He was born on March 19, 1941, in Lawton, Okla., to the late Harry and Rowena Tonemah. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1959. He received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Oklahoma in 1965 and pursued his doctorate in Educational Leadership at Penn State University. He coached football at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, KS, from 1966 to 1971 before becoming the first director of Native American Programs at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. He made significant contributions to groups such as the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, where he served as the Executive Director 1977-79. He was a lifelong member, board member and President of the National Indian Education Association 1979. He was honored as the National Indian Educator of the Year in 1980-81.
Stuart's life-long dedication to helping Indian people culminated in the founding of a non-profit organization, American Indian Research and Development (AIRD) located in Norman, OK. He served as president for more than 20 years. AIRD's work included a number of programs for gifted and talented American Indian students, training for American Indian teachers and administrators and a Native American marrow recruitment project. He was a member of the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma and founding member of Norman First American United Methodist Church in Norman, Okla.
Stuart is survived by his significant other, Mary Ann Brittan of Oklahoma City; his daughter and husband, Keri and Jeffrey Parks of Oklahoma City; his daughter and husband, Ginny and John Underwood of Yukon, Okla.; four grandchildren, Rachel and Rebecca Parks; Avery and Alyssa Underwood; his brother and wife, T. Charles and Donna Tonemah; his sister and husband, Bess and Earl Yeahquo; and brother and wife, Harry and Polly Tonemah. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many wonderful friends. In addition to his parents, a sister, Alice Tonemah, and a brother, Quanah Tonemah, preceded him in death.
A Prayer Service will be held Saturday, February 14 at 6:00p.m. at the Norman First American United Methodist Church, 1950 Beaumont, Norman, OK 73071. The Wake Service will be held Sunday, February 15, at 6:00 p.m. at Huddleston's Funeral Home, 6210 Cache Road, Lawton, OK. Funeral Services will be Monday, February 16 ,at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 2602 N.W. Ferris, Lawton, OK. Interment will follow at Mt. Scott KCA Cemetery, SH 58, Lawton, OK.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Norman First American United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1950 Beaumont, Norman, OK
Stu Tonemah Left at NIEA Pow Wow Phoenix 2004 from the right of Stu is Lloyd Elm and Mary McDonnell, star of Dances with Wolves
Stu Tonemah right at NIEA Pow Wow Phoenix 2004
Stu Tonemah second from left top row among past Presidents and educators of the year at the Phoenix Convention and conference of the National Indian Education Association 2004. Left of Stu in the top row is David Beaulieu and to his right is Lionel Bordeaux, Bill Demmert Jr., Lorene Zah Bahe, Ken Ross, Sherry Ellison, Allen Tsinigine, seated, Left to right Cindy LeMarr, Robin Butterfield, Agnes Chavis, Yvonne Novack
