Gary Michael Fleener
Obituary
Longtime prominent in the commercial real estate community and beloved family man, Gary M. Fleener passed away early on October 28, 2015.
Born in El Paso, TX in 1942, Gary grew up in San Antonio and graduated from Alamo Heights High School. In 1961 he moved to Tulsa to attend TU and by the age of 22 was running his first industrial supply business. In 1974 he earned his commercial real estate license and in 1984 he launched Gary M. Fleener Real Estate. For more than 30 years his professional passion was promoting Tulsa real estate. Widely respected by his colleagues, Gary served in a range of business leadership roles at the local and state levels and in 2003 was selected Commercial Realtor of the Year by the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors.
He and wife Jana loved to travel (especially to Destin, FL), go to their cabin on the Illinois River, and spend time with family and friends. Gary was a champion marksman and for a time an avid tennis player.
Gary had the greatest sense of humor, a constant consideration of others, and the kind of integrity that brings out the best in people. For his family, as well as in business, his devotion and loyalty never wavered. Even in the midst of great challenge he was able to bring joy and humor to the moment – lifting and lightening the hearts of those nearby.
Gary will be deeply missed - by his loving wife Jana, his family, and his wide network of friends and associates. But we also acknowledge that his spirit lives on - in our hearts and through a lifetime of good works and deeds that are his legacy.
Please join us at one of his favorite Tulsa eateries, The Celebrity Restaurant, to share stories and celebrate his wonderful life. Come anytime between 1 and 3pm, November 15th. The Celebrity Restaurant is located at 3109 South Yale.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to your favorite charity.
Events
Tributes & Memories
My family and I knew Gary for over 50 years. I am so sorry to just be learning of his death at this late date because my sister and I would have definitely come to the celebration for his life. We both have so many wonderful memories of Gary and his children when we all lived in Tulsa. Susan and I were long time babysitters for Gary B. and Mardi. We thought of them as family as our lives were intertwined for so many years. We remember you all very fondly and send our condolences.
Nancy Small Cowden
There has never been a more truer friend to the commercial real estate industry and its practitioners than Gary Fleener. Many if not all can unequivocally say we each were incredibly blessed from our experiences of knowing or working with Gary Fleener. As a true friend and great mentor to me (and adopted father), Gary taught me to always embrace the most basic principles of life: Compassion, Respect, Fairness and Self-worth. These simple life principles inspired by Gary, literally built the foundation and needed confidence for my successful brokerage career. We celebrate a great man who made a significant impact to each of us and truly understood and lived God's greatest calling to love one another. May Gary's life always be a reminder that sometimes the simplest thing in life we can do is to be a true friend! I will forever miss my "Pops"!
Monty Berry