Washington, D.C. (September 9, 2023) – The Indian Gaming Association was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Lt. Governor Gilbert LaMott Miles on September 4, 2023. Lt. Governor Miles was laid to rest on Friday, September 8, 2023, in Concho, Oklahoma.
IGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. said, “Gib was a true force and a gentleman Warrior. From Indian Country to the Halls of Congress and many places in between, Lt. Governor Gib Miles was a visible presence.” Stevens added, “Our friendship began in the early years on the basketball court and continued beyond the court and throughout our leadership paths. His leadership evolved as one of the greatest, always committed to advancing the Cheyenne Arapaho people and Indian country overall.”
Gilbert “Gib” LaMott Miles was born November 24, 1955, in OKC, OK, to LeRoy LaMott and Melba (Sharp) Miles. He passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, at his home in Geary, OK, at 67.
Gib spent his early years in OKC and, at the age of 13, moved to Yukon, OK. He graduated from Yukon High School in 1974. That year, he was the starting point guard on their State Championship-winning basketball team. He was recruited to further his basketball career at Bethany Nazarene University.
The summer after graduation, he traveled with his new team all over South America, doing mission work and competing against many national teams. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During his schooling, he spent three months as an intern in Washington, D.C.
He worked in the oil and gas industry as a landman for several years and then as an EMT paramedic for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes in Clinton. Gib moved his family from Yukon to his grandmother’s homeplace in Geary in 1985. He returned to his roots in oil and gas in 1994 as the owner of Stalking Energy.
He was a proud member of the Arapaho Tribe. Gib has served the people of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes as Lieutenant Governor from 2018 to the present. He cared for his people and took advantage of every opportunity to help them better their lives. Gib never met a stranger and spoke openly about how basketball had saved his life. He continued playing in leagues in the YMCA until five years ago. Gib was a follower of Jesus. Outside of his faith, his girls and grandchildren were his priority.
Chairman Stevens reflected, “Gib was a true role model and hero to me. He was a trendsetting big man who was so skilled at handling a basketball and always made his teammates look great. Lt. Gov. Miles’s talents on the court were no different than his leadership, a team player, and a motivator who only wanted the best for his people and Native America. Whenever I saw him in the halls of Congress or national meetings, he gave me strength, and I knew he had our back. He will surely be missed.”
Gib was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy Miles and Melba Duncan, and siblings, Robert Miles, Mindy Miles, Denise Goodface, Viola Ross, Ramona Miles, and Leslie Tso.
Gib is survived by his best friend and partner, Gayle Weaver Ennis of Geary, OK, four daughters, Mahgan Muskett and Arren of Calumet, OK, Mallory Miles of Norman, OK, Mariel Ayers and Shay of Yukon, OK, and Mariah Miles and John Neal of Okmulgee, OK, adopted children, Anthony “Bit” Post of Bethany, OK, Jessica Kodaseet of Calumet, OK and Maria Thorpe of El Reno, OK, eight grandchildren, Mahdox LaMott Smith, Makya Muskett, Arrelyn Muskett, Antonio Cooper Jr., Ariah Cooper, Evan Lee, Ella Lee, and Lily Thomas and four sisters, Jackie Warlick of Geary, OK, Mary Mosqueda of Geary, OK, Heather Begay of OKC, OK, Dara Franklin of El Reno, OK, and Alsace Grantham of OKC, OK, of El Reno, OK as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Instead of flowers, please send donations in Gib’s memory to Calumet Schools Student Activity Fund, 110 N Freehome Ave, Calumet, OK 73014.