Robert Poolaw

Captain (USMC) Robert William Poolaw Sr. also known as "Corky" by family and friends, passed from this earth after a brief illness on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the age of 86 in his home in Norman, OK surrounded by family. He was born on July 17, 1938, at the Kiowa Indian Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma to Horace and Winnie (Chisholm) Poolaw.

He married the former Martha Nell Kauley of Carnegie, OK at the Bethel Baptist Church in Anadarko on May 31, 1957. He grew up in Anadarko and graduated from Anadarko High School in 1956. He was invited to join Boy Scout Troop 27 during his junior high school years and his scouting experience had a significant influence on his life. He excelled at the camping programs offered by the Boy Scouts and received his first employment as a staff member at Camp George Thomas. He was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout during his senior year in high school and also worked a night shift alone as a security guard at Indian City USA during the same year.

Following his high school graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on the advice of a family friend. He completed boot camp at MCRD San Diego, CA, in the summer of 1956. He was then stationed at MCB Camp Pendleton, Naval Station Treasure Island, and MCB Twenty-Nine Palms where he was joined by his new family. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 1960.

Corky returned to Anadarko with his family and enrolled at Cameron Junior College in Lawton, OK. He joined the Cameron track and field team as a freshman and ended the season as the conference 880-yard run champion. He received his associate degree from Cameron in 1962 and enrolled at Southwestern State College in Weatherford, OK the following semester. He walked on to the Southwestern track and field program without an athletic scholarship and lettered both his junior and senior years. He received a teaching degree in history education from Southwestern in 1964.

Corky then applied, was accepted, and completed Officer Candidate School in Virginia at MCB Quantico where he received a commission as a second lieutenant. He was rejoined by his family as he completed The Basic School(TBS)training for new officers at Quantico before transferring to MCB Camp Lejeune, NC during which he was deployed with a portion of the Second Marine Division to the Mediterranean Sea to support the Israelis after the Six Days War in 1966. He then transferred to MCB Camp Pendleton from where he deployed to serve his first tour in the Republic of South Vietnam. After returning from South Vietnam, he was stationed at MCB Quantico as a staff member at the Officer Candidate School. He then began his second tour in South Vietnam in 1969-1970. When he returned, he received a third transfer to MCB Quantico where he was appointed to a special commission on race relations in the Armed Forces where he reported each day to the Pentagon in Washington DC. He spent the next three years at Camp Lejeune, NC with the Second Marines, deploying once again in 1973 to the Mediterranean Sea to monitor the situation following the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.

The remaining twelve years of his career were spent at duty stations at MCB Camp Pendleton, MCB Camp Butler, Okinawa, the DMZ in Korea, and Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Hawaii. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1987 with 27 years of active duty.

In 1996, Corky was one of the founders of the Native American Marine Corps Veterans Association, which he remained involved in for the rest of his life. He was also a member of the Kiowa Black Leggings Society and the Kiowa Gourd Clan.

Corky remembered his life with amazing detail. He could recall his days in the Boy Scouts and in the Marine Corps like it had just happened yesterday. He lived a long, eventful, historical life. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild, and traveling around the country and the world with his wife of sixty-seven years. He will be greatly missed.

Corky is survived by two sisters-in-law, Elvina Poolaw of Anadarko and Cora "Bunny" Tate of Fletcher; two sons, Robert Poolaw Jr. (and wife Sandra) and Thomas Poolaw (and companion Jamie Davis), all of Norman; one daughter, Tracy Poolaw Mailo of Norman; an adopted son, Tim Tsoodle; seven grandchildren, Marisa "Háu:jòlégóbàu:mà" (He captured the bayonet woman) Poolaw, Jessica Noel Mailo, Dane Robert Monroe Poolaw, Logan Poolaw, Jeffrey Savoie Poolaw, and Elias Poolaw (and companion Georgia Ballou), all of Norman, and Tabe Poolaw, who he and his wife raised, of the home; eight great grandchildren, Haileigh Jane (and companion Chandler Rivas), Alexander Lopaka Poolaw, Jada Mailo, Lillian Sue Ballou, Tavi Mailo, James Poolaw, Magnolia Ballou, and Jewels Mailo, all of Norman; one great-great grandchild, Leondro Rivas of Norman; nephews, Robert Naves (and wife Lek Naves), Johnny Poolaw, Gerald (Sandy) Poolaw Jr. and Damon Poolaw; nieces, Audrey Poolaw and Judy Poolaw; a close cousin, Dona Walker; and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Corky was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Nell Poolaw; his parents, Horace and Winnie (Chisholm) Poolaw; two brothers, Dr. Bryce M. Poolaw and Gerald W. Poolaw; one sister, Linda Sue Poolaw; son-in-law, Joyita Mailo; daughter-in-law, Wendy Mahsetky Poolaw; an infant son, Jeffrey David Poolaw; and an infant granddaughter, Sacha Mailo; and a close cousin, Carlotta Naves.

Visitation is scheduled for 1-6 PM Sunday, April 6, 2025 at Ray and Martha's Funeral Home. Wake services are scheduled at 7 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2025, also at Ray and Martha's Funeral Home.

Funeral services will begin at 1 PM Monday, April 7, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Anadarko. Internment will conclude at Memory Lane Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Johnny Poolaw, Damon Poolaw, Dane Poolaw, Jeffrey Poolaw, Elias Poolaw, Tabe Poolaw, and Alexander Poolaw. Honorary pallbearers are Tim Tsoodle, Robert Naves, Chandler Rivas, Greg Delaney, James Britt and John Garland Jr.