John R. Thorpe

John “Jack” Thorpe, born June 29th, 1937 in Hawthorne, California to James “Jim” and Freda Thorpe. He passed from this life to be with his creator on February 22nd, 2011 at the age of 73. Jack is survived by his wife, Matilda Thorpe; his three children, Gary, Mary and Jamie Thorpe; five grandchildren, Cyrus and Taj Thorpe, Hyram, Jordan and Jade Kaskaske; and two brothers, Richard and William “Bill” Thorpe. Jack’s hobbies included golf, beading, straight dancer, gourd dancing, playing cards, dominoes, going for long rides, and looking at the stars. Jack’s school days were in Indian boarding schools. He attended grade school at Pawnee Indian School in Pawnee, Oklahoma and High School at Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon. Jack also attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas before entering the U.S. Army. After returning to Oklahoma in 1970, he attended the University of Oklahoma for one year. Jack started his career in Indian affairs in 1971 as a Councilman for the Sac & Fox Nation in Oklahoma. In 1980, Jack became the Principal Chief for the Sac & Fox, serving 7 years. Over the years, Jack has served his tribal Housing Authority as a Commissioner, Counselor/Trainer, and Executive Director. He has also been the Director for the Kickapoo Housing Authority in McLoud, Oklahoma and Executive Director for the Kickapoo Tribal Housing in Horton, Kansas. He had currently served at the Sac & Fox Housing Authority in Shawnee, Oklahoma for the past 4 years. His services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 25th at Temple Baptist Church located at the corner of Highland and Draper in Shawnee, OK. Burial will follow at Garden Grove Cemetery.