Ada —

 

Proud to represent his Chickasaw and Oklahoma heritage, Overton Martin “Buck” Cheadle, lived his life as an example of the values of his heritage.  Born near Milburn, Oklahoma, on January 19, 1919, the son of Tom and Mary Ethel Cheadle, and the grandson of Martin Van Buren and Mary Vera Cheadle, Overton knew from an early age that hard work and helping other people were the basis of his life.  He grew up on the family’s land on the Blue River between Tishomingo and Milburn, Oklahoma.  He left this world on May 13, 2010, at Ada, Oklahoma.

A physically strong young man, he excelled at athletics, particularly baseball and basketball,  and at the age of fourteen, he left home to attend Chilocco Indian School.  Chilocco teams traveled the plains defeating much larger schools with Overton Cheadle as captain of his teams.  The rigors of Chilocco challenged his mind and he took full advantage of his education, having recognized the importance of an education to accomplish his life goals.  He then earned athletic scholarships to Murray State College, 1939 - 1941, Oklahoma City University, 1941 - 1942 and Oklahoma Teachers College, (now the University of Central Oklahoma), 1942 - 1943 where he graduated with a teaching degree.  He later earned a Master's Degree in guidance and counseling from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1968.

In baseball, Overton was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1940; however, World War II sidelined that career opportunity and Overton joined the U.S. Navy.  While in the Navy, Overton “pushed boots” and rehabilitated sailors wounded in service.  He also played on the Navy athletic teams.

After serving his country, he returned to Oklahoma to teach and coach in Marlow where his son Robert Martin was born.  Leaving Oklahoma for Iowa in 1947, Overton  began to be known as “Buck,” a nickname provided by the people of Roland, Iowa, a moniker to symbolize his Native heritage, and personify his square-jawed, strong and quiet persona.  Much like the movie “Hoosiers,” Coach Buck Cheadle made headlines all over the country when the team from tiny Roland, the Rockets, led by their star Gary Thompson, electrified the state with their winning ways.  Gary Thompson went on to become an All-American at Iowa State University, a professional player with the Phillips Sixty Sixers, a basketball announcer and an author.  In his book Gary Thompson, All American, Thompson graciously stated that coach Cheadle made him the player he was and the person he became.

 Robert was joined by siblings Thomas Clark, Maryalice and Ruth Elizabeth while living in Iowa.  Buck did not let the demands of coaching and teaching interfere with the responsibility and joy of being a father to all four children.  The children benefitted from their father’s conviction that education and hard work would provide a good life.  He coached many of his sons’ teams and was able to bring a team back to Oklahoma to play in the Colt League World Series in 1963.  Besides his son Robert on the team and son Thom as batboy, the team included Gene Lamont who later became a successful major league player, coach and manager.

Cheadle retired from coaching in Pekin, Iowa, in 1974, the year he married his loving wife Helen.  He retired from guidance and counseling at East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma, in 1984, where he had been the Indian Counselor for 10 years.  Cheadle was recognized by the State of Iowa when he was inducted into the Iowa High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 1984.  He was inducted into the Chilocco Indian School Hall of Fame in 1984, the first individual to be so recognized, and the Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame in 1994.  He was also inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Pride in 2004.

Cheadle served the Chickasaw Nation in many capacities both during and after his teaching and coaching careers.  He was a member of the Tribal Counsel, 1975 - 1979 and was elected as Legislator, 1979 - 1986.  He was Chairperson of the Chickasaw Tribal Legislature for three years.  He served on the Carl Albert Indian Hospital Governing Board until his death.

Overton is survived by his loving wife Helen who gave him unending love and support throughout their marriage, son Robert and wife Darlene, Ada, Oklahoma, daughter Maryalice and Doug Gaskell, Chantilly, Virginia, daughter Liz Nelson, Willmar, Minnesota, sister Julia Byrd, Ada, Oklahoma, sister Frances Bean, Wayland, Iowa, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and his son Thom.

Services will be held at the Chickasaw Community Center in Ada, Oklahoma on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 11:00 am.  Interment will follow at Condon Grove Cemetery, Tishomingo, Oklahoma.  Chickasaw Honor Guard will perform the military rites.  Rather than sending flowers, please consider honoring him by assisting a scholarship fund in his name established by the Chickasaw Foundation.