Luke Walton Toyebo

Luke Walton Toyebo, Sr., (Aw-zie'-the) of Anadarko, OK went to his heavenly home on April 6, 2020 after a brief illness at the age of 99.
He was born on January 3, 1921, to Milton and Margaret Quoetone Toyebo. He was born at his grandmother A-tah's home on Big Tree's allotment, southwest of Mtn. View. This area is known as Big Tree's Crossing and is a Kiowa Tribal landmark. He attended school at Meers, where he and his sister, Mary Ruth "Peggy" Tsoodle rode their horse to school. This school was located near Jimmy Creek and his maternal grandparents', Jimmy and Daisy "Mattonsaw" Quoetone original allotment and home. He accepted Jesus and was baptized at Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church in July 1931. He remained an active member and senior deacon at Rainy Mountain until his passing. He graduated from Mtn. View High School in 1940. In the fall of 1940 he accepted a scholarship to play football for Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. He would hitchhike home to Mt. View on the weekends. In the fall of 1941, after OBU cancelled their football program, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he played freshman basketball.
Due to the onset of World War II, he put his educational pursuits on hold. He was a WWII veteran, having entered the US Coast Guard in 1942. After attending boot camp in Algiers, Louisiana, he attended Radio Operator School in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He served on board the USS Agassiz for 29 months as a radio operator. He was honorably discharged in February 1946 as a RM1C.
After the war he completed his B.S. in Business Administration at SWOSU. Upon graduation he accepted a teaching position at Putnam City, where he also coached basketball, wrestling and track.
In the same year, 1948, he married Rosemary Sadongei, of the Sedan community located near Mt. View. They moved to Hope, New Mexico, and later Fay, OK, where he continued to teach and coach. After leaving Fay, he earned his Master's Degree in School Administration from OU. He taught accounting at Haskell Institute and later worked at Concho Indian School in the Guidance Department. In 1964 he transferred to the Area Office of the BIA, in Anadarko as a Higher Education Specialist. He was later promoted to Director and worked there until he retired in 1985. While employed at the BIA, he was instrumental in helping literally hundreds of Native American students achieve their education goals and dreams.
After he retired from the BIA, he went to work for the Kiowa Tribe as Director of the newly established Kiowa Tax Commission for several years. Luke was an avid horseman and started breeding racehorses in 1966. His first horse was Go Kiowa Go who was a local legend at the Indian Fair or American Indian Expo. He played a major role in bringing back horseracing to the American Indian Expo, in 1970. He was a junior high, high school and college referee for over 35 years and officiated several state championship games. He was honored by OU, SWOSU, and Cameron University for his contributions to Native American Higher Education. He received the AARP Oklahoma Indian Elder Award, was a Kiowa Black Leggings honoree, was a Gideon for many years and served as the honorary team captain for OBU's inaugural football game after a 73 year hiatus. He was the oldest Kiowa Tribal member at the time of his passing and was very proud to be a Kiowa.
Although he was very well respected and revered, he remained a humble man who served as a role model and mentor to many. He never forgot anyone he met and he could recall stories and dates from years gone by. He made numerous friends across Indian Country. He was a treasure who will be sorely missed by all he came into contact with. However, he was most proud to have been a Christian who loved to praise God and serve his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Maggie Toyebo, his wife Rosemary, two sisters, Patricia Noel and June Marie, one brother Bradley, brothers-in-law Leo Noel, Fred Tsoodle, Everett Sadongei, Dan Sadongei, Irwin Sadongei, Rush Sadongei, Eulis Sadongei, sisters-in-law Irene Sadongei, Leota Sadongei, Margaret Sadongei, Eveline Sadongei, Carrie Johnson, Olive Sadongei, one son-in-law Ronald English and one special nephew, Milton Noel.
He is survived by three children; Sharon & Terry Hunter, Janet English, and Luke Jr. & Tracy Toyebo, sisters, Mary Ruth (Peggy) Tsoodle, Delores Harragarra, Bernadine Rhoades and Gayle Roulain, 11 grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren, special nieces, Marguerite Lee, Mabel Cozad, Marilyn Sadongei and Donna Sadongei, a special nephew Tim Tsoodle, and numerous family and friends. He also grew up at a time when extended family members lived in close proximity and were all considered brothers and sisters. Other survivors include, Virginia McGilbary, Earl Yeahquo, Herschel "Ace" Sahmaunt, Joseph "Bud" Sahmaunt, Delores Twohatchet, Daisy Mammedaty, Debra Wilson, Beverly Hicks, Murphy Hill and Pat Eaglenest.
A private burial service is scheduled due to the Coronavirus pandemic and imposed restrictions. A public celebration of life service will be scheduled at a later date. Condolences and sympathy messages can be sent to ltoyebo@yahoo.com .

Visitation: 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Ray and Martha's Funeral Home

Graveside: 11:00 am, Thursday, April 9, 2020
Rainy Mountain Tribal Cemetery, Mt. View, Ok
The private family graveside service will be Thursday April 9, 2020.

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