LAPUSH — Quileute tribal members on Thursday were mourning the unrelated deaths on Wednesday of Terry Jones and Charlotte Kalama, who both had fundamental links to this West End community.
A tribal carver and fisherman, Mr. Jones, 54, died Wednesday night in a fire in his trailer in LaPush, Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict confirmed late Thursday.
The fire is being investigated by the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms because it occurred on the reservation, but it was not believed to be of suspicious origin, Benedict said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, he said.
Mrs. Kalama, 86, died Wednesday of natural causes at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, said Bob Hyde, a funeral director at Coleman Mortuary Inc. in Hoquiam, which is handling funeral arrangements.
She was a tribal elder fluent in the Quileute language, tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs said.
Mrs. Kalama’s mother, the late Lillian Payne Penn Pullen of LaPush, was instrumental in fostering interest in the language.
Mrs. Kalama was a lifetime resident of Queets, Hyde said.
Fire started at night
The fire at Mr. Jones’ residence, located 30 to 40 feet west of the tribal court building and near the tribal community center, was reported at about 9:40 p.m., LaPush Police Department Officer Brian Demorest said.
No other structures were endangered by the blaze, but once it was discovered, “the calls all came in at the same time,” Demorest said.
Mr. Jones was a well-known and longtime LaPush resident, Demorest said.
“Everyone knew him, and he knew everyone,” Demorest said.
There are about 700 tribal members, and about 400 live on the reservation, which is about the size of one square mile, said Anna Parris, tribal housing director.
Said tribal center switchboard operation Jackie Smith: “He was our carver.”
A family member who asked not to be identified said Mr. Jones had watched a healing circle drum group perform earlier Wednesday night.
“He went around hugging everybody,” she said.
“He just showed love.”
She said Mr. Jones broke track records as a student at Bellingham High School, where he received his diploma.
Mr. Jones had a son, Jesse Schumack, the family member said.
Further information on survivors was unavailable Thursday night.
Arrangements are by Harper Ridgeview Funeral Chapel in Port Angeles.
Acclaimed basket weaver
Mrs. Kalama attended Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Ore. and was a welder at Bremerton Shipyard during World War II, Hyde said, and was later was a medical clerk in Queets for more than 20 years.
Like her mother, Mrs. Pullen, Mrs. Kalama was an acclaimed basketweaver, Hyde said.
Mrs. Pullen, the eldest member of the Quileute tribe when she died at age 86 in 1999, promoted the recording of the Quileute language and the publication of a Quileute language dictionary.
Mrs. Kalama’s grandfather was Quileute Chief Wilson.
Mrs. Kalama was preceded in death by her husband, Fred.
Survivors include brothers Christian Penn, Esua Penn Sr., Ronald Penn Jr., and Doug Pullen Sr., all of LaPush, and sisters Norma Rodriguez of Auburn and Hazel Black of LaPush.
She also is survived by sons Jeff Kalama and Pete Kalama of Queets, and daughters Pauline Capoeman of Taholah and Sue Kalama of Queets.
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Staff writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
