Theodore "Eddie" Edward Iron

Theodore Edward Iron (Eddie) was born in Pawnee, OK on November 27, 1947 to Theodore Iron (Crow Nation) and Daisy Chapman Iron Miller (Pawnee Nation). He stepped into eternity on December 20, 2024 surrounded by loved ones in Tulsa, OK. Eddie was an enrolled tribal member of the Crow Nation, a child of the Ties the Bundle Clan of the Crow Nation and a member of the Kitkehaki Band of the Pawnee Nation. Although he lived in various locations while growing up, he primarily grew up in the Pawnee area and graduated from Pawnee High School in 1966. In pursuit of higher education, he moved to San Jose, CA to attend technical college and completed his first year. His education was interrupted when he was drafted to serve our country during the Vietnam War. Eddie enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. During his tenure he was stationed on the US Aircraft Carrier, Bon Homme Richard. He served in the highly respected Marine Detachment that provided security on the ship. Eddie achieved the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged after 3 years of service in September 1970. He was especially proud to have served his country and received the following honors and awards: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Rifle Expert Eddie spent his working life as a Technical Draftsman and retired from Baker Hughes in Claremore, OK after 18+ years. Eddie married Louise (Vance) Iron on December 21, 1967. In the 70’s and 80’s they resided in Colorado while raising their two children, Gina Iron and Gayla Iron. Eddie later married Delia Ruth (Decotaugh) Iron and they resided in Tulsa, OK. He welcomed her adult children, Lawrence, Ronald, and Rhonda Chase and Michelle H. and their children. With a spirit of adventure and a love of the outdoors, you could find Eddie engaged in one his favorite activities like riding his Harley motorcycle on a trip across the US to a Harley rally, off-road riding on his 4-wheelers with friends and family, elk hunting with his beloved dog Rocky, camping in the Rocky Mountains, or posted up in his recliner cheering on his favorite football team, the OU Sooners! Eddie was a Southern Straight dancer and enjoyed dancing and attending Pow-Wows. He was a proud tribal member and spent time reading and studying Crow history, Pawnee history and Native American history in general. He was a gifted storyteller and always captured the ears of those listening whether scary, funny, historical, or remembering the good times. During his life, he continued to make regular trips to the Crow Reservation to attend Crow Fair with his family and spend time with his Crow relatives. While there he enjoyed Crow Fair, visiting Custer battlefield, teaching his children and his grandchildren about Crow ways, and telling the story of Custer’s last stand. Eddie attended Victory Christian Church in Tulsa, OK with his wife Ruth. He loved spending time with all his family, and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include his wife Ruth Iron; daughter Gina Iron; daughter Gayla Iron and her husband Dustin West; grandchildren Lesley Iron-Stafford, Nicole Bulman, Chase Holmes, Justin McCowan, Sierra Holmes; great grandchildren Sophia and Alexander Castillo, Oliver and Daisy Stafford; siblings Janice (Iron) Fields, Kenneth Miller Jr., and Kimberly (Miller) Kowena. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted Iron and Daisy Miller, sister Cheryl Iron, and brother Bob Iron.