Gene Rainbolt

The circle of my life closed on January 2, 2025, and the only person who can write an obituary from the perspective of the deceased is, obviously, the deceased. This is my story of what was important to me.

I was born on February 20, 1929, as Harry Eugene Rainbolt, son of Bertie and Clark Rainbolt, of Norman, Oklahoma, and the youngest of four children. All my life I was called Gene.

Having an adoring, but detached mother, and a distant father, at 5 or 6 years of age it was clear to me that whatever my life was to become was up to me. Consequently, I became a life-long serial entrepreneur, answering to myself. Because of my parents’ decision to be close to a university, I had the extraordinary luck of living in Norman, giving me access to the University of Oklahoma, where I grew up in, on, or nearby the campus one of the paramount factors in my development.

As in most lives, there were important people in my life, but the most profound of all was my closest and incomparable friend, Jeannine Tuttle, who for many decades provided strength, support, tolerance, guidance, and love. Beginning in the sixth grade at McKinley Elementary School, she became my friend and advisor, confirmed by the note I later wrote in her Norman High School yearbook: “I have had much advice this year, and most of it was from you.”

Jeannine and I were married August 29, 1950. She was my wife and partner for the next 57 years until the circle of her life closed on September 30, 2007. Joyfully and without question, the most important accomplishment of the two of us was the birth, growth, and character development of our children, David, born in 1956, and Leslie, born in 1958. David’s family, his wife, Kim, whose nurturing parenting I have always appreciated, sons, Adam and his wife Whitney, Sam and his wife Kylee, Jake, and my three great-grandsons, Ward, Thomas, and James; and Leslie’s family, daughters Katherine and her husband Joe, Sarah, Caroline, Eleanor, and great-granddaughter, Rose, compounded our accomplishment and provided many years of pride and delight. Adding to that pleasure was witnessing the warm relationship between our children and grandchildren with their respective cousins.

While being extremely fortunate to have a most competent, considerate, and compassionate son as a partner, I must also acknowledge that, like daughters can be, Leslie was very special to me in so many ways. She is extremely intelligent, passionate in her loyalties, caring deeply and loving as only a daughter can be.

After graduation from OU, I received an ROTC Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in Korea in the 981st Field Artillery Battalion in 1953 and 1954. In mid-1954 I transferred from Korea to Okinawa, Japan, where Jeannine joined me as we continued our maturing process. This was an exceptionally happy time of our lives, with the entire world opening its doors.

In 1955 I returned to OU and ultimately received an MBA. In 1959 Professor James Murphy facilitated my entry into the banking business. Consequently, Professor Murphy came to be the most impactive external person in my adult life, setting the stage for a career that lasted 60 years.

Soon after beginning my banking career, and over many years, I employed my entrepreneurial spirit, taking advantage of a consolidating industry. With a group of investors and the support of helpful lenders, we acquired a number of small banks located in towns across Oklahoma.

My son, David, joined me in 1982 and became the co-founder and strategic force of United Community Corp. in 1984 and its successor, BancFirst, in 1989 through the merger of several banks throughout Oklahoma. The fact of the matter is, he assumed my quest, expanded it exponentially, and then exceeded any expectation I ever had. The success of he and his team allowed me to pursue my passions outside the company for many decades.

Every day of my life until the last day, there were many people, especially close associates I worked with for many years, who aided me and my efforts. Though not named, I specifically recall the importance of each and appreciated their loyalty, belief, friendship, and commitment.

The help of my “village” also supported my commitment to work to build a State in which every child has the opportunity to be all he or she can be. Anything less diminishes our State! But, so very much remains to be accomplished with an enormous gap between actual and possible.

Over the years I received a number of honors that were important to me. The nonprofit sector, the business community, the academic community, and the medical community were each generous in according me leadership positions, as well as giving me what I considered to be excessive recognition.

I, a fourth generation Oklahoman, focused the bulk of my energy on my beloved State, always being an extremely proud “Okie.” I have realized that Oklahoma needs far more than my efforts and the efforts my generation could give. I encourage my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their respective generations to not give up and to carry forward my passion for this place. I enjoyed telling people that metaphorically, I was a cousin of Tom Joad, the John Steinbeck character, which may also explain my delight in the soulful music of Willie Nelson and Woody Guthrie.

After Jeannine’s death, I wandered many miles to remote areas of the earth seeking to witness the circumstances under which humans survive and ecosystems evolve. My travels included my grandchildren, as well as, Charlotte Lankard, who became my best friend and with whom I shared many enjoyable experiences over the years.

In summation, my specific philosophy of life was: Change the world. Have some fun. Make some money. Give it away. Believing the tragedy of death has to do entirely with what was left undone, mine ended with my having done all I could do, but with so much more needed!

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a memorial contribution, I suggest the OU Foundation, 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019, for the Jeannine Rainbolt Scholarship Fund supporting Oklahoma students who want to be teachers but need financial support. For, after all, education is the powerful lever that can give Oklahoma children the opportunity they deserve!