A celebration of life for former Choctaw Chief Gregory (Greg) Eli Pyle was held at the Choctaw Nation Event Center on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Durant. People came from all over the Choctaw Nation, the state of Oklahoma and beyond to pay tribute to their beloved leader and friend. Choctaw Princesses, past and present, formed a receiving line in the entryway to greet guests as they made their way through displays of floral arrangements and photo collages of Chief Pyle prior to the service. 

Following the Posting of the Colors by the Choctaw Nation Color Guard, Brad Joe sang “The Lord’s Prayer” in Choctaw while the Choctaw Princesses performed the song in sign language. Layne Heitz then read the official obituary, and Logan Cates offered the opening prayer. An ensemble of 85 elders gathered on stage to perform Choctaw hymns 53 and 112. Many guests in the crowd sang along.

Chickasaw Governor and close friend Bill Anoatubby gave the first of three eulogies. “His work will have a positive impact on the Choctaw people and Native Americans across this country for generations to come,” Anoatubby said of Chief Pyle’s leadership ability. “He worked tirelessly to ensure the federal government lived up to its responsibilities to Choctaws and other Native Americans.” 

Anoatubby ended his tribute by saying, “I truly miss him. I’ll miss him for the rest of my life…Greg Pyle had his priorities right.  Faith, family, his people and his country. I’m so fortunate to have been his friend.” 

Chief Pyle’s family requested that all attendees join together to sing the first verse of “Amazing Grace” before the family’s pastor, Jared Hyatt, gave the second eulogy. Hyatt spoke mainly of the mission work he has done with Chief Pyle, including time they spent in Nicaragua. Hyatt also shared stories of Chief Pyle’s generosity and selflessness, including one instance where he purchased beds for sick children in a hospital in Nicaragua when there weren’t enough. Hyatt read from Philippians 2: 3-8 and closed by saying, “Greg was a leader. He was a leader because he loved and served.”

The final eulogy was given by Chief Gary Batton, who spoke of Chief Pyle as a mentor and a friend. Batton, who served under Pyle as Assistant Chief, told stories that highlighted Pyle’s tremendous sense of humor and warmth of spirit. 

Following an emotional pause, Batton said, “He was more than just a friend. I call people like that a true friend…He would come up to you and say the kindest and warmest things to you that would make your day better.  No matter what your day was like, he just had a way to make it better.” 

Batton went on to emphasize many of Chief Pyle’s accomplishments in office and spoke directly to Pyle’s family, promising to help with any outstanding needs they have during their time of mourning. He thanked Pyle’s wife Patti and children Eric and Andrea for their sacrifices in sharing him with the Choctaw Nation and the world.  

Batton’s eulogy was followed by a slide show of pictures from Chief Pyle’s childhood through his retirement. Many of the photos illustrated the close relationship Pyle had with his friends and family. Others showed Pyle’s humor and good-naturedness.

Chaplain Olin Williams offered the closing prayer in Choctaw and English. Officers from the Choctaw Nation Color Guard then presented the Pyle family with the American flag that covered Chief Pyle’s casket. Finally, Chief Batton signaled the Retrieval of the Colors, which was followed by the departure of Chief Pyle’s casket, carried by pall bearers Sidney Lewis, Edward McCurry, Fred Booth, Lyndol Wren, Donald Henson, Frank A. Deal, Dock Dill and James Dry. Honorary pall bearers included David Harmon, Suzanne Heard, Newton Caldwell, Andy Feco, Bill Blankenship and Joe Christie. 

Jeanne Porter worked in the office of Chief Pyle from his days as Assistant Chief and until his retirement in 2016. When asked to describe his lasting legacy, she said, “I think for those of us who knew Chief Pyle well, his legacy to us would be to live your life to the fullest. Work hard but don’t forget to play and love those around you. Be kind always, help those who cannot help themselves. Love God and be thankful for the blessings in your life.”

Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr. summed up Pyle’s legacy as, “Always striving to achieve great outcomes for Choctaw people.” Austin said he will always remember how down to earth and genuine he was. He said he thinks Chief Pyle would want us to continue living out the Chahta spirit to provide opportunities for our tribal members while living out our values passed down from our ancestors.

When asked what memory stands out about Chief Pyle in his mind the most, Chief Batton said, “I think that was probably back in the early 90s.  He pulled me aside and he said he wanted to talk to me…he said, ‘The future looks bright for you, and I want you to be over health care systems.’ I was probably 24-25 years old, and he was Assistant Chief at that time.  For him to take the time with me to walk around and encourage me, to give me advice and to give me hope for what he saw in me was priceless for me.”

   Chief Batton went on to say, “First, I want people to remember him as a great Chief, a great leader, a great statesman among all men, but also he was a great friend, not only to me but to everybody he met. He was always so caring, so compassionate, [he] put other people before himself.”

Batton signed a proclamation designating Nov. 2, 2019 as a National Day of Mourning across the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in honor of former Chief Pyle. Flags of the Choctaw Nation will be displayed at half-staff for a period of 30 days from Oct. 26, 2019.