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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2012)
John Leslie Roe, Sr. - 1925-2012 From the office of Tribal Court John Leslie Roe, Sr., a Siletz Tribal member, Elder and former chief judge, passed away in mid-October 2012. John was bom July 19, 1925, and was raised in Southeast Portland. He dropped out ot high school and lied about his age to join the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. His military service in the South Pacific included several island invasions and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Upon John’s discharge from the Marine Corps, he returned to Oregon. For several years after his discharge, he drifted in life without purpose or direction. A Portland police officer convinced him to apply to the police bureau. John’s career with the Portland Police Bureau from 1948 to 1973 included patrol officer, sergeant and director of police community relations from 1969-1970. In 1957, Standard Insurance contacted John, offering him a minority scholarship and saying it would pay expenses if he enrolled in law school. His initial response was, “How could anyone expect a high school dropout with only a GED to attend or even complete law school?” In 1957, however, John enrolled in Northwestern School of Law and gradu ated in 1961, ranking second in his class. He was sworn into the Oregon State Bar that same year. In addition to being a police officer, attorney and judge, John also was a very successful businessman as the owner of two marinas and a commercial crawfish fisherman. John’s sense of civic responsibilities included serving as a municipal court judge, mayor and port commissioner in Ridgefield, Wash., between 1969 and 1982. John was the chief judge of the Siletz Tribal Court twice, serving a total of 9'/2 years from 1984 to 1999. He retired from his position as chief judge in May 1999 because of health issues. John was a truly gifted and unique individual. He believed hard work and dedication could overcome any of life’s obstructions. He had a strong work ethic and devotion to justice. Forthose who knew John, their lives will forever be enriched. Courtesy photo John Leslie Roe, Sr. Caroline Louise Easter, 1951-2012 - Caroline Louise Easter, 61, of Siletz, Ore., died Oct. 25,2012, in Corvallis, Ore. She was bom July 1, 1951, to Walter Jake and Esther Delores (Bell) Easter in Toledo, Ore. Caroline was a graduate of Spring field Senior High School and later gradu ated from the A Arts Beauty College. She was a beautician for 15 years and then worked for 12 years for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, retiring in 2009. She played many sports throughout her life and enjoyed playing on her dad’s co-ed softball team. She was a member of the Siletz Valley School Board and enjoyed beading, crafts, wrestling, the Oregon Ducks, pow-wows and music, especially Percy Sledge. But her greatest love was that of her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Esther Easter; and sister, Carlene Easter. She is survived by her daughters, Angeline (Mike) Orona and Jennifer Easter; sister, Corliss Attebury; brothers, Ralph and Calvin Easter; grandson, Louie Orona; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services were held at the Siletz Tribal Community Center, with a wake on Oct. 29 and a funeral on Oct. 30. Interment followed at the Paul Washing ton Cemetery in Siletz. Affordable Burial and Cremation handled arrangements. Editor’s note: Sahaylee Mason drew the picture below after a fire broke out in the apartment next door. No one was injured in the fire. Courtesy photo Caroline Louise Easter Kyle Len Wallace, 1991-2012---------- How I (Sahaylee) saved the day from flre.„. Kyle Len Wallace, 20, of Siletz, Ore., died Sept. 24, 2012. I saved a house. There was a fire. My Mom was in the living room. I smelled smoke In the shower and I got out. "There Is a flrel" My Mom banged on the door (Sammy ft Kelsie) and it was locked. She called 911 and the fire fighters came. He was bom Dec. 13,1991, to Sondra Wallace and stepfather, Tod Oliphant, in Newport, Ore. He had two brothers and three sisters whom he loved very much. Family was very important to Kyle and he loved to spend time with them - from holidays and family dinners to helping Elders and watching the babies. Kyle lived in Siletz all of his life. He worked at Noel’s Market, which he loved because he got to interact with people. He was a people person and never knew a stranger. He met the love of his life, Taryn Taylor, whom he asked to be his bride on Christmas Eve. Kyle was an adventurous spirit who enjoyed being in the outdoors. He loved fishing, camping trips, rafting, Run to the Rogue and walks on the beach with his dog, Jazzie. He also liked “fixing things” and enjoyed working on different projects that he would tear apart and try to put back together again. He loved a good deal too, and was always trading things. Kyle was a jokester, but he also was a very giving person with a tender heart. L 1 U -, He was preceded in death by his uncles, Matt Williams, Rory Williams and Mike Elkins. Courtesy photo Kyle Len Wallace He is survived by his fiancé, Taryn Taylor; mother, Sondra Wallace; step father, Tod Oliphant; siblings, Chloie Oliphant, Haley Oliphant, Evan Oliph ant, Peytan Oliphant, Kayden Oliphant and Julia Austin; grandmother Ronda Williams; grandfather Louie Wallace; great-grandmother Connie Williams; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Services were held Oct. 28 at the Siletz Tribal Community Center. Affordable Burial and Cremation handled arrangements. December 2012 • Siletz News • 7
