Edward Wadda

Edward "Eddie" Wadda, 42, of Fort Washakie, Wyoming died Thursday May 31, in a single car accident near Buffalo, Wyoming. Wind River UNITY held a memorial service to honor Eddie, on Saturday June 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Lander City Park. The Eagle Staff runners had a Journey Home Run from the Wind River Casino to Fort Washakie on June 3. A wake will be held on Tuesday June 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Hall and Funeral services are at noon Wednesday June 6, at Rocky Mountain Hall in Fort Washakie, Wyoming. Interment will be in the Sacajawea Cemetery. Edward Wadda was born July 7, 1969 in Lander, Wyoming the son of Nancy Wadda Large. Eddie grew up in Fort Washakie, Wyoming spending most of his younger years at his grandmother Suzette Wagons home on Trout Creek. He was a 1987 graduate of Lander Valley High School where he excelled in Basketball and was given the nickname "The Wizard" because of his skills. Eddie attended Central Wyoming College in 1996-97, he was a member of the College Basketball Team and a Trio Award recipient, he then attended, the University of Wyoming earning a Bachelor of Arts - Education in 1994. In 1998, he completed his Masters in Education at Oklahoma City University. He was a Doctoral Candidate in 2003 at the University of Wyoming in Education Curriculum and Instruction. Eddie was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal in October of 2005 as the Tribal Liaison for the State of Wyoming. He became the Tribal Liaison for the Eastern Shoshone Tribe in July 2009. He also was a teacher at Wyoming Indian Elementary School and adjunct instructor at the University of Wyoming and Central Wyoming College since 2003 and currently an adjunct instructor at the Wind River Tribal College. From 2004-05, he was also the Eastern Shoshone program coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club. Eddie devoted his life to Native American youth by actively being involved in coaching basketball and coordinating Wind River UNITY chapter events. He and members of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe were honored to participate in the Inaugural Parade for President Obama. Eddie made several trips to Red Lake, MN to assist the community following a tragic shooting there. He empowered youth to have hope, dreams, goals and a voice to make positive changes in their communities. Eddie was inspirational, a mentor and a role model to many. Eddie participated in the Eastern Shoshone Sun Dance. Eddie enjoyed watching local high school basketball games and attended games at Wyoming Indian Schools, Lander Valley and Wind River. His favorite college/professional teams included: Chicago Bulls, Denver Broncos, North Carolina Tar Heels, Notre Dame Football and the Wyoming Cowboys. If Eddie wasn't traveling with UNITY or working he could be found playing golf, tennis, visiting friends and eating at the local casinos. Eddie was also a huge fan of table games at the local casinos. He also enjoyed all types of music, but his favorite was Michael Jackson. Eddie kept in touch with thousands of friends and family with his Face book posts. We all knew where he was, what he was doing and what he was eating. Each and every post was signed "do work ma peeps". Eddie truly did the work to inspire and guide many, many people. The family has plans to establish a Memorial Scholarship to continue his work and encouragement of Native American Youth to advance their dreams. Survivors include his sister Deanne Large Leonard and Husband Floyd, brothers Buddy Large and Vincent Large and wife April of Cache, OK; Nieces Jaylea, Emerald and Martina Large, Gracie Hooper and husband Loren, Tammi Wallingbull and husband Jared, Mylee Wadda, Mattie Leonard, Nephews Bradlee Wadda and Tristian Harris. Uncles Lyle Wadda, John Wadda and wife Rose, William Wagon and wife Mary, Arleigh Armajo and wife Carla, Aunts Lillian Aragon and husband Tony, Cara Moon, Eva Magnum and husband Marvin, Grandmother Wilma Swallow and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his Mother Nancy Large, his Grandparents Ione and Edward Wadda, Susette and Roger Wagon, Gloria and Homer Phillips, Laura and John Tyler, Arvella and Charlie Crispin, Mattie Meeks, Raymond and Elmer Isis, Aunt Donna Shoyo, Celeste Marie Wadda, Uncle Frank Armajo, Brothers Delbert Large, Jr., Roland and Kenny Shoyo and numerous other relatives.