Obituary for John Kemble

John Lee Kemble, also known as “Johnny Kemble” lost a 6 month battle to cancer as God called him home on December 8, 2013 at the age of 78. John was born July 19, 1935 in White Eagle, Oklahoma, the son of Willie Kemble and May (HorseChief Eagle) Kemble. John was a direct descendant of HorseChief Eagle and WhiteEagle and member of the Buffalo Clan. He was a full blood Ponca Tribal member who spoke the Ponca language fluently for a lifetime.

John attended school in White Eagle until the 8th grade then went to Chilocco Indian Boarding School where he met his future wife, Maureen. The couple was married on November 12, 1955 in Phoenix, Arizona where they first took of residence to start their family of 5 children. John began working for Rainbow Bread in Phoenix before moving his family to Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1963. He had lived the last 50 years in Midwest City where he continued work in the bakery business until his retirement.

John was an extremely well known and admired Native American singer and composer who started singing at a very young age. His expertise knowledge was “Ponca Songs” but also knew a large variety of songs and their meanings. He held many head singing titles in the lower 48 states, showing support for all tribes. His most recent drum group “Rough Arrow” Singers was named after his Indian name. Besides being an expert in Ponca Pow-wow etiquette and pow-wow world in general, John became a Native American singing performer with numerous dance troops throughout most decades of his active life. He performed at very many Oklahoma City metro venues, shows state wide, nationwide, plus Oklahoma City TV stations. John became a long lasting performer at the State Fair of Oklahoma for the past 3 to 4 decades.

His enjoyments included reading, watching old western movies, big fireworks and watching sports while listening to OU football and the NBA Thunder on the radio. His utmost pleasure and love was getting together with family, just visiting and watching the children have fun. A humble man and devoted member of the Methodist Church, he loved life just sitting on the porch to watch mother earth’s sunrise in the mornings.

He is survived by his wife and companion of 58 years, Maureen, of the home in Midwest City; three daughters, Kathy M. Kemble Davis and husband Charles, Kay L. Kemble and Karen S. Kemble, all of Midwest City; two sons, Karl J. Kemble and wife Wilma, of Duncan, Oklahoma and Kevin V. Kemble of Atlanta, Georgia; 10 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; many many extended relatives and friends that number the leaves on a big oak tree. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Dawn Marie Kemble Sloss; four brothers, Sylvester “Boze” Kemble, Elsworth.