AH-PUS-WA-HEYKT, Raymond Frederick "Rico" Major joined our ancestors on June 17, 2026. He was born November 17, 1952 in Lewiston, Idaho to Rev. Melvin F. Major & Lillian Oatman Major. Fred joined 3 older sisters, Marian, Hazel, Laura & one younger sister/niece, Melva A. Major. Fred grew up in Kamiah, Idaho on Beaverslide Road with his parents & sisters. He was surrounded with all of his family in the early years as his Grandparents Jim & Jane were still living, aunts, uncles & cousins all lived on our hill on Beaverslide Road.
Fred was a proud member of the Nimiipuu People. He was also Wylaki & Pomo from his dad's tribe. He used to travel with all of the family from the hill to California to visit Marian & Josh in Anaheim, CA. The family visited yearly on The Round Valley Reservation in Covelo, California.
Fred was raised in Church at Kamiah Faith Tabernacle that burned in the 2015 fire. He also participated in Nimiipuu Cultural events by dancing and singing at pow wows and he used to dance with a group of young men.
He went to Kamiah Schools & graduated from KHS. Fred experienced a traumatic head injury during high school sports which affected his life. He later went to Riverside Indian School.
In the 1970's he joined a group called "Up With People" which entertained on stages all over the world. He met some very important people throughout his travels abroad. He was very proud of this experience in his life. We all loved to hear his stories about this time of his life. He later worked at Polatch Mill in Kamiah, where his father Melvin and other members of his family worked.
Fred had the honor of being Lookingglass Pow Wow Whipman for many years. He was proud to represent his family & his people. His mother, Lillian, gave him his Titoken name of AH-PUS-WA-HEYKT, Flint Necklace, (Old Chief Lookingglass' name), his nephew Ron Pinkham performed the name giving ceremony.
Fred lived with his sister Laura for many years in Kamiah in town & in the Housing in East Kamiah. He later lived in Clarkston, WA and was employed at Clearwater River Casino & Lodge before retiring. He was able to finally move back home to Kamiah. He enjoyed his coffee, reading his newspaper daily, telling his stories of his adventures in life & going to Itseyeye Casino. He was able to attend Bear Paw Memorial a few years ago with his nephew Macklin Rinehart-Oatman & Kayla Warden. They took Uncle Fred to see the picture of himself that they had noticed before. He was very thankful & happy to be there.
Our Uncle, cousin, grandpa & friend will be missed dearly. He was predeceased by his Parents, Melvin & Lillian, sisters Marian Bohanan, Melvina Hazel Major Kills Crow & Laura A. Major, Grandparents Jim & Jane Oatman, nephew Wayne Pinkham, nephew Melvin James McConville, nephew Newton Bohanan Jr., all of his Uncles & Aunts & babygrandson Samuel Painter. Fred is survived by his sister/niece Melva A. Major of Spokane, Nieces Cistina Wahtomy(John) of Lapwai & Rachel Johnson of Lapwai, Renita Brien(Pat), Carol Bohanan, Joanne Bohanan. Granddaughters Ayisha Bohanan Wheeler(Shawn), Felicia Kilbane(James), Angela Major(Efrain), Heather Claunch, Charlisa Wahtomy- Alba(Christian), Sarah Painter, Chegemum A. McConville-McCovey, Katrina George & Grandsons PJ Brien, Asineom Painter, Harold Willie, Jonathan Lupe, Melvin Alexander James McConville, Dustin Major & Many cousins, nieces, nephews & Great Grandkids.
Fred will be missed by many. This obituary does not attest to all he did in his lifetime and he befriended everyone he came across. He took people into his home even when he didn't have much and asked nothing in return. He learned to be kind to all people from his parents Melvin & Lillian. He loved his Rocks also!