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Legendary Tulsan George A. Warde dies

Legendary Tulsan George A. Warde died Friday morning. He was 90.

Warde was responsible for bringing American Airlines maintenance base to Tulsa in 1948. His career had him assigned all over the world and he settled in Tulsa in 1960 where he became Senior Vice President of the maintenance base.

Warde helped move 175 families and more then 8,000 employees to town.

In 1968, Warde was named "Mr. Aviation" of Tulsa.

In 1981, he became President and CEO of Continental Airlines, boosting Tulsa as one of its major destinations.

Warde was the Chairman of the Board for Warranty House International, a company that specializes in warranty recovery services for the airline and aerospace industry.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at First United Methodist Church downtown.