John Wesley Stillsmoking

John Wesley Stillsmoking, age 47, of McLoud, OK, was born April 11, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of Wesley & Esther Marie (Murdock) Stillsmoking. He died among family and friends on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK, after a short illness. John grew up in McLoud and attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and graduated from McLoud High School. He painted the Indian head emblem for McLoud High School. After high school he entered the U.S. Army in 1992, serving in Germany and Bosnia, with the 75th Ranger Rgt. and the 3rd Ranger BH. He retired in 2001 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He also served with the Oklahoma National Guard and the US Army Reserves. His hobbies included drawing, writing, painting, working on model cars, reading, bead work and participating in the pow wows. John and his brother, Jeff were actors in the movie 'The Pow Wow Highway'. John was a member of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana, named Matoon 'Thpee' Tah, or First Eagle, as well as a descendent of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, where he was named Nekanethata, or Leader of the Birds. Since his military career, John has been active as a volunteer at the Oklahoma City VA Hospital Warriors Group and the Native American Elders Council. He attended many pow wows, honor dances and other gatherings throughout the US in support of Native Veterans. John was a leader of the Warriors Honor Guard and would drive long distances to help honor his fellow veteran and would often take veterans to Native American gatherings. John was quick to help his fellow veterans. He was a loyal friend and regularly made visits and telephone calls to check up on his family and buddies. If he was concerned about a veteran, he had no qualms about reporting to VA staff about what these were. John and his mother often made fry bread for the VA events, and he was her official turner, even though he had to use a spatula rather than a fork, which was her way. John was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Jeffrey Leon Stillsmoking and Charles Joseph Stillsmoking. He is survived by his beloved parents, Wesley & Esther Stillsmoking of the home; sister, Edith Stillsmoking, Lawton, OK; nephew, Harland Loring Stillsmoking; niece, Esther Marie Stillsmoking, aunts, uncles, and many cousins and friends. Family and friends report that John was greatly loved and will be missed. Rosary and wake will be 6:45 P.M., Monday, October 19, 2015, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, McLoud, OK. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, McLoud, OK, with Father Prakash Madineni officiating. Interment will follow at St. Teresa Catholic Cemetery, Harrah, OK. Services are under the direction of Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.