Walking On: Monty Laverne Parazoo, Diane Marie Lane, Dean Harvey Azule

Monty Laverne Parazoo

Feb. 17, 1943 – Sept. 20, 2024

Tribal Elder Monty Laverne Parazoo passed away on Sept. 20, 2024, at the age of 81.

Monty was born to Walter Dewey Parazoo and Dorothy Theola (Beller) Parazoo on Feb. 17, 1943, and grew up in Sutherlin, Oregon. He was the second oldest boy in a family of nine children.

He joined the Navy in 1960 and served in the Pacific. In 1965, he married Louise (Garrett) and they had two daughters, Stephanie and Kimberly.

Monty served a long career as a firefighter for the city of Eugene. After retirement, he served on the Grand Ronde Housing Board, Spirit Mountain Gaming Inc. Board of Directors and the Grand Ronde Honor Guard. He spent his later years with his wife, Nancy (Jones).

Monty was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise; daughter, Kimberly Grenz; two sisters, Wanda Parazoo and Joyce (Parazoo) Wilson; two brothers, Rodney and Michael Dewey; and parents, Walter and Dorothy Parazoo.

Monty is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughter, Stephanie (Parazoo) Boteilho; grandchildren, Kiera, Crystal, Isaiah, Jillian, Ruby and Dylan; and great-grandchildren, Alexander and Mira Jean; stepchildren, Chris, Andrea and Sean; sisters, Betty Bly, Marta Lu Clifford, Dell Dickison and Dee Edwards; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held in Eugene and Sutherlin.

Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Bremerton, Wash., is assisting the family.

Diane Marie Lane

Nov. 16, 1940 – Oct. 3, 2024

Tribal Elder Diane Lane passed away on Oct. 3, 2024, at the age of 83.

Bollman's Tribute Center in Dallas is assisting the family.

Services were held at Tribal plankhouse achaf-hammi on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and concluded on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Dean Harvey Azule

Oct. 22, 1949 – Oct. 4, 2024

Longtime former Grand Ronde Tribal Education Director Dean Harvey Azule of Salem passed away on Oct. 4, 2024, from congestive heart failure and fluid in his lungs, at the age of 74.

Virgil T Golden Mortuary of Salem provided a funeral service and viewing on Tuesday, Oct. 8, with Robert Tom officiating the service. A meal was held following the service at Portland State University Native Center.

Dean will be buried at Spino Cemetery in Pendleton next to his son, Steven, with Thomas Morning Owl officiating at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.

Dean was born to John Clayton and Delores (Vavages) Azule on Oct. 22, 1949, in Phoenix, Arizona.  He was a member of the Gila River Tribe and was a longtime employee of the Grand Ronde Tribe’s Education Department, serving as its first education director for several years after Restoration.

Dean graduated from St. Johns High School in Sacaton, Arizona, in 1967 and Western Oregon University in 2008.

 His employers included Eastern Oregon State Hospital, the Salem-Keizer School District, ombudsman for the state of Oregon, Northwest Regional Education for the Indian Reading Series, the Grand Ronde Tribe and Siletz Tribe.

Dean retired from Portland State University in 2016 where he served as a career counselor.

His interests included playing pool, watching Oregon State University baseball and football, University of Oregon football, deep sea salmon fishing in Alaska, attending powwows and listening to all types of music.

Dean is survived by his siblings, Anna and Gary Payestewa of Phoenix, Arizona; as well as his wife, Luella; son, Brian; daughter-in-law, Melinda; and granddaughter, Alyssa; all of Salem.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Clayton and Delores Azule; son, Steven; sister, Jeannie Azule; aunt, Elenore Vavages; aunt and uncle, Marge and Tony Sabori; and cousins, Gilbert, Annette and Carmelita.

Dean was well loved by many friends, co-workers, and family.