Daryl Youngbear

Daryl Thomas Youngbear graced the earth with his presence on August 15, 1975 and peacefully left surrounded by family on January 2nd, 2021.

He was born in Ponca City, OK to Thomasine Grass-Blueback and Fred Youngbear.  He attended elementary and middle school in Newkirk, OK then graduated from Ponca City high school in 1995. He studied culinary arts at Pioneer Vo-tech where he discovered his love of cooking.

Daryl loved cooking at pow-wows and was eager to help anytime he was asked to prepare traditional food. He also loved to participate in the annual Ponca tribal shinny games. He enjoyed WWE, large family gatherings and popping fireworks. He was a lifelong member of the Ponca Indian Baptist church.

Daryl was a simple, humble man with the biggest heart and the kindest soul. To know him was to love him, if you did not get the chance to know him or visit with him you really missed out. Once he met anyone they instantly became family to him.

Daryl is the oldest of 7 siblings - Chalsie & husband Boydd Romero of El Paso, TX. Lacey Youngbear of Wichita, KS, Tianna Youngbear, Martin “Blue” & wife Leray Blueback III, Sarah Tillman, Isaiah Blueback & Rebekah Blueback, all of Ponca City, OK.  He did not have children of his own but considered all his nieces, nephews, & grandchildren his “babies”.  In addition to his siblings & “babies” he is survived by his mother Thomasine Grass-Blueback & the love of his life, Deborah Hays.

Loved ones that have gone on before him include maternal grandparents Charles & Martha Grass, step father Martin Blueback II & grandson Taton Grass.

Pallbearers will be Morgan Grass, Richard & Isaiah Thompson, Gered Black and Martin “Blue” & Isaiah Blueback.

Officiators will be Pastor Brandon Kemble of Ponca Indian Baptist Church and Pastor Jimmy White of Ponca Indian Methodist Church.

Daryl was a member of the Meskwaki tribe but was a proud Ponca descendant. He will make a final lap around the Ponca powwow grounds, his favorite place, before going to his final resting spot.

The family would like to thank the ER staff of Blackwell Regional hospital, the staff of Fresenius Kidney Care & the staff of the ICU at St. John’s Medical Center.