Elton James Pachpe

Elton was a beautiful child and grew to be a beautiful man, inside and out. He had a smile and kind words for everyone he met. He helped whoever needed his help, when he could. Elton sometimes had problems with his health, but had goals he had met. In high school, he couldn’t play sports for health reasons, but he wanted a letterman’s jacket and he earned one by being the Manager of the equipment for the team. He earned his diploma from Wapato High School. Elton wanted to work. He was a dealer at Legends Casino. He wanted a wife and kids. He met Alice Watlamet and they were married on Feb. 23, 2009. Although doctors told him that he probably could not have children, he and Alice had three sons and one baby on the way. He set his goals and achieved them. One of his best times was when he volunteered at Wapato Head Start, helping to teach the children, who called him Teacher Ya Ya. He also enjoyed watching wrestling. He is very much loved and missed by many. His very close loved ones will miss his everyday words of “love you”, his mommie, Chestina Smith; dad, James Pachpe; wife, Alice Pachpe; sons, Owen Hart, Brett Hart, Shace and Elton Jr., A J Hill, and Raymond Watlamet; auntie grandma, Sonja James; sisters, Marilee Allen, Desirae (Kyle), Vanessa (Walter), Sandra (Jaime), and Alice Wesley; brother, John Allen, Travis Shilow, Billy Hudson and Michael Lawrence; aunts, Martina (Farley) Allen, Sharon Smith, Susan Smith, Macy Pachpe, and Wendy; uncles, Phillip, Chester Smith, Jr.; favorite nephew and niece, Wayne Coombes and Johnnie Wesley; grandparents, Evans, Edith, Marian, Mose, Cyrus, Roger, the Squeochs and Dick family. He also leaves behind his pet cat, Undertaker.

Dressing Services were 3:00 p.m., Monday August 8, 2011 at Merritt Funeral Home in Wapato. Following the dressing service, he was transported to the Wapato Longhouse for overnight services. Burial will be at 6:00 a.m., Tuesday August 9th in the Union Gap Cemetery. Dinner will be at the Wapato Longhouse. Merritt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.merrittsfuneralhome.com