Funeral services for Jimmy A. Deere will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Little Quatrsartsy Church in Cromwell, Oklahoma. Interment will follow at the Little Quartsarty Cemetery also in Cromwell. Wake services will be held Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Little Quartsarty Church.
Jimmy A. Deere was born November 6, 1948 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Winey Deere Wesley and Jimmie Deere. He went to be with the Lord, March 19, 2016 at his home in Keifer, Oklahoma surrounded by his wife and kids at the age of 67.
Jimmy graduated from Sequoyah School and went on to attend Haskell Poly Tech for one year where he learned carpentry. Jimmy was a lifelong craftsman and worked in construction, building houses most of his adult life. He was known Nationwide for his beautiful craftsmanship in making the traditional Mvskoke ball sticks, and always had a long line of orders for his sticks. He was a teacher to anyone that was willing to learn about his trade. Jimmy is a member of the Little Quartsarty Church and of the Greenleaf Ceremonial Ground. He was Heneha at Greenleaf Ceremonial Ground where he was much honored to have his duties and took his job seriously. Jimmy traveled all over the country with Creek Nation for Demonstrations of the tribe’s Ceremonial ways. He was always asked to do presentations of his Mvskoke ways. He was taught by his mentor Tony Hill. With him having his mentor he went on to teach what he had learned to many young men that have come into his life; hoping that they would take what he had to teach and continue to grow in our native ways. Jimmy was highly respected in the Creek community and was always one to help others or just to be there if someone needed to talk about Creek traditions. He always influenced others to learn their language and carry on their traditions. He was quoted saying “Never let the fire burn out.”
On behalf of the family, they would like to thank everyone for their love and support of Jimmy. The family also asks that you continue to keep Jimmy’s teaching alive and to those that he taught, to continue to honor what he taught you.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Charles “Ceka” Deere and one son, Jimmy Paroah Deere.
Survivors include his wife, Suzette Squire-Deere of the home in Keifer; one sister, Kizzie Roberts and family of Cromwell; 5 daughters, Andrea Hernandez and husband Oscar of Sasakwa, Oklahoma, Lydia Withers and husband Jon of Seminole, Rosanna Deere of Sasakwa, Josie Alberson and husband Jeremy of Ada and Patricia Deere of the home in Keifer, Oklahoma; one son, Ceka Deere of the home in Keifer; 14 grandchildren and a hose of nieces and nephews. He lived his life to love his family and they all knew he loved them greatly.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Jon Withers, Jeremy Alberson, Bill Hill, Jon Cheek, Brandon Peak, Billy Hill, Sam Osborne, J D Harley and Buffalo Hill.
Honorary bearers include: Michael Deere, Brandon Deere, Billy Alberson, Jacob Cole, Emmett Harrison, Jonas Carpitcher, Aeryk Deere, Woxie Deere, Elijah Withers, Justin Squire, Zack LeClair, Ahhole Cheek, Calvin LeClair, Marvin Squire, Rick Squire, Kenny Squire, John Squire, Donald Squire, Joseph Squire, Mike Squire and Chris Squire.
Flower girls will be Michelle Pipestem, Marissa Alberson, Savannah Alberson, Sierra Squire and Rebecca Squire.
Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah, Oklahoma and officiated by Fred Lindsey and Wotko Long.
