August 2016
Obituaries Arlene Sue TahkofperKekahbah
ful to all of her relatives and family friends that helped take care of her and her family throughout her life. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on May 9, at St. Joseph Basilica, and Gaster was laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in San Pablo, California.
Vernon Cable Sr.
Kekahbah Arlene Sue TahkofperKekahbah, 84, of Faxon went to her heavenly home on April 3. Memorial Service was July 1, at Comanche Nation Funeral Home with Harry Tahsequah officiating; Inurnment will be at Highland Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Kekahbah was born April 14, 1931 in Lawton, Okla., to Tom and Alberta Tahkofper. She grew up in Lawton and attended Lawton Public schools and graduated from Lawton High. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then a Master’s Degree in Public Health at the University of Oklahoma. Nursing was her passion and she loved working with her patients to help them better their quality of life. She married Paul Samuel Kekahbah September 26, 1984 and made their home in Faxon. She enjoyed sewing and was considered the best seamstress around! She also liked to go to pow wows to dance and also liked Jazz music. She was a proud member of the Comanche Tribe. She is survived by husband Paul Kekahbah of the home, Brother Tom Tahkofper and wife Tina of Norman Okla., and numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Tom and Alberta (Clark) Tahkofper.
Theresa Janet Robles Gaster
Gaster Born in Lawton, Okla., to the late Moises and Cecelia Robles, Gaster was the loving mother of Steven Gaster (Jacqueline), Janet Schwabenbauer (Jon), and Susan Giarrusso; grandmother of Michael and Celeste Giarrusso, Jon and Joseph Schwabenbauer, Jeffery Perez (Ashley), and Steven Gaster II; greatgrandmother of three; sister of Rachel Carmin; aunt of many nephews and nieces. Gaster is also survived by her aunts Ruth (Tooch) Torralba Krawtzow and Josephine (Josie) Torralba Guerrero. Gaster was preceded in death by her brothers Raymond, Ralph, Toby, Gregory, and Edmund Levine Robles, and sisters Marie Garcia and Evelyn Durham. Gaster was born and raised in Oklahoma, moved to California at the age of 15, graduated from Oakland Technical High School and attended College of Alameda and U.C. Berkeley. Theresa married Albert B. Gaster of Alameda and had three children. Gaster was always thank-
Cable Celebration of Life service for Vernon Cable Sr., 92, of Cache was July 9 at Cache Public Schools Auditorium with Rev. John Williams of Tucson AZ. officiating. Prayer Service was July 8 with Rev. Jim Ikner officiating at Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel Cable will be laid to rest with military honors at Cache KCA Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Cable was reunited in eternal life with his wife of 60 years, Gloria, July 6. Cable was born August 9, 1923 in Cache to Bert Cable and Josie Namakweyui. He grew up in Cache area, where he attended schools at Indiahoma where he finished the 8th grade. He entered the ninth grade at Ft. Sill Indian School but ran away. He married the love of his life, Gloria Mae Wermy on July 14, 1949. Cable served in the Army from 28 April 1943 to 7 January 1946 earning the rank of Technician Grade 5 and again from 5 June 1948 until 11 March 1952 earning the rank of Corporal. He was 1 of 6 living World War II Comanche veterans and 1 of 24 living Comanche Korean War veterans. During World War II he trained at Camp Wallace, Texas before serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 3177th Engineer Pipeline Detachment aboard a naval fuel tanker in the Solomon and surrounding islands from 25 September 1943 to 30 December 1945. He was discharged in San Francisco, California. During the Korean War Cable served with the 8055th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) as a Medical Tech. He received his medical training at Madigan Army Medical Center on Fort Lewis, Washington. The TV series MASH was based on the experiences of the 8055th during the Korean War. Cable was discharged at Fort Sill. His awards included the Good Conduct; American Campaign; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with/1 Bronze Service Star for the Solomon Islands Campaign; World War II Victory; Korean Service with/2 Bronze Service Stars for the UN Summer/ Fall Offensive and Second Korean Winter campaigns; United Nations; and Korean War Service medals; the Honorable Service Lapel Button; and the Rifle Marksman Qualification Badge. He was instrumental in the forming of the Comanche Language Cultural Preservation Committee and was an avid bird house maker, and artist. Comanche jokes, Texas Ranger Fan and very proud to carry the title of the Comanche Shoshone Reunion 2004 Grand Marshall, He was also involved in organizing the first Shoshone Comanche Reunion in Ft. Hall in 2000. He gave his time to family and friends. He was an exceptional role model for his children and grandchildren encouraging them whenever possible. Grandpa as he was called loved spending time with his grandchildren keeping them mesmerized with his fascinating stories
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and hay rides. He wanted so much for his tales to be carried on and his legacy not to be forgotten, He will definitely live on in our hearts. Our Cable Family motto is John 13;3435 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Cable was a man who loved the Lord. He was a lifelong member of the Nazarene Church and a Lay Minister and was a proud member of the Voices of Joy Choir led by the Rev. Charles Bowers. He would sit for hours, taking notes, and studying God’s word, He was a prayer warrior. If ever there was a need, you could depend on him to pray for you. He knew the good Lord heard every word he sent up in prayer. Cable is survived by his children; Charlene and Pat Tahdooahnippah, Verna Ann, Billie and Ken Kreger, all of Cache, Norma and Richard Adame of Mayetta KS, Vernon Jr. and Carol of Cache, Glenda and Joseph Goseyun of Indiahoma, John Robert of Cache, and Terry Don of Cache. 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. Cable is preceded in death by his loving wife Gloria, his parents, son; Tony Phillip Cable, great granddaughter Penelope Cable, three brothers, Bruner, Curt, and Gayle, three sisters, Lucille McClung, Betty Pete, and Theresa Saupitty A special thank you to Dr. Neil Henderson, OU Health Science Center, whom Vernon took as a son in 2000. The doctors, nurses and staff at the Lawton-Ft. Sill Veteran’s Center for all the loving care during his stay and the Oklahoma City VA Medical Staff and the Comanche Indian Veterans Association. It is our prayer that the Veterans who remain will be cared for, loved and treated with respect as our Dad was treated and above all, listen to their story. It is the legacy which they are so proud to tell, “God Bless you all.”
organizations. He also worked for the City of Lawton, was a member of the Comanche Little Ponies, and a proud full blood member of the Comanche Tribe. He is survived by his children; Kendrith Johnson of Lawton, Kenneth D.(Waynie) Tahpay of Cache, Johnna Tahpay of Cache, Dianna “DJ” Hadley of the home, James Johnson Jr. of Vernon, TX, Alan Hadley, David Hadley, Flora Hadley all of Lawton, Veronica Hadley of Carnegie and special daughter Candee Kiley of Mtn. View. Brothers; Carlton Scott Kopaddy, sisters; Carol and Bob Wade, Adaline and Tom Horn, Eva Mae and Alex Antunez, Ernestine Kopaddy Dankowski and Nona Tahpay. Uncles; Woodrow Kopaddy and Bobby Tahpay, Aunt; June Tahpay. Grandchildren; Jeremy, Stacie, Joshua, Shania, Sean, Jessica, Alisha, Roderick, Antonio, Special Grandchildren; Ramysee Kiley and Gentry Kiley. Great- Grandchildren; Lisa, Kristin, Morgan, Gavin, Hayden, Rylei, Will, Isabella, and Thomas. And numerous other family members. He is preceded in death by; His wife Margaret Jane DaingkauTahpay, his parents, Grandparents; Cleveland Tahpay, Elsie Tahpay, Kopaddy and Ella Connywerdy, brothers; James Tahpay, Sammy Kopaddy, Raymond Kopaddy and Decker Kopaddy Jr. sister; Natalie Glisson, Uncles; Herschel Tahpay and Jimmy Jack Tahpay. Aunts; Annie Cable, Mae Kopaddy Cable, Virginia Saupitty, Katherine Klinekole, Maude Eva Pautchee, Beatrice Saupitty, and the lady he called mom Eva Lois Kopaddy.
Kenneth Wayne Tahpay, 75, went to his heavenly home on July 7 in Carnegie. Funeral Service was July 11 at Botone Memorial United Methodist Church, Carnegie with the Rev. Mike Boyiddle officiating. He was be laid to rest at Tanedooah Family Cemetery under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Prayer Service was July 10 at Comanche Nation Funeral Home. Tahpay was born June 21, 1941 in Lawton to, Ollie Tahpay and Decker Kopaddy Sr. He attended Cache High School where he played basketball and baseball. After High School he was picked to play for the semi-pro baseball team the Lawton Braves as a catcher. After two years of playing he got drafted to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals. He became known as the Tahpay 12. After his years of playing baseball, Kenneth began his career in law enforcement. His years as a policeman was both challenging as it was enjoyable, He often told stories about his glory days. Tahpay made his home in Carnegie, Oklahoma after meeting his wife Margaret Daingkau. He quickly made friends and served as a security guard for many powwow
Nation Funeral Home the only Native American Funeral Home in the USA Tate enjoyed fishing, hunting and especially racing his greyhounds and selling in Anadarko. Shorty greeted everyone with his TATE smile and loved to tell stories to anyone and everyone. He survived by his daughters Carissa Sue Tate of Apache, Paula Tate Martinez of the home, Diana Lynn Tate of Petersburg Virginia, and Darlene Tate of San Antonio, Texas. brothers; Paul Tooahimpah Sr. of Ft. Cobb, Ernest Tooahimpah Tate of Cyril, sisters; Freda Artachoker of Cyril, and Rose Tate of Lawton. 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Preceded in death by wife Eleanor “Pagie” Tate, Son Anthony Tooahimpah Tate, daughter, LaDonna Tooahimpah Tate, Ernest Tooahimpah Tate Sr., Virginia Wauahdooah, Claudette Tooahimpah Keel, Ernold Tooahimpah Tate, Maude Tooahimpah Tate, Jackie Tooahimpah Tate and Winifred Tooahimpah Tate Leaf, Frank Tooahimpah Tate, Mokama, Beatrice Wauahdooah, Arthur George, Hiweni and Chahtoiebitty, and Chief Wild Horse.
Beverly Jean Hovarithka Coffey
James “Shorty” Tooahimpah Tate
Coffey
Kenneth Wayne Tahpay
Tahpay
The Comanche Nation News
Tate James “Shorty” Tooahimpah Tate was called home on July 10 in Oklahoma City, Okla. Tate was born to Ernest Tooahimpah Tate Sr. and Virginia Wauahdooah west of Cyril, Oklahoma. He was full blood Comanche and was one of the last fluent speakers of our language. Tate was direct descendant of Chief Wild Horse. He was raised by his great grandparents Hiweni and Chahtoiebitty. Funeral Service was July 16 at Little Washita Church with Dwayne Ware officiating. Burial followed at Little Washita Cemetery Fletcher under direction of Comanche Nation Funeral Home. All night wake was July 15 at Little Washita Church, Fletcher. Tate went to St. Patrick Mission in Anadarko, Oklahoma. From there he enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17. He was stationed at Georgia Air Force Base and also in Spain. He was honorably discharged. He then married Eleanor “Pagie” Parker. Tate studied at Okmulgee Tech where he becomes a mechanic. Continental Trailways Bus Company picked him to work in Dallas Texas as a bus mechanic. Shorty then became their shop manager. He was then picked to become District Manger moving him and his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico. From there he moved to Los Angles, California to be the Regional Director of the South West United States. He retired after 20 years. Tate then became Comanche Nation Housing Chairman, he helped establish Comanche Nation Casino Lawton and Comanche
On July 14, a bit of laughter was lost from our lives. Beverly Jean Hovarithka Coffey “Esa Hahvy” (Wolf Laying Down), saw the humor in all things—most often sharing a laugh with us and sometimes simply sharing a wry smile. Coffey was born on June 4, 1937 at the Kiowa Indian Hospital in Lawton to Roxie Hovarithka Coffey. She graduated from Fort Sill Indian School and Bacone College. Coffey earned a Bachelor of Arts in Museum Studies and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1957, as part of the relocation program, Coffey worked for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph in Los Angeles, California. She went on to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Yakima, Washington, and later at the Indian Health Service at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. After her retirement, she moved back to Lawton. Coffey enjoyed walking, solving word puzzles, playing Chicken Foot, listening to Comanche Hymns, watching TV, and especially going to Pow Wows, casinos, and playing bingo. She was a proud member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, a descendant of Chief Cheevers and Chief Ten Bears, a member of the Comanche Little Ponies Women’s Auxiliary, the Comanche War Scouts, the Elders Council, the Deyo Mission Baptist Church, and the Native American Church. She is survived by: her sisters, Phyllis Morales, Karita Coffey, Pauline Hawzipta, Mable Ann Blalock, and LaVoice Satepauhoodle, her brother, Wallace Coffey, longtime friend, Richard Murphy, and her special sister, Bea Hedge, all of Lawton, and many nieces and nephews, including Bea’s daughters, and numerous family and friends. She was preceded in death by: her birth mother, Roxie Hovarithka Coffey, the mother who raised her, See OBITUARIES, Page 17