Rickey Philemon Bemo's Obituary
Rickey Philemon Bemo was born April 19, 1941, to Irene Josephine (Burgess) and Richard Allen Bemo in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He departed to his heavenly home on August 7, 2019, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 78. He was baptized at Vamoosa, Oklahoma Baptist Church when he was 13. He graduated from Vamoosa High School and attended all his school years there, excelling in basketball. Later he joined the Army National Guard. Through the Bureau of Indian Affairs Relocation Program he relocated to Tulsa. In June 1967 after employment with Dresser Rand he joined the United States Army before he was drafted. Shortly after completing basic training he was deployed to Viet Nam where he served on active combat duty as a Field Wireman for a year before returning to the United States and was honorably discharged in June 1970. He returned to his former employment and after working at other jobs, he retired from Exterran Inc.Rick was so proud to receive his medals which he had not received since his discharge.He requested and received these in July 2019: the Army Commendation Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Triple); the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device (1960) and the Sharpshooter Badge & Rifle Bar.As a teenager, one summer he worked as a tour guide in the Indian Village at Disneyland, rowing a canoe in Indian regalia. Another summer he traveled up and down the coast of California assisting with the care of race horses. First and foremost, Rickey was a cowboy. He had a love of horses and was an avid calf roper, contesting in rodeos all over the country, receiving his first calf roper trophy at 11 until he retired from the oldtimers’ contests. He was proud to rodeo with his uncle Bobby Burgess, Shot Harjo and others, winning trophies and buckles. He played basketball in the Indian league, played and coached softball games with cousin Dink Bemo, coached little league baseball, bowled and even painted ceramics and attended Kiowa class. In later years in Tulsa he enjoyed attending Haikey Chapel UMC, watching OSU football, Thunder basketball, and visiting relatives and friends at special events, powwows, casinos and the local restaurants. He loved browsing flea markets and never knew a stranger. Konawa was home, but Tulsa was his home away from home.Left to cherish his memories are Sarah Lone Wolf and godson David Lone Wolf; brother and wife, Charles and Veda Bemo; nephews and wives, Robert and Bernita Whitekiller, Jon and Shelly Whitekiller; Eric Morris ; uncle Glenn Sharpe; aunt Norma Sharpe; special aunt Ellen Burgess and special cousins, Cora Archer and Rosie Frank; and other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents and sisters Bernita Whitekiller and Roxie Morris, and special cousin Johnny Notah.Viewing will be held Sunday, August 11th from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Floral Haven Funeral Home.Services will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, August 12, 2019 at the Haikey Chapel United Methodist Church in Tulsa.
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