Thomas Studie

Thomas was not only a beloved father, husband, and grandfather but also an original speaker of the Cherokee language, a storyteller, and a knowledge holder. A disabled Vietnam Veteran, he remained humble in the many ways he used his life to serve others. A survivor of the boarding school era, Thomas made sure his family understood Cherokee history and remained proud in their rich Cherokee culture. He was the inspiration for his daughter DeLanna’s international one-woman show, “And So We Walked,” where he served as a guide as they both retraced the Trail of Tears. Because of his love for his culture, fluency in Cherokee, and traditional knowledge, Mr. Studie acted as a consultant on numerous television shows, movies, staged plays, and video games.

Mr. Studie was a machinist at Baldor Electric for over 30 years. This experience led Thomas to found Razorform Tools with his daughter and his good friends John and Jim Gardner. He was a brilliant inventor who loved creating.

Mr. Studie also served on the Liberty School Board for many years while his children were there. He was instrumental in changing how Native Americans were depicted in schoolbooks and curricula.

While he was the father of two daughters, DeLanna Studi and Karen Williams, he was known affectionately by his grandsons Blayn Studie, Kason Hoyt, and Tristan Williams, and by his many chosen children as Papa Tom.

He is survived by his wife, daughters, grandchildren, and his sister Katie Mahaney, four brothers Larry and Diane Chunestudy, Johnny and Lynette Studie, Jimmy and Sherry Studie, and Frankie Studie, and his wife’s family Barbara and Joe Lee, Wayne and Ella Fern Riggs, Lonnie and Twila Younger, Bruce and Jan McQuain, and Ann Weaver.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Lucille Samples and Esther Studie.

Active Pallbearers will be Blayn Studie, Kason Hoyt, Michael Lister, Barry Linduff, J.J. Barton, Anthony Boggs and Colton Lister.