Ernest Ernie Ramon Redbird

Ernest "Ernie" R. Sink/Redbird, 68, a member of the Kiowa tribe passed away on April 27,2020. He was born February 28, 1952 in Lawton, OK to Ramona Emhee Redbird. After graduation from Riverside Indian School in 1972 and attending Southwest Automotive School in Oklahoma City, OK from 1974 to 1975, Redbird's interest began to focus on an art career.
At first, he painted miniature pictures. relocating to Albuquerque, NM in Mid-1980's, Redbird tried his hand at stone sculpture. His uncle, Robert Redbird, provided some encouragement.
Inspired by the carved kachinas he saw in New Mexico, Redbird started carving dolls reflecting his own cultural background. Through the U>S> Forest Service, he obtained aspen limbs trimmed from local trees to make his dolls. As his skills improved, he shaped the aspen wood dolls into different poses and outfitted them in a variety of costumes.
In 1994, Redbird showed his dolls at the conference of American doll Artists in Chicago, IL. There he received a very positive critique of his work and attended carving classes and seminars with professional carvers. Redbird then used their recommendations to improve his dolls. His diligence has been rewarded with recent honors. He took First place for his "Northern Traditional Dancer" and Third Place for "Shell Maiden" at the Bartlesville Indian Summer Festival Last Summer.
Redbird has been quite successful with his dolls. He says he likes carving them and believed they will "make me or break me." Redbird's dolls are in several private and public collections including the Southern Plains Indian Museum. At the same time, Redbird enjoys painting, finding time to create works on canvas as well as murals on three large walls in Anadarko, OK.
"This is my way of expressing my customs and beliefs and a way for me to carry on my heritage."
He also loved painting, fishing, watching football especially Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed telling stories of Bigfoot and UFO's. He listened to Kumbia Kings. But most of all he loved spending time with family and friends. Ernest was loved by everyone who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.
Survivors: sons: Toby Redbird, Anadarko, Ok and Gary Davilla, OKC, OK
Daughter: Tiana Redbird, Anadarko, OK
Brothers: Robert and Laura Sink, Saginaw, TX; David Parks, Irvin, TX and Lawrence Tucker, Paris, TX
Sisters: Shirley Sink Jones and Jesse, Anadarko, OK and Theresa McElroy and Brian, Arkansas
A very special Aunt Joquetta Redbird, Lawton, OK
A very special Uncle Donald Joe Redbird, Holbrook, AZ
His best friend Donna Davilla, Anadarko, OK
Special sons: Timmy Williams, Anadarko, Ok and Dakota Stillman, Anadarko, Ok
Numerous family members
Preceded in death by his parents: Roy Sink Sr. and Ramona Emhee Redbird, Brother Roy Sink Jr and Nephew Jesse Ray Stone.
Visitation: 9am-8pm Wednesday, April 29, 2020
9am-8pm Thursday, April 30, 2020
Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK
Graveside service: 11:00 am, Friday, May 1, 2020
Under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK