Harold Burton Looney's Obituary
Harold Burton "Burt" Looney was born on August 14, 1934, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, September 5, 2025, surrounded by his daughter, two sons, son-in-law, nieces, and nephew.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Patricia Ann (Ott) Looney, his grandson Grant Looney, and his sister Ginger Stowell. He is survived by his children Hal Looney, Scott Looney, and Gretchen (Looney) Reeder, and seven grandchildren: Ryvers, Madison, and Sheridian Reeder; Sydney and Avery Looney; and Kathleen (Looney) McClinton and Grant Looney (deceased). He is also survived by his brother Ronald S. Looney, his brothers-in-law Charles Ott, and Bill Stowell, his niece Gina Looney, and his nephews David Looney and Brett Stowell.
Burt was the son of Harold Wachtel Looney and Helen Eula (Paris) Looney, who was crowned Miss Tulsa and inaugurated Tulsa International Airport. He began his career in the family businesses, Looney Sheet Metal, which helped build everything from Air Force bomb racks to the first Apollo launchpad at Cape Canaveral and more. Soon after those projects, with his brother Ron Looney, they founded Triangle Development Company, building office and industrial buildings, business parks, land development work, road construction and a variety of other businesses. All of which will leave a lasting mark on Tulsa's office industrial landscape.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Burt lived a full and passionate life. He was a world-record drag racer in the 1950s, and a devoted father deeply involved in his children's activities - from baseball, ice hockey, dance to hunting and family vacations. His home was always open, hosting legendary barbecues where dozens of their friends and his children's friends enjoyed ribs, steaks, smoked bologna from the barbeque, all topped with the family's 100-year-old homemade barbecue sauce recipe.
While Burt accomplished much in business and racing, his greatest pride his wife Pat, his children, his grandchildren and his life-long friendships. He leaves behind a legacy of grit, generosity and love that will endure in all who knew him.
ILO of flowers the family is recommending donation to this late grandson's Grant Looney scholarship fund that can be found at BurtLooney.com
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