John Tallchief

John Papa John Tallchief, resident of Fairfax, passed peacefully on May 7, 2013 at Fairfax Community Hospital. He was 95.

John was born October 23, 1917 in Fairfax, Oklahoma, the son of Eves Tallchief and Rose Ware Tallchief. He was a lifelong resident of the Fairfax community, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a World War II veteran. He was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on February 6, 1942. He was a Tech Sergeant in the 21st Infantry, with a specialty of Rifle NCO, and participated in the battles and campaigns of New Guinea and the Southern Phillipines. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge on June 11, 1944. He was twice wounded in action in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, on November 11 and November 16, 1944, and was honorably discharged at the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Separation Center on August 28, 1945. His military decorations include the Purple Heart with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the American Defense Service Ribbon, and the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.

His enjoyments included steer roping, his 24 years of service on the Osage Tribal Council, being a Native American Cattlemens Association board member, and a Gold member of PRCA. He drove daily to Ponca City to get the latest issue of The Daily Oklahoman. In July of 2011, he drove to Cheyenne, Wyoming with his brother, George, to celebrate Frontier Days. John was an amazing role model and mentor for all those in the Fairfax community, and he will be sorely missed.

John is survived by his daughter, Cecelia Tallchief his brother, George Tallchief seven grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, and six great, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, son, Charles Tallchief, four sisters and four brothers.

Father Bruce Brosnahan of Sacred Heart Catholic church will perform a rosary service at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening and a 10:00 a.m. funeral service on Saturday, May 11. Both services will be held at Greyhorse Chapel. Casket bearers will be Gary Marshall, Donald Crabtree, Billy Joe Dilbeck, George Carter, Dickie Johnston, Henry Johnston, Sam Goad, and Bob Stingley. Honorary bearers will be C.R. Boucher, John Brownie Brownfield, Wayne Lemon, and Bill Ellis. Interment will follow at the John Tallchief Roping Arena Family Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of HunsakerWooten Funeral Home.