Daniel Craig Jennings, 73, passed away Friday, June 25, 2010 in Shawnee.

Dan Jennings, {Ka Ha tta} was born in Concho, Oklahoma on November 30, 1936.

His early years with his parents were on the old Quapaw Reservation in Ottawa county.

Dan was a star athlete at Marquette High School in Tulsa, and Northeastern State Teachers College in Tahlequah. He was also a tugboat captain for a petroleum company in his late teens and early twenties.

He served the 45th Infantry Oklahoma National Guard as a chaplain's and pharmaceutical assistant. He played semi-pro football for the Tulsa Wildcats until he was 34 years old.

In the Pow Wow world, he was known as a Champion Fancy Dancer in his younger years, as he aged he enjoyed Straight Dancing and Gourd Dancing. He served and was active on many tribal committees throughout his life. He was the first full time employee of the Sac and Fox Nation and his most recent community service was as Chairman of the Gaming Committee. He was recognized as the Sac and Fox Man of the Year while he was in his 60's. His proudest and most humble mission in life was as Bear Clan Chief and Ceremonial Helper, and Drum Service Society Belt Man for the Sac and Fox Nation. He helped innumerable tribal members with their Indian names, adoptions and funeral services.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Olene Baker Jennings and Edwin Cornelius Jennings {Pi Ta Ko a}; who met at Chilocco Indian School; and his younger brother, Donald Francis Jennings {Na Noch a Ho}.

He is survived by four daughters, Dawn, Dana, Daryl and Danielle.

He had six grandchildren, one great grandson, five nephews and three nieces. He also leaves two brothers, Dennis Robert and Michael Edwin and one sister, Mary Melissa Jennings.

He was ceremonially and spiritually adopted by the Hunter, Mack, McKosato, Wakolee and Big Bow Families. He leaves multiple sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nieces and nephews from these relationships.

His services will be Sunday evening at the McKosato Family Home.

Burial will be Monday morning at the Wakolee Cemetery, where at his request, he can be close to his grandmother Mamie, and his aunts, Pearl and Cecilia.

Published June 29, 2010.