Leon Harjo

Jonase “Leon” Harjo, 60 year old lifelong Maud, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on Monday, December 14, 2015 at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He was born June 8, 1955 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to parents Jonases “Smokey” Harjo and Mary Ellen (Scott) Harjo. Leon graduated from Maud High School and went on to continue his education at Seminole Junior College.  He also attended an automotive trade school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Leon was a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (the Newcomber Band). On August 6, 2002 Leon married Lurlie Ann (Bolen) Sockey in Van Buren, Arkansas. Leon had worked in the Maud area for Furman’s Red Bud Grocery Store and later for Buck’s Quick Stop. Leon was a current member of Sand Creek Baptist Church near Wewoka, Oklahoma where he served as a deacon.  Leon had also served as a deacon at Achena Presbyterian Church in Maud and at Rock Springs Church in Sasakwa, Oklahoma. Leon would often sing with many area Church Choral groups. He was also a born and bred Oklahoma Sooners Fan. Leon was also well known for selling “football squares” to many people in the town of Maud.  Maud was his home town, and Leon was loved by many, he will truly be missed. Survivors include one step-daughter, Alice Jane Darrough and her husband, Jerry of St. Louis, Oklahoma; one step-son, Tom Sockey of Allen, Oklahoma; four sisters, Joanna Harjo and her husband, Curtis Gentry of Konawa, Oklahoma; Jeannette Harjo-Codd and her husband, George Codd of Staten Island, New York, Toni Harjo of Seminole, Oklahoma, Tiffany Harjo of Seminole, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law, Albert Curly of Maud, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews, Jacob Harjo, Keera Barber, Jeremiah Harjo, Joshua Phelps, Keelan and Elizabeth Paschal, The Tribe, Christian Harjo, Hunter Codd; and a host of other family and dear friends as well as his beloved dog, Brandy. Leon is preceded in death by his father, Jonases “Smokey” Harjo, who died in 1989; by his mother, Mary Harjo, who died in 2000; by his grandfather, Lee Harjo, who died in 1986; by his wife, Lurlie Ann Sockey Harjo, who died Jan. 19, 2008; by three sisters, Rosie Anita Harjo, who died June 28, 2009, Rita (Harjo) Phelps Harris, who died Aug. 2, 2012, Kathie Jean (Harjo) Hurst, who died Oct. 16, 2011; by one brother, Randy Harjo who died, March 13, 2013; and by one niece, Angel Rachelle Harjo, who died April 13, 2015. Leon will lie in state at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole until the body is taken to Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015. A wake service will be held at Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015. Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 19, 2015 at Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church near Wewoka, Oklahoma.  Interment will follow at the Harjo Family Cemetery with Rev. Houston Tiger and Jimsey Harjo officiating the service. Casket Bearers will be: Herman Foster, Skip Foster, Randy Horn, Terry Walker, Christian Harjo, Pollo Gonzalez and Jimmy Dean Harjo. Honorary Bearers will be: Buddy Dodson, Jacob Harjo, Bumby Harjo, Hunter Codd and Daniel Grier. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: December 19, 2015, 1:30 PM