Harry A Schwartz

Harry Arthur Schwartz of Oklahoma City was born to Earnest and Emma Schwartz on April 16th, 1912, in Kansas City, MO. Educated in OKC through high school, Harry earned his bachelor’s degree from OCU in 1934. He completed his law degree at Chicago-Kent Law School in 1936.

Margret Osbourne of Oklahoma City caught Harry’s eye in 1930. They wed six years later and enjoyed 59 years of marriage until her passing in 1995.

After completing law school, Harry began his career as proprietor of a service station in OKC. In 1942 he was accepted in the FBI as special agent and spokesperson, serving in Washington D.C., Newark, Pittsburg, Chicago and OKC. From 1966 until he retired in 1992, Harry served as the Executive Administrator of the Sheet Metal Contractors Association.

Throughout his life Harry was extremely active in various social, civic, and charitable organizations. He received multiple honors from Rotary Club 29 of Oklahoma City where he achieved 18 years of 100% attendance. Harry was recently recognized as a “Centennial Rotarian” during the club’s centennial celebration. Volunteered 30-plus years of service to the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and sold more than 3400 memberships. He also served key roles in many high-profile local projects. Among his many accomplishments, Harry helped bring the National Finals Rodeo to OKC, was appointed by the mayor to head the Myriad Convention Center Construction Committee , served on the original committee to purchase land and build the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and served as President of the OKC Chapter of the Miss America Pageant at the time Jane Jayroe became Miss America.

Harry passed on the morning of September 15th, 2010. He is survived by his grandson, Steven Schwartz and wife, Lauren Schwartz; two great grandchildren, Luke and Kingston Schwartz; daughter-in-law, Claire Schwartz Puckett; family friends, Larry and Nanette Bledsoe; and caregiver, Virgil Richardson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margret Schwartz; son, Curtis Schwartz; granddaughter, Katherine Schwartz; brother, Leonard Schwartz; and special friends, Jane Lillard and Ruth Bozalis.

Services will be held on Monday, September 20th, at 11:00 am at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N. Shartel Ave. in Oklahoma City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rotary Club 29.

Harry spent almost 90 years living in a city that he loved, surrounded by people he loved. He will be missed by many.