The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs lost a valued member of tribal government with the passing of Warren Rudy Clements on Dec. 28 due to complications of diabetes. He died at St. Charles Hospital in Bend.
Clements was born on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation on June 10, 1936. He was the oldest son of Bart and Helen McCorkle Clements.
Clements’ Indian name was Sta-xo-thali. Sta-xo-thali was a treaty signer and Chief of the Lower Deschutes Band, who was killed in 1864 by Paulina’s band near the crossing of the Crooked River, about 12 miles Northeast of Camp Maury. Clements was a direct descendant of Sta-xo-thali.
Clements was one of the Tribe’s earliest college graduates, getting his Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Eastern Oregon College in La Grande in 1962.
After a long and varied career in education, economic development and tribal government, Clements was active in recent years as a prominent proponent of expanding the Warm Springs’ gaming operations into the Columbia River Gorge.
Clements practiced the Washat Indian religion as he learned it from the Queahpama family. The three sisters, Nettie, Matilda, and Sylvia were instrumental in his teaching. Clements worshiped at the Simnasho Longhouse for many years.
A prayer service was held at the Rudy and Anna Clements residence on Dec. 29. The dressing will be at the Simnasho Longhouse on Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. Overnight Washat services will follow. Interdenominational services follow the Washat service. The procession will leave the Simnasho Longhouse at 9 a.m Saturday, with burial to follow at the Agency Cemetery at approximately 10:45.
Hood River News will carry a full obituary in the Jan. 4 edition.
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