Account
Jun 25, 2024
Aug 21, 2024
Joseph
Oldbear Sr.
68
68
69 inches
160 lbs
170 lbs
American Indian / Alaska Native
Male
In the spring of 2024, a sense of concern settled over Clinton, Oklahoma, with the disappearance of 68-year-old Joseph Keith Oldbear Sr., a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes. On April 1, 2024, Mr. Oldbear was last seen leaving the Clinton Regional Hospital on foot. Hospital staff believed he was heading northbound after his departure. It wasn't until April 16 that he was officially reported as a missing person to law enforcement, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs taking the initial report. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as being 5'9" tall, weighing between 160 and 170 pounds, with brown eyes and long, graying black hair that he often wore in a ponytail. A notable characteristic was a tattoo on his upper left arm depicting a buffalo with the word "OLDBEAR". He also used a prosthetic on his left leg below the knee. The community and law enforcement agencies responded with urgency to Mr. Oldbear's disappearance. An urgent Kasey Alert was issued to quickly disseminate information and seek public assistance. Family members, including his relatives Shannon Curtis and Sharon Newbreast, were proactive in organizing and participating in searches. Their efforts focused on areas Mr. Oldbear was known to frequent, including the routes he often walked. The search efforts were a collaborative endeavor, with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local law enforcement working alongside concerned community members. Gatherings were held near sacred grounds as part of community-led initiatives to raise awareness and offer support in the search for the missing elder. Sadly, the search for Joseph Oldbear Sr. concluded with the discovery of his passing. An obituary confirmed that he passed away in Clinton, Oklahoma, at the age of 68. Born on February 10, 1956, in Clinton, he had spent his early years in Watonga before moving to Anadarko. He was known for his work as a welder and as a war dancer at Indian City in Anadarko. Mr. Oldbear was a creative individual who produced beautiful beadwork and had a deep appreciation for his cultural heritage, often attending sweat lodges and Northern Arapaho ceremonies. He was a beloved family man who enjoyed sharing stories about his grandchildren and his family's homeplace east of Geary. The case of Joseph Oldbear Sr. highlights the tragic reality of missing persons within Indigenous communities and the profound impact such events have on their families and loved ones. His passing was mourned by his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Apr 01, 2024
Clinton
Oklahoma
Custer County
73601
No
145377
Bureau of Indian Affairs - Division II - Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office
Muskogee
Oklahoma
Muskogee County
74401
3100 West Peak Boulevard, Oklahoma
9187814650
Tribal
Law Enforcement
C24000424
Bureau of Indian Affairs - Division II - Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office
Gray or Partially Gray
Brown
Brown
yes
06/15/2026
