Walking On: Brenda Sue Gray, Clinton Maxie Stamps, Dennis J. Hemeon, Corrine Kay Fugate

Brenda Sue Gray

Sept. 7, 1953 – July 12, 2025

Tribal Elder Brenda Sue Gray passed away July 12, 2025, at the age of 71.

She was surrounded by many loving family members before she passed.

She was a Kalapuyan descendant of Chief Joseph Sangretta, a proud Elder of The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and a member of the Haller-Menard family.

Brenda was born to Claude (Bill) and Delores (Odie) Knight on Sept. 7, 1953, in Stayton, Oregon. She grew up in the Stayton/Turner area in a large extended family with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

After raising three children, Brenda got her associate degree in accounting. She started working at Spirit Mountain Casino in 1999 and retired in 2012. Disneyland and Hawaii were her favorite places to take her family, and her home in Elders housing was full of family photos and memorabilia from places she visited.

Brenda lived a life rooted in faith, devoted to Christ and guided by the teachings of the Bible. She found peace in knowing that she would soon be reunited with many loved ones.

Brenda joins her husband, Charles Gray; her parents and her sister Loretta Sisemore in heaven. She is survived by her sons, James Knight and Charles Gray; her daughter, Tricia Gray; her granddaughter, Gabby Warner; her grandson, Tyee Knight; her sister, Karen Plunges; and her brothers, William Knight, Dennis Knight and Jesse Knight.

2 Timothy 4:7 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, at the Tribal Cemetery with a meal afterward at the Tribal Community Center.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center assisted the family.

Clinton Maxie Stamps

March 25, 1977 – July 9, 2025

Tribal member Clinton Maxie Stamps passed away July 9, 2025, at the age of 48.

Klein Funeral Homes in Tomball, Texas, is assisting the family.

Dennis J. Hemeon

Sept. 4, 1948 – July 10, 2025

Dennis J. Hemeon entered God’s Kingdom on July 10, 2025, at his home in Willamina, surrounded by loved ones. He was 76.

Dennis was born on Sept. 4, 1948, to Stanley and Rita (Mercier) Hemeon in Keene, New Hampshire.

He was married to Tribal Elder Jamie Adams, who works at the Health & Wellness Center in Grand Ronde.  They have been together for nearly 20 years.

Dennis was raised on the East Coast and graduated high school in 1966, where he was a star athlete in basketball and set an all-time state scoring record, which lasted 20 years.

Dennis joined the United States Coast Guard immediately after graduation and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. His military service concluded in 1970.

After discharge, Dennis decided he didn’t want to return to the East Coast but remained in the last city he was posted to before his discharge from the military: Astoria. Dennis fell in love with Oregon’s beauty and the casual lifestyle the people of Oregon seemed to enjoy.

After Dennis and Jamie married, they created a home in Willamina, to be near the Tribe and family.

Dennis worked in sales most of his life and since retiring, spent his leisure time gardening, reading, crafting model cars, and playing a friendly game of pool with his friends. He also loved history and learned as much as he could about Grand Ronde Tribal culture and traditions, and Oregon’s unique story.

Dennis believed strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet and had a natural gift for conversation in any situation. He would often strike up random conversations with people he met out and about in the community. Most of all, he enjoyed visiting with friends and family, and was a regular guest at the Elders Activity Center and other Tribal events and celebrations.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jamie Adams Hemeon of Willamina; siblings, Robert L. Hemeon of Laconia, New Hampshire, Brenda L. Reed of Franklin, Massachusetts and Jil A. Hemeon of Mansfield, Massachusettes; children, Josie Hansen, Daniel Hemeon, Nicholas Adams, Olivia Adams and Ian Adams, in addition to several grandchildren and many other extended family members.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at the Grand Ronde Methodist Church. A meal, hosted by the family, will follow. Dennis’ family invites guests to bring a potluck dessert to share.

Dennis’ family wishes to thank those closest to them for their outpouring of love and support, as well as the hospice workers who cared for him during his illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dennis’ memory to Traditions Hospice.

Corrine Kay Fugate

Sept. 25, 1964 – July 26, 2025

Tribal Elder Corrine Kay Fugate passed away July 26, 2025, at the age of 60.

Wilson’s Chapel of the Roses in Roseburg is assisting the family.

Funeral service details were not available before presstime.