RONALD GERALD "REG" DIABLO-JAMES

1945 - 2009

Ronnie Diablo-James passed away Friday, March 20, 2009 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA.

He was born July 26, 1945 in Sardis, BC and a member of the XaXli'p band, Lillooet, BC.

He attended the Kamp-loops Indian Residential School. He came to the Skagit County in the early 1960's to live with his parents in Burlington, WA. He worked for the Sakuma Brothers Farm, after that, he started his life long career in the shake mill industry working for Ellis Buchanan and then he moved on to Dunlap Towing.

He enjoyed playing pool with the many friends he had. He also loved the traditional fishing of the XaXli'p band, along with the beach seining of the Swinomish tribe. Ronnie was known to everyone, even when he couldn't get around very well, it was important to him to walk through the reservation to visit all his friends and family. He cherished the fond memories of his people from the XaXi'p band, and would return home every now and then to visit, but his life was here with his children at the Swinomish tribe, where he lived for the last 43 years. He was a caring and loving man known by all. He had a great sense of humor and a big heart. He was a member of the Swinomish Smokehouse since 1967.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Diablo and Josephine Bob; his brother, Harvey Diablo and wife Lilly; his grandmother, Sarah English; his cousin, Bradley Bob; and his nephews, Karl Diablo and Robin Diablo.

He is survived by his children, Mary James and Bernard James of Swinomish, and their mother Bernadette Stone. He also had one daughter from Xaxl'ip band Lenora Dennis of Chase BC. Grandchildren, Aurelia Keo of Swinomish and Jonathan Jack of Swinomish, and one great-grandchild, Xavier Keo of Swinomish. Other children Ronnie adopted as his own, Cassandra Cayou of Swinomish and Cindy O'Rock of Swinomish. Ronnie had 9 brothers and sisters, Marge Kelly of Cultus Lake reserve, Delores Tilly Wolf-man of Toronto Ontario, Florence Louie of Mission BC, Leslie Diablo of Mission BC, Gertrude Ned of Lillooet BC, Sylvia Powless of Six Nations Ontario, Earl James of Swinomish, Joyce Nickolsen of Lummi, Marlene-Dolly Diablo of Chilliwack BC., close to him were his nieces, Gail Cayou of Swinomish, April James of Swinomish, and last but not least "The Crew" of Swinomish.

Prayer services of all Denominations will be held Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Swinomish Social Services. Funeral services will be Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 10:00 AM in the Swinomish gymnasium celebrated by Father Jerry Graham.

Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Please share your memories of Ronald and sign the online guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com