Gilbert H. LaPiere

Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere was born June 29, 1923 in Irvington, New Jersey and passed from this world Febuary 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 in still 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 l966, 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 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.

I lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to All Souls Episcopal Church, Habitat for Humanity or the charity of your choice.