Tony Ray Sands

It is with heavy hearts, we announce the death of Tony Ray Sands of Okemah, Oklahoma. Tony Passed away Friday, June 30, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 37. Wake service will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at 7:00 pm at Buckeye Creek Baptist Church in IXL, Oklahoma. Funeral service to be held Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 2:00 pm also at Buckeye Baptist Creek Church. Interment will be at the Little Family Cemetery in Bearden, Oklahoma. Tony was born July 22, 1985, in Ada, Oklahoma to Anita Hicks and Arthur Sands. Tony was the oldest of three children. He was known to many as Big Tone or Tone Loc. Tony Graduated from Mason High School in 2003. He attended Haskell Indian Nations University, Oklahoma State University-IT, and College of Muscogee Nation. Tony enjoyed playing video games and going to the movies. He also enjoyed passing the time by watching his favorite TV show Family Guy. Tony was a member of Montesoma Baptist Church and attended Buckeye Creek Baptist Church also. Tony will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. He is survived by his mother, Anita Hicks of the home and father, Arthur Sand of Okemah; his siblings Jeremy Sands of Okemah and Jessica Johnson of Wetumka; special brothers Talen Hicks, Kyle Hart, Chris Sands, and Brandon Jack; his grandfather Hanson Hicks of Okemah; his aunts and uncles, Curtis Hicks and Debra Gee, Charley and Christine-King Hicks, Hettie and Sonny Bates, Randall Hicks, Tina and Dennis Canard, Mike and Barbara Sands, Bruce Sands, Brian Sands and Peggy Sands; and his nieces and nephews, Brandon, Elizabeth, Dakota, Ariel, and Keinan. Tony is preceded in death by his grandparents, Agnes Hicks, Jonah and Bertha Sands; and Aunt Rowena Sands. Serving as active pallbearers will be Eric Hicks, Eagle Hicks, Sonte Lena, Kyle Hart, Brandon Jack and Russell Berryhill. Honorary pallbearers are Curtis Hicks, Charley Hicks, Randall Hicks, Talen Hicks, Brandon Johnson and Kaiden Bear. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Wayne Harjo, Rev. Chad Smith and Rev. Timmy Coon.

Tony Ray Sands

July 22, 1985 - June 30, 2023