Jerry George Haney

Jerry George Haney, 89, of Shawne, OK died in his home surrounded by family, on August 15th, 2024. 

Jerry was born Dec. 31st, 1934, in Haney, Oklahoma, 12 miles Northeast of Seminole, OK, on the Seminole Nation Reservation. He is the fifth of eight children and was the last living child, of Winey and Wiley Haney.

Jerry started school at Haney School, located on the Haney Family's allotted land. At this time, he was taught solely in his native language, Seminole (Muskogee), at the age of 5, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) removed him from the Haney Community and sent him to the Euchee Indian Mission Boarding School, in Sapulpa, OK. Jerry stayed at boarding school until his sophomore year when he moved back home and started at Strothers High School where he graduated in 1953. While at Strothers, he met his future wife, Barbara Anne Smith (Haney).

Jerry and Barbara wed, on May 3rd, 1956, and were married for 68 years, until his passing. They had 5 children, Terri Denise Haney, of Shawnee, OK, Tammi Michelle James, of Shawnee, OK, Michael Lance Haney, of Little, OK, Gregory Scott Haney, of Shawnee, OK, and Ranea Haney, who passed away at 7 months of age. They have ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

After graduation, Jerry joined the military, in 1954, enlisting in the U.S. Army. Jerry was part of the 11th Airborne Division. Jerry was stationed in Europe for 4 years. In 1959, Jerry became part of the elite 9th Special Forces group, after qualifying as a parachutist, jump master, and infantry. The 9th Special Forces would later become the 12th Special Forces Green Beret, started by President JFK. Jerry retired from the military in 1980, as a Master Sergeant and retired from the civil services in 1988, spending that time at Tinker Airforce Base. Jerry served most of his time on the 12-man A-Team, which he says, “Was the most exciting time of being a Green Beret. There was never a dull moment.”

In 1989, Jerry ran for Principal Chief of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma serving three consecutive terms, from 1989 to 2003. During his tenure the Seminole Nation Travel Plaza, casinos, and multiple community centers and tribal buildings were constructed and that are still in use today. While Chief, Jerry became President of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, serving with other noted tribal leaders. His time on Inter-Tribal and as Principal Chief allowed him to fight for Tribal Sovereignty nationally, having the privilege of meeting three Presidents, in the Oval Office.

After retiring from the military, civil service, and as Principal Chief, Jerry became an artist - which runs deep in the veins of the Haney Family. His detailed wood and stone sculptures can be found in museums and private collections nationwide. Of note, Jerry commemorated his military background and sculpted Native busts of the five branches of the military, which can be seen at the Florida Seminole Veteran’s Museum.

Aside from raising his family, and leading his tribe, one of his proudest moments was organizing the world-renowned, Seminole Nation Honor Guard, which has been honoring veterans since 1986. He served as the First Commander of the Honor Guard, which was the first Native American Honor Guard in the country.

A wake service will Monday, August 19, 2024, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.

Services will be Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at the Seminole First Baptist Church, with Pastor Dan Factor officiating. Interment will follow at Little Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole.