Dathan River Deer Leader passed away in Bixby, Oklahoma on Monday, June 29, 2026, at the age of 27 years.

Dathan is the son of Farron Deer Leader & Geneva Phillips, born on August 27, 1998, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was brought up. He got his GED and received a Phlebotomist license. He worked the rest of his life as a farmhand along with his family on his grandfather’s land. He loved animals. He enjoyed games of all kinds, photography, and reading.

He is preceded in death by his Grandfathers, Edward Samson and Randy Phillips.

He is survived by his grandparents, Sandra Samson, Lisa Phillips and Owen Sapulpa; his father, Farron Deer Leader, and his mother, Geneva Phillips; his siblings, Sky Deer Leader, and Zen Deer Leader; aunts, uncles, cousins, many other relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 3, 2026, at 10:00am at the Salt Creek Methodist Church north of Holdenville (7297 E. 125 Rd), with interment following at the Deer Family Cemetery. Rev. Mike Deer and Rev. Edward Bear are the officiating ministers.

Viewing will be at the Fisher Funeral Home (700 S Broadway, Holdenville) on Thursday, July 2, 10:00am till 4:00pm. Wake service will be held on Thursday evening, July 2, at 7:00pm, at the Salt Creek Methodist Church (7297 E. 125 Rd).