Obituary for Aaron Gawhega

Dr. Aaron Gawhega – Veteran

January 13, 1936 – August 12, 2018

Dr. Aaron Gawhega, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday 8-12-18 at Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater, OK. He was 82.

Dr. Gawhega was born the son of Pearl Murray Gawhega-Maker and Raymond Gawhega on January 13, 1936 in Pawnee, OK, at Pawnee Indian Hospital. He was reared and attended Red Rock Public Schools, and later attained his GED while serving his country in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. After his time in the USMC, he attended Cowley Community College in Arkansas City, KS where he attained his Certificate in Off-Set Printing. Where he worked as a Printing Operator for the local newspaper, and at Chitwood’s Printing in Perry, OK. He was also employed in the Ponca City Public Schools as a Printing Instructor at Ponca City Sr. High School. He also worked with the Otoe-Missouria tribe as Executive Director for the tribe. He utilized the G.I. Bill to attain his Bachelor of Arts, and his Master of Arts degrees from Oklahoma State University. He also received an H.E.W. Scholarship to pursue his Doctorate degree in Vocational Education, which he received his EdD with scholastic honors.

He married Louise Poore(Horse) Gawhega on February 11, 1961 in Stillwater, OK at the Southern Baptist Church. To this union, five children were born. Dr. Gawhega worked in the education field as an Academic Counselor at Lexington Detention Center in Lexington, OK to BIA schools Concho Indian School in Concho, OK to Haskell Indian Nations University, in Lawrence, KS where he retired from HINU in 2006, working in the education field for 34 years. After his retirement in May of 2006. His last position was working with the Otoe-Missouria Tribe where he was a Gaming Commissioner for O-M gaming. Dr. Gawhega enjoyed attending tribal dances and gatherings. He also loved going to casinos. He enjoyed his family and was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He also loved his Otoe-Missouri people. His wife Louise were married for 47 blessed years before her passing in 2008.

He is survived by his children son Michael N. Gawhega of Norman, OK, daughters Raynetta M. James and husband Ron of Pawnee, OK, Maretta L. Cheek and husband Kevin of Stillwater, OK, Sidra E. Thibodeaux and husband Bernard Jr. of Stillwater. OK, Myra L. Pickering and husband Sheridan of Bixby, OK. Sister Cornelia Gosney of Perkins, OK. Grandchildren, Cydney Rayne Atsye of Stillwater, OK, Shiloh Bluebird Turner and husband Trey of Ponca City, OK, August Gawhega Pickering of Bixby, OK, and Ryan Gahige, Eli Xra Shuje Cheek of Stillwater, OK; several nephews and nieces who he enjoyed.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Harry Childs Gawhega and Xglu wa mi; maternal grandparents Charles Murray and Emily Dupee; parents Raymond Gawhega and Pearl Murray Gawhega-Maker; brothers, Raymond C. Jr., Thurman, Roy, Floyd, sisters, Eleanor, Raynetta, Harriet.

Cremation will be made. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Sons-In-Law Ron James, Kevin Cheek, Bernard Thibodeaux, Sheridan Pickering, grandsons August, Ryan, Eli. An evening prayer service will be held at 7:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:00 pm August 16, 2018 at Ponca Indian Methodist Church, White Eagle, OK. A private family service will follow the prayer service on Thursday. Reverend Louis Headman, pastor, First Indian Church of the Nazarene and Pastor Jim White, Ponca Indian Methodist Church will officiate. No traditional feast will precede the service.