Jimmy Hummingbird

Jimmy (Jim) Jack "Nick" Hummingbird passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2016 in Tahlequah, OK surrounded by his family at the age of 74 years, 10 months and 26 days.

Jim was born on April 12, 1941 in Stilwell, OK and was raised in the Peavine Community where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Katie Sue Ketcher, on April 12, 1961. He supported his family working various factory jobs until he graduated from Northeastern State College in 1971 with a double degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Jim began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 1971 as a Loan Officer at the Tahlequah agency.

He was promoted and transferred to the Cherokee, NC agency in 1974 where he served as the Credit and Loan Officer for 10 years. In 1984, was again promoted to Area Credit Officer for the BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional office and he and his family relocated back to Stilwell. Jim retired in 2005 after 34 years with the BIA.

Throughout his professional career and retirement, Jim was a dedicated civil servant having served on numerous boards including: the Eastern Oklahoma Development District; the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission from its inception, being appointed by Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller and serving as Chairman during his last four years; Stilwell City Council for Ward 3, appointed as councilman for a partial term then elected for four more terms, having also served as President.

In addition to spending time with family, Jim enjoyed many hobbies and interests including golfing, fishing, hunting, doing crossword puzzles and above all else, mowing the lawn. He also enjoyed being the caretaker of the Ketcher Family Cemetery and the Blackwood Cemetery in Peavine.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Glorena "Yetch" (Crittenden) Doyle, his father, Raymond Hummingbird, his sister Myrna Sue "Susie" (Hitcher) Shell, his special uncle Stanley Hummingbird, and an infant daughter.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Katie Sue, son JD Hummingbird and wife Kara of Artesia, NM, daughter Dana Noel and husband Shawn of Stilwell, OK, son Jamie Hummingbird and wife Tonnette of Tahlequah, OK, brothers Vernon, Willie and Pete Hitcher, nine grandchildren, Lia, Tara, Drake, Nicholas, Joshua, Kelsi, Kerrigan, Lauren and Lance, two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Jacob, and many relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to: National Indian Women's Health Resource Center, 228 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464. Donations should include a memo to: Cancer Support Group - Jim Hummingbird.

Visitation

Hart Funeral Home
1400 W. Locust
Stilwell, OK  74960
Monday, March 7, 2016
1 pm - 8 pm

Service

Funeral

Hart Funeral Home
1400 W. Locust
Stilwell, OK  74960
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
10 am

Cemetery

Stilwell City Cemetery
Cemetery Road
Stilwell, OK  74960

Memorial Contributions

National Indian Women's Health Resource Center, (Cancer Support Group)
228 S. Muskogee Ave.
Tahlequah, OK  74464