Amos Harjo

Amos Harjo, 82, of Oklahoma City, OK, passed away on October 7, 2025, from complications of a stroke in 2024. He was of the Tallahassee Band and Bird Clan, Seminole and Mvskoke.
Amos Harjo was born August 14, 1943, in Tahlequah, OK, at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital, the only child of both Marie Carr and Albert Lee Harjo. In 1946, Marie Carr died of complications from Tuberculosis and physical assault. Albert Lee Harjo, absent from Amos’s infancy, had joined the military, leaving Amos with Marie’s family, Marty Beaver (aka Robert Carr). In 1947, the remaining family abandoned Amos at the Murrow Indian Children's Home at Bacone College in Muskogee, OK. Alice Joseph taught Amos to speak English while encouraging him to use his Muscogee language. Duane and Phylis Holm were his cottage parents at Murrow. His influences throughout his youth and into adulthood were the President of Bacone College, Dr. Roger Gertz, and his wife, Mrs. Roger Gertz. It was there that, although never adopted, Amos was raised with peers and cottage sister Larratta Holt Weaver. His lifelong best friend, Jack Getz, as well as Elizabeth Walters Higgins, Murrow Administrator, and her siblings, Virginia, Don, and Roger Striud. Annette Anderson, Amos's business professor at Bacone College, was instrumental in guiding Amos into higher education.
Amos excelled as an athlete, always popular, graduating from Muskogee Central High School in 1962. Amos attended Bacone College, earning a degree in education, and then went on to Central State University (University of Central Oklahoma), where he obtained a Master's Degree in education. Amos taught throughout his professional career, serving in many leadership roles as an advisor. He was a board member for the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. Executive Director for the Oklahoma Indian Health Board, worked for the American Indian Training and Employment Program, and the Cherokee Nation- Talking Leaves Job Corp. He was most recently proud of supporting his granddaughters in their homeschool education until 2024.
Amos Harjo married Marcelle Sharron Athone on May 25, 1968, at Bacone Chapel in Muskogee, OK. Amos and Sharron met while students, married for 58 years, and resided in Oklahoma City, OK. The couple had one daughter, Tahnee Marie Ahtoneharjo. Amos was well known for being an attentive father and husband, taking Tahnee on his runs and training, supporting his daughter as a ballet and powwow dancer, and supporting Sharron’s art career.
They often traveled for road races, powwows, and art shows while working as public school teachers. Amos was frequently involved in the Indian basketball and softball tournament circuit. Making many friends across Indian country, his teams often led them to championships, with trophies, medals, and plenty of jokes and funny stories to tell the generations to come.
Amos was a transplant recipient undergoing three cornea transplants in his lifetime. Although he often struggled with his eyesight, he was always thankful for the gift of sight and advocated for organ recipients and donors.
Amos especially loved running. He ran every day until his recent health issues in 2024. He was a member of the OKC Landrunners and a founding member of the Oklahoma Indian Running Club. In 1984, Amos entered his first road race, the Andy Payne, as a dare. He continued to run in the Dallas Whiterock Marathon and the Red Man Triathlon. Amos went on to run and qualify for the Boston, Chicago, and New York City marathons. His hometown event was his favorite, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Amos was also known as a track and field coach for high school and college athletes and as a timekeeper for the University of Oklahoma Track and Field teams and the Summer Olympics.
Favorite memories of Amos were his dependability and generosity to others. A prayerful man, he was devout in his faith. He loved gardening and working on his lawn daily. In Oklahoma City, many knew him as Famous Amos, who was always ready to tell a good joke, give someone a laugh, or lend a hand. Many of Tahnee’s classmates remember the days when Mr. Harjo would entertain the school bus kids and race the bus, running to the stop sign to beat the driver. Amos had two rescue dogs, Simmie and Daisy, whom he cared for dearly.
His love and care for his only child, Tahnee, his son-in-law, George Growingthunder, and his granddaughters, Gracelynn and Georgeanne. In the traditional Indian way, Amos and Sharron devoted “little brother” love and care to Phillip Conrad Bread (aka Brother).
Amos’s family wants to express their special thanks and acknowledge lifelong friends Mike Tosee, Jack Getz, Harding Ahtone, Kent Frates, and his family—a special thank you to his care team at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.
Preceding Amos in death are his mother, Mare Carr, and father, Albert Lee Harjo.
A celebration of life will be held on October 24, 2025, at 2 pm at the Muscogee Creek Nation Resource Center.
Memorial donations in Amos Harjo’s memory may be directed to Murrow Indian Children’s Home.