RONALD D. FIXICO

Ronald D. Fixico, 51, of Sapulpa, passed away at St. John Sapulpa on Thursday, April 28, 2005. Ron was born July 25, 1953 in Shawnee to the Rev. and Mrs. John and Virginia Fixico, also of Sapulpa.

Ron graduated from Muskogee High School in 1971 where he played "old time" football as a Muskogee Rougher serving as a front lineman. A graduate of the Univeristy of Tulsa, Ron enjoyed playing intramural sports and served as the coach of the girls Powder Puff football team during the 1970s. He earned the nickname, "the Driller," from his friends who played softball with him, as well as the nickname "Vince" when they were playing football (a direct reference to Vince Lombardi's coaching style) as he often spoke words of inspiration to friends, family and others on several matters -- be it personal, academic or professional. While at T.U., Ron was also employed as an intake counselor at the Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center in Sand Springs as he was seeking a degree in criminal justice.

In 1985 when the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma began its Class 11 High Stakes Bingo operation, Ron served as a deputy in the Office of Public Gaming under the supervision of the late William E. Foster and the tribal administration of Chief Claude Cox. As one of two deputies, Ron helped to establish the satellite bingo operations in the various Creek districts which today have entered the Class III Casino-Style Gaming. While an employee of Creek Nation, Ron also founded the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Commission (now known as the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association) and served as its executive director.

During the 1980s, Ron was also invoved in the development of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma and served as its chairman. During the formative years of Class B Indian Gaming in Oklahoma, Ron was actively involved in helping the tribes of Oklahoma establish a coalition, lending his assistance and expertise in such matters as testifying before the U.S. Senate Subcommittees, enacting legislation pertaining to Indian gaming operations and initiating letter writing campaigns. As Ron stated: "I believe in the gaming industry that our tribal government has legislated. It's law . . . it's tribal law . . . it's a form of livelihood. There's nothing wrong with Indians taking care of their families." After leaving the Creek Nation, Ron also assisted the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma in their economic development efforts. His mother, Virginia L. Wakolee-Fixico, is a tribal member and is the great-great-great-granddaughter of the renowned Chief Black Hawk. During the 1990s, Ron served as the Chairman of the Sac and Fox Industrial Development Commission, but in 1997 he returned to the employment of the Creek Nation, upon request, to serve an interim period as the general manager of the Tulsa Bingo location and its satellite operations. Later, Ron was employed as a sales manager at WorldLink Gaming Corporation in Tulsa.

After returning to the Sapulpa community in 1998, Ron believed strongly in the rights and entitlements of his beloved Indian people. He was a member of the Sapulpa Indian Community and liked to attend the activities at the Community Center which his father co-founded. Ron was also a member of the Believers Baptist Church in Sapulpa. During his last years with us, Ron continued his love of reading autobiographies of various leaders, historical figures and Louis L'Amour novels. He also liked to watch well-known movies and help those who might be less fortunate -- whether it be with a gift of inpirational words or a small financial contribution. "Uncle Ron" especially loved spending time with and indulging his little nephew, Keytha, whom he loved dearly.

Ron is surrived by his parents the Rev. and Mrs. John and Virginia Fixico, of Sapulpa; his brother Donald L. Fixico, of Mesa, Ariz.; his younger brothers, Gerald L. Fixico, of Nashville; his sister Jo Anna Fixico, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; his niece Vanessa L. Fixico, of Provo, Utah; and his nephew, Keytha John Fixico, of Lawrence, Kan.

The Fixico family will recieve friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2005 at the Wesley Smith Funeral Home in Sapulpa. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at the Smith Funeral Chapel and interment will follow at South Heights Cemetery in Sapulpa. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Wesley Smith Funeral Home.