Gene Callahan (Ralph, Eugene,) Jr., was born December 17, 1940 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to Ralph and Edith Callahan. Gene passed away peacefully in his sleep January 9, 2025. He was 84 years old.

Gene attended all 12 grades in Big Stone Gap. He was an excellent student and enjoyed multiple school activities including football and baseball. After completing his freshman year in college, Gene joined the US Air Force, served four years as a medical Corpsman and administrative specialist at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi. Gene used his G.I. bill to finance his bachelors and masters degrees at Virginia Tech.

Gene worked with the department of distributive education in Virginia and Alabama before accepting a research associate position at Auburn University.

He completed his doctorate in education in 1979, then served as a state DECA Advisor and state supervisor of distributive education for the state Department of Education in Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, during that time, he served on the national DECA board.

Gene moved to Oklahoma City in 1980 to join the team that developed and built Francis Tuttle Technology Center. Over the next few years, he served as assistant superintendent, interim superintendent and deputy superintendent.

Gene was named Deputy Superintendent of Tulsa Technology Center in 1985 and three years later begin his 20 year tenure as superintendent and CEO of Tulsa Tech.

Gene implemented major expansion programs to the Broken Arrow campus, the Riverside campus, and the Sand Springs campus. During his tenure, the staff doubled in size from 212 employees to more than 460. Gene worked 41 years in education before he retired in 2008.

He was a graduate of the inaugural Leadership Oklahoma class and Leadership Tulsa. Gene served as National president of the American Vocational Association, board chair for Junior Achievement of Eastern Oklahoma, honored with the prestigious Francis Tuttle Excellence award and the Arch Alexander award. He was named executive of the year by the chapter of Executive Women International, received the key contributor award from the Oklahoma Academy, and the Paragon award from Leadership Tulsa for exceptional service.

Survivors include wife, Ava Callahan; daughter, Cathy Torres and husband Ricky of Boutte, Louisiana; daughter, Leann Callahan Benedict and husband Raymond of Destrehan, Louisiana; grandchildren, Dakota Rice and husband Jason of Birmingham, Alabama; Madison Torres of Boutte; Brayden Benedict of Destrehan; and Miladi Benedict of Destrehan. Also, brother David Callahan and wife Sherrie of Dalton, Georgia; Bert Roche and husband Ron of Destrehan, Louisiana. Gene also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brother John and wife Eleanor.

Gene loved God, his family, friends, and his country. Gene was an exceptional leader who mentored colleagues, students, and associates. He delighted in making others successful.

Visitation for Dr. Gene (Ralph Eugene) Callahan, Jr. will be 3:00 PM to 7:00PM, Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the Moore Southlawn Funeral Home, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Graveside services will be 12:30PM, Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Montereau Coterie Theater at 2:00PM on Saturday, January 18, 2025.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the Montereau Protestant Chapel; the Montereau Benevolent Fund ot the charity of your choice in Loving Memory of Dr. Gene Callahan.