TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma lost several notable figures in 2024, and 2 News is taking a moment to honor their legacies.
This list is far from exhaustive. If we missed someone, let us know!
Harrison Moseby
Harrison was a Tulsa firefighter who passed away after a tough battle with cancer. His journey and faith during such turmoil inspired many across Green Country.
More about Harrison >>>
Local News
Tulsa firefighter, faith follower remembered for servants heart
Toby Keith
Toby Keith passed away on Feb. 5 at the age of 62 after a battle with stomach cancer.
Keith released his first album Toby Keith in 1993. He would then release three more albums, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon, and 1997's Dream Walkin'. All four albums produced several Top Ten singles and earned Gold or higher certification. His debut single, "Should've Been a Cowboy," became the most-played country song of the 1990s.
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Local News
Remembering Toby Keith
Jimmy Economou
Jimmy Economou owned Coney Island Hot Weiners Shop, which was started by his father in 1926. He passed away at the age of 93.
He was known for giving immigrants opportunities to honor his parents, who had immigrated from Greece.
“Gave them a leg up,” Jimmy’s sister, Georgia Tsilekas, said. “And a lot of those people opened up restaurants of their own in Tulsa.”
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Local News
Coney Island owner, Jimmy Economou, dies at 93
Thomas Stafford
Born in Weatherford, Oklahoma, in 1930, Thomas (Tom) Stafford was one of NASA's early astronauts. During his career, he participated in four space missions. He flew the Gemini 6, Gemini 9, Apollo 10, and Apollo-Soyuz.
He died at the age of 93.
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Local News
Oklahoma astronaut Thomas Stafford dies at 93
Robert LaFortune
Perhaps no name carries as much weight around Tulsa as LaFortune.
It is immortalized at LaFortune Park, LaFortune Tower, and in the halls of many other buildings around town.
Despite all the recognition, so many knew Robert J. LaFortune as "Mayor Bob." LaFortune served as mayor of Tulsa from 1970-78.
97 years later, he passed away "as the sun set on the city he loved," his grandson, Tulsa's Mayor GT Bynum, said.
More about Mayor Bob >>>
Local News
LONG LEGACY: Looking back at the life of former Mayor Robert LaFortune
Norma Howard
Renowned Choctaw artist Norma Howard passed away at 65.
"She captured the Choctaw style, their heritage, cultural ways," said Cherokee artist Vivian Cottrell, remembering her friend.
Chelsea Herr, the curator of Indigenous art at the Gilcrease Museum, explained, "Her technique was to create tiny brush strokes, called hatch marks, that actually look like a basket weave. Choctaw people are known for creating very intricate baskets, and she imbued that technique in her watercolor painting strokes."
More about Norma >>>
Local News
Renowned Choctaw artist Norma Howard dies at 65
Jim Inhofe
Former United States Senator Jim Inhofe died at the age of 89.
A former aide said he had a sudden, unexpected illness over the holiday and passed at 4:48 a.m. on July 9.
He passed peacefully with his wife Kay holding his hand, surrounded by his kids Molly, Jimmy, and Katy.
More about Jim >>>
Local News
REMEMBERING INHOFE: Look back at the former senator's
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