Samuel Franklin White

Samuel Franklin White Sr, is the name on the birth certificate, but to the people who knew and loved him, he was Sammy or "Tone-Kei"(which means coming out of the water) Tone-Kei passed on into another world February 13, 2018 to meet his wife Bunny White, two of his children Frank yellowman White, Debra emkoyetie Starr, brothers George, Lee, elmer and evelyn and grandson James lee. He is survived by his beloved kids: Derek, Kevin, Sammy grandchildren Kathryn, and simean, along with his brothers/great grandchildren, tone-kei,keenai daniel and maddlynn that he surrounded himself by. Tone-kei of anadarko ,Oklahoma was born on April 5 1930 in anadarko to Boyd h and emkoyetie (Coco) white. He attend and graduate from chilocco Indian School near ponca city. He then attend central state University in Edmond okla. He met Vinita a. Jackson and they married in 1950. He served our country proudly with the u.s. marine Corp during Korean conflict. Tone-kei was a member of the Kiowa tribe Tone-Kei was a storyteller because he wanted the beautiful Indian fables to continue to live forever. He made his life a journey of telling the stories to everyone who would listen. He did not have to go far to be asked, because everyone who met him wanted to hear every word he said. He had a charm and grace about him with immense magnitude. He made everyone feel special. Most people who ever met him have a personalized story of an interaction with him that left an indelible mark in their lives. He made people feel good. He also was profound with humor. He is renown for how silly, lighthearted and quick-witted he was. He just made people smile. Tone-Kei wanted to lift people up everywhere he went, and he went far.Tone-Kei was an advocate for people his entire life. He has been the mouth piece for Indians through the platforms of activists groups, writing multiple columns, 3 radio, and he had his own television show. In 2011, Tone-Kei had his soul revealing biography written to tell the world that Indians are indigenous people, sovereign nations that "must be visible members." In it he also shared his folktales, and heart stories of a life well lived. The powwow world was Tone-Kei's world. He was the gatherer of nations. He was in the center of many circle of friends asking Indians to "never separate from each other and their cultures." He emceed powwows up into his last years leading the laughs, dances, and songs. To many who looked up to him as an inspirational Indian elder, a person who will always be celebrated as the voice for his people, they will miss his vibrancy for life, but his work will not be forgotten. It will be remembered through his children, and for all of us who call him grandpa "You, all of you are a very special part of a great universal plan, and you are a soul living on Mother Earth and in your body you are here to perform a certain task that only you can do. To illustrate more of what I am trying to say; if I took one cup of water from the ocean, all the water of the world would have to move over to fill a gap. You are important; the world would not be the same without you. There is no goodbye in Kiowa. Aho!" I have spoken! - Tone-KeiPrayer service will be at 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 16, 2018 at the Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Anadarko. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Grace Christian Fellowship Church. Rev. Ted Mercer and Rev. Alvin Deere will officiate. Burial will follow at the Ware's Cemetery, west of Anadarko. Services are under the direction of the Smith Funeral Home, Anadarko, Oklahoma.Condolences may be sent to the family at www.smithfuneralservices.com

Samuel Franklin White

April 5, 1930 - February 13, 2018

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