A.J. Powell Cemetery

Osage County, Oklahoma

© Powell Funeral Service
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Dr Steven B. Pratt

May 22, 1950 ~ March 8, 2026

Dr. Steven Pratt was born May 22nd, 1950, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He departed from this life March 8th, 2026, at his home in Hominy, Oklahoma.

He attended Hominy High School and graduated in 1968. From there he went on to play college football at NEO where he was part of the National Championship Team in 1969. After this he played football shortly at Oklahoma State University, and briefly at the University of New Mexico.

Dr. Pratt, known as Uncle Steve by friends and relatives, was a proud Osage man of the Ponca Clan and proud to be of the ZonZoLi district.

When his older brother Charles Pratt became the Drumkeeper for ZonZoli district in the 60s, Steve became a tail dancer and held that position for many years. In his late 30's, he became the Head Committeeman for the ZonZoLi district and held the position again in 2015.

Steve dedicated more than 60 years of his life to the ZonZoLi committee and community. He was a pillar in the Zonzoli community and called upon often for his knowledge and advice by many. Along with this, Dr. Pratt was a Road Man for the Lottie Shunkamolah Chapter of the Native American Church.

Dr. Pratt was respected for his knowledge of the Osage language. He and his mother Lottie created Osage language tapes and language books starting in the 1980s until the early 2000s. Volume one of the book series is called "WaZhaZhe I-E". The Osage Language tapes and books were sold at the Osage Museum for years with many people still having copies today and referencing them in their language journey. Steve currently hosted a class at his summer house where he had dedicated students of various ages excited and committed to Osage Language.

Dr. Pratt produced a short video that is set to air at the end of the month, titled "Watsi: Embracing the ZonZoLi Ilonshka" (short film). He has been featured in cultural videos about Osage culture and language.

Dr. Pratt was a proud academic earning his Ph.D from the University of Oklahoma. After earning his doctorate degree, he taught at University of Texas El Paso where he had the time of his life teaching and enjoying the atmosphere of the Texas/Mexico border.

Later, he became a communication professor at the University of Central Oklahoma where he taught for 27 years. After his retirement from UCO in 2013, he began a new passion, team roping. Dr. Pratt jumped feet first into the world of team roping where he dedicated hours upon hours of perfecting his roping. He enjoyed roping at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie and had won a few buckles.

In his later years he enjoyed watching his son and grandson compete at powwow all across the United States. His most treasured time spent with them was eating steak at Click's in Pawnee and sitting up all night in Native American Church meetings.

Dr. Pratt is preceded in death by his mother Lottie Shunkamolah Pratt, older brothers Charles Pratt and Michael Pratt. He is survived by his only son Joseph Pratt, and grandson Julius Pratt. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews

A rosary will be recited Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm in the Hominy Indian Village Chapel. Traditional Indian services will be at 8:00 am Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the village chapel and the funeral mass will follow at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Hominy. The burial will follow at the AJ Powell Memorial Cemetery, Hominy. The traditional feast will follow the graveside.