"SON!"  this may sound strange but this was our greeting every time we spoke.  This greeting dates back to our fishing days and its always made us both laugh.  I thought it was fitting to great him today as I always have.  Thomas "Sonny" Gerald Clift 70, of the Kickapoo Reservation passed away at his home on September 11, 2021. He was born December 21, 1950 in Claremore, Oklahoma the son of Garland and Geraldine Wahwassuck Clift Jr.  He was pre-deceased by his father Garland, his mother Geraldine, and his brothers Rick Clift, Mike Clift and Jimmy Riley.  His sister Karen survives. I met Tom who some called Sonny in his younger days in Tulsa.  He lived 2 houses down from me on 52nd street.  Tom, Rick, me and several other neighborhood pals spent our youths roaming the streets, fields and playgrounds in north Tulsa. Tom and I met when I was 5 he was 6 and maintained our life long friendship for 60 years. Growing up we played every sport you could imagine, hunted, fished and tried to stay out of trouble which at times we failed. Tom graduated from Tulsa McLain High School in 1968 and entered the United States Marine Corp shortly after high school.  After the Corp Tom and I reconnected and spent a 6-months living off the land at lake Tenkiller trying to write the great American novel. Unfortunately, neither of us became rich and famous. Tom enjoyed a life long love of hunting and fishing.  He was an avid tennis player and still loved to watch the sport whenever possible.  He especially liked watching the ladies play!  He loved playing in an adult soccer league and studying Taekwondo.  He was also a die hard Chiefs fan. Tom graduated from Washburn University and studied Art at KU and enjoyed painting and drawing. He was a gifted writer and artist. He was well read and could discuss (argue) any subject with passion and skill. Tom worked as the EPA director for the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and published several EPA papers. He also served as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. I know Tom could be a SOB at times but most knew him to be a kind and a loyal person. Tom Clift was a good man, a great friend and he will be dearly missed. May God bless! A private graveside service was held at the Kennekuk Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post #415 Kii-Kaa-Poa-Wa-Ta-The-A. A special message maybe sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com . Tom's obituary was written by his friend, Steve Kennett.