{"product_id":"taking-care-the-good-life-of-robert-j-lafortune","title":"\"Taking Care: The Good Life of Robert J. LaFortune\"","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003e“We live a good life by taking care of things.”\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e— ROBERT J. LAFORTUNE\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eTulsa native Robert J. LaFortune dedicated\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ehis life to serving others. He began his career\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ein the oil and gas industry before entering\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ethe world of public service with seven elected\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eterms—three as a commissioner for the City\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eof Tulsa and four as Tulsa’s 31st Mayor.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eAs commissioner he worked for the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003efunding approval of the Port of Catoosa and\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eacquired the 2,300-acre port site. As Mayor\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ehe received approval of major bond funding\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003efor streets, traffic control, parks, water\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eand sewer projects, and major expressway\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003econstruction. LaFortune helped initiate the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003estart of the Indian Nations Council of Governments\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e(INCOG) and gained approval of\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e50-50 private-public funding of the $18 million\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ePerforming Arts Center. As a civic leader,\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ehe served organizations impacting every\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003easpect of Tulsa’s community life including St.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eJohn Health System, Tulsa Area United Way,\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ePhilbrook Museum, Boy Scouts of America,\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eand the Arkansas River Basin Development\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eAuthority. From providing invaluable leadership\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eto local organizations and financially\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003esupporting worthy causes to implementing\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003epolicy to strengthen the community and\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ecreating opportunities for local citizens, his\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eimpact continues to be felt today.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eLaFortune was known as a man of strong\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003echaracter. His handshake was binding; his\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ewords were genuine. Faith and family were the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ecornerstone of a life well lived. Taking Care is\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ehis story, told in his own words. Between the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003elines is a heartfelt and personal history of his\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ebeloved hometown of Tulsa.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eAUTHOR INFO:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eRobert J. LaFortune served as the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eMayor of Tulsa from 1970 to 1978. As a civic\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eleader, he served with organizations impacting\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eevery aspect of Tulsa’s community life.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eAmong the boards of directors on which he\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eserved as board chairman or president were:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eSt. John Health System; Tulsa Area United\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eWay; Tulsa Library Trust; Tulsa Performing\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eArts Center Trust; Philbrook Museum;\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eBoy Scouts of America local, regional, and\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003enational boards; Oklahoma Ethics Commission;\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eand Cascia Hall Preparatory School. He\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003ewas inducted into both the Oklahoma Hall\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eof Fame and Tulsa Hall of Fame. LaFortune\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003epassed away in 2024 at the age of 97.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eG. T. Bynum served as the Mayor of Tulsa\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003efrom 2016 to 2024. He was named Public\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eOfficial of the Year in 2024 by Governing\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eMagazine, and was inducted into the Tulsa\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eHall of Fame. G.T. is an executive in the Saint\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eFrancis Health System. He and his wife Susan\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003eare the parents of Robert and Annabel, the\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-ogsc=\"rgb(0, 0, 0)\"\u003e6th generation of Bynums to call Tulsa home.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ScissortailGifts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48326332383424,"sku":null,"price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/4062\/3808\/files\/LaFortuneTAKINGCAREfrontcovproof11-19-25.jpg?v=1779823219","url":"https:\/\/scissortailgifts.com\/products\/taking-care-the-good-life-of-robert-j-lafortune","provider":"ScissortailGifts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}