Chickasaw Hall of Famer, retired judge Tim Colbert remembered for four decades of tribal service

SULPHUR, Okla. — Retired Chickasaw legislator, Oklahoma associate district judge and Chickasaw Hall of Fame member the Hon. Timothy K. Colbert passed away peacefully Aug. 20 at his home in Sulphur, Oklahoma.

He was 76 years old.

Colbert was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2020, honored for his 40 years of service to the Chickasaw people, as well as 26 years of service as associate district judge for Murray, Johnston, Marshall and Love counties.

Colbert’s service began in 1979 when he was elected to the forerunner of the Chickasaw Nation Legislature, the Chickasaw Tribal Council. Elected in 1983 to the Chickasaw Nation Legislature, he continuously represented the people of the Tishomingo District in Seat 2 for 12 terms, serving the Chickasaw people for four decades.

His service to the Chickasaw people coincided with a time of tremendous growth in the Chickasaw Nation, and his influence will be forever felt in the Chickasaw Nation.
“Like those before him, Tim Colbert’s lifelong dedication to uplifting his community and those around him is an example of what it means to be Chickasaw,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby said at Colbert’s Chickasaw Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

As a member of the legislature, Colbert served on tribal healthcare and commerce committees, working to enhance healthcare opportunities for Chickasaws and promote tribal economic development to support the growth of Chickasaw Nation programs and services. He was a strong proponent of providing education opportunities for Chickasaw people and maintaining transparency in tribal government.

Colbert was born to Chickasaw Hall of Fame member George Dixie Colbert and Ruby Colbert April 9, 1950, in Oklahoma City. From an early age, his parents taught him to stand proud and carry his Chickasaw heritage with honor and respect.

Colbert was raised in Sulphur, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school in 1968.
A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history, Colbert earned a Juris Doctor law degree from Oklahoma City University (OCU) in 1976. While a student at OCU, he worked as a case manager for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

He was a charter member of the Chickasaw Bar Association and was honored for 50 years as a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2026. He was also a member of the Murray County Bar Association.

Along with his brothers, he established the Colbert Scholarship through the Chickasaw Foundation for Chickasaw college students who reside in the Tishomingo district.

Known as a fair-minded and honorable judge, he never had a case overturned by a higher court during his 26 years as associate district judge.

Colbert was a devoted member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sulphur, while also serving on the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also served as a Dougherty, Oklahoma, volunteer firefighter.

Colbert is survived by his wife Michelle; son Zachary D.; and daughter-in-law Makenzie Colbert; grandsons Axton and Rowen; five siblings Stephen Colbert and his wife Cheryl, Shelly (Colbert) Bohn and her husband Tim, Scott Colbert, Mark Colbert and his wife Kim, and John Colbert and his wife Sherri. He is also survived by the mother of his son, Kary Warren, and her husband Rick, and numerous family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dixie Colbert and Ruby Colbert, and nephew Clifton Colbert.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Aug. 26 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sulphur, with Father Aaron Foshee officiating.

Serving as pallbearers were Joe Colbert, Perry Zeiset, Jason Bruton, Billy Frank Lance, Bill G. Lance, Richard Elkins, Fob Jones and Paul Aaron.

Interment was at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sulphur.