Newton Bohanan

Newton Wendell Bohanan, Jr., Wewukye takanin (Elk Traveler), 55, has made his journey to the Spirit World. He was born September 14, 1965, in Palo Alto, California to Marian and Newton (Josh) Bohanan Sr. Junior was an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a descendant of Old Chief Lookingglass and Chief Timothy.

He was known as Junior to many family members; relatives and friends sometimes called him "Juice". He attended Kamiah school and then boarding school at the Intermountain Intertribal Indian High School in Brigham City, Utah. He later earned his general education diploma. Junior was very smart, he read a lot of books, and was very knowledgeable about Nez Perce history.

As a young individual he attended pow wows and was a well-known fancy dancer. He won many contests throughout the northwest. Many of his outfits were made by his brother Ron Pinkham. Wewukye takanin was given to him at the Chief Lookingglass Pow Wow in 1977.

Later he attended Bible college in Joplin, Missouri and Missouri State for his studies in Communication. He made a lot of friends throughout his travels in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Washington.

Junior also worked at many different places such as at a TV studio, restaurant cook, manager at a Wifi coffee shop, the Nez Perce Tribe Fire Management, and fire work stands.

Wherever he lived or worked he had the love and support of the many friends that he made during his excursions. Junior enjoyed fishing for salmon, drawing, stickgaming, making frybread for his nieces, and spending time with his family. It was said that Junior had nine lives.

Junior is survived by his brother and sisters Ron Pinkham and Renita Brien (Pat Brien, Sr) of San Jose, California, Carol Holt and Joanne Bohanan of Kamiah. Aunts Melva Major of Spokane, Washington and Melvina Kills Crow, and Uncle Raymond (Fred) Major of Kamiah. Nieces Ayisha Bohanan (Shawn Wheeler) of Lewiston, Felicia Kilbane (James Kilbane) of Avon, Ohio, Antoinette Picard (Matt Enick) of Lapwai and nephews Patrick Brien Jr of San Jose, California, Robert Carbajal of Vancouver, Washington, and Shane, Ryan, Joel Holt of Oklahoma. Junior especially loved his grandchildren William Kilbane, Kendrick Wheeler, David Wheeler JR, Edmond (Baby Juice) Bohanan-Wheeler, Christopher (Bear) Carbajal, JayD Enick, Jo Enick. Katie Kilbane, Grace Kilbane, Marian Kilbane, Selin Bisbee, and Jaylah Enick.

He is preceded in death by his parents Marian and Newton Bohanan Sr; maternal grandparents Lillian Oatman-Major and Oswald Johnson; paternal grandmother Selin Billy; brothers Edmond Bohanan, Melvin Pinkham, and Wayne Pinkham; Aunt Laura Major; grandson Sun Enick; and Beaverslide Cousin-Uncle RC Oatman.

Services will be held 2pm Thursday September 2nd at the Life Center in Kamiah with Kelly Lineberry officiating, followed by burial at the Nez Perce Tribal Cemetery on No Kid Road. To go meals will be provided after the burial, Paula Moody is the Head Cook.