Oliver Bruce Oka (soipoikwaan)
Born November 16, 1968 in Cardston, Alberta. To the late Oliver Shouting, and Esther Oka. Bruce passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his loving parents by his side, their first born son.
Bruce would often call his boys, and nephews Sunshines. He is survived by, his pride and joy, his sons: Oliver Tyson, Dakota, Bruce, Trent, Austin, Hunter Oka. Grandchildren. Siblings, Corinia (Marvin), Marie, Oliva, Jon (Joan), Sam Hairybull, Keith, Joline, Samantha. The late famous Sterling Shouting, Cody Black Rabbit, Cheryl Joy Oka, Marlene HairyBull.
Bruce received his Indian name by his late great grandma Maggie Shouting (Kaasi), Oliver when Bruce and Corina got back from Crow Agency pow wow in Montana. Oliver won first place in the chicken dance category, and a chicken special and his grandma kaasi named Bruce after his dad accomplishments. Bruce was loved by his numerous aunties, and uncles, who never stopped praying for him. They were always concerned about his well being, and would often ask about him.
He had a nickname as a child that stayed with him to this day, (Bobbykins). Bruce went to Cardston elementary, St Marys Jr. high and St. Marys high school. He attended Lethbridge college for mechanics, and many certificates for work. When he was younger, he danced pow wow, with his late dad Oliver, both had the same chicken outfit and colours. Travel to pow wows, with his dad and sterling. Even just to tag along with his dad to work meetings.
He was so proud to be born, and raised in Moses Lake, he often told his childhood stories about him, and his siblings, cousins. They had a gang, would raid gardens in Cardston, steal bikes, and have picnics. Bruce and the gang loved to airband to their music (back in the day music). He started boxing at a young age, proud that his dad was his coach. Played football for St. Mary’s, in Jr and High school. He played fastball, and slow pitch. When came the sports, also came the girls. They would fight over him, to be his girlfriend.
Over the years he became a jack of all trades, He would take different trade programs to improve his work abilities. He worked at many places in different trades, making money on the side to earn extra cash when he had days off. Many times he taught himself to fix what he was working on, mostly mechanics for his family vehicles. He was always willing to help his family, he lived in Moses Lake, Lavern, Calgary and Lethbridge.
Bobbykins would make sure he was at family gatherings, being around family dinners. Most often his Mom's little outings, bbq’s, holiday dinners. Family camp outs we enjoyed with our mom Esther. One of his many proudest moments was when he could not wait for his big sister's peewee wedding, he could not hold back happy tears. They were very close, the Irish twins. Bruce had a special bond with his niece Shalayne and her daughters.
Bruce loved his wife Maria, she supported him, and was often his rock in difficult times. They would get all their children together to have their own gathering as a blended family, making their own family memories that their children and grandchildren would cherish. We are always going to cherish our memories with him, and his cheesy jokes, crazy stories, his dare devil actions. He was always there to help his siblings out, especially his two younger sisters, who he helped raise. Even with their no ears, he always tried to challenge them to do better in life.
All his birthdays he would say, forever 21, or he 18 years old. One time, mom was in the hospital, and he was so stressed about the three older boys drinking and fighting. He couldn't handle his boys at the time, while he was telling mom, she was just smirking at him. He caught her smirk and was going to get upset with her, she just told him, well remember what you put me through, now you're getting it three times worse. He just walked out, after he was finally able to laugh about it.
He would travel from Lethbridge to Lavern to help mom with anything in her house that had to be done. Mom would take any chances to joke with him, he was putting up blinds in her kitchen, bobbykins said, mom you owe me. Mom looked at him, my son, you look Chinese but cheap like Jew.
In his last days he made peace with himself, and acknowledged his wrong doings. He would often tell his sons, for them to work hard in life, don't make the same mistakes as him. Bruce lived his life to the fullest, he loved his family, especially his boys, and grandchildren. No more pain, hurt, and loneliness, he will forever be in our hearts, watching us from above. Forever 21, he will be missed by many that he crossed paths with in his life.
The Wake Service will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral service will be held at Gladstone hall on Friday, October 10 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow in the Shouting Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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Born November 16, 1968 in Cardston, Alberta. To the late Oliver Shouting, and Esther Oka. Bruce passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his loving parents by his side, their first born son.
Bruce would often call his boys, and nephews Sunshines. He is survived by, his pride and joy, his sons: Oliver Tyson, Dakota, Bruce, Trent, Austin, Hunter Oka. Grandchildren. Siblings, Corinia (Marvin), Marie, Oliva, Jon (Joan), Sam Hairybull, Keith, Joline, Samantha. The late famous Sterling Shouting, Cody Black Rabbit, Cheryl Joy Oka, Marlene HairyBull.
Bruce received his Indian name by his late great grandma Maggie Shouting (Kaasi), Oliver when Bruce and Corina got back from Crow Agency pow wow in Montana. Oliver won first place in the chicken dance category, and a chicken special and his grandma kaasi named Bruce after his dad accomplishments. Bruce was loved by his numerous aunties, and uncles, who never stopped praying for him. They were always concerned about his well being, and would often ask about him.
He had a nickname as a child that stayed with him to this day, (Bobbykins). Bruce went to Cardston elementary, St Marys Jr. high and St. Marys high school. He attended Lethbridge college for mechanics, and many certificates for work. When he was younger, he danced pow wow, with his late dad Oliver, both had the same chicken outfit and colours. Travel to pow wows, with his dad and sterling. Even just to tag along with his dad to work meetings.
He was so proud to be born, and raised in Moses Lake, he often told his childhood stories about him, and his siblings, cousins. They had a gang, would raid gardens in Cardston, steal bikes, and have picnics. Bruce and the gang loved to airband to their music (back in the day music). He started boxing at a young age, proud that his dad was his coach. Played football for St. Mary’s, in Jr and High school. He played fastball, and slow pitch. When came the sports, also came the girls. They would fight over him, to be his girlfriend.
Over the years he became a jack of all trades, He would take different trade programs to improve his work abilities. He worked at many places in different trades, making money on the side to earn extra cash when he had days off. Many times he taught himself to fix what he was working on, mostly mechanics for his family vehicles. He was always willing to help his family, he lived in Moses Lake, Lavern, Calgary and Lethbridge.
Bobbykins would make sure he was at family gatherings, being around family dinners. Most often his Mom's little outings, bbq’s, holiday dinners. Family camp outs we enjoyed with our mom Esther. One of his many proudest moments was when he could not wait for his big sister's peewee wedding, he could not hold back happy tears. They were very close, the Irish twins. Bruce had a special bond with his niece Shalayne and her daughters.
Bruce loved his wife Maria, she supported him, and was often his rock in difficult times. They would get all their children together to have their own gathering as a blended family, making their own family memories that their children and grandchildren would cherish. We are always going to cherish our memories with him, and his cheesy jokes, crazy stories, his dare devil actions. He was always there to help his siblings out, especially his two younger sisters, who he helped raise. Even with their no ears, he always tried to challenge them to do better in life.
All his birthdays he would say, forever 21, or he 18 years old. One time, mom was in the hospital, and he was so stressed about the three older boys drinking and fighting. He couldn't handle his boys at the time, while he was telling mom, she was just smirking at him. He caught her smirk and was going to get upset with her, she just told him, well remember what you put me through, now you're getting it three times worse. He just walked out, after he was finally able to laugh about it.
He would travel from Lethbridge to Lavern to help mom with anything in her house that had to be done. Mom would take any chances to joke with him, he was putting up blinds in her kitchen, bobbykins said, mom you owe me. Mom looked at him, my son, you look Chinese but cheap like Jew.
In his last days he made peace with himself, and acknowledged his wrong doings. He would often tell his sons, for them to work hard in life, don't make the same mistakes as him. Bruce lived his life to the fullest, he loved his family, especially his boys, and grandchildren. No more pain, hurt, and loneliness, he will forever be in our hearts, watching us from above. Forever 21, he will be missed by many that he crossed paths with in his life.
The Wake Service will be held on Thursday, October 9 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm at Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve. The Funeral service will be held at Gladstone hall on Friday, October 10 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow in the Shouting Family Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family