Gordon Wade Tonips

Service: Funeral service 1 pm Tuesday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel. Visitation: The family will receive friends Sunday and Monday from 6 - 8 pm at the funeral home.

Gordon was born in 1950 around the Chilocco Indian School in Northern, OK where his Grandmother worked. He could almost always be found in the Art Department drawing, painting and sculpting while being immersed in Indian culture. He proudly served in the Air Force from 1969-1971, where his duty was officially in supply but he actually assisted the local General with all the needed artwork at the time.

Gordon met and married Tomazane Rains of Benbrook in 1973. After a few years working for the City of Ft. Worth in the Planning Dept. he struck out on his own. He and Tommye opened their own small printing company on the East side of Ft. Worth called Wampum Graphics, where he was heard to say "There is no money in it, but we are happy." After 19 years in the printing business his calling finally changed to his Indian roots and he began to explore his sculpting talents full-time. "When I began to turn my talents to Native American art, I was encouraged by the Comanche artist and flutist Doc. Tate Navaquaya who guided me to follow my dreams". When he told me, "If you want happiness, look in your own back yard." Thus I discovered these beautiful sandstone boulders and to my surprise they spoke to me with images of the ancient past. When I sculpt a stone, I travel into the past a thousand years and re-live the daily lives of the great people who built and lived in these sacred places. He and Tommye have two extraordinary children who are the light of their lives and they have their wonderful spouses and children whom he loved and was so very proud of. For the last fifteen years he was an award winning sculptor, painter, dancer, story teller and living history reenactor.

Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 38 years Tommye, son; Eric Tonips and wife Rachel, daughter; Ameé Bynum and husband Anthony. Eric's four children; Kelsi, Karli, Gavin and Kenli. Ameé's boys; Andrew and Colin Bynum. Mother; Almeta Tonips, sisters; Nina Taylor and Patty (Bea) Tonips. Niece; Melody Fischer and her son Garrett Fischer.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel & Cemetery, Fort Worth, TX.