By Chapman-Black Funeral Home
Dudley Paul Whitehorn, 86, passed from this life to his Heavenly home surrounded by his family on February 18, 2022, at his home in Hominy.
Dudley was born on May 30, 1935, in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The son of Samuel W. and Hattie Marie (Keener) Whitehorn. Dudley grew up on Sycamore Creek on the family’s original allotment west of Hominy. Later moving into town during his teenage years. Dudley graduated from Hominy High School with the Class of 1953. He was very active in sports, especially basketball and football and excelled in both. Dudley was a true dedicated Hominy Buck serving many years as Booster Club President.
On July 26, 1954, Dudley was united in marriage to Joyce Laurell Duncan in Hominy. Dudley and Joyce made their home in Hominy where they raised their three beautiful daughters and son. Dudley worked many years as a rancher and farmer on the family property on Sycamore Creek. Starting in the mid-1970’s Dudley worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for several years, he later worked for United Community Action Program before accepting a position with Osage Nation as the business manager. In 1994, Dudley was elected Vice President of the Osage National Council. In 2002, he was elected to the 31st Osage Tribal Council then in 2010, Dudley was elected and served as chair of the Second Osage Minerals Council. During that time Dudley held the chairman position of the Osage Trust Settlement Team. Dudley was very honored and proud of his role in leading the negotiation process of the historic “Highest Posted Price Settlement,” which was the largest settlement with a single Native American tribe in U.S. history. During the time involved with the settlement, Dudley Whitehorn said that many Osages had called him, friends and relatives, asking him whether or not they were actually going to receive a settlement payment. He said some were sick, or some had waited so long and seen loved ones die waiting for the outcome of the case. He assured them it was true.
Hunting, fishing and being with family were some of Dudley’s favorite things. He also loved traveling with his wife Joyce; Colorado was one of their most frequented places. Dudley served as a youth and senior men Sunday school teacher for many years. He also served as a Deacon for the First Baptist Church in Hominy where he was a member for many years.
Survivors include his four children, Joni Bost and husband Chigger of Hominy; Cindy Dunlap and her husband Mike of Hominy; Maria Whitehorn and her husband Randy Powell of Hominy; Anthony Whitehorn and his wife Jamie of Owasso, Okla.; sister Frances Kilpatrick of Hominy; eleven grandchildren, Kristi Bost, Joshua Bost, Erin Koscheki, Juli Sparks, Elizabeth Orf, Mary Owens, Whitney Whitehorn-Ross, Mason Powell, Andrew Powell, Anthony James Whitehorn; six great-grandchildren, Karson, Dex, Layla, Major, Hadlie, Krew as well as a host of other relatives and friends that will mourn his passing. Dudley was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, parents Samuel and Hattie Whitehorn, and grandson Jason Dunlap.
Visitation for Dudley will be held at the Whitehorn Residence in Hominy on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Hominy with Rev. Mark Formby officiating the services. Burial will be held privately in the Whitehorn Cemetery on Sycamore Creek. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Dudley at www.chapman-black.com.
