Jim Harold Anquoe

James Harold Anquoe Sr. was born on May 26, 1939 to James Asah Anquoe and Anna Katie Poor Buffalo (Keahbone) Anquoe. His Kiowa name is Gool-Hay-EE, and as a young child, he traveled in a horse-drawn wagon attending powwows every weekend during the summer. His father, Jimmy A. took care of many drums and composed many songs for families. He belonged to the Tonh-Kohn-Gawt (Black Legs), where rich Kiowa traditions were passed down to him. He had become an elder in his tribe, and he was very well respected for his knowledge of song and tradition. Jim sang with Grayhorse Singers and was leader of Redstone Singers. He received a Masters in Education and served in the United States Marines from 1961-1967. He married his loving partner in life, Margaret Carrie Hamilton on December 8, 1967. He was a sun dancer, singer, and former straight dancer. His goal was to pass down and preserve songs, dances, and traditions to the younger generation and not water them down. He is proud of the fact he learned from the greatest organizer of them all, his older brother, Kenneth. He assisted and advised many organizations including the Kiowa Culture Preservation Board, Native American Cultural and Education Authority, Oklahoma Historical Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. He was the Red Earth Powwow Chair in 1987 and premiered at the performance venue. The activities brought together Indian people from the North and South to dance and sing together for the first time in history. It was obvious to the committee he had achieved their goal of supporting the culture of American Indians. He also served Red Earth as the Dance Coordinator in 2006 and 2007. James received the Native Elders Honor Award given by the AARP for his work with the Oklahoma Historical Society in assisting to preserve songs of all tribes. He was head of the Southern Style drum group Red Stone Singers. Jim has served in an advisory capacity for the creation of publications on powwow culture on Southern Plains, the creation of Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, the Oklahoma History Center and provided direction and support in building the First Americans Museum. In addition to serving many years as chairman of the Kiowa Museum, he contributed to on-going research on the Kiowa people by the Smithsonian Institution and on the creation of the National Museum of the American Indian. James was honored with the Cultural Leadership Award by the First Americans Museum for his significant leadership within the First American community by dedicating his life to the preservation of language, sacred sites, cultural materials, arts and crafts, and the people in Indian Country. From the earliest planning days in the museum's history, he served as one of the founding cultural advisors. Through the years he remained a consistent and respected leader helping to shape the framework for how the museum could blend the many distinct languages and stories in a respectful manner. Through the years he brought forward careful cultural considerations and sensitivities with a healthy dose of humor, laughter, and usually a song to commemorate the importance of a moment. He composed the FAM song and on opening day in September 2021, Redstone Drum unveiled the song at the opening ceremony for the first time. His words of wisdom and voice will echo across the museum campus for generations to come. Many are thankful for the seeds he planted in many hearts and minds, for a life well-traveled and lived.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson Charles James Blackowl Jr.; brothers Kenneth, Truman, Jack, Gerald, Leonard; sisters, Margie, Anita, Mary Ann. He is survived by his children, daughters, Lisa Diane Anquoe, Lisa Meeches, Gena Timberman; sons, James Harold Anquoe Jr., Hepanna Eric T. "Rick" Anquoe; great-grandsons, Curtis Youngbear and Avery Charles Blackowl.

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024
First Baptist Church, Anadarko, OK

Interment: Anquoe Cemetery
Mountain View, OK

Wake: 7:00 p.m, Thursday, February 8, 202
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Anadarko, OK

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024
Ray & Martha's Funeral Home
Anadarko, OK


Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Anadarko, OK