Dr. Michael Tosee

Dr. Michael D. Tosee, a respected educator, public servant and American Indian historian traveled to “The Other-Side Camp” on March 18, 2026, at his home on the Crow Reservation near Pryor, MT. Throughout his life he devoted himself to ensuring educational opportunities for American Indian students, while strengthening their traditions and cultural identities. Services will be held at the Comanche Nation Funeral Home Chapel in Lawton, OK on March 26, 2026, with his uncle, Rev. Leon Hawzipta Jr., officiating. Interment will be at the Cache Creek Cemetery, west of Apache, OK.

He was born on March 24, 1951, in Lawton, OK to Fern Asepermy Tosee. Dr. Tosee is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation (Penateka “Honey Eaters” Band) and also of Kiowa descent. He was raised from age one to five years by his aunt, Ruth and her husband, Walker Myers, in Houston, TX. Dr. Tosee lived west of Apache, OK with his grandparents George Sr., and Hattie Jones Asepermy from his sophomore year until his high school graduation, in 1969.

He was a standout multi-sport athlete, participating as a starter his junior and senior years on the football, basketball and baseball teams. He was an All-District football and basketball player leading all scorers in basketball, in the Southwest Oklahoma area his senior year.

He received his Associate degree from Bacone Junior College where he started two years for legendary basketball Coach George Hauser. The team averaged 106 points per game and played in the National Junior College Tournament both years. Dr. Tosee was inducted into the Bacone Hall of Fame in 2017.

Dr. Tosee attended Oklahoma City University (OCU), then a Division I university, on a basketball scholarship. He was a starter for the “Chiefs” for two years under famed head coach, Abe Lemons. They were selected to play in the then 32-team NCAA National Tournament his junior year. During his senior year OCU played in the National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden.

After receiving his Master’s degree from Kansas University, he served as the Director of American Indian Studies at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD. He taught American Indian Culture and History of American Indian Leaders:  Past and Present.

In 1985 he graduated from the grueling 18-week Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy as a Special Agent. He then spent a total of six years at the Sacramento, CA and the New York City field offices. He left the FBI and took a massive pay-cut for his dream job and passion, to teach Native American students.

From 1991 until his retirement in 2018, Dr. Tosee taught American Indian Studies/US History courses and served as a Union Steward at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. He also coached the women’s basketball team at Haskell for one year as a graduate student at KU.

In 2010, he received his doctorate degree in U.S. History from Kansas University. His dissertation was titled “20th Century Comanche History: A Period of Continued Resistance, Modification, and Cultural Transitions.”

Despite a busy career he played independent basketball and softball, mostly for the Haskell Indian teams from about 1971 until the mid-80's. The “Fighting Indians” were the Oklahoma City National State tournament champions in 1972 and 1973, and runner-up in 1971, 1975, 1976 and 1977. Their basketball team won the National Independent basketball tournament, in Phoenix, AZ in 1975.

In addition, to his athletic prowess, Dr. Tosee produced numerous documentaries about American Indians including “In the Tradition of the Warrior – A Modern-day History of Comanche Veterans,” “Keeping the Legends Alive,” a detailed account about Haskell's football teams”, and a “Tribute to Abe Lemons.” He also cataloged over 300 interviews with elders and veterans from numerous tribes.

He is preceded in death by his mother, a brother, Gary Tosee, his grandparents, uncles Curtis Clayton, George Jr., and Boti Asepermy, aunts Ruth Myers, Ginger Caudillo, Theresa Pilas, Yvonne Evans and Sue Gooday.

He is survived by his wife, Marzha Fritzler, after nearly 25 years together; a daughter Michelle Francis-Fisher of Corona, CA;  a son Ethan Tosee of the home; granddaughters Taylor Spoonhunter, Ashli Ceasar and Jordyn Ceasar; great-grandchildren Boston Crenshaw, Dayton Crenshaw, Hannah Borunda and Callan Carrillo. He is also survived by sisters Marilyn Webster and Denise Camargo, aunt Tomah Yeahquo, and many relatives and friends.