A downline Rainwater-related lineage that did not make the list. It has been posted in it's entirety. Bob Schimmel ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Joseph Senn" <COYOTE@vtc.net> Subject: death of John Whitaker Date sent: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 Hi, I am Rachel Sue. Lineage: Rainwater > Lewallen > Brown > Whitaker. John Raymond Whitaker; date of birth - July 8th, 1925 in Protem, Mo., Moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1930, died Jan. 16, 1999 in Grove, Okla. John's deceased parents are James A. Whitaker, & Purna mae Brown Whitaker. Living siblings, Fred (Rae) Phx, James A. (Jay & Marriane) Bullhead City, Ernest (Carol) Phx, Duaine (Pat) Denton, Texas, Bobby Gene (Diane) Gilbert, Rachel (Joe) Senn - Pearce / Sunsites, Arizona. He had two deceased sisters, Verde Mae Bird (Richard), and, Betty Jo Tidey (Eddy). Former Spouse, Reba Kelly. John's children: Eunice W. Milliron, Jon Whitaker. Present Spouse - Jean Whitaker. John's step children: Steve, Barbara and April. He was a champion roller skater, guitar player, singer / song writer, an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to go camping. He loved to tell jokes. As a young man he went in the Navy from living on a ranch in Kyrene - a suberb of Tempe, Arizona where he rode horses, milked cows and other ranch hand duties. John's War record of ww11. He was in the Navy and was an electrican's mate. He was stationed in New Caldonia off Austrailia. Family members report he was on a mine sweeper. He was a third class petty officer. He was wounded in the leg, however the exact details are not known. When he lived in Scottsdale, Arizona, he was envolved with that communities Western Days for many years. He formed the first boy scout troop at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Scottsdale. He tried truck driving and T.V. repair, however he mainly built homes in the Phx area during the 25 years he lived there and worked as a a block mason and a masonry contractor. Even though he was always busy working, serving in his community, being a Father and Husband, he still had time to help his widowed Mother and younger siblings. He thoroughly enjoyed going to the family land, 'The Golden Hawk' at Lake Texoma, Texas where he would play his latest tunes for his adoring fans, his family, at the reunions held on the land each summer. He loved the land and was very instrumental in it's dedication to the family, as a permanent gathering place for all family members, including those who still honor their Metis (Mixed Cherokee) blood. He was raised to honor all ways and this he did. He lives in our hearts, our memories and, at 'The Hawk' this June, we (his family) will play his music and sing to him our thank yous for sharing his time with us while he could and we will plant a tree in his honor.. For all of this we remember John. For always making us smile with his wit, with his wisdom, with his words. We will honor him at every family gathering at 'the Hawk'. ...Dear sweet John, rest in Peace, your work is done. Our Lives are so short, we are all born, and we all die. For us, pertaining to John Whitaker, it is that dash between 'July 8th, 1925 - Jan 16, 1999' that is so important. That dash was what he gave to us. It was Himself. John was cremated, and his earthly self is at home in the Grand Lake of the Cherokees he loved so much. Blessed are the Beaver's who live in that lake for now they have help from the Golden Hawk, from 'The Beaver' himself, Tribal Chief of tribe number two: John Whitaker.