Johnny “John” Emmett Canoe, 75, of Kingston, Okla., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, at his home in Kingston. He was born May 21, 1944, in Clinton, Okla., to the late Roger Canoe and Olga Whiteshield Canoe. John was raised in Clinton and attended Chilocco Indian Boarding School.
He joined and served for a time in the United States Army before being called home for family hardship. John moved to Madill and worked as a welder and a seismographer before working as a jailer. In 1987, he graduated from C.L.E.E.T. and worked as a police officer in Oakland, Okla.
John married Phyllis Clark on Jan. 22, 1988, in Whitesboro, Texas. In 1989, started working for Kingston Police Department and retired as Chief of Police after 28 years.
John attended the Kingston First Baptist church and his greatest love was being with his family. In his early years, John enjoyed coaching his son’s baseball teams and watching the kids grow up. John also enjoyed fishing, hunting, making Indian crafts and going to craft shows.
He is survived by wife: Phyllis Canoe, Kingston, Okla.; children: Benny Canoe, Joshua, Texas; Pam Canoe, Jacksonville, Fla., Tippy Canoe, Fort Worth, Texas; Tyler Bridgeman and husband, John, Kingston, Okla.; David McIntyre, Thomas, Okla.; Jennifer Tyler, Cashmere, Wash.; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren
John was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents who raised him and great granddaughter: Hope Hilburn.
Visitation was Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Watts Funeral Home, Kingston, Okla., from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a family hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Services were 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, at the at the KMAC, Kingston, Okla. Steve Beebe officiated the service. Music was arranged by Johnny Cox and Ataya and Casey Hilburn. Interment was at the Kingston Cemetery, Kingston, Okla.
Casket bearers were: Kingston Police Department.
Honorary casket bearers were: Bruce Schultz, Joe Sebourn, Johnny Cox, Scott Brown, John Caraway, Jim Dowling, Eddie Bohanan, Eldon Matthews and Brian Brister.
Services were under the direction of Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Madill, Okla. Condolences may be sent to wattsfuneralhome.com.