Michael Melvin Samara was born in Oklahoma City on May 17th, 1924 to Filamena and Ameen Samara, who immigrated here from Lebanon. As the youngest of ten children, Mike was always surrounded by a big loving family.

His entrepreneurial spirit was apparent at an early age when he was both a yo-yo champion and an award winning magazine salesman. He started working in restaurants for his brother, Jake, at the age of 12. After serving in the Medical Corp of the Army from 1943-1946, Mike returned to Oklahoma City and managed the Jamboree Supper Club. In 1957 he moved to Joplin, Missouri to open and manage Mickey Mantle's Holiday Inn. And then in 1963 he moved to Tulsa where he began to make a name for himself as a restauranteur. Over the years, he had ownership or interest in many well-known establishments here in Tulsa. Most notably was the Library, Big Mikes Hamburgers, Sleepy Hollow, Hilton Hotel, Utica 21 Club, Burger King, and the legendary Celebrity Club.

Mike was also involved in various organizations in Tulsa. He was an influential member of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association serving on the board beginning in 1973 and as chairman in 1982. In 2002, he was made a lifetime member of the ORA. He was also a proud member of the Jesters where he made many lifelong friends.

Although Mike did well in the restaurant business, it was his family that gave him the most pride and joy. He was a loving brother, cousin, uncle, father and grandfather. While most of his siblings were in Oklahoma City, he enjoyed regular family gatherings and reunions full of Lebanese love and food! He would often reflect on his childhood remembering that no matter how poor they were, there was always plenty of food. Food was a way of showing love in the Samara family!

In his late thirties, Mike began a family of his own. His three children, Nick, Paula, and Michelle meant the world to him. Anyone that spent time with him knew that much of their conversation would entail listening to glowing reviews of each of his children's lives. He beamed with pride when he became a grandfather. Each of his eight grandchildren and two great granddaughters, were deeply loved by their "Jiddi". He couldn't wait to shower them with love and generosity every time he saw them.

In 1978, Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer and given little to no chance of surviving. It was at that time he sold many of his restaurants to focus on his health. To the surprise of all of his doctors, Mike fought the cancer and went on to live another forty years. This was an indication of his determination and love for life.

Throughout his illness he maintained ownership of the Celebrity Club which he had opened in 1963. Because of Oklahoma's liquor laws, it was a private club for many years. Since Mike was an ardent observer of the laws and persisted in getting them revised, he was given the privilege of serving the first legal alcoholic drink in the State of Oklahoma.

Over the years, Celebrity Club has been known in Tulsa for having excellent food such as fried chicken, lobster and table side Caesar salad which Mike learned to make from the creator of the recipe and brought to Tulsa. As Mike would often state, good food and good service were the two necessary components of a successful restaurant. But Mike added something special that is a lost art in today's world. He was the consummate host- going table to table, greeting his customers, and genuinely engaging with each one. It was in that place that he celebrated countless birthdays, anniversaries, marriage proposals, Valentine's Days, and Christmas parties. He wasn't just in the food business, he was in the people business. He truly got to know his customers and loved them all. Even though his eyesight was failing, he would continue to put on a suit and tie every evening and go into his restaurant to greet his patrons all the way until the age of 91. Although most of his first customers are no longer living, his hospitality would extend across multiple generations as their kids and grandkids have now made the Celebrity their choice for celebrating special occasions. Mike embraced them all.

Mike was also a mentor to many in the restaurant business. It is not unusual to find a current restaurant owner in Tulsa who got their start working for him at Big Mikes or the Celebrity. Over the years, Mike would maintain close friendships with many employees from the past. This was another way that he blessed so many lives. Mike Samara was truly a gift to the Tulsa community and deeply loved by all who knew him. His was most definitely a life well-lived.

Mike is survived by his three children Nick Samara of Tulsa, Paula Osko and husband Chris of Tulsa, and Michelle Bruns and husband David of Tulsa; eight grandchildren Zach Osko and wife Mary Ann of Oklahoma City, Chad Osko of Oklahoma City, Josh Osko of Tulsa, Lale Samara of Tulsa, Christian Samara of Tulsa, and Micah, Noah and Sadie Bruns of Tulsa; two great grandchildren Eleanor and Caroline Osko of Oklahoma City; sister Mary Sills of Oklahoma City; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Stanley Funeral Home 3959 East 31st from 4-8p.m. on Monday, November 5th. Memorial Service will be at Asbury United Methodist Church on Tuesday, November 6th at 10:30a.m. preceded by a graveside service at 9:30a.m. at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Samara family request donations to be made to American Cancer Society or the Parkinson Disease Association.