James Vincent Andreas Sr.

1930 - 2008

James "Jimmy" Andreas, was born in Onyx, CA to Willie and Josephine Andreas. He passed away at the Miranda Indian Rancheria, Weldon, CA. He is preceded in death by his former wife Gloria Mae (Stone), his father and mother, and eight older brothers and sisters, also his son Billy Andreas, grandsons Mickey Ray Andreas, and Lonnie Swain. Jim is survived by daughter, Elaine (Andreas) Wolfram, son James "Jimmy" and Wendy Andreas, son Louie and Tammy Andreas, and stepdaughter, Samantha (Cisternas) Riding-Red-Horse; grandchildren, Martha Button, Melissa Wolfram, Cody and Kayla Andreas, Cory and Jordan Andreas, Megan Davie, and Travis Andreas, Christine Andreas, Joe Andreas, and many great-grandchilden, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will also be missed by his close and dear friend Robert Gomez, Jr. Jim served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in several battlefield campaigns. He ended his military duty after being called home at the passing of his beloved "mom." Jimmy worked several years in the logging industry in Bishop and Redlands, CA, but decided to return to being an "Indian Cowboy", which started at the age of twelve years, prior to his military service. He was a cowboy for 50 years; last employed by the Sprague Ranch. If one is to mention a cow trial in the Kern Valley and surrounding high country, Jim has been on it. He loved cattle and horses. Jim started on a language project with Robert Gomez in 1995. This project eventually took him to his last and recent endeavor; the "Pakanapul Language Project," working with his nieces and nephew (Bertha, Betsy, Cherry, Virgie and Anthony) and occasionally Robert. Jim was the last fluent speaker of the Pahkaanil Language in the Kern River Valley. As an Elder and speaker of the language he shared what he could recall of his tribal culture. As an "Indian Cowboy" he honed his skills to become very well respected by the local and regional cowboys of CA. His legacy as a cowboy has been continued by his sons, Jimmy Jr. and Louie, who have developed a fine reputation of their own. As members of the Tubatulabal tribe, speaking the Pahkaanil language we doo not have words for "Good-Bye." We must therefore, individually say, "Adau gimsha Jimmywal" (I'll see you later, Jimmy). Services will be held at Sierra Mortuary and Funeral Home, 6416 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA 93240 on Saturday, August 9, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Cottage Grove Cemetery in Onyx, CA immediately thereafter. James Vincent Andreas, Sr. Aug. 18, 1930 - July 30, 2008