Alfred Frank Doonkeen Jr.

Alfred Frank Doonkeen Jr. was born in Alvaredo, Minnesota on the Sept. 17, 1930 to Alfred Enrique Doonkeen, who was half Mexican and half English from Durango, Mexico and Felipa Medina Doonkeen who was a Mexican Indian from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. There were 13 children of which 9 lived to adulthood. 6 brothers and 3 sisters. The family came to Okla. City and were very poor in money but rich in family values. Al was raised with a very strong work ethic. He would work 7 days a week if he could. Al attended Riverside Elementary, Little Flower Catholic School, Franklin Jr. High, Central High School and the University of Central Oklahoma. Al worked at all kinds of jobs while attending grade school and middle school. He was 14 when his father passed away. Al then had to stop going to school and worked full-time jobs to support his mother and younger brothers and sister who were still at home. Even after marriage he helped support his mother until she passed away. Al would work at anything he could find. No job was too hard or beneath him. Al was very intelligent. He always learned fast. Wherever he worked he could always invent something or some way to make his job more efficient. When Al turned 17 years old he joined the United States Marines. He went through boot camp at El Toro Marine Base and Camp Pendleton in California. In 1950 when the Korean War broke out Al shipped out to Korea with the First Marine Division and served as a gunner on the USS Anderson. When the First Marines arrived in Korea the U.S. First Army was fighting with their backs to the sea. Al made the Korean Invasion by landing at the Chosin (Choh Sahn) reservoir where he had to swim the frozen Chosin. Although Al never joined a veteran's service club Al is proudly a member of the famous 'Chosin Few'. The battles Al fought in for the United States in Korea were devastating to the U.S. Marines. The marines were over-whelmed by the massive numbers of Koreans and their allies the Chinese. Al vividly remembers the Chinese charging the marines by blowing thousands of bugles and their use of vast firepower. While Al was in Korea the US Marines fought their way north to the 38th parallel 3 times. Each time they were driven back by the overwhelming numbers of the Koreans and Chinese. Al's outfit was cut off from his main outfit many times. And, twice when Al's outfit was cut-off and hemmed in their commander announced, 'we have no back-up, no fire-power, no reinforcements, bury dog tags, FIX BAYONETS - EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF. Al survived. One night when Al and two other Marines were on guard duty they captured 8 Korean prisoners. Even after the prisoners were disarmed the other two marines left Al all alone with them. Al did everything he could to bluff the prisoners into believing he was not alone and brought them in himself. Al rarely talked about Korea. Even when pressed about it, he still would say very little though his body still showed the ravages of war, frost bite to his feet, shrapnel in his shins and a scar on his forehead where the gun he was manning on the USS Anderson knocked him over. Al survived. He was never hit by a bullet. He always said, 'Once a Marine Always A Marine' and he tried to teach his children Marine discipline and survival so that they could face any difficulty the world threw at them. Al received an Honorable Discharge from the Marines April 4, 1952. Al Doonkeen and Eula Mae Narcomey were married in March 1953. They had 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughters, Wahilla, Kotcha, Alfreda, Dana and Conchatte. Al & Eula have 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Al established three restaurant businesses in Okla. City. In 1964 he formed the Alco Printing Co. This family owned business is well known for its American Indian customers and businesses as well. He helped to found many Indian organizations throughout the state such as an Indian Alcoholics Anonymous Group, The American Indian Center, the Indian Art Guild and the Okla. City Urban Indian Health Club. Al was an integral trainer in all of his children's athletic endeavors and world record achievements. He was especially proud when his sons Kotcha, Dana and Conchattee brought home four medals from Mexico City's International Pan American Wrestling Tournament. Al had athletic accomplishments as well. At 14 years old Al won the track and field in OKC and was a Golden Glove Boxer and represented the US Marines in boxing tournaments in his weight category. Through Al's discipline, all of his children became accomplished athletes. Al devoted his entire life to his family and encouraged strong family values. Al enriched the Indian community and betterment of Indian rights by his quiet generosity and philanthropic efforts. Al's goodness, generosity and respect for his family and fellow man will be remembered as a tribute to his life. Al was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1995, which is an acquired service connected cancer as a result of radiation exposure from his combat participation in Korea. Al never asked for or depended on anyone for help. Even when he felt terribly sick and weak he drove himself to the hospital in December when his cancer came out of remission. His family cared for him at home with the help of the medical staff of the veteran's hospital. Even in his pain he still cheerfully smiled and greeted others. Al Doonkeen was among the best of men, among the best of people. Al knew 'The Good Lord' and raised his family according to the Lord's teachings. He will never be forgotten. Al will be laying in state in his son Kotcha's home today at 1235 N.W. 47th Street, (405) 840-1968. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2002 at the Little Flower Catholic Church with interment following in the Doonkeen Family Cemetery in Wolf, Oklahoma.