Otoe-Missouria News Archive

A welcome home dance will be hosted Saturday by the Garland Kent Sr. family in honor of their son-in-law, Sgt. Jeffrey Lynch, plus Staff Sgt. J.B. Hall and Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Hall, who have recently returned from a tour of duty in Kuwait and Iraq. The dance will be held at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Activities begin at 2:30 p.m.

The three soldiers were attached to the 45th Infantry, 179th Battalion Bravo Company out of Alva. In October of 2002 they were activated and sent to Camp Doha, Kuwait. While they were there they patrolled the DMZ between Iraq and Kuwait. At the beginning of the Iraq War in March they convoyed in Bradleys heading north to Baghdad. Their first obstacle was a vicious sandstorm that caked their eyes closed, according to family members. Sleeping a few minutes meant spending 10 minutes prying their eyes open. Their skin was so sandblasted the sweat stung them for days. The temperatures that they endured were 120-130 degrees, depending on if they had shade.

Once they were in Baghdad, they had several missions including security forces operations, day and night foot patrol, traffic control points, ambushes, house raids and arrests. They also seized one of the largest weapons and ammo caches. Their missions took them as far as 20 miles north of Baghdad to Taji. Their home for a time was a former Republican Guard building which was also used as a terrorist training camp.

In the 91 days they were in Iraq, they had two opportunities to shower, one that lasted 30 seconds and the next 51 days later. Following their missions they returned to Camp Doha where they received various awards. They have received the Combat Infantry Badge plus the honor of wearing the double Thunderbird patch, which had not been done since the Korean Conflict. They were officially released from active duty on Aug. 16.

An open invitation to all veterans, organizations and friends has been extended for the dance. Gourd dancing starts at 2:30 p.m. with supper at 5:30 p.m. and war dancing at 7 p.m. There will be special contests in men’s fancy, grass and women’s jingle.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Benjamin C. Harper, resident of Red Rock, died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, in Stillwater. He was 73. The funeral will be 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26, in the Harper residence in Red Rock. Burial will be in Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee.

Benjamin C. Harper was born December 29, 1929, in Red Rock, the son of Charlie C. Harper and Elizabeth Dailey Harper. He married Elsie M. Harper in Baltimore, Maryland, where they lived. He retired from the U.S. Army. He moved back to Red Rock in September, 1998.

Survivors include two daughters, Judy Ann Harper of Baltimore, and Marcella Harper of Red Rock; a brother, Quentin Harper of Red Rock; a sister, Constance D. Harper of Red Rock; two granddaughters; and a number of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his wife in June 1998, his parents, and three sisters.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Theodore “Ted” Brave Scout, resident of Pawnee, died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, in Anadarko. He was 71. The funeral will be noon Friday, March 14, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Burial will be in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.

Theodore Brave Scout was born February 14, 1932, in Pawnee, the son of Sidney Moore Sr. and Pearl Peters Moore. He lived in California, Tennessee, Maryland and Florida but lived mainly in Pawnee. He is an enrolled member of the Otoe tribe, chairman of the Otoe Encampment, the gaming commissioner for the Otoe tribe, Otoe-Missouria director of American Indian Expo until 1998, Brave Scout Dance Troupe which toured Europe about 1956, ambassador of Native American Culture, educator in Native American Heritage. He was a drum maker and enjoyed bowling. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and a member of the Pawnee Indian veterans. He had been married to Thomasine Moore and to Dyce Brave Scout.

Survivors include four children, Ted Moore Jr. of Fairfax, Randy Moore of Geronimo, Sydna Yellowfish of Oklahoma City and Tracey Moore of Pawhuska; six brothers and sisters, Wilma Williams of Pawnee, Sylvestine Shields of Shawnee, Marie Fields of Tulsa, Sidney Moore Jr. of El Reno, Laverne Horsechief of Midwest City and Darrell Moore of Pawnee; and a number of other relatives. He was preceded in death by his two wives, his parents, and two brothers, Pete Moore Sr. and Norman Keel Sr.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

James Kenneth Hall, resident of Ponca City, died Friday, January 31, 2003, at Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center. He was 69. The funeral will be held graveside 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, at the Otoe–Missouria Tribal Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Jim was born February 16, 1933, in Strong City, Oklahoma, to Elmer and Daisy Mae Kouts Hall. He attended schools in Durham, Oklahoma. He was married December 23, 1952, in Perry to Marian Ward. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953 until 1955. After receiving his discharge, they moved to Ponca City. He was a mechanic and owned and operated a full-service station.

He is survived by his wife, Marian Hall of the home; one daughter, Teresa Meadows and her husband Randy of Ponca City; three sons, Gary Hall and his wife Cheryl of Phoenix, Arizona, Brian Hall and his wife Dawn of Ponca City and Randall Hall and his wife Hilary of Oklahoma City; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Benjamin Arkeketa, former Red Rock resident, returned home to God on March 20, 2002, from the St. John Medical Center of Tulsa. He was 74. An evening prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday with Gary White Cloud in charge of services at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. At 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, church services will be conducted by Arleigh Rhodes and the Rev. Thomas Roughface. The traditional funeral feast will be held at noon with a committal service following in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery. Aaron Gawhega, Buffalo Clan, will conduct traditional services and L.S. Buffalo Post 38 of White Eagle will provide full military honors. Grace Memorial Chapel is in charge of burial.

“Thing-Ja-Bus-Ka” (Bushy tail), Benjamin Arkeketa, was born on February 27, 1928, in Red Rock, the son of George Arkeketa and Edna Jones Hudson. He grew up in Red Rock attending Pawnee “Gravy U” Indian School and graduating from Chilocco Indian School. On June 8, 1954, Ben married the former Mary Elizabeth Freeman in Sapulpa, and the couple made their home in Sand Springs. He went to work for the State of Oklahoma, Department of Human Services and was employed for over 38 years. He served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps on June 2, 1948, fighting in the Korean War. He served with the 3rd Battalion, Company H and with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. On the Pusan Perimeter, defense along the Naktong River and during the first days of war in August of 1950. Later, he served with the 1st Marine Division, Inch’on (amphibious landing), first wave landing on Green Beach, capture of Wolmi-do, at Inch’on, September 15, 1950, he helped with the capture of Kimpo Airfield, Han River crossing and the battle for Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Sgt. Benjamin Arkeketa was honorably discharged on June 2, 1952, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Ben was an accomplished artist. In earlier years, he was a musician and champion straight dancer in the powwow circuit and he loved to gourd dance. Because he is of the “Che” Buffalo Clan, he exercised his gift of leadership in his culture. History and culture was something he took great pride in. At one time, Ben served his tribe as a tribal council member. He is a member of the Otoe-Missouria tribe of north central Oklahoma and the Otoe Gourd Clan and a descendant of Chief George Ar-ke-ke-tah. He was a father figure to every young person he came in contact with and because of this, he has many “adopted” children and grandchildren.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 47 years, Mary Elizabeth Arkeketa of the home in Sand Springs; five daughters, Susan Arkeketa of Sand Springs, Jenise and husband Lee Smith of Tahlequah, Kim and husband Allen McHenry of Tulsa, Annette and husband Al Jr. Rendon of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Ginger Arkeketa of Lawrence, Kansas; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, also one step brother, Kirby Harra-garra, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and a host of friends. His parents, one grandson, and step-brothers, Percy Hudson and George Shields Sr. preceded Ben in death.

Casket bearers will be Benjamin Levi West, Kyle Hubbarth, Baptiste Jones, Keith Neal, Ted Grant and Jim Grant. Honorary casket bearers will be Tony Arkeketa, Perry Aunko, Ben Shoemake, Dale Tsatoke, John Freeman, Pat Freeman, William Freeman, Jesse Freeman Jr., Jacob Arkeketa, Lee Smith, Allen McHenry, Al Rendon Jr., George Hudson, Wesley Hudson and all Buffalo clan members and descendants.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Michael Koshiway Pendleton, resident of Red Rock, died Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, in Honolula, Hawaii. He was 21. The funeral will be held at noon Monday, November 19, in the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock with the Rev. Toby Blackstar officiating. Burial will be in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery under direction of Poteet Funeral Home of Pawnee.

Michael Koshiway Pendleton was born June 24, 1980, in Walnut Creek, California, the son of Michael Alan Pendleton and Charlene Rochelle Haze. He entered the U.S. Army in April of 2001, took basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was stationed in Honolula, Hawaii. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing and listening to golden oldies.

Survivors include his parents; a brother, Nathanel K. Pendleton of Steelville, Missouri; a daughter, Jaden M. Biggoose; two step-brothers, Thomas and Sonny Ray Haze; stepfather, Albert Haze of Steelville; stepmother, Janette Pendleton of Steelville; grandmother, Thelma Koshiway Johnston; and other relatives.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.

Kenneth E. Black, resident of Pawnee, died Saturday, October 27, 2001, in the Tulsa Regional Hospital. He was 78. The funeral will be held noon Tuesday, October 30, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Burial will be in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee.

Kenneth E. Black was born June 13, 1923, in Red Rock, the son of Albert Black and Ada Black. On May 3, 1954, he married Mary Jane Harjo in Clayton, New Mexico, and, in 1981, they moved to Pawnee from Washington, D.C. He was in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the Battle of New Guiana, southern Philippines and Luzon. He has served on the Otoe Tribal Council for many years as Chairman of the tribe and has been employed with the city of Enid and the Chilocco Indian School. He was Executive Director of 23 tribes of western Oklahoma and Kansas located at Shawnee and moved to Washington, D.C., to work as Executive Director of the National Tribal Chairman Association. He enjoyed playing golf, bingo, fishing, reading and visiting with friends and family.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Deloris Ferguson of Edmond and Doris Unap of Skiatook; a sister, Ethleen Dowell of Ponca City; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles E. Black; a sister, Eva Buffalohead; and two infant brothers, Nathaniel and Donald.

» Originally published in the Ponca City News.