KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Coverage You Can Count OnFormer Airline President, Tulsa Businessman George Warde Dies

Former Airline President, Tulsa Businessman George Warde Dies

A former leader of American Airlines and Tulsa businessman has died.

George Warde passed away Friday in Tulsa at the age of 90. Warde's secretary, Helen Haynes, tells Tulsa's Channel 8 that he was with American from 1940 through 1974, eventually rising to CEO. He the left American to help steer Continental Airlines through some rough financial times in the early 80s.

Warde retired in Tulsa and was a major part of the community, his secretary said. Warde was one of the founders of the original Tulsa Junior College and Triad Bank.

He's also credited with bringing Sabre - a booking company for American Airlines - to Tulsa. Hanyes tells KTUL.com that Warde pushed the businesses owners to move from New York. He brought each employee and their families to Tulsa to show them the quality of life.

Haynes said Warde even built the new Sabre headquarters in Tulsa underground, to ease fears about Oklahoma's tornadoes.

Warde is survived by his 2nd wife Dortha "Punkin" Bruce. They were married just nine months ago. He was 89, she was 90. His first wife passed away in 2003.

A memorial is scheduled for Wednesday, 10:00am at the First United Methodist Church at 11th and Boulder Ave. in downtown.