Dalton Cree

Dalton Cree “Titnapum Iwinch”, 67, started his final journey September 8, 2019. He was born in Toppenish, Washington to Ronald Cree Sr. and Virginia Alexander on April 21, 1952. Dalton resided in Wapato for all of his childhood. Then, he moved from Oklahoma, Tacoma, Las Vegas and Fort Hall ID. As a child and young adult he was a traditional gatherer. His family lived in the mountains for months at a time with his sibling and parents. His uncle bobby specifically took him and taught him our traditional ways. He and his sibling helped his grandmother Stella Cree Wynaco. He was a member of the Toppenish Creek Longhouse. He was very culturally competent and culturally understanding to all denominations. During high school he left to boarding school and graduated with his High school diploma at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. While he went to school their he lettered in football two years in a row. He aspired to be a carpenter but his grandmother did not want that to happen. He went to Bates College and accomplished Diesel Mechanics degree. When he was working toward the certificate he graduated at the top of his class. Also, in his young years he was a fire fighter with Yakama Nation Fire Management. Dalton appreciated the mountains so much that he dedicated most of his life to logging. He started at Cody in Ty Valley Oregon. Then to Zwight in Yakima WA. Finished at Tiinma Logging where he started out as a water truck driver then he finished his logging career where he became the lead logging truck driver. When he moved to Las Vegas he became a Para Transit Cat bus driver. Later, he worked for the Mc Carran international airport as a baggage carrier. Then he and his family moved back to the reservation where he started his new adventure. At Yakama Nation Legends Casino he started as a dealer learning all the games and became a Dual Rate Supervisor. Then went back to Las Vegas and became a world famous craps dealer at Jerry’s Nugget. He also briefly worked at stratosphere and learned about crapless craps. He found his way back to Yakama Nation Legends Casino as Security Guard where he retired happily. Dalton was one of a kind. He had hobbies such as; drawing, music, he loved early rock and roll such as the Ramones, iron butterfly, jimmy Hendricks, The Who, The Seeds, the Animals, The Sex Pistols and the list goes on. He was a very avid reader he would outtalk the Mormons. He loved adventures riding bikes/ roller skating with the children all over the reservation. Enjoyed hanging camping at potato hill. When he was young he wanted to go with his cousin Eugene Cree “sonny boy” to the navy but fell in love in 1974. Uncle joe picked him up to go to parker dam with all the rez players were getting down. He saw voodoo in her eyes and they let their passions play and fell in love (Dalton Cree memory). Two years later he married Marianna Cree at Apas Goudy Community Center while she was pregnant with their first born Christina Lee Cree. He survived by his family; Wife of forty three years Marianna Cree, and children Christina Cree Robin Cree/ Racine Thompson, Logan Cree/ Hilary Belcourt, Windy Cree/ Nathan Cloud, Elouise Cree/ Terrell Underwood Sr., Tracy Cree/ Greyson Nagashoah. He has twenty five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Dalton stated “My progeny will carry my heart and soul into a vast uncertainty, I thank the lord for anticipated blessings”. His siblings and their mates: Ronald Cree Jr./ Mary Cree, Casey Cree/ Joy Cree, Jeffery Cree/Annique Cree, Judy Cree, Leo Mondragon, George Hogue/Jamie Hogue, Susan Hogue, Nathan Hogue/ Heidi Hogue. Also, his family with the Harrah Spurs playing basketball, baseball and football. Dalton survived by multiple immediate family members and the list would be too long to note but Dalton dearly loves them. Through his journey through life he had a lot of friends that became family. He preceded in death by: Parents Ronald Cree Sr. and Virginia Alexander, uncle/stepfather aka mountain man Robert Cree, Uncle Joe Andy, grandmother/ stepmother Stella Cree Wynaco, grandchildren Ellieanna Winlee Cree, Bazzle Rose Serling, Eugene “Sonny Boy” Cree jr. Also, his in-laws Lawrence and Ruth Howard (Charley), and their son/ coach Chester J. Howard. His final steps to his journey will start Tuesday, September 10, 2019 with the dressing service at Toppenish Creek Longhouse in White Swan, WA starting at 3:00 PM. Following the dressing service overnight services will start at 7:00pm. Services will conclude the morning of September 11, 2018 with a final service before departure at 6 am for burial at Methodist Cemetery in White Swan, WA. Valley Hills is in charge of the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dalton Cree, please visit our flower store.