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James Edward Kanuho, Sr. (Jimmy) was born in the spring of 1933 in a Hogon on the Navajo reservation, in Arizona and was called home by our Lord on July 13, 2024 in Tulsa, OK. Jimmy was delivered into this world by his maternal grandmother and had told his family that his actual date of birth was not recorded, but he would celebrate his birthday on April 14th.
Jimmy was the second oldest child of 7 born to Billy and Nadezbah Kanuho. Jimmy was full-blood Navajo and was a member of the Bigwater Clan (Tótsohnii) and was born to the Many Goats Clan (Tł’ízí Łání). His maternal grandfather was of the Edgewater Clan.
Jimmy attended Leupp Elementary school, and Keams Canyon Boarding School. He then went to Phoenix Indian School. After school he found work in a Kansas railyard in 1952 where he would later be drafted into the United States Army. He then went to basic training at Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas. Jimmy served 2 years in the United States Army and was stationed overseas in Korea where he was a Corporal in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery battalion and worked on “the big guns”. Jimmy was honorably discharged from the Army in 1954 in Illinois.
He then attended OSU Okmulgee Tech in Okmulgee, OK on the GI Bill to learn the printing trade.
It was at OSU Okmulgee Tech where he met the love of his life, Wanda. Jimmy married Wanda Lurae Goodfox in 1959 in Phoenix, Arizona and were lovingly married for 64 years. They had 3 children: Florissa Gail, James Edward, Jr., and David Keith.
Throughout Jimmy’s 91 years, he worked in many places. He put his printing certificate to use by working for the Cleveland American in Cleveland, Oklahoma and The Pawnee Chief in Pawnee, Oklahoma as a typesetter. Jimmy was employed by Indian Health Service at the Pawnee Indian Hospital in Pawnee as custodian in the Housekeeping Department. When the hospital closed and transitioned to Pawnee Indian Clinic, he transferred to the Claremore Indian Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma as Custodian in the Housekeeping Department. Jimmy then retired from the Indian Health Service after more than 20 years of service. Jimmy then went to work for the Pawnee Nation as Custodian and retired again after a short time. Jimmy was not one to sit idle. He soon went to work at Southern Oaks Nursing Home in Pawnee as Custodian and would soon retire for the last time.
Jimmy enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He attended all their ball games, plays and school programs. He could always be counted on to support his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in everything they did. He was also an avid Pawnee Black Bear fan and was honored with a lifetime pass to all ball games. Jimmy was also a big Oklahoma State University fan. Having spent two-thirds of his life in Pawnee, Jimmy has become a familiar figure among the Pawnee Nation. He enjoyed attending the Veteran’s dances and Homecoming along with handgames throughout the year. Many people within the community would enjoy visiting with him or be glad to be greeted with a warm smile and hello, he never met a stranger.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Wanda Lurae Goodfox Kanuho, his parents, Billy Kanuho and Nadezbah Kanuho, brother Kee Kanuho, and granddaughter Jessica Liane Howell.
Jimmy is survived by his children, Florissa Gail (Flora) and Keith Lyon’s, James Edward, Jr. (Buddy), and David Keith and wife Suzie. Grandchildren, Brandon Kanuho, Jack Jim, Jordan Kanuho and his wife Amanda, Jarred Kanuho, Jennae Kanuho, Jada Kanuho, and Edwin Littlecreek as well as 16 great-grandchildren. Jimmy is also survived by his brother Dean Kanuho and his 4 sisters Jessie Kanuho, Dolly Kanuho, Anna Lee Kanuho Livingston and Priscilla Kanuho Keyonnie.
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