Andrew Snake Jr.

Andrew Snake Jr., former resident of Ponca City and current resident of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2012 in Oklahoma City. He was 70 years of age.

Andrew was born July 5, 1941 in Pawnee, Oklahoma, the son of Andrew Snake Sr. and Pauline McClellan Snake. Andrew was an enrolled member of both the SacnFax Nation and Ponca Indian Nation. He was from the Washabe Clan Buffalo Clan and his Indian name was Aythahbelahde which means startled buffalo runs close to its mother.

He attended McKinley Grade School, East Jr. High, Pawnee Indian School and graduated from Haskell Institute in 1961. He later earned his Associate Degree from Rose State College. Andrew enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on August 8, 1961 and served as a combat veteran during the Vietnam War and Cuban Missile Crisis. He received an honorable discharge from the Marine Corp on July 1, 1965.

After he left the service he became a drug and alcohol counselor and during his years as a counselor had led over 500 people to sobriety. During his spare time Andrew loved making art and crafts and was best known for making tribal drumsticks, aka Snake sticks. He was known for his humorous jokes and the ability of making others laugh.

He is survived by his two brothers, Kenneth Snake of Shawnee and Sam Snake of Tulsa numerous other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Celeste Snake.

Prayer services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday evening, May 4, 2012 at the Ponca Indian Methodist Church with a noon meal being served on Saturday, May 5th with the funeral service to follow at 2 p.m.. Bro Jimmy White will preside over the service. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Tribal Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Casket bearers will be Michael Snake, Thomas Petit, Johnny Poore, Robert Tsotaddle, Danny McKinney and Dean Russell. Honorary casket bearers are Andy Lieb, Andrew Snake, Kenneth Snake, Sam Snake, Kendall Snake, Sam Snake Jr. and Shawn Russell.