man.

Ann Rinehard

February 11, 2012

Rest in peace, Gil. It was a pleasure to work for you. You were a mentor and a friend. You found new possibilities in every day, and you lived each day to the fullest. Your strong spirit and generous heart were an inspiration.

Mike Ammon

February 11, 2012

A life well lived. My only regret is that we never flew to Chicago for Cubs day game like we talked about. Gil was a true gentleman and inspiration to me.

Richard Kretchmer

February 9, 2012

Uncle Gil, as I called him, was a true gentleman. I called him Uncle Gil since he and my father were best friends from grade school days. Gil was my Godfather and always treated me as a son. He was always offering to help me and advise me in any way he could. I will truly miss my Uncle Gil. He was one of the nicest men I will ever know.

I would like to express my condolences to his family and my heartfelt thanks to Rita for looking out for him. And, I am truly sorry I will not be able to attend the service.

Connie Kelly

February 9, 2012

Rita, Stacy and family, I'm so sorry that I won't be with you as you put Gil to rest. He was a special person and will be greatly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love,Connie

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Funeral services provided by:

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1298

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