Loren Eugene Hale

Loren Eugene (Gene) Hale joined our Lord on February 8, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. His transition home was peaceful. Though Gene faced many health challenges over the past 15 years, including numerous strokes and eventual paralysis, his spirit and personality remained unwavering, strong, resilient, ambitious, kind, and compassionate. Whatever Gene did, he gave 110%. He was a born leader, a visionary thinker, and a man with the energy to follow through on his boldest ideas.

Upon graduating from the University of Tulsa, Gene joined the U.S. Air Force and served as a Lieutenant in Vietnam in 1968 as a second seater in the air wing. During his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After his tour, he transitioned to the U.S. Marine Corps, seeking greater opportunities. He later earned his master’s degree from Pepperdine University in California and commanded several assignments across the United States before retiring as a Major in 1988.

But Gene’s ambitions did not stop there. He invented and patented an innovative form for creating arches used in dam construction, railway bridges, footpaths, and beyond. His patent, granted in 1988, led to the founding of Concepts in Concrete. His revolutionary design made construction more economical, durable, and efficient. Licensing his invention across the U.S. and worldwide, Gene traveled extensively to ensure its successful implementation. He continued this work until his retirement in 2000, when he finally decided to slow down, at least a little.

Gene had an undeniable passion for speedboats, cars, planes…if it went fast, it had his full attention. In 1990, he purchased land on Grand Lake, Oklahoma, and orchestrated the move of a house from Monkey Island, relocating and reconstructing it piece by piece over Sailboat Bridge. Once settled, he turned his focus to sailing, purchasing, and mastering racing sailboats. His favorite vessel, an Evelyn racing sailboat, brought him many first-place trophies in Grand Lake’s annual regattas. Ever the humble captain, he always credited his crew for their victories. When his health no longer allowed him to sail, he faced one of his greatest challenges, accepting that his “sea legs” were gone.

His love for racing extended to land as well. Gene owned a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo, a true racing machine. Competing in Tulsa, he claimed top honors in Porsche Club of America races and formed lasting friendships on the club’s tours across the country. Eventually, he had to part with his beloved car, realizing that while getting in was easy, letting gravity do its thing, getting out was an entirely different challenge!

In 2005, Gene’s life took another thrilling turn when he met Carol. With Carol’s extensive experience in land development, home design, and construction, Gene’s vision of developing land on Grand Lake became a reality. Carol also brought a loving family into his life, including her daughter, Staci Fattig, her husband Paul, and two grandsons, Trevor Fattig (wife Vicky and daughter Brook) of Rockville, Maryland, and Taylor Fattig (significant another Emily Riley) of St. Joseph, Missouri.

Even as health challenges arose, Gene remained determined. He fought through his first major stroke in 2010 and continued forward as best he could. The home Carol built for them in 2016 became Gene’s sanctuary, a place he cherished until the Lord called him home.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Loren, and Lillian (Cox) Hale, and his baby sister, Patricia.

Gene is survived by his wife Carol, of the home; his first wife, Beverly Miller, and her husband Warren; his daughter, Christy Bailey (husband Jim) of Show Low, Arizona; and his daughter, Karen Hale of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Karen blessed Gene with two granddaughters: Jennifer Jacobsen and her children, Nathan, Alex, Isaac, and Jessica (husband and son Dominic). Christy gave Gene his first grandson, John Loren Holderman (wife Kelly), along with two great-grandsons, Wyatt and Tex, and twin great-granddaughters, Birdie, and June. Another granddaughter, Ashley (husband Jerry) of Leonard, Oklahoma, blessed him with two more great-granddaughters, Claire, and Lily.

Gene never wanted a somber farewell, he wanted his friends and family to remember the full, joyful, and adventurous life he led. In that spirit, after his ceremony, a feast will be waiting for all at The Cove Club Restaurant next door. Gene would also appreciate a toast to his incredible life, so for those who wish, the bar will be open for you to raise a glass in his honor.

He was deeply loved and will be missed immensely by all who knew him. Gene was one of a kind, a true genius, an adventurer, and a man who left the world better than he found it.

Fair winds and following seas, Gene.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Luginbuel South Grand Lake Funeral Home in Langley, Oklahoma. 

Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesvinita.com or on the funeral home Facebook page. Arrangements are in the care of Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita. “Family owned. Locally operated.”