North Bend, Oregon
June 4, 1927 - March 20, 2009
Internment will be held for Jerry Running Foxe, 81, of Florence, formerly of Coos Bay, at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at the Catching Creek Cemetery in Myrtle Point, where he will be placed beside his wife, Jean, who preceded him in death in December 2000. Memorial services will follow at 2 p.m. at the Kilkich Reservation Plank House in Coos Bay off of Cape Arago Highway. A potluck reception will follow. Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 28, at North Bend Chapel, 2014 McPherson Ave.
Gerald "Jerry" Edwin Mecum was born June 4, 1927, in Bandon. He died March 20, 2009, in Florence at home with his family and friends at his side.
When Jerry was very young, his great-grandmother, Susie Ned, named him Running Foxe because he was fast like a fox.
Jerry was an enrolled member of the Coquille Indian Tribe and he gave the tribe more than 40 years of his life and he loved every minute of it.
Jerry is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jerrie and Roland Reeder and their sons, Cody and Jake of Creswell; stepchildren, Brenda and David Siekiewicz of Cottage Grove; grandson, Tyson Ward of Los Angeles, Calif.; Sharon and Jim Nowak of Florence; Robert and Mary Woody of Cottage Grove; Larry and Della Woody of Cottage Grove; Jim and Doris Woody of Las Vegas, Nev.; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; wife, Mary Lou of Creswell; caregiver, Bobbie Greenfield of Florence; sisters, Loene and husband, Lee Wood of Hawthorne, Nev., and Carlene and husband, Vern Jantzer of Bay City; niece, Sharon and husband, Ronald Parrish of Coos Bay; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Mecum; mother and stepfather, Beverly and Carl Ward; son, Gerald Jr.; sister, Naomi; brother-in-law, Raymond Ward; grandson, Jim Woody; niece, Cynthia Hargis; and nephew, Robert Ward.
The family suggests memorial contributions to a charity of choice.
For directions to the services, call Jerrie Reeder at (541) 767-0188 or Sharon Parrish at 297-5609.
Arrangements are under the direction of North Bend Chapel, 756-0440.
Sign the guestbook at http://www.theworldlink.com.
This obituary was originally published in The World.
Chief Running Fox hosted an Anerican Indian Games event at Coose Bay Fairgrounds in the late 1970's---way ahead of his times---We danced there at a mini pow-wow that week end. A truly great leader and friend! RIP J.C. Eaglesmith.
J. C. Eaglesmith
July 01, 2025 | Genesee Woods, CA | Friend
TO THE MAN OF MY HEART,
UNCLE JERRY YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND...YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE.
I AM SO GLAD THAT GOD GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO HAVE YOU BESIDE ME WHEN EVER I WAS DOWN!
YOU ALWAYS TOLD ME I WOULD RISE UP AND SEE THE GREAT THINGS IN LIFE..
WE HAD SO MUCH FUN,DANCING,LAUGHING.... SPENDING TIME TOGETHER.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LET YOU GO! BUT I KNOW NOW THAT YOU AND THE WHITE WOLF ARE TOGETHER NOW MY FRIEND.
HE HAS BEEN WATCHING OVER YOU FOR A WHILE!!!
BUT HE...
RHONDA PARRISH
March 26, 2009 | COOS BAY, OR
THANK YOU CHIEF FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE.
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED IN HONOR FOR ALL TIME.
KIAMICHI ISHAM
March 26, 2009 | LEBANON, OR
Thank you Chief Jerry Running Foxe for all your support and love,
we will all miss you.your in our hearts,see ya soon my brother,teacher,warrior my friend,Thank you,best wishes to the family. dee odom
Dee Odom
March 26, 2009 | Cottage Grove, OR
