Byron Earl Chalepah, 66, of Oklahoma City, OK was born October 21, 1953 in Lawton, OK to Clarence Sr and Sally Annabell (Autaubo) Chalepah and entered peacefully into rest on Sunday December 22, 2019 in Oklahoma City, OK. Earl grew up in the Anadarko, OK and Alden area. During his younger years he attended school in Anadarko, OK and Fort Sill Indian School (FSIS) from 1966-1970 where he excelled in basketball and football. While at FSIS, Earl became acquainted with numerous fellow classmates of different tribal affiliations across the US. Earl enjoyed listening to the Temptations, Creedence Clearwater Revival/CCR, the Gap Band and David Allen Coe. Earl cherished his time spent growing up with "all" of his brothers, sisters, cousins and friends, and his school days at FSIS. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the OU and OKC Thunder games. Before becoming disabled due to health-related issues, Earl worked as a Masonry/brick layer for Virgil Swift and for Laferr Masonry for several years. Earl is a member of the Chalepah Blackfeet Society, the Redbone Blackfeet Society, the Kiowa Original Dancers, the Apache Native American Church, and a member of the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
Earl met the love of his life and companion of 33 years, Karen Kocher in 1986.
Survivors:
Son: Travis Allen Chalepah
Granddaughters: Enone Pauline Rose Chalepah, Seena Chalepah and RaeLynn Chalepah
Great Granddaughter: Eva Jo Terronez
Companion: Karen Kocher
Stepchildren: Melissa Andrews, Ben Kocher and Michael Swallow
Brothers: Thomas, Edmund, Stevie, and Theodore Chalepah, Hugh "Sam" Redbone
Sisters: Jodene Nish, Ladonna Cunningham, Janelle Simmons, Millie Bearbow
Preceded in death by parents Clarence and Sally Annabell (Autaubo) Chalepah; Son, Sean Ray Chalepah; Brothers: Clarence "R.D." and David Lee Chalepah; sisters: Clarene Robison, Carolyn Chalepah, Kathleen Chalepah
Visitation: 9 am till 5:00 pm Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK
Funeral Service: 11:00 am Thursday, December 26, 2019
Bethel Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK
Interment: Cache Creek (KCA) Cemetery, Apache, OK
Under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK