Medievalbelle

I'm just wondering if anyone remembers a couple of folks from about 15 years ago (and more).

C. George Younkin, was head of the Ft. Worth branch National Archives offices and had a great hand in helping Kiowa (and other tribes') traditions be passed down and further understood. Resulting from his efforts and friendships made with local Kiowa, he was adopted-in. For a while, I was his personal secretary and guest in his daughter's home (Karen)... and took great pleasure in hearing the wonderful tales Mr. Younkin divulged to me. The man had an amazing, rich life before he passed away in the 90's.

Ralph (pardon me for not remembering his last name). He was a friend of Mr. Younkin and showed kind regard for me at each powwow I attended in my teen years. He always had wonderful advice, a kind word, and smile every time I saw him. And his lovely wife, she had such a bright smile and aura of peace about her. Sadly, on their way home from a powwow one weekend, his regalia blew out of the back of his truck and onto the highway. When he tried to save it, he was struck and killed by an oncoming car. I recall my mother bringin me the newspaper coverage of his death and feeling a great sense of loss for his wife, friends, and family.


I'm just hoping this might ring a bell for others. Both of these gentlemen (and Ralph's wife) have been on my mind lately, and I'm wondering how many others out there they've touched in their warm kindness.

Zotigh

Was this the Mr. Younkin that worked for Chrysler and was responsible for so many native folks being brought to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area to work in the plants of the 1960's? If so, he is well remembered by many folks in the area.

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Scott Zotigh
Kiowa Black Leggings
Kiowa Gourd Clan
Kiowa Tiah Piah
Kiowa Marine Veterans
American Indian Veterans

Medievalbelle

That doesn't ring a bell, but sounds like something he would do. I'll check around and see if he ever worked there. But as far as I know, he moved to the area on assignment while working for the National Archives since the 50's.

Here's a picture of Mr. Younkin in the years I knew him.:

bqueton

I remember both of them and now I'm trying to remember who you are? I grew up in Fort Worth and knew both of them very well.

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If life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life; let's all get wasted together and have the time of our lives!

paraivo

I believe you are referring to Ralph Rivera. He was one of the old time members of TIHA. I knew him also.

Medievalbelle

Mr. Younkin's daughter, Karen, took me into her home for a year.. during a rough time in my teens. (I'm 30 now). I traveled with Karen, her husband, and their 2 girls to powwows in Texas and Oklahoma for a while. It was during this time I got to know Ralph & his lady, the Sheets family, the Johnson family, etc.

Any of this ring a bell? I usually wore a traditional northern buckskin (circa 1860)... hair was lightened to a caramel colour then. I wonder if we ever met. Do you know the Postma family by any chance?

Medievalbelle

Yes, that's it, Rivera. Thank you so much!

I'm ashamed I forgot his name, regardless of the years that have passed. :(

BTW, I'd love to get in touch with Mrs. Rivera. Any ideas on where she might be? Please feel free to pass my info to her...

Stacy E. Dickey
Medievalbelle@yahoo.com
817-306-5838 (Home office)