James Tiger

Prentice “James” Tiger, 73, longtime Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed away February 9, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born March 5, 1946 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma to parents Josie Mitchell and Naomi (Tiger) Mitchell.

He graduated from Central High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He grew up and spent most of his life in Hanna, Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was a member of the Creek Nation of Oklahoma. He married Leanna Tiger on May 28, 1971 at the Jefferson Heights Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

James served his country as a Scout Sniper in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War attaining the rank of Lance Corporal.

He received several awards during his time in the service including, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Expert Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

He still holds a record for the longest shot during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged and then transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve.

He took great pride in his patriotism and loved our country. James was a tire builder at Bridgestone Firestone and retired after 30 years of service to the company. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved the Lord with all his heart and before his illness, he worked in the children’s bus ministry at his church, Bowlegs Assembly of God.

James is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Leanna Tiger, his sons; James R. Tiger of Holdenville, Oklahoma and Mike Tiger and his wife Lorena of Seminole, Oklahoma, his daughter; Lisa Anne Tiger of Prague, Oklahoma, his sister; Jackie Mitchell of DeBerry, Texas, grandchildren; Michiah Johnson, Phoebe Tucker, Kaiden Johnson, James W. Tiger, Emma Tiger, Cy Tiger and Roxi Tiger and great grandchildren; Collin Tucker and Sylvie Tucker and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Naomi Mitchell and his father Josie Mitchell, his brother, Joe Mike “Bull” Mitchell and his father in law, Arthur Cranfield.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Bowlegs Assembly of God church in Bowlegs, Oklahoma with Pastor Roy Robertson officiating.

Burial will follow at Little Cemetery, north of Seminole with Larry Chesser officiating.

Casket bearers will be Donnie Dodson, James Tiger, Michiah Johnson, USMC Kaiden Johnson, Cy Tiger, James W. Tiger and USMC Kinny Tolbert.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Marine’s Toys for Tots at www.toysfortots.org or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.st.jude.org.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.