Cicero Wayne Terapin

Cicero Wayne Terapin passed away on October 22, 2025 in Muskogee, Oklahoma at the age of 91. Son of Nannie Locust and James (Steve) Terrapin, Wayne was born in Stilwell, Oklahoma on July 19, 1934. Known to family as “Sonny” and to his wife as “Rolly,” Wayne and Alpha Sue Keen were married for 45 years. Wayne attended Maryetta School and Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma where he excelled in sports. He took his athletic ability on to Bacone College in Muskogee where he played on Bacone’s last football team. While attending Bacone, he studied Indian Art under master artists, Dick West and Willard Stone. After his training, Wayne became an accomplished Indian Artist with paintings sold to collectors around the world. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum has a collection of his artwork which include the Seals of the Five Civilized Tribes he was commissioned to create for the Tribes. The photo of Wayne on this obituary is of him at one of his many art shows with his art in the background. Wayne and Sue made their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he used his artistic talent in his work at Durnell’s Department Store as a window dresser and Griffin Grocery Company where he worked in advertising. He not only designed the labels for Griffin’s products, but also was the designer of “Santa’s Sleigh” a yearly tradition for the Christmas parade, and was the creator and facilitator of Griffin’s annual picnic. The picnic was held on Ft. Gibson Lake at Sequoyah State Park on the James Leake property where his yachts were docked and were available for tour during the event. Wayne also spent time coaching youth baseball sponsored by Griffin Grocery and that team was the best in the league. After twenty years of working for Griffin’s, he spent his last years before retirement working for Farm Fresh and Hiland Dairy. In these roles he was able to use his exceptional marketing skills and knowledge of the grocery business to help these companies to excell and thrive. Wayne was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War. Most of his closest friends would say that Wayne was best known for his great ability as a bass and crappie ﬁsherman. Everyone wanted to ﬁsh with Wayne because he knew how to ﬁnd the ﬁsh and then catch them. His ﬁshing trips were legendary. Just ask his ﬁshing buddies. Friday night ﬁshing tournaments were part of this legacy with good friends, Mike Hickman and Gary Davidson. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife Sue of 45 years in 2002. He is survived by son, Bret Terapin and wife Melissa Terapin of Muskogee, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Kelsey Messer and husband Matthew Messer; great-grandsons AJ Hill, Dakovyn Messer, and great-granddaughter Remi Messer; granddaughter Kayley English and husband Matthew English, and great-granddaughter, Lexi Walton; Daughter, Leslie Sharp and husband John Sharp of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and three grandsons: John Austin Sharp and wife Stephanie Ang, Adam Christopher Sharp, and Paul Conner Sharp. Service at Greenhill Cemetery Pavilion in Muskogee, Oklahoma, November 14 at 2:00. Pallbearers: Jason Hill, Zach Brancheau, Matt Brancheau, John Austin Sharp, Adam Christopher Sharp, and Paul Conner Sharp.

Cicero Wayne Terapin

July 19, 1934 - October 22, 2025