Tribal attorney dies during Sovereignty Symposium

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Cherokee general counsel and former U.S. attorney Julian K. Fite died Thursday while attending a conference on tribal issues. He was 60. <br/><br/>Fite apparently collapsed at about

Friday, June 3rd 2005, 5:33 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Cherokee general counsel and former U.S. attorney Julian K. Fite died Thursday while attending a conference on tribal issues. He was 60.

Fite apparently collapsed at about 9:30 a.m. after attending a session of The Sovereignty Symposium XVIII at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City. A Muskogee native and Tahlequah resident, Fite was taken to St. Anthony's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

There was no immediate announcement on a cause of death.

``Julian Fite was a rare individual who was always cheerful and positive, a practical philosopher who always strove for what was good for the people,'' said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith. ``He was an accomplished lawyer and a dedicated servant and patriot of the Cherokee Nation, the state of Oklahoma, and the United States. He was one of the few truly wise men I have ever met.

``He reminded me of Will Rogers, another Cherokee who was a common man with uncommon wisdom.''

Fite was known for his strong defense of tribal sovereignty. Among his many contributions to the Cherokees, Fite was effective in preserving and promoting Cherokee Nation sovereignty through the car tag, tobacco tax and gaming compacts with the state.

``On behalf of the NSU faculty and staff, I extend condolences to the family of Dr. Julian Fite,'' said Northeastern State University President Larry Williams. Fite served as NSU counsel and taught at the Tahlequah-based school.

``As a professor, Julian was beloved by his students, and possessed outstanding ability in the classroom,'' Williams said. ``He was a valued member of the NSU community, and we appreciated his work as legal counsel to the university. Julian served as an example to those who knew him, demonstrating that determination is the greater part of valor. He was a loyal and trusted friend, and he will be greatly missed.''

Fite spent his life working for his community. He served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in 1979-1980, Muskogee County district attorney in 1975-1977 and in the U.S. Army.

He also served in leadership positions on many boards and commissions including: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Commission, Cherokee Nation Tax Commission, Muskogee Performing Arts, Save the Illinois River, Muskogee Convention and Tourism Council, Governors Task Force on the Illinois River, Cherokee National Historical Society and the Cherokee Higher Education Foundation. He was a member of the Virginia, Oklahoma, Cherokee, American and Muskogee County bar associations.

Fite is survived by his wife, Jennifer; son, Travis; daughter, Missy Caldwell; and his sisters Betty Jo Fite Hayes of Hope, Ark., and Francie Fite of McLean, Va.

Funeral arrangements are pending.