Canaan Landon Deerinwater was born on May 4, 1989 in Ada, OK, the son of George Amos Deerinwater and Molly Bee (Harjochee) Lawhead. He grew up in Tahlequah and was one of twelve children. He had a passion for being out in nature, working in various forms of lawn care and took great pride in keeping up with his yard and family property. When he wasn’t working, he liked spending time outdoors, fishing, camping or out at the local swimming holes. Canaan was a fan of all types of music, especially traditional Native American music. He loved to play basketball, stickball, pool and video games. He also was very skilled at woodworking and has crafted many items for his family. Never afraid to start up a conversation with anyone, he never met a stranger and was always teasing and cracking jokes.
His family meant the world to him and he looked forward to getting together for the holidays or going to the stomp grounds. He appreciated the strong Native American tradition that had been instilled from a young age and continued to honor his culture, serving as a member of the Okfuskee Ceremonial Grounds. On November 12, 2023, he passed from this life at the age of 34 years old in Tahlequah, OK.
He is preceded in death by his father, grandparents, Amos Josie and Juanita Harjochee and Henry and Louise (Hicks) Deerinwater, brother, Mark Lawhead, stepsister, Alicia Thompson and one son, Chebon Deeringwater.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Janet Pacheco, two sons, Canaan Deerinwater and Chavez Deerinwater and one daughter, Myra Deerinwater, all of Broken Arrow, OK and his mother, Molly Bee Lawhead of the home. He leaves two stepbrothers, Jonathon Lawhead and wife Abby of Tahlequah, OK and Moustamahah Wolfchief Cooley and wife Ginger of Shady Grove, OK, seven sisters, Melinda Deerinwater of Okmulgee, OK, Christine Deerinwater, Georgina Deerinwater, Sherrie Deerinwater, April Deerinwater, all of Scottsdale, AZ and one stepsister, Debbie Blackfox of Henryetta, OK along with nephews, FVS-CHVTV Lawhead of Tahlequah, OK, Edwin Thompson Elaine of New Mexico and niece, Ashley Girty and husband Matthew of Henryetta, OK and a host of friends and loved ones.
Funeral services for Canaan will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023 at 2:00pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Timmy Coon and Tim Harjochee officiating. Interment will follow at Greenleaf Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers include Jason Murphy, Robbie Beaver, Rodney Beaver, Nathan Rice, Spanky Thompson, Gabino Thompson, James Drywater, Brian Culley, and Casey Manor. Honorary pallbearers will be his nephews, FVS-CHVTV Amos Lawhead, Evan Cooley, Jerakin Cooley, Ely Cooley, Edwin Thompson, and Luis Blackfox, his cousin, Matt Duvall, brothers, Jonathan Lawhead, Mustomuah W. Cooley, and friends, Jessie Taylor, Lorenzo Brackett, Martin Torres, and Nick Brackett.
A wake service will be conducted on Sunday afternoon, November 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Deerinwater family.
