Andrew, known as Andy, was born on Aug. 31, 1931, at Stecker, near Lawton, Okla., on a farm where the family set up tepees all around a little farmhouse. Andy was born in one of those tepees to Arthur Unap Sr. and Effie Domebo. Andy was a full-blooded Kiowa, and his Kiowa name was Thaw kaw dah goon (Bushy Eyebrows).
Andy went to his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at Life Care Center, surrounded by family.
As a young boy, Andy helped on the family farm carrying water and food to his uncles working the fields. During cotton picking season, his uncles would have him jump in the cotton bags to stuff the bags tight. Andy was taken from his mother Effie when it was noticed he was old enough to attend school. Andy was sent to Riverside Boarding School in Anadarko, Okla., with his older brother and sisters. Andy spoke fluent Kiowa but was only allowed to speak English at Riverside.
On Sept. 1, 1950, Andy was drafted into the U.S. Army in the 45th Division Thunderbirds out of Oklahoma. He was deployed to Korea during the Korean War, where he was a member of the Recon Unit No. 53 until he was honorably discharged on July 14, 1952. Andy was awarded the Army Occupation Medal, a Bronze Star and the United States Service Medal.
Andy then attended Bacone Indian College in Muskogee, Okla., where he attended a dance and met the love of his life, Freida (Torchy) Lois White, a beautiful Nez Perce student at Bacone from Lapwai. Andy and Torchy were married at the Bacone Chapel in August 1955, and they had been married for 61 years. After being married, Andy and Torchy moved to San Jose, Calif., where Andy continued with his boxing career, turning professional.
The family later moved to Tacoma, where Andy worked for Boeing. One Christmas when they were traveling to Idaho to visit Torchy's family, Andy saw the beautiful Nez Perce country and Andy decided they would raise their family in Lapwai.
Andy took up golf and became an avid golfer competing in many Indian golf tournaments throughout the Pacific Northwest. Andy was also an avid hunter and played baseball and he loved to dance. Andy was a devout member of the Assembly of God Church in Lapwai and held a very strong faith until his passing. Andy held a variety of jobs, including working in the mills at Spalding, Lewiston and Winchester, was director of the Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai, a counselor at the Nez Perce Tribal Alcohol Program and on occasion he would be deputized as a city of Lapwai police officer.
Andy started a boxing club in Lapwai along with the late Tom Redheart, Monte Calkins and Harold (Skip) Willamson. They trained youth to box and traveled to many boxing events throughout the Northwest. Andy was best known as a dedicated Lapwai Wildcat fan as he attended every game, arriving early to get his favorite seat yelling at the teams with his infamous, "Let's go, Blue" or "Hoya, Hoya" and his special yell to the referees, "Hey Rookie."
Andy is survived by his siblings, Georgie Judy Necomie Tewes, Ronald Unap, Deborah Unap Trujillo, Terry Unap and Terri "Birdie" Domebo Templeton. Andy is also survived by his children, Andrew Domebo Jr., Constance Domebo, Angelo Domebo Sr. (Julita), Carol Edmonds Smith, Amleto "Zeke" (Jamie), Antonio Domebo (Tonia), Carla Domebo, Alexio Domebo (Christy) and Crescentia Domebo (Bobby); many cousins; nieces; nephews; 39 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Andy was preceded in death by his wife, Freida Lois White Domebo Unap; daughter, Carlotta Renee Unap; great-grandson JaVontie Domebo; and siblings Asau Jackie Yellowhair, Jerry Redbone, Arthur Unap Jr., Robert Unap Sr., and David Unap.
Andy was known as Chief, Big Blue, Uncle Andy or Grandpa Andy and friend. Andy never met a stranger he didn't like, was a great storyteller and a fun-loving person who will be missed by many relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. today at Pi Nee Waus Community Center in Lapwai. A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the Pi Nee Waus, followed by burial at Grant's Cemetery near Lapwai.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, December 2, 10:00 AM
- Location
-
Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center
99 Agency Rd.
Lapwai, ID 83540
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Condolences
Valerie BabyDoll Allen Olaizola
Although no one could ever replace Andy, his kids are like apples that do not fall far from the tree. A piece of him lives on in all of the Domebo tribe and that should make all feel a lil better. I will miss his gut-busting laughs and almost getting thrown out of the PiNeeWaus because he and I laughed too loud! LOL But God bless the family and I hope not all is tears during the funeral. Sorry I could not be there physically but I am there in spirit. Take care!! BD
Friday, December 2, 2016 4:53 AM
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