John Emhoolah, Jr.

John Emhoolah Jr. (Kiowa)
Kiowa Name: Pbonh Goot Thay means Yellow Bead

"Everyone comes from different tribes and everyone needs to contribute. Let's keep that effort going for
Indian self-determination and tribal sovereignty" -J Emhoolah

John Emhoolah Jr. and Kiowa Name Pbonh Goot Thay meaning Yellow Bead, 91, was born on October 12,
1929 in Lawton, Oklahoma and the eldest son to John Emhoolah Sr. and Matilda Aquodle Emhoolah. John
entered his heavenly home on April 21, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones in his home at Thornton, CO.
John was raised on the family homestead in the Anadarko area, graduated high school from Riverside Indian
School. In his higher education, he attended Wichita State University and completed his Bachelors of
Education Degree at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. On March 16, 1951 John married
Geneva Yeahquo at Ware's Chapel in Anadarko and with God's grace and mercy this past March they
celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
John Emhoolah was a proud Korean War Veteran serving in the US Army 45th Thunderbird Division, "B"
Battery, 158th Field Artillery from 1950-1952 and was honorably discharged. John continued his support to
American Indian veterans by serving on the National Native American Veterans Memorial Advisory
Committee to create a national memorial for all to learn of the proud and courageous tradition of service of
Native Americans in the Armed Forces of the US. This memorial was dedicated in November 2020 in a
prominent location of the NMAI on the National Mall where the legacy of the enduring and distinguished
service of Native American veterans in every branch of US military will receive the national recognition it
deserves.
After serving in the military, John began his working career at the Boeing Company as a Draftsman Engineer
in Wichita, KS and Everett, WA. In 1970 he began his educational career in Seattle, Washington as Director
for the Seattle Public Schools Indian Education Program and soon became the Assistant Dean for Green
River Community College in Auburn, WA. During this period John held the position as Professor for the
University of Washington and created the Native American Studies program. He co-founded and the first
Chairman for the United Tribes Indian Foundation, founder and first Chairman for Seattle Indian Health
Board, and founder, President of the Northwest Inter-tribal Club and held several other civic positions in the
Seattle area. One of his favorite accomplishments was providing the Washington State Government officials
to mediate a compromise between the tribes and state and they settled for a 50/50 split on fishing rights in
the early 70's.
In 1975, John accepted a position with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium in Denver,
Colorado. John assisted with the lobbying efforts for educational funding for tribal colleges; he assisted in
the planning and openings of several tribal colleges that are still in existence today. He worked briefly at the
Kiowa Tribe as Deputy Tribal Administrator and in 1997 he accepted the position as Director for the Adams
County Five Star Schools Indian Education program support services to American Indian students and
creating awareness of American Indian history, culture, & contemporary issues. He retired honorably and
logged in over 50 years of service in the field of education.
John led the Denver Indian community for many years � people from many tribal nations across the country
�in breathing new life into their heritage. We are proud that much of the American Indian culture is
preserved due to his dedicated efforts and his commitment in educating educational systems from K-12 to
colleges and universities with Native American studies including Harvard, Yale and Princeton. JohnEmhoolah works to build bridges of understanding between cultures. John voiced his belief that "We are all connected, we all need each other".
He was a co-founder of the internationally famous Denver March Pow-wow where he served in numerous
leadership roles of the Denver March Powwow Committee. He volunteered countless hours to advisory
roles for Native American Resource Group at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Denver Public
Schools, Denver Mayor's Advisory Council, University of Denver, University of Colorado, Denver Art
Museum, Tesoro Cultural Center, History Colorado, Tallbull Memorial Council, and has received many, many achievement awards including the recipient of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, Tesoro Foundation
Honored Veteran, DMNS Educator of Year Award and National Indian Education Association Educator of
the Year Award.
John maintained an active role in his traditional Kiowa societies and was a member of the O-Ho-Mah War
Dance Society, Kiowa Gourd Clan, Kiowa Black Leggings Society Ton-Kon-Gah and a lifetime member of
the Kiowa Native American Church. John carried his message of traditional spiritual ways and believed in
prayer and prayed for all people. He was inspirational in the passage of the American Indian Religious Act in
the 1980's.
He is survived by his wife Geneva Emhoolah of Thornton, CO; three daughters; Glenna Emhoolah of
Carnegie, OK, Deb Emhoolah and companion Manny Saumpty of Anadarko, OK, Cheryl Cozad and
husband Andrew Cozad of Northglenn, CO. Five brothers; Parker Emhoolah of Lawton, OK, Farrell
Emhoolah of Albuquerque, NM, Lonnie Emhoolah of Lawton, OK, Michael Emhoolah of Oklahoma City,
OK and Richard Emhoolah of Idabel, OK. Six grandchildren; Crystal Whiteshield of Billings, MT, Kaylen
Tofpi of Carnegie, OK, Leonard K. Cozad of Denver, CO, Raelene Whiteshield of Northglenn, CO, John
Cozad of Northglenn, CO, Ned Tofpi of Albuquerque, NM and Ray Eagleboy Whiteshield of Moore, OK.
Fifteen great-grandchildren Arianne Sheka, Matthew Sheka, Maximus Sheka, Rhiannon Eaglespeaker, Daisy
Eaglespeaker, Joslyn Runningwolf, Josie Runningwolf, Wades Runningwolf, Michaela Runningwolf, Charlie
Whiteshield, Rayelee Ann Whiteshield, Gerald Tahkofper, Alysa Tahkofper, Karlee Tahkofper, and Michael
Roger Tofpi. Two great-great granddaughters; Raine and Blaire. Adopted relatives; brother Kenny
Scabbyrobe family of Whiteswan, WA, Brother Dennis Bighair family of Garryowen, MT, Son Patrick
Goggles Family of Ethete, WY, Son John Yellowmule of Wyola, MT, Son Lanny Realbird family of Crow
Agency, MT, son Florentine Bluethunder, and the Baker families of Mandaree, ND. Numerous other
relatives and adopted relatives across Indian Country and Canada.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Matilda Emhoolah, brother Hubert Bucky Emhoolah, sister
Annette Emhoolah Garza, sister Doris Emhoolah Jake, cousin Milney Dawes, niece Karen Harrison, nephew
Patrick Emhoolah, nephew Michael Emhoolah, grandson Daniel Leonard and great-granddaughter Allison
Eaglespeaker.

Services for John Emhoolah will be Tues Apr 27 12:00 � 8:00 pm Visitation, Wed Apr 28 8:00 am � 4:00 pm
Visitation, Wed Apr 28 Wake 6 pm at OIMC Lupe Gooday Tabernacle� Hog Creek.. (in case of inclement weather in Hokeah Building), Thu April 29 Funeral Service 11:00 am at OIMC Lupe Gooday Tabernacle (in case of inclement weather in Ware's Chapel) followed by burial at Ware's Cemetary. Meal to follow at the OIMC Hokeah Building � Hog Creek.

Officiating will be Rev. Sharon Yeahquo, Rev. Monroe Tsatoke and Pastor Dusty Miller.

Pallbearers will be Ned Tofpi, Leonard K. Cozad, John Cozad, Ray Eagleboy Whiteshield, Gerald Tahkofper,
Wades Runningwolf, Randy Jake, Sean Emhoolah, Kiowa Cozad, and Melvin Calls Him.

Funeral services are under the direction of Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Anadarko, OK.

The family will be following CDC guidelines.