Obituary for Burgess Roye

Ponca City Now - February 17, 2015 12:00 am

Burgess Stewart Roye, Gee-gah-zay, age 70, died February 15, 2015 at his home in White Eagle.

He was the first of twin boys born to Doris and Thurston Page Roye on October 30, 1944. Burgess grew up in a traditional Ponca Tribe family. Born on the reservation, his life began with a mix of joy and great sadness – an unveiling of how life would unfold about him as a full-blood Ponca Indian. His stories are both happy and humorous, yet heart rendering at times. Though he stumbled in young adulthood, an emphasis is placed on how his life changed – finding success and happiness after he discovered his gift from the Great-spirit; and his life’s calling-to help preserve the history and culture of the Ponca Way-the honorable ways of his people of old. In 1970, he learned of his gift as an artist and endeavored in that direction since then.

He is preceded in death by both, parents, siblings, Running Over Water, Poco, Trula, Billy, Toya, Tracy, and Palidine.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca Roye, daughters, Burgaline Roye, Tierra Roye, Sierra Schafer, Burma Cripple Deer Roye, brother Beaumont Roye, several nieces and nephews. Grandchildren, Thomas, Jake, Charlie, Anthony, Jesse, Surgio, Brice Schafer, Angel Lanee Place, 3 great grandchildren, Anna Rosa, Alana, Felix. He will truly be missed.

A celebration of life was held at 11:00am on Wednesday, February 18 at the Ponca Tribe Cultural Center in White Eagle, Oklahoma.

A memorial service will be held at a future date in Grand Junction, Colorado. Part of his cremated remains will be taken to the Rocky Mountains as he had requested.

Source: Trout Funeral Home