Larry Chuki Simon

He was born on November 19, 1951 in Deer Park (St. Helena), California to Luke and Dorothy Simon. The younger brother to Marcel Simon (predeceased).

Larry was a Tribal Elder of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California also known as the Lake Miwok Nation, he is Lake Miwok and Wintun, he served his Tribe as a Tribal Chairman and had the foresight to create the Twin Pine Casino for the betterment of his people. He also served on the first Middletown Rancheria Business Council, to develop the second phase of the Twin Pine Casino, as well as negotiated gaming contracts. He created the first Elder Gathering at Middletown Rancheria and personally invited neighboring Tribal Elders to attend.

He was an entrepreneur with Native products in California and throughout the United States, with the origination of his business, Two Feather. Before he served his Tribe, the Middletown Rancheria, Larry was a heavy equipment operator for 30 years.

For several years he served as a mentor in guidance for members of the Tribal Council. In recent years, he served as a member of the Tribal Elder Committee for the Tribal Historic Preservation Department and provided integral insight into the history of the ancestral land of the Lake Miwok. He was very knowledgeable of the land, history, culture, and people and although he loved to hunt he also provided for his family when food was scarce. He was a traditional spear-fisher and excellent hunter.

He enjoyed challenging others to grow, visiting friends and family throughout California, sharing his stories of old times, he loved to watch football and westerns, spending time with family, coming up with new ideas for business ventures for himself and others, trap shooting and gambling.

Larry was a Father, Grandfather, Uncle and cousin and a friend to many. He is survived by daughter Leslie Keenan, Son Jeffery Keenan, granddaughter Autumn Keenan, grandson Jaid Keenan, grandson Revel Keenan, nephew Landon Simon, niece Ericka Gartner, Cousin Jose Simon Jr., cousin Mildred Simon and Robert Simon. Preceded in death by his father Luke Simon, mother Dorothy Simon, brother Marcel Simon and sister Ester Silvas.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel. Please share your loving memories of Chuki by signing his on-line guestbook at: www.JonesAndLewis.com and www.legacy.com.