Mark Warren Downing

Mark Warren Downing was born on May 25th, 1948 in Ft. Smith, AR, the son of Leonard and Wilma (Crawford) Downing. He shared his home with one brother, Jim Harold. He attended and graduated from Henryetta High School and played football while there. He received recruitment letters from the University of Oklahoma to play football. He attended Oklahoma State University and transferred to Northeastern State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education. He taught special education for a few years before he began work with the Creek Nation under Chief Claude Cox. While serving the Creek Nation, Mark was instrumental in the development and creation of the Public Law 93-638 “the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act”, testifying before the United States Congress while still in his 20’s. He was responsible for the first tribal assumption of a health facility under the Law in 1979 in Okemah, OK. In his fight to ensure sovereignty of the tribes, Mark fought for Native healthcare and the rights of the tribes to establish gaming facilities. Following 13 years with the Creek Nation, Mark was recruited by Wilma Mankiller of the Cherokee Nation where he served as the Executive Director for six years overseeing the operations of the tribe. In 1991, Mark accepted a job with the US Department of Health and Human Services/ Indian Health Service. He first served as the executive advisor to the Area Director in the Phoenix area. He was recruited back to the Cherokee nation under the IPA agreement briefly in 1995 at the request of the tribe. In 1996, he returned to Phoenix AZ IHS, working as the Agency Lead Negotiators and the Director of the Office of Tribal Self Determination. In 2007, Mark was asked to write the instruction book the Agency Lead Negotiator still use today. Mark was the national expert regarding P.L.93-638 that he was involved in developing. He was also proud of his work as a Liaison to the Office of Inspector General working closely with the Federal Law Enforcement.

Mark met and married Sherry Masters in Tahlequah, OK, in 1967, and together they raised a family of three sons, Mark, Stacy and Ryan. Mark spent his early life in northeastern Oklahoma and loved the great outdoors, hunting and fishing. His true passion was the Oklahoma Sooners football team. He would watch for the new recruits to play for the Sooners while the kids were still in high school. The only topic that was greater than his love of the Sooners was his love for the Cherokee people and their heritage. He was the “unofficial” Cherokee family historian of the Downing Family. He was an exceptional person, intelligent, with the tenacity for doing and getting what he wanted. He loved to travel and spent time during his working years visiting much of the United Sates. After his retirement in 2014, Mark spent time traveling to Italy and Great Britain multiple times. His health began to fail him and he passed from this life on June 19th, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ, with the family he loved so much by his side. He was 75 years old and will be greatly missed.

Those that have gone on before him include his parents, Leonard and Wilma Downing.

He will be remembered by his loving wife, Sherry Masters Downing of the home and three sons, Mark Warren Downing II and wife Olga of Phoenix, AZ, Stacy Don Downing of Wagoner, OK and Ryan Keith Downing and wife Nedra of Highland Ranch, CO. His is survived by one brother, Jim Harold and wife Sharon of Okmulgee, OK, seven grandchildren, John, Hunter, Jacob, Jaiden, Jenae, Truman, and Annabel, six great grandchildren as well as a host of friends and loved ones.

Funeral services for Mark Warren Downing will be held on Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Funeral Home with Pastor Johnny Wagner officiating and speaker, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskins Jr. Cherokee Hymns will be performed by the Cherokee Nation Youth Choir. He will be laid to rest at New Home Cemetery in Peggs, OK

Pallbearers for Mark include Mark, Stacy, Ryan, Truman, Hunter, and Jacob.

His family will have a visitation Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Reed-Culver. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Downing family.