Smoke Signals 17
MAY 1,2011
.... 3
-' 4.
James Marvin Simmons
Nov. 19,1951 -April 13, 2011
Tribal Elder James Marvin
Simmons, also known as Jimi
"Dexter" Simmons, walked on
at the age of 59 on Wednesday,
April 13, 2011, in Mountain
View, Calif. He was a longtime
resident of the San Francisco
Bay area. The cause of death is
unknown although it is believed
to be respiratory complications.
Jimi Simmons was born Nov.
19, 1951, in Dallas, Ore. He was
one of 13 children from Marie
and Edgar Simmons, who met as
two students at Chemawa Indian School. After the federal status
of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde was Terminated in
1954 and the Simmons family was forced to separate, Jimi grew
up in an institutionalized childhood, including St. Mary's Home
for Boys, Children's Farm Home, McLaren and, later, the Oregon
State Reformatory. At McLaren, the whispers among the boys
was to make it to the river to be free, but finding freedom would
not happen for a while.
James and his brother, George Simmons, were charged with
murder of a Washington prison guard in June 1979. They both
faced the death penalty. What ensued was a successful class
action prisoner lawsuit against the state of Washington for vio
lation of prisoners' rights. George Simmons was found guilty in
1980. Jimi Dexter Simmons was acquitted with the help of famed
social justice attorney Leonard Weinglass, who defended Angela
Davis, Daniel Ellsberg, Skyhorse and Mohawk, and Mumia Abu
Jamal, and from the support of the Simmons Brothers Defense
Committee.
In the same year that Jimi Simmons was paroled by Washing
ton Corrections, Grand Ronde was reinstated as a Tribe in 1983
and a new life began. Jimi needed to live outside the institution,
but he was raised within its codes. He had almost no experience
on the outside.
He married Karen Rudolph, the organizer of his Defense Commit
tee, on Sept. 18, 1987. Jimi continued to be an activist and he sup
ported many social justice and Native American organizations.
Karen and Jimi adopted Arthur Kalif Simmons (Hualapai) and
Jay Ghost Simmons (OglalaLakota) and built a home in Los Altos,
Calif., always trying to get three lives out of one. Jimi worked as a
journeyman operating engineer. He loved construction. Jimi volun
teered to stay home with the boys while Karen went to law school.
Never forgetting those behind the walls, Jimi Simmons went to
California and Washington prisons to visit Indian inmates and
advocated for American Indian religious freedom inside prison.
He supported many indigenous rights organizations, such as the
American Indian Friendship House, American Indian Film Fes
tival, American Indian Movement, Bay Area Diabetes Coalition
and the Brotherhood of the American Indians.
Jimi Simmons retold his story in the 2008 autobiographical
film, "Making the River." Jimi won the Eagle Spirit Award and
the Top 10 Bay Area Dads Award.
He is survived by his wife, Karen M. Rudolph; two sons, Arthur
Simmons and Jay Simmons; brothers, Frank Simmons, Tyrone
Simmons Sr., Robert Simmons Sr., Joe Simmons and John
Stevenson; sister, Renee Simmons; as well as numerous nieces,
nephews, cousins, in-laws and out-laws.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Daniels Sim
mons (MuckleshootYakima); father, Edgar Simmons (Grand
Ronde); and siblings Ramona, Gloria, Raymond, George, Mike
and John Simmons.
A memorial dinner was held Monday, April 25, and there was
a showing of "Making the River" at the Grand Ronde Tribal gym.
The program was hosted by the Grand Ronde Youth Prevention
Program and Grand Ronde Canoe Family.
Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the
Grand Ronde plankhouse Achfa-hammi. A community meal and
giveaway followed in the Elders' Activity Center.
Marlene Cross (MuckleshootPuyallup), Bobby Mercier (Grand
Ronde) and Kevin Simmons (Grand RondeMuckleshoot) officiated
and pallbearers were Donnie Stevenson, Keith Stevenson, Tyson
Simmons, Tyrone Simmons Jr., Robert Simmons Jr., Wes Dill
ing, Kevin Simmons, Jeff Simmons, Max Simmons and Landon .
Simmons. ,
Honorary pallbearers were Allen Rudolph, Arthur Simmons,
Jay Simmons, Robert Simmons Sr., Frank Simmons, Tyrone Sim
mons Sr., John Stevenson, Joe Simmons and Phil Lane Jr.
Arrangements were made by Adamson's Sheridan Funeral
Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Jimi Sim
mons to Bill Wilson Center, 3490 The Alamada, Santa Clara,
Calif., 95050, or The InterTribal Friendship House, 523 Inter
national Blvd., Oakland, Calif., 94606.
"To us, if you made the river, that was freedom. I guess I finally
made that river." Jimi Simmons in "Making the River."
For more information, contact Tyrone Simmons Jr. at 253-335-5357.
T
-A
'ft
Gary Nathaniel Butler
July 4, 1952 -April 13, 2011
Tribal Elder Gary Nathaniel But
ler, 58, a resident of Grand Ronde,
walked on Wednesday, April 13,
2011, as a result of injuries received
in an automobile accident.
He was born on July 4, 1952, in
McMinnville, Ore., the son of Alton
N. and Lois M. Leno Butler. He
graduated from Dallas High School
and attended Chemeketa Commu
nity College in Salem. He wrestled
while in high school and took third
place one year in the state tourna
ment.
He was a logger for many years, working with the Littlejohn and
Crown Zellerbach companies. He loved his nieces and nephews,
and was always concerned with their well-being. He enjoyed the
beach, picnics and drawing. Gary always had dreams of traveling
away from Grand Ronde. He was known for his dependability and
genuineness.
He is survived by his brothers, Alton Butler of Sheridan and
Elvin Butler of Grand Ronde, along with several nieces, nephews
and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents and brothers Randy and Josh.
Viewing was held Wednesday, April 20, in the Dallas Mortuary
Tribute Center. A funeral service was held Thursday, April 21,
in the Grand Ronde Tribal gym. Interment followed in the Tribal
cemetery.
To leave an online condolence for the family, go to www.dallas-tribute.com.
Allen DaleTobiska III
Feb. 15, 1988-April 19, 2011
Tribal member Allen Dale Tobi
ska, 23, walked on April 19, 2011.
He was born on Feb. 15, 1988, in
Everett, Wash., to Helen and Al
len Tobiska. He graduated from
Juneau-Douglas High School in
Alaska.
Allen is remembered as the
funny and charismatic man that
he was. He enjoyed fishing, draw
ing, music and skateboarding. He
loved his life, family and friends.
He had great ambitions, but was
called to the Lord before he could
attain them. His dog, Chaos, was his close friend.
He is survived by his daughter, Anikka Mae Tobiska, who he
loved so much. He also is survived by his parents, Allen and Helen
Tobiska; sisters, Tiffany and Misty; brothers, Jesse, Carl and Dan
iel; grandmother, Rhoda Clark; aunts, Lori Neveau, Linda Kline,
Sonya Connelly, Betsy Young and Cappi Satterwhite, along with
other aunts; and uncles, Jeff Clark, Scott Clark, Randy Clark, Tim
Lane and Floyd Daniels, along with other uncles.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Virgil Clark, and
grandmother, Betsy LaBonte-Schaefer.
Visitation was held Thursday, April 28, 2011, at Dallas Mortuary
Tribute Center. A funeral service was held Friday, April 29, in the
sanctuary at the Tribal cemetery.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center handled the arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.dallastribute.com.