Arthur "Art-Artie" Medina

Art was born and raised in Southern California -Oxnard, Port Hueneme & Ventura area. Joined the Army in early 70’s during the Vietnam war, trained at Fort Sill Oklahoma and spent some time in Germany before returning home. Came to live in Oakville, WA in the mid 70’s. He spent a short time in the early 80’s in Quinault and returned to Oakville where he and Jackie raised their children and cared for so many others.

Artie spent his career caring for and driving around kids in the community. He was a bus driver in the summers for the youth program and worked for the Chehalis Tribal Head Start during the school year. Artie & Jackie had an open-door policy for any kid that needed a place to be, a meal to eat and a blanket to sleep under. The two were also foster parents for a time with many kids that came and went but never forgot to stop in and stay a while, for a bite to eat or just to catch.

He played baseball as a kid in California and fit right in here with the Tomahawks crew traveling from one reservation to the next for all the tournaments before working his way into the Ole’Timers Tomahawk team. Even when he wasn’t playing, he was out there under the big oak tree, in the dugout or parked someplace along the fence supporting the guys.

He had a love for old cars and motorcycles. In his younger days, you could find him out working on one of his many cars or his friends’ cars over the years making things work to get to the next place we needed to be.

If you needed someone to talk to, he was that guy, there for anyone. He loved to help people even if it was just to sit and listen.

Artie leaves behind his baby girl, Marla Rose Medina, Marco Black and his puppy dog Kamari. Grandchildren Carolann Black, Beatrice Black, Uriah Black, Marco Jr. Black, Brother Tony Medina and 2 sisters, many nieces and Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews and so many of the community kids over the years that called him Uncle.

Artie left us on February 20, 2024 taking his last breath in this world at 6:43 pm to join his wife Jackie, his son Manny, his momma Alice, his poppa Manuel, Brothers Mike and Steve and Sister Nena in the spirit world where he is free from all his ailments to laugh, crack jokes, listen to music, watch endless westerns and drink coffee with his loved ones and friends there.

A short viewing will be held at Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary 205 West Pine Street Centralia 98531, from 4pm to 6 pm on Saturday February 24, 2024, with services to be held at the Chehalis Tribal Community Center, 461 Secena Rd Oakville 98568 on February 25, 2023. He will be laid to rest at the Secena Cemetery, next to his son Manny and Wife Jackie, following the service. A gathering for a meal and stories will be at the Community Center after the burial.

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