Robert J. LaFortune

Robert James LaFortune (January 24, 1927 – March 27, 2024) was an American philanthropist and politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. LaFortune was mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma from 1970 to 1978.

Early life and education LaFortune was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 24, 1927, to Joseph Aloysius LaFortune and Gertrude Leona Tremel LaFortune, who had moved there in 1920 from South Bend, Indiana. Joseph worked for thirty years at Warren Petroleum Company, becoming executive vice president and a noted local philanthropist. Lafortune was Catholic.

LaFortune attended Marquette Elementary School and graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School in 1944. He served in the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps for two years.

Early career LaFortune then joined Reilly Tar and Chemical Company, where he worked for five years before becoming a part owner of Reed Drilling Company. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves for 10 years, reaching the rank of Captain. In 1966, he became the first person elected to the city commission without opposition. As mayor, he got passage of bond issues for the city's freeway system, He also helped initiate the start of the Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG). He left office in 1978. His successor, Jim Inhofe, was sworn in on May 2, 1978.

Later life LaFortune was a director of Apco Argentina Inc., BOK Financial Corporation and the Williams Companies.

Family and death Jeanne Morse LaFortune, Robert's wife, died November 15, 2003. Born August 25, 1929, she was a native of Missouri. She and Robert married in 1951. They had six children, three sons and three daughters, and 16 grandchildren. He was the uncle of Bill LaFortune, who served as Mayor of Tulsa (2002–2006).