Fowler, Hilton, Colbert, Meeks, Parker to enter Chickasaw Hall of Fame
This article appeared in the August 2020 edition of the Chickasaw Times
Governor Bill Anoatubby on July 2 announced the five Chickasaw citizens who will be inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame.
Retired Chickasaw tribal legislator Tim Colbert, Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks and former tribal judge and legislator Ron Parker will receive the honor in person during a ceremony to be scheduled at a later date. Lillian Blackwood Fowler and John L. Hilton will be inducted posthumously.
Mrs. Fowler was a pioneer of vital programs that became benchmarks of the tribe’s commitment to its citizens. Mr. Hilton dedicated his life to the service of the Chickasaw people and the growth of the Chickasaw Nation.
Lillian Blackwood Fowler (1919 – 2004)
Lillian Blackwood Fowler faithfully served the Chickasaw Nation as a pioneer of vital programs that became benchmarks of the tribe’s commitment to its citizens.
She was born in Antioch, Oklahoma, the eldest daughter of Bryant Blackwood and Malinda Blackwood (Gibson), an original enrollee. She attended Bloomfield Academy and Chilocco Indian School. She left school, and later earned her GED diploma in 1977 at age 57.
Mrs. Fowler raised six children in a modest setting, working various jobs, including in a school cafeteria, assembly line and restaurants. Her diverse work experience would serve her well during her time with the Chickasaw Nation.
Her dedication was a major contributor to the early success of the Community Health Representative (CHR) program. She was one of only three CHRs after the program’s founding in 1969. As a CHR, she empathized with Chickasaw citizens, especially Chickasaw elders. She established relationships with those she served and helped give voice their needs.
One of the most critical requirements she identified was providing quality nutrition to Chickasaws. She accepted the challenge of becoming the Chickasaw Nation’s first nutrition specialist. The position, supported by a federal grant, enabled her to serve citizens living in all counties within the tribal boundaries. Her success laid the foundation for what has become an indispensable service for Chickasaws today.
Mrs. Fowler was proud of her service and her tribe. Her spirit of giving has been embodied in the Chickasaw Foundation’s Lillian Fowler Memorial Scholarship.
Her service to the community was recognized in 2005 with the dedication of the Lillian Blackwood Fowler monument at the Pauls Valley Senior Center.
John L. Hilton (1952 – 2008)
John L. Hilton dedicated his life to the service of the Chickasaw people and the growth of the Chickasaw Nation. He was instrumental in the funding of programs that continue to benefit Chickasaws today.
Born in 1952 in Ada, Oklahoma to John Mitchell Hilton and Ruby Lee Miller Hilton, Mr. Hilton graduated from Byng High School in 1970. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from East Central University and began working for the Chickasaw Nation in 1979. His career started as a grant writer, then as a planner for grants and contracts, section head and finally director of planning.
His efforts directly contributed to the establishment of the Chickasaw Nation Roads Program, which allowed the tribe to contract for the construction of its own roadways. He assisted Chickasaws with direct services, including disaster relief, home repairs and emergency aid.
In 1987, Mr. Hilton was appointed special assistant to Gov. Bill Anoatubby, a position he maintained until his passing. His resourcefulness and compassion reflected in his work ensuring Chickasaw Nation programs were properly funded and supported.
He served as president of the Indian Tribes Community Development Association, a non-profit organization addressing community development block grants needs for improving housing conditions and boosting economic development in First American communities.
Tim Colbert
Tim Colbert served on the Chickasaw Tribal Council and the Chickasaw Legislature representing Chickasaw people in the Tishomingo District for an unprecedented 12 consecutive terms, spanning four decades. During this time, he also served as associate district judge for Murray, Johnston, Marshall and Love counties in Oklahoma.
Mr. Colbert was born April 9, 1950 in Oklahoma City to Chickasaw Hall of Famer, the Honorable George Dixie Colbert and Ruby Colbert. He was raised in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1968.
He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and his juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University in 1976. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1976, and is a charter member of the Chickasaw Bar Association. In 1979, he was elected to the Chickasaw Tribal Council District 5, and then the new Chickasaw Tribal Legislature in 1983.
As a member of the legislature, he served on the health care and commerce committees. He retired in 2019, following 40 years as a Chickasaw legislator.
Mr. Colbert served the Murray County community as a member and volunteer at St. Francis Catholic Church, Dougherty Volunteer Fire Department, Murray County Bar and Chickasaw Bar Association.
Rear Adm. Kevin Meeks
Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks was instrumental in the management and improvement of Indian Health Service (IHS) in Oklahoma and across the country during his 32-year career in the United States Public Health Service. Rear Adm. Meeks, born in 1958 and raised in Byng, Oklahoma, earned a bachelor’s degree from East Central University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Oklahoma.
His career began in 1987 in South Dakota where he served as an Environmental Health Specialist. In 1989 he transferred to Claremore, Oklahoma followed by an assignment to the Alaska Area IHS. In 1995, he was transferred to Oklahoma City to work within the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering (OEHE) and to represent the Area in Tribal self-governance negotiations. From 1995 to 2009, he fulfilled various management positions in the Oklahoma City Area Office, including Assistant Associate Director of OEHE, Environmental Health Services Branch Chief, and Associate Director of OEHE. In 2007, he was selected as the Southeast Regional Commissioned Corps Liaison, providing personnel services to more than 300 officers assigned to the Oklahoma City, Nashville, and Albuquerque areas.
Rear Adm. Meeks served as the Area Director of the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service from 2009 to 2017. As the Area Director, he was the senior federal official responsible for the provision of comprehensive health care services to one of the largest and most diverse service populations in IHS. He was ultimately promoted to the IHS Deputy Director of Field Operations in 2017, where he directed 12 IHS Area Offices and was a crucial leader in providing quality health care to 2.2 million American Indians/Alaska Natives.
In 2018, Rear Adm. Meeks was awarded the Surgeon General’s Medallion by United States Surgeon General Jerome Adams and in 2019 he received the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Medal.
Ron Parker
Ron Parker was a judge, statesman, businessman and civil servant for the Chickasaw people. His 26-year career with the Chickasaw Nation was marked by compassion and dedication to serving Chickasaws.
Mr. Parker, born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He attended the University of Oklahoma, and spent his early career in Texas and Oklahoma in the apparel business. He returned to Ardmore in 1984.
In 1991, he found his calling with the Chickasaw Nation. He was first elected as a Chickasaw Nation Judge, and then a tribal legislator in 1992. He was re-elected to the legislature in 1995, serving until 1997.
In 1997, he was appointed general manager of Touso Ishto Gaming Center in Thackerville, Oklahoma, the predecessor to WinStar World Casino & Resort. He then became a community advocate for the Ardmore area and later served as area director. During this time, he dedicated himself to assisting Chickasaws obtain benefits and services.
Mr. Parker was a leader in starting the Chickasaw Nation Reentry Program, a service that assists previously incarcerated Chickasaws in obtaining skills and employment to successfully transition back into the community. He faithfully led this program from 2007 to 2017.
In 2011, Mr. Parker was an AARP Indian Elder Honor Award recipient. He actively contributed to community organizations including C/Sara Foundation, The Grace Center, Boys and Girls Club of Wilson, American Red Cross, Destiny Recover Center and the Chickasaw Nation Juvenile Justice Board.