Dean Tiger was born July 17, 1951 at Yardeka to Reverend Coody and Lela (McNac) Tiger. He died April 19, 2020 at the age of 68.
He attended Yardeka Indian Day School (bean school) in the 1st grade before his father took a pastorship and moved the family to Okmulgee in 1958.
During this time, his mother was hospitalized in Shawnee so his father handled both roles of parenting. Dean entered the public school system where he found it to be foreign in every way. Dean played football in Jr. and High school. He taught for many years from Kindergarten, College and Adult classes. He served as a language judge in many of the Mvskoke Creek Nation Challenge Bowl competitions He was very proud of his Native Heritage. Dean was also a Vietnam Era Veteran serving in United States Air Force.
Dean is a member of Yardeka Indian Baptist Church where in 1984 he was licensed for Ministry. Dean's ceremonial grounds is OCE VPOFV (Hickory Ground) and belongs to the Wind Clan.
Dean is preceded by the death of his parents and the oldest in the Tiger pride, Kenneth (Jag) Tiger, Edna.
He is survived by his wife, Stacy Tiger; three daughters, Lisa Tiger (Gabe) of Morris, Angela Killingsworth-Fixico of Tulsa, Sally Howell of Okmulgee; four sons: Ryan of Stilwell, Dustin and Nick of Clewiston, Fl., Zachary of Okmulgee; one Goddaughter Brittany Buckley of Kellyville and a host of grand and great-children.
Viewing will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Integrity Funeral Service in Henryetta, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be held at the Yardeka Indian Baptist Church on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 2 p.m. Strict guidelines are in place and you will be asked to stay in your vehicles for the funeral service to be heard on a PA system.
Interment will take place at the Yardeka Indian Baptist Church Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.