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Canton Indian Mennonite Cemetery

aka Cantonment Cemetery
Canton, Blaine County, Oklahoma

© Pierce Funeral Home
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Eric Gene Hail

October 3, 1977 ~ May 5, 2024

Eric Gene Hail, a giant man with the strength to match, passed from this life May 5, 2024 in Tulsa, OK. He was 46.

Eric had a heart condition and had his first stroke at the age of 18. He suffered a life altering stroke when he was 32, which took most of his speech and nearly his life. As always, Eric battled on.

He was born in Clinton, OK to his young parents, Larry Chiefly and Jacqueline (Hail) October 3, 1977. Jackie was a young mom at 16, her dear friend, Ruthie Russell, shared that Eric was her first experience of being a mother when she was 19. She said he and Jackie had Nannie’s galore! She endearingly remembers Eric as a beautiful baby and how they all fell in love with him.

Eric grew up in Canton, OK before moving with his family to El Reno, OK at the age of 10. He grew up in the time of adventure and exploration. Eric loved to remember the days with the Hilltop Gang, Dada, Nanny Goat, and many others- his nickname was Dulu, which he liked to keep a secret. They felt like kings and queens of Canton. Grandma had a tab at the store that kept them in high supply of all the candy and pop a kid could ever want.

Eric completed the 8th grade and later earned his GED through Talking Leaves Job Corp at Tahlequah, OK. During his adolescence he was a father figure to his siblings. He wasn’t the best example at all times, once he stole a beer truck- he said it was running and the keys were in it! He loved and cared for them always.

Eric became a father at 21 to Kiona (25) and Erica (23), two beautiful daughters that he loved with all his heart.

Eric’s work consisted of building and installing cabinets for 18 years, traveling across the United States. Eric had many self-taught skills. He could remodel, repair, or build from the ground up. If he had the will, there was a way! When Eric married Peaches he became Gage’s (23) loving dad, and later he and Peaches had Teegan (13) who he doted on and showered with love. Eric worked for the Osage Nation Building and Grounds Maintenance in Pawhuska, OK where he met two dear friends that became brothers to him, Taos Barrone and John Reynolds. He cherished the time he spent with these two men. He made many fond memories with them full of laughs and brotherly love.

This slower pace of time allowed Eric to enjoy the best things in life, his family and loved ones. He was able to be the taxi mom to Teegan, taking her and his nieces fishing and exploring the hills of Osage county. He loved spending time with his kids and loved ones. He enjoyed attending sweats and the Osage In-Lon-Schka ceremonial dances. His Osage family always teased him about his wish to be Osage, but he always said he was an "Honorary Osage". Big laughs would follow and he'd say, "No, really", but everyone knew it was true! He was genuinely loved by his Osage family and friends.

He spoke with deep love in his heart when he talked about his Cheyenne and Arapaho family. He held fond memories of them and was always happy to go back home for visits. His love for them was immeasurable.

Eric Gene’s life was shaped by the many trials he faced, the losses he suffered, and the immense love he gave and received. His absence in the lives of those he touched is profound. Eric’s memory will always be held close in the hearts and minds of his family and friends. They look forward to reuniting with him again.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents; uncles Jack Hail and Michael Osage; aunt Sharon Chiefly; grandparents Charles Surveyor, Charles Hail, Pauline Meat and Joan Bowman Chiefly; cousins Sunni Meat, Dawn Meat and Albert Meat; He is survived by his children, Kiona Hail of Bartlesville, OK, Erica Hail of Dewey, OK, Teegan Hail and Gage McKinley both of Pawhuska, OK; his ex-wife, Peaches Hail, Pawhuska, OK, who was his cherished, loving advocate and supporter until the end, brothers Charles Hail of OKC, OK, Thomas Two Babies of Lawton, OK, Jarvis Daukei of Canton, OK and Larry Chiefly, Jr. of Albuquerque, NM; sisters Rebecca Chiefly Hill of Eufaula, OK and Angela Chiefly; brother Vaughn Wallowing Bull and sister Penny Rusky, Grandmother Renee Meat of Canton, OK; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Traditional all-night wake services will begin at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Canton Emergency Response Center in Canton, OK. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 9, 2024 at the same venue with Pastor Waylan Upchego officiating. Interment will follow at the Canton Indian Mennonite Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Canton, OK. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.