Obituary for Thomas Roughface

Thomas Roughface, Jr., 56, of Ponca City, passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at his residence in Ponca City. Thomas was born on January 5, 1959 in OKC to Thomas and Patricia (Moore) Roughface.

Tom was a member of both the Ponca and Chickasaw Tribes. He was a 1977 graduate of Po-Hi and went on to the OU School of Nursing, graduating with a BS degree as an RN in 1985. After nursing school, he relocated to Albuquerque, NM working as a trauma nurse at the University of New Mexico; later he went on to work as a research registered nurse for a pharmaceutical company. He resided in New Mexico until he relocated back to Ponca City in 2014.

Tom was extremely proud to have had a chance to serve his country in the US Army. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on April 13, 2001. He went on to serve for eight years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal (El Paso) and a Humanitarian Service Medal (Haiti).

Tom enjoyed hiking, camping and was an avid runner. He competed in trail runs, triathlons and marathons, competing in the Bataan Memorial Death March many times. Tom was very involved in the culture and traditions of his tribe. He was a member of the Ponca Osage Clan and the Kiowa Tiah Pia Society. He appreciated the art of many cultures and had the opportunity to travel extensively. He was a member of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, serving as president of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries from 1976-77. He also loved and enjoyed spending time with his nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Reverend Dr. Thomas Roughface, Sr. and Mrs. Patricia Roughface. Tom is survived by a brother-Jim Roughface and his wife Diane of Ponca City, four sisters; Jacqueline Harrison of Choctaw, OK, Diana Fitzpatrick and husband Richard of Norman, OK, Cheryl Roughface of Ponca City, Lisa Roughface of Ponca City and adopted brother-Reverend Dr. David Wilson of OKC. Nieces and Nephews include; Micah Moore, Sarah Roughface, Ricky Fitzpatrick, Leah Primeaux-Warrior, Tana Fitzpatrick, Tim Primeaux, Teya Roughface, Albert Primeaux, Sheena Harrison, Tara Dawkins, Claire Bridges, Patti Primeaux, Felicia Doudican, Roxanne Roughface and Mitchell Harrison. He had an adoptive mother and brother; Audrey Barnum and John Fernandez both from Albuquerque, NM and an adopted sister-Mary Niedhart also from Albuquerque, NM.

Tom also had extensive adopted tribal family members as well as church family members; the Bill Eaves family of Pawnee, OK, the Reverend Charles Quoetone family of Lawton, OK and the Carrie Stumblingbear family of Mountain View, OK.

Traditional NOON Meal with by Sunday, February 15, 2015 with the funeral services to follow at 2:00 pm at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church of White Eagle, OK with the Reverend Dr. David Wilson officiating assisted by Reverend Jim White. Burial will follow in the Ponca Tribal Cemetery of White Eagle, OK. Casket Bearers will be; Micah Moore, Mitchell Harrison, Tim Primeaux, Albert Primeaux, Les Hara, Ed Hara and Ricky Fitzpatrick. Honorary Bearers will be; Brent Greenwood and Branden Roughface.