Thomas Roughface Sr. Obituary Submitted by Linda Simpson greyoaks@brightok.net Indian Nations/Indian Territory Archivist ----------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent ot the contributor, the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rev. Dr. Thomas Roughface Sr. was born in Pawnee on Feb. 5, 1936. He passed from this life on Thursday morning, May 9, 2002, at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City due to complications from injuries received in a car accident. He was 66. Roughface is a member of the Ponca Tribe, raised on the Ponca Indian reservation.He attended and graduated from Ponca City High School and later attended the School of Religion at Oklahoma City University. He completed the five-year course of study at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He received an honorary doctorate of divinity from OCU in 1995. A member of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church, Roughface had served on many distinctive boards and agencies throughout the conference.He also served on national agencies within the United Methodist Church. He was the first clergy to represent the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference,as delegate to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, and was later appointed as clergy delegate to represent the Oklahoma Missionary Conference. From 1972 to 1975, he served as district superintendent. After completion of his term, he was appointed for six years as pastor of the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. He held numerous pastorates throughout the conference. His first pastorate was the Pawnee Indian United Methodist Church in Pawnee. In June of 2001, he completed 42 years in the ministry. Roughface began his ministry in 1959. In June of 1989, he was appointed as "Assistant to the Bishop" -- the first Native American ever to be appointed to this office. At the time of his death he served as conference superintendent for the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference in Oklahoma City. Roughface had strong beliefs in maintaining the Ponca tribal cultural traditions. He was leader and spokesman of the Osage clan at White Eagle. He was a member of the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society. He could be seen as master of ceremonies at many types of events throughout the state of Oklahoma and beyond. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; and his parents, Nelson and Leona Roughface; and a sister, Nellie O'Bregon. He is survived by six children, daughter Jacqueline Harrison and her husband George of Choctaw, son Thomas Roughface Jr. of San Diego, Calif., daughter Diana Fitzpatrick and her husband Richard of Norman, daughter Cheryl Primeaux and her husband Clint of Tonkawa, son James Roughface and his wife Diane of Ponca City, and daughter Lisa Roughface of Bethany; 15 grandchildren, Micah Moore, Sara Roughface, Ricky Fitzpatrick, Leah Warrior, Tana Fitzpatrick, Teya Roughface, Tim Primeaux, Sheena Harrison, Albert Primeaux, Tara Fitzpatrick, Claire Harrison, Patti Primeaux, Felicia Roughface, Roxanne Roughface, and Mitchell Harrison; great-grandson, Patrick Hawk Warrior; five sisters, Bernice Davis of Ponca City, Sara Paul and her husband Glenn of Victoria, Texas, Evona Williams and her husband Curtis of Grand Prairie, Texas, Jenny Kauahquo and her husband Richard of Hobart, and Mona Bacon and her husband Laymon of Grand Prairie, Texas; and three brothers, Bronson Roughface and his wife Nellie of Ponca City, Alva Roughface and his wife Roberta of Hobart, Lance Carney and his wife Kathy of Grand Prairie. Numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family beyond the Ponca Indian reservation also survive Roughface. Evening prayer services will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church, southwest of Ponca City. The feast will be held at noon Sunday, May 12, weather permitting, at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church. The funeral will follow the feast at 2 p.m. with the Rev. David Wilson, pastor of Norman First American United Methodist Church of Norman, officiating, and burial will follow in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Casket bearers will be Tim Primeaux, Albert Primeaux, Brandon Roughface, Les Hara, Ed Hara and Scott Kauahquo. Memorial contributions can be made to the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, 3020 S. Harvey, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73109.