Noble County, Oklahoma, Obituary: BENJAMIN "THINGA-JA-BUS-KA" ARKEKETA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joann Brazee Osage County News Service (OCNS) http://ocns.freeyellow.com/ Email: ocns@hotmail.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 of the contributor, or the legal representative of 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. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BENJAMIN "THINGA-JA-BUS-KA" ARKEKETA OCNS - March 23, 2002 - Benjamin "Thinga-Ja-Bus-Ka" Arkeketa, 74, former resident of Red Rock, Oklahoma, returned home to God from the St. John Medical Center of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wednesday, March 20. "Thinga-Ja-Bus-Ka" (Bushy tail), Benjamin Arkeketa was born February 27, 1928, in Red Rock, the son of George Arkeketa and Edna Jones Hudson. He grew up in Red Rock, attending "Gravy U" Indian School in Pawnee, Oklahoma, and graduating from Chilocco Indian School (Newkirk, Oklahoma). June 8, 1954, Ben married the former Mary Elizabeth Freeman in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and the couple made their home in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. He went to work for the State of Oklahoma, Department of Human Services where he was employed for over thirty-eight years. Mr. Arkeketa served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corp on June 2, 1948, fighting in the Korean War. He served with the Third Battalion, Company H, and with the First Provisional Marine Brigade. On the Pusan Perimeter, defense along the Naktong River and during the first days of War in August of 1950. Later he served with the First Marine Division, Inch'on (Amphibious Landing), First Wave Landing on Green Beach, Capture of Wolmido, at Inch'on, September 15, 1950. He helped with the capture of Kimpo Airfield, Han River Crossing and the battle for Seoul, the Capital of South Korea. Sergeant Benjamin Arkeketa was honorably discharged on June 2, 1952, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Ben was an accomplished artist, and in earlier years, was a musician and Champion Straight Dancer in the Pow-wow circuit and he loved to Gourd Dance, Because he is of the "Che" Buffalo Clan, he exercised his gift of leadership in his culture. He took great pride in history and culture. Ben is a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of north central Oklahoma serving at one time as a tribal council member, the Otoe Gourd Clan and a descendant of Chief George Ar-ke-ke-tah. He was a father figure to every young person he came in contact with and because of this, he has many "adopted" children and grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of forty-seven years, Mary Elizabeth Arkeketa of the home in Sand Springs, five daughters, Susan Arkeketa of Sand Springs; Jenise and husband, Lee Smith of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; Kim and husband, Allen McHenry of Tulsa; Annette and husband, Al, Jr. Rendon of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Ginger Arkeketa of Lawrence, Kansas; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one step brother, Kirby Harra-gara, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson and step-brothers, Percy Hudson and George Shields, Sr. An evening prayer service was held Friday with Mr. Gary White Cloud in charge of services at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Services were held at 10:00 a.m., today (Saturday) by Mr. Arleigh Rhodes and Reverend Thomas Roughface. The traditional funeral feast was held at noon with committal service following in the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Cemetery. Mr. Aaron Gawhega, Buffalo Clan, conducted traditional services and L.S. Buffalo Post #38 of White Eagle, Oklahoma, provided full Military Honors. Grace Memorial Chapel of Ponca City, Oklahoma, was in charge of arrangements.