Submitted by Family
Frank Louis Oberly Sr., 81, of Norman, Okla., departed this life on December 26, 2024.
Funeral will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Comanche Nation Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at Walters Cemetery. Viewing will be at Comanche Nation Funeral Home on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 4 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6 p.m.
Frank was born on March 22, 1943, in Lawton, Okla., to Eva Winnerchy Oberly and Acey Oberly Sr. He grew up in Walters, Okla., and was a 1961 graduate of Walters High School where he was the quarterback of the Blue Devils football team and led them to the state quarterfinals, the best finish in school history. Frank later graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1965 with a business administration and accounting degree. His love for OU sports, especially football and softball, remained a central part of his life.
After graduation, Frank moved to Las Vegas where he worked as an accountant for three years. It was during this time that his son, Sean, was born. He returned to Oklahoma and worked for Wolf & Co. accounting firm in Oklahoma City before founding his own firm, Frank L. Oberly, CPA, Inc. His firm provided accounting services to tribal nations, businesses, and organizations across Indian Country. Frank operated his firm for over 40 years until his retirement in 2014. The firm was a family business, with his brother Gary, hometown friend Edwin Akoneto, his son Sean, and his nephew Marty Seymour working alongside him among others.
Frank was deeply involved in several organizations, including serving as a founding member of the OU American Indian Alumni Society, a board member for the OU Alumni Association, a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, and chair of the Episcopal Council of Indigenous Ministries.
Frank was passionate about his Comanche and Osage heritage. He eagerly looked forward to setting up the Oberly Camp at Comanche Homecoming Powwow every year and served on the powwow committee to ensure a memorable experience for all attendees. He also participated in his Osage traditions, dancing at the annual InLonShka as a ZonZoLi committee member and he served as a whipman in the annual June dances. Frank served his people in tribal government as Secretary-Treasurer of the Comanche Nation, Treasurer of the Osage Nation, and Chairman of the Osage Nation Gaming Commission.
Frank was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John Oberly and Sarah Petsemoie; maternal grandparents, Casper Tissoyo and Nell Winnerchy; his father, Acey Oberly; his mother, Eva Winnerchy Oberly; and his siblings, Yvonne Wahahrockah, Jacqueline Seymour, Acey Oberly Jr., and John Tissoyo Oberly Sr. He is survived by his four siblings, Margaret Kelley, Martin Oberly, Gary Oberly, and Sara Oberly; and his three children, Sean Patrick Oberly, Jennifer Lauren Oberly Wolf, Franklin Louis “Hud” Oberly Jr., and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Walters Service Club in Frank’s memory.