Louis Pacheco, August 25, 1931-August 19, 2011

Louis was a member of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Nation, a proud U.S. Army veteran who saw action in the Korean War, a member of the Native American Family Center, an Indian Elder. In his youth he was the Flyweight Boxing Champion of Nevada. Tonight about five hundred people attended a memorial service which unexpectedly superceded the 80th birthday celebration planned for him this coming weekend. He was a man of gentle dignity, good humor, and generous spirit, a good neighbor and a good friend.

I saw him in the parking lot outside our building this past Thursday. We exchanged pleasantries about the weather, and he said he was "Fine, just the usual aches and pains, but fine." That night he died quietly in his sleep. No long illness, no dementia, no wasting away. He just got tired and went to sleep.

May he rest in peace. He was twice-widowed, and he has one son he loved and worried about, a son missing from the memorial service because he's in prison. Louis left this planet cherished and appreciated by a large community of people who were the recipients of his kindness. I am one of them. I have compiled a Blipfolio of pictures of Louis, made from 2009-2011.