Philanthropist dies at 77
Philanthropist dies at 77

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By Randy Ellis

Published: October 2, 2007

Jeannine Tuttle Rainbolt, wife of BancFirst chairman H.E. "Gene” Rainbolt, died Sunday after a five-year battle with lung cancer.

She was 77, and her death from lung cancer was viewed as a sad irony by family members and friends, since she didn't smoke and abhorred the habit.

Jeannine and Gene Rainbolt were married for 57 years, but were friends for much longer.

They met in the sixth grade at McKinley Elementary School in Norman and attended junior high and high school together in that city before going on to become students together at the University of Oklahoma.

Upon graduation, Jeannine became a passionate and dedicated elementary teacher, a profession she continued while Gene was a young lieutenant serving in Korea.

Gene went on to become a prominent Oklahoma banker, and the couple became equally well known for their civic activities and philanthropy, contributing to a variety of charitable causes ranging from the Allied Arts to scholarships for some of the state's most talented young people.

Her death brought tributes from some of Oklahoma's most prominent citizens, including Gov. Brad Henry.

"Oklahoma has lost a great lady,” Henry said. "Jeannine Rainbolt was a person of wit, style, grace and dignity who made a lasting impression on our state with her many volunteer and philanthropic activities. She will certainly be missed, but the many people she touched in her life will never forget her.”

University of Oklahoma President David Boren said Jeannine's gifts of time and resources have made a tremendous difference at OU and other institutions.

"Jeannine Rainbolt was a person of remarkable kindness and generosity,” Boren said. "She helped create opportunities for others, especially young people. The courage and grace with which she faced her final illness will always be an inspiration to all who knew her.”

A lifelong learner and voracious reader, Jeannine recently embarked on a project to read all the Pulitzer Prize wining books, said Robert Henry, a judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

"She is the rock foundation of one of Oklahoma's greatest and most philanthropic families,” the judge said. "She lives on in her children and grandchildren, innumerable projects that she and her husband created and in the memories of many friends and admirers.”

Jeannine was an unpretentious person who wasn't afraid to speak her mind, said Cliff Hudson, chairman of Sonic Corp. and the Oklahoma City School Board.

"She was a very independent thinker with a lot of personal integrity and intellectual integrity,” he said.

The funeral service for Jeannine will be a private family service under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors. A celebration of Jeannine's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Myriad Gardens, which she loved.

Anyone wanting to memorialize her life can contribute to the University of Oklahoma Foundation for the Jeannine Rainbolt Scholarship fund, which will be used to award scholarships to Oklahomans who aspire to be elementary school teachers and who need financial assistance. Send contributions to: 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019.

Related Topics: Education, Elementary and High School Education, Elementary Education, Charitable Giving