Johnny Lee Tonihka

Johnny Lee Tonihka passed from this life on Monday, June 15, 2015 in Oklahoma City, OK at the age of 69 years and 17 days. Johnny was born on May 29, 1946 in Talihina, OK to Ennie Tonihka. Johnny married Barbara Sue Shomo February 11, 1971 in Idabel, OK. Johnny attended the Jones Academy in Hartshorne and Okmulgee Tech and worked as a watch repairman. He proudly served his Country in the United States Army from March 18, 1966 until his Honorable Discharge in February 28, 1968. He and his family moved to Durant 35 years ago from Norman, OK and he was a member of the Grace Indian Baptist Church and a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Johnny was full of life and his greatest joy in life was his family and friends. He was an avid OU and New England Patriots fan and enjoyed playing cards. He loved to joke and laugh and made friends wherever he went. He was a caring father and grandfather and always cheered on his children in their sports. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, Ennie and Lee Cusher; brothers, Kenneth Ray Tonihka, Alfred G. Cusher and Lee Cusher Jr.; nephew, Michael D. Cusher; nieces, Neko Dodson and Taloa Noley and brother in law, Ricky Smithson. Johnny leaves to cherish in memory, his wife Barbara Tonihka of Broken Bow, OK; children, Adrienne Gregory and husband David of Durant, OK, Annette Choate and husband Russell of Broken Bow, OK, Johnny Tonihka Jr. and wife Kayla of Davis, OK and Jeremy (Bear) Tonihka of Davis, OK; grandchildren, Ashlyn Byington and husband Blayne and Brooklyn Choate; brothers, Elias Pete Cusher and wife Annette of Broken Bow, OK and Eddie Cusher of McAlester, OK; sisters, Ada Smithson of Dallas, TX, Myrtle Williston of Idabel, OK, Sharon Noley and husband Grayson of Norman, OK, Sue Dodson of Broken Bow, OK; brother-in-law Charles Griffin and wife Geirgie of Arkansas and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends. A celebration of Johnny’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, June 19th at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant, OK. Rev. Richard Pickup will officiate. Interment will be in Denison Cemetery in Idabel, OK with David Gregory, Russell Choate, Blayne Byington, Robert Shawn Tonihka, Kenneth Tonihka, Gary Jackson, Robert Smith and Albert Curtis. Honorary pallbearers will be Roy Larney, Pete Cusher, Eddie Cusher and Eugene Cusher. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, Durant. PDF Printable Version

Johnny Lee Tonihka

May 29, 1946 - June 15, 2015