Dean Tiger

Dean Tiger answered the call of the LORD and went home on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Dean was born to Reverend Coody and Lela (McNac) Tiger on July 17th 1951 in the small community of Yardeka, USA. He attended Yardeka Indian Day School (bean school) in the 1st grade before his father took a Pastor ship and moved the family to Okmulgee in 1958.

During this time, his mother was hospitalized in Shawnee, Ok., so his father handled both roles of parenting. Dean entered the public school system where he found it to be foreign in every way. He was brought up in a Mvskoke speaking home so the language barrier was his greatest obstacle/challenge. And of course Dean being the youngest of four boys had a temper control problem which got him acquainted with the Principal's paddle from the very first week, attitude adjustment instrument. Didn't need to know English to understand "bend over". He loved to make people laugh. Dean played football in Jr. and High school. He was a self taught artist working in all mediums. His greatest enjoyment was teaching young people the Mvskoke language.

He taught for many years from Kindergarten, College and Adult classes. He served as a language judge in many of the Mvskoke Creek Nation Challenge Bowl competitions He was very proud of his Native Heritage. Dean was also a Vietnam Era Veteran serving in United States Air Force.

Dean is a member of Yardeka Indian Baptist Church where in 1984 he was licensed for Ministry. Dean's ceremonial grounds is OCE VPOFV (Hickory Ground) and belongs to the Wind Clan. Most summers you could find him helping his brother George mow the church campus grounds. Him and his brothers grew up on the church grounds and he held these grounds very near and dear to his heart. Even though his walk with the LORD wasn't perfect, but, his faith never wavered. He would sometimes get lonesome for the church and would just take a ride to go visit the church knowing there wasn't anyone there he went just to sing Mvskoke Hymns by himself. He loved the church. He felt the music

Dean is preceded by the death of his parents and the oldest in the Tiger pride, Kenneth (Jag) Tiger, Edna. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Stacy Tiger through the LORD'S Grace, and whose eternal LOVE and determination got them through all their aspects of their lives, and Three daughters, Lisa Tiger (Gabe) of Morris, Ok. Angela Killingsworth -Fixico of Tulsa, Sally Howell of Okmulgee. Four sons, Ryan of Stilwell, Dustin and Nick of Clewiston, Fl., Zachary of Okmulgee. One Goddaughter Brittany Buckley of Kellyville and a host of grand and great-children.

Viewing will be from 2-8pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and from 8am - 8pm on Wednesday at Integrity Funeral Service in Henryetta, Oklahoma.

Funeral Services will be held at the Yardeka Indian Baptist Church on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 2:00 PM. PLEASE NOTE: Strict guidelines are in place and you will be asked to stay in your vehicles for the funeral service to be heard on a PA system.

Interment will take place at the Yardeka Indian Baptist Church Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.

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