Walking On - March 15, 2012

William Avery Hudson Kellogg

Feb. 21, 1945 - Feb. 25, 2012

Tribal Elder William Avery Hudson Kellogg, 67, was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on Feb. 21, 1945, and walked on Saturday, Feb. 25, in Grand Ronde.

He is survived by his wife, Kris Kellogg; children, Travis, Tasha, Elyssa and Rachelle; brother, Joe Kellogg; and sister, Kandee Kellogg.

He loved to read, write and hunt. He was a second generation auto body man by trade all of his life.

The family wanted to share one of his passions for writing with this poem that expressed his lifelong battle.

"The Trail"

"I feel a need to write my thoughts and experiences, the urge to write, as if it were an unstoppable wind blowing through the forest. I stand on a mountaintop looking down the trail these 50 years have brought me. I see a trail with many twists and curves, a trail with very little sunshine and much sadness, but when the sun shined, it was so bright and soul warming.

"I realize that with mixed feelings you can chart your own trails. As a Native American I have always felt oneness with the land. As far back as I can remember, when the trail of life led into nature I was most happy. But there is a demon that holds me; it has been like a shadow that is always there, night and day. It is always deceitful and it will fool you; similar to a Chinook summer that then turns to a high plains blizzard which numbs your brain, forcing you off the straight trail to wander and stagger in circles.

"Losing sight of the trail you wander into dark canyons where you are attacked by bears and fall into a rushing flooded river. Always you fight with a strength inherited a ghost lurking around you even in your sleep. You'll build a magnificent camp on a wide and well-traveled trail where the sun shines almost year-round. Then for some reason not understood you will strike off into the wilderness, taking the hardest and toughest trails you can find, returning from your journey wondering why you left.

"Standing at the top of the mountain and looking down that trail I can see this demon and identify it, because it has been with my family forever. It ate my mother, my aunt and now it seeks my children. But now I know your name and will fight you again as I climb the mountain to that well-traveled trail that is true."

His life was celebrated and will continue to be remembered by family and friends forever.

To leave private online condolences, visit www.macyandson.com.

Jesse Francis Robertson Sr.

Dec. 15, 1942 - Feb. 26, 2012

Tribal spouse Jesse Francis Robertson Sr., 69, walked on Sunday, Feb. 26, at his Willamina home.

He was born Dec. 15, 1942, in McMinnville, Ore., to John and Opal Rita (Brandon) Robertson. He was a timber tramp, working from Alaska to Coos Bay. He worked as a yarder and engineer. He was a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

He is survived by his wife, Candy Robertson of Grand Ronde; daughters, Diana Sohappy of Grand Ronde, Angie Blackwell of McMinnville, Debbie Larsen of Beaverton and Mychal Leno of Salem; sons, Kenneth, Jesse Jr. and Brandon of Willamina and Lynn A. Robertson of Fort Myers, Fla.; brothers, Bob Robertson of Tillamook, Ronald Robertson of Willamina and John A. Robertson Jr. of Mount Angel; sister, Ruby Christopherson; 30 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael A. Robertson.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 3, at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde gym.

Adamson's Sheridan Funeral Home handled the arrangements.