John Edwin Wadda

John Wadda, 82, passed away October 5th, 2025 at the Veteran's Affairs Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT from a long, hard fight of illness. He was born June 15th, 1943 to Ione Isis Wadda and Edward Wadda. Raised by Susette and Roger Wagon Jr.

A traditional wake will take place at his home with Rose at 158 South Fork Road in Fort Washakie, WY on Sunday October 11th, 2025. Funeral and Military Services to happen at the Roberts Mission Church on Trout Creek road in Fort Washakie, WY by Pastor Roxanne Friday at 10AM Monday October 13th, 2025. Burial at Wind Dancer Cemetery in Fort Washakie, WY. Feast and giveaway to follow at the Rocky Mountain Hall.

John was a strong, traditional man and a proud member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. He lived on the Wind River Indian Reservation all his life. His life consisted of enjoying his home watching sports, Matlock or Heat in the night, Clint Eastwood movies, listening to music and of course going to the casino. He enjoyed traveling when he could with his wife Rose.

In John's early years he spent it with his grandparents where he spoke only Shoshone. He didn't learn English until he attended school and graduated from Fremont Vocational High School in 1961. He joined the Military when the Vietnam War began to progress vigorously in March 1965. After basic training in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri then he was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama to be trained as a helicopter mechanic. He started his tour of duty that fall at the Bien Hoa airbase in the Republic of Vietnam. He completed 325 combat missions in the 11 months he served. Originally to be an air mechanic, he became a door gunner mechanic, then was promoted to crew chief who was responsible for maintenance and operation on a UH- 1D HUEY. The same bird he flew in each mission. Upon discharge he was awarded an air medal for his combat service and 13 oak leaf clusters from the Army for his hundreds of hours of combat flight time. After returning from the war, he came home to the Wind River Indian Reservation and started to serve his tribe and community. He, Joe and Donald Chavis, Paul and Donovan Cleveland, Virgil Whiteman, Norman Goggles and Eustace Day Sr started their band known as the "Vanishing Americans… and one misplaced Cleveland Indian" who sang and performed around Fremont County. Where many of his famous pastimes occurred. On December 5th, 1981 he married Rose Aoah and became a father figure to her children.

In 1987-1997, John started working as the Shoshone Higher Education Director. In 1997-1998 & 2001-2002, John served on the Eastern Shoshone Business Council. In 1992, John helped establish the 477 program in Fort Washakie and started working as the director in 2003. John retired in May of 2024. John has been known over the years for his outstanding and dedicated work towards the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and the Wind River Community. His outstanding work earned him an Honorary Degree at the Central Wyoming College in Riverton, WY in May 2022.

John is survived by his beloved wife Rose "Totes" Wadda and his brother Lyle Wadda, step-children Pamela Friday, Marlo L. Friday, Chester Burke (Cora) Friday III. Grandchildren Matthew WhiteClay Jr., Taylor (Ryan) Friday, Trent Timbana, Wyatt Burnett, Marlee Rose Ute, Teresa (Winston) Timbana, and Megan Friday. Zac (D'etta) Wagon, Roger Wagon, Alexa (Jarron) Wagon, Kali Wagon, Ashlyne Wagon, and Wyley Wagon, Nephews Clint Wagon, Quinn Phillips and Family, Buddy Large and family. Nieces Marge Wagon (Boyd), Wilma Wagon, Lizzette Wagon, Deanne Large and family. Shawn and Celenia Collins, Anita Clair, Eddie Wadda, Polly Shoyo and family, Tammi Hill and family, Graci Arthur and family, Jessie Poire, and his beloved great grandson Kingzly Wagon and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Also survived by the families of the Tyler, Hardin, Crispin, Phillips, Mills, McAdams, Swallow, Clair, Wadda and Honena.

John is preceded in death by his parents Ione and Edward Wadda, aunts/uncles; Susette and Roger Wagon Jr. Laura Tyler, Arvilla Crispin, Elmer Isis, Raymond Isis, Gloria Phillips, brother; William Wagon. Step-daughter Deanne Friday, Son-in-law Matthew Ute(WhiteClay) Sr, Granddaughter Tamara Timbana, sisters Nancy Large, and Donna Shoyo, nephews Kenny Shoyo, Roland Shoyo, and Eddie "The Wizard" Wadda.

John will be missed dearly by his family and many others. He believed in getting an education and having a good work ethic is all you needed to be successful. Hard work always pays off. Even with the hardships that may come. His character and life displayed that quite correctly. John was a humble man, he didn't care for being in the spotlight or getting the glory, he cared about the people in the community and doing right by them. We will miss his sense of humor that came with terrorizing, his smile that made you smile, random outbursts of songs or just something to make you look around, and sitting with him talking. We deeply apologize if we forgot anyone as this has been an extremely difficult time. We appreciate every word, phone call, text or messages, food, love and support we have gotten. May all those who helped us in any shape or form receive blessings.

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