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YAKIMA - George "Weouicht" Yah-Yow-An Sr., 63, of Toppenish passed away in Yakima on February 22, 2007. He was born February 21, 1944 in Wapato, WA to Edward and Occotta (Woods) Yah-Yow-An.
George went to the Chilocco Indian School and then graduated from Wapato Senior High School in June, 1964. He entered the United States Army in August of 1964 at Spokane, WA. His boot camp was at Fort Ord, CA and Advance Infantry Training at Fort Ord, CA. He graduated from Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia on February 21, 1964, his 21st birthday. The first duty station was at Okinawa with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
On May 5, 1965, President Johnson ordered the 173rd to Bien Hoa, Republic of South Vietnam. He served four years and seven months of combat duty in Vietnam. He also served with the 101st Airborne Division of 187th Infantry Airborne and served as Cadre of the M-60 machine gun committee. George re-enlisted to McCord Air Force Base and served as a missile crewman and trained as a military policeman with a security clearance. He was transferred back to Vietnam and served with the 545 Military Police Company of the 1st Calvary Division. Also, with the 1/8 Airborne Battalion 5/8th, 1/12 5/Battalions, until May 4, 1969. He was black-balled from Vietnam after the U.S. Army found out he was the sole son of Edward Yahyowan.
He was a fishnet maker, fisherman at Klickitat, Lyle, Columbia River, Icicle Creek River, The Dalles, Parker Dam, Horn Dam, Priest Rapids Gang, and a hunter at the Yakama Indian Nation Reservation and Ceded Areas. He gathered all the children to camp during the summertime. Grandchildren loved to camp out with Grandpa Pops. They were his huckleberry pickers and root diggers. There were many great road trips to Nespelem, Lapwai, Warm Springs, Spokane, Seattle, Portland, and to all the Indian Shaker Churches.
His friend Steven Seagal wrote in an email to George's son Matthew, "I remember your father, George, well. He is a good man. Please let him know that he is certainly welcome for anything that I have done. And please thank him for the eternal brotherhood of his Indian Nation. My blessing is with him on his journey. In peace, UNnAHHhu, Steven Seagal."
George is survived by his son Matthew and wife Amanda Yahyowan of Wapato and their children: Oakland, Orlando, and Jeannette; daughter Liza and husband Donald Dondie Isadore Jr. of Seattle, WA and their children: Ciara Yahyowan-Isadore, Ian, Doniashay, Tehya, Franceen, Donald III, and Irene; ex-wife Vernette Phillips and her sons Edward Sam and Michael Sam.
George was preceded in death by grandchildren Ashkowish Yahyowan-Isadore and HnocHnoo Yahyowan-Patterson.
Dressing services were held on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors. Overnight services were held at the Independent Shaker Church. At 10 AM Sunday (today) the family will depart with George and travel to the Toppenish Creek Longhouse for overnight services. At Sunrise Monday the family will depart from Toppenish Creek and travel to the Simpson Cemetery. George will be buried with military honors. |
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Burial:
Sampson Cemetery
Yakima County
Washington, USA |
Created by: Gare Kunert Allen
Record added: Feb 25, 2007
Find A Grave Memorial# 18073511 |
Source
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Daniel Syrdal
George was a great guy. He had a good and huge heart, a heart of gold, and often wore it on his sleeve. He always tried to do the right thing. George was one of the few classmates that I was privileged to see a few times after graduation and I always enjoyed hearing his stories of his involvement with the tribe and what he was trying to accomplish there. He was a doer, not a talker. A person who you could be proud to have as a friend.