John Eugene "Gene" Torbett

John Eugene "Gene" Torbett, age 87, died on October 2, 2021, at home in Oklahoma City from heart failure. He cherished his family and friends, adored his children and grandchildren, and treasured his independence. Gene was a man of integrity who instilled in his family gratitude for education and many other blessings. Gene was born November 4, 1933, in Enid, Oklahoma, the son of Gene and Louise Torbett. He recalled a happy childhood playing baseball, shooting BB guns, and reading novels. His father and mother were his heroes, and he admired their devotion to one another. Gene was a graduate of Enid High School and attended the University of Oklahoma on an ROTC scholarship. He received a BBA in 1955 and an MBA in 1960. While at OU, he was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served as a Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps from 1955 to 1958 and had a successful thirty-year career at Arthur Andersen, serving as managing partner of the Oklahoma City office from 1978 to 1985. After retiring from ArthurAndersen, he served on the boards of directors of The Fred Jones Companies and INTEGRIS Health, was Executive Director of the Crowe & Dunlevy law firm, and represented the Oklahoma State Insurance Commissioner as conservator for two insurance companies. Gene's passions were playing golf, watching OU football, and sharing a meal with his many friends of all ages. The most important institutions in Gene's life were the Catholic Church, the US Marine Corps, andArthur Andersen. He lived by the Bible verse "To whom much is given, much is required." Gene gave his time, talent, and treasure to numerous civic and professional organizations. He was president of the boards of the Baptist Medical Center of Oklahoma,Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club, and OU Alumni Association, where he is a member of its Hall of Fame. Gene served as a board member of Neighbor-for-Neighbor, World Neighbors, Committee of One Hundred, Higher Education AlumniCouncil of Oklahoma, Arthritis Foundation of Oklahoma City, Central Oklahoma Community Council, National FootballFoundation and Hall of Fame Oklahoma Chapter, American Red Cross, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, and theOklahoma Society of CPAs Educational Foundation. He also mentored Western Village Academy Charter School students. Gene is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marilyn Coffey Torbett. Although Marilyn moved to Dallas for health reasons,Gene remained committed to her by regularly visiting and calling daily. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law,Jennifer and Jon Mosle; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Shannon Torbett; his daughter and son-in-law, Maura and Jason Bradshaw; and his five beloved grandchildren, Kate Mosle Bender and her husband Keith, Michael Mosle, ClaireBradshaw, Blythe Bradshaw, and Lauren Torbett. He is also survived by his brother, Bruce Torbett of Tulsa, Oklahoma; his sister and brother-in-law, Terry and Hershel Manhart of Peru, Indiana; his in-laws Tom Coffey, Jerry and Dorothy Coffey, and Mike and Lynn Coffey of Okarche, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews. He was proud of his family. A funeral mass will be held on November 6, 2021, at 11 am at Christ the King Catholic Church (8005 Dorset) with a reception immediately following at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club (7000 NW Grand Blvd). In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in the name of Gene Torbett be made toCatholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma City at either 1232 N. Classen Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73106 or www.catholiccharitiesok.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Eugene "Gene" Torbett please visit our Sympathy Store.