TULSA, Okla. — Friends, family and members of the Tulsa downtown business community are mourning the loss of 76-year-old Michael Sager, the brains and imagination behind Tulsa’s Blue Dome District downtown.

FOX23 met with those who knew him best on Friday afternoon to learn more about how they want the Tulsa native and businessman to be remembered.

We spoke with a colleague of Michael’s, someone close to the family, who shared that he passed away in the hospital on Thursday after suffering a heart attack.

On Friday we met with some of those he inspired to help make downtown Tulsa what it is today.

Mary Beth Babcock, of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 said it all started with a pitch to Michael and his mother Patricia.

“They gave this little underdog a chance, they believed in me,” she said. “I opened a gift shop in a 2,000 square foot space of his at 2nd and Detroit in 2006.”

Babcock, who dreamed of opening her own gift shop, said she credits Michael Sager with giving her a shot.

“He could have easily given that space to anybody, but he went for the underdog,” she noted.

Babcock remained downtown for ten years before moving to her current location on Route 66.

“If it wasn’t for you [him], I probably would not be where I am today,” she said. “Michael Sager, his spirit and legacy will live on in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There’s no doubt.”

The Blue Dome District was the brainchild of Michael Sager, according to his good friend, developer Jeff Scott. Scott recalled it all started with Sager’s first purchase of the Jacob’s loft building in 1978. He said Sager also purchased the infamous “Blue Dome” building.

Scott recounted the very time he met Sager over coffee at Queenie’s.

“And I introduced myself,” he explained. “Hi, I’m Jeff Scott and I’m in interested in buying … I’m looking at investing in downtown.”

He said Sager suggested they drive downtown, and offered to show him around, providing him with an informative overview that ended up lasting several hours.

“I cannot imagine anybody being more generous with their time and with their information than Michael Sager was,” Scott said.

Sager also played an important role in helping Malcolm McCollam launch what is now known as the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, describing him as one of their biggest supporters:

“He helped me, put me in touch with the right people in the city to get things done in the downtown area. He let us use space in his buildings to entertain sponsors and people. He hosted cyclists from out of state,” Scott said. “I mean the guy was a one man Tulsa ambassador, I mean it was just, it was unbelievable, Tulsa’s not going to be the same without Michael.”

Sager leaves behind a wife and a son and two grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Patricia Wells Sager, and a brother. No doubt his legacy in downtown Tulsa will continue to live on.

Michael’s friends and family will host a celebration of life service for him at the Gateway Event Center on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 1-3 p.m.

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