United Keetoowah Band leader Charles Locust laid to rest

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Funeral services for Charles D. Locust, assistant chief of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, were held on March 26 at the Cherokee Baptist Association Tabernacle in Briggs, with Revs. Gil Hooper and Dale Wilson officiating.

Personal remarks were set to be delivered by George Tiger, chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation, and Wahlesah Rose.

Visitation was held March 25 at the Reed-Culver Chapel in Tahlequah with a wake service following. Interment was held at Tyler Springs Cemetery in Stilwell.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Charles were Charley Barr, Terry Kingfisher, Herman Jimerson, Bryan Shade, J.D. Teehee and J.C. Wilson. Honorary pallbearers were Bo Brancheau, Matt Brancheau, Jason Hill, Bryce Ketcher, Kevin Ketcher, Ralph Ketcher, John Smith and Brett Terrapin. Flowergirls were Macy Goodwin, Tara Comingdeer, Cori Butcher and Nekesha Dirteater.

Charles Dewayne Locust was born on Sept. 30, 1956, in Tahlequah, the son of Nan Locust. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Northeastern State University.

He married Brenda Lee Hooper on March 20, 1992, in Fayetteville, Ark. They had one daughter, Rozlyn.

He served as UKB assistant chief since 2005 and devoted 20 years in three tribal governments. He served as tribal executive director, tribal administrator, executive director of Housing Authority, director of Social Services, financial analyst, budget analyst, president of the Gaming Division, general manager of the Gaming Division and executive director of the Gaming Commission.

He served multiple terms on the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, serving as liaison between the Oklahoma Tribal Population and governments and the Oklahoma State Government. He served two terms as vice president alternate for the Eastern Region of Oklahoma and the National Congress of American Indians. He was also a member of the Keetoowah Nighthawk Society and Ceremonial Grounds.

He enjoyed fishing or watching the Oklahoma City Thunder or University of Oklahoma sports.

Locust died on March 22 in Stilwell with his family close to his side. He was 57.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Nan Locust; and his grandparents, Abraham and Mary Locust.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda of the home in Stilwell; daughter, Rozlyn Locust and companion Braxton Redeagle of Stilwell; brother and sisters, Wayne Terrapin of Muskogee, Jennie Tillery and husband Bill of Grove, and Marie Brancheau of Claremore; grandson Bronson Redeagle of Stilwell; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousin and a host of friends.