NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Sept. 5, 2017, Larry Mark Simon passed peacefully in his sleep in Deer Park (St. Helena).

He was born on Nov. 19, 1951, in Deer Park to Luke and Dorothy Simon. He was the younger brother of Marcel Simon (predeceased).

Larry was a tribal elder of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, also known as the Lake Miwok Nation. He was Lake Miwok and Wintun, and served his tribe as a tribal chairman and had the foresight to create the Twin Pine Casino for the betterment of his people.

He also served on the first Middletown Rancheria Business Council, to develop the second phase of the Twin Pine Casino, as well as negotiated gaming contracts. He created the first Elder Gathering at Middletown Rancheria and personally invited neighboring tribal elders to attend.

He was an entrepreneur with native products in California and throughout the United States, with the origination of his business, Two Feather. Before he served his tribe, the Middletown Rancheria, Larry was a heavy equipment operator for 30 years.

For several years he served as a mentor in guidance for members of the tribal council. In recent years, he served as a member of the Tribal Elder Committee for the Tribal Historic Preservation Department and provided integral insight into the history of the ancestral lands of the Lake Miwok.

He was very knowledgeable of the land, history, culture and people, and although he loved to hunt he also provided for his family when food was scarce. He was a traditional spear-fisher and excellent hunter.

He enjoyed challenging others to grow, visiting friends and family throughout California, sharing his stories of old times, he loved to watch football and westerns, spending time with family, coming up with new ideas for business ventures for himself and others, trap shooting and gambling.

Larry was a father, grandfather, uncle and cousin and a friend to many.

He is survived by daughter, Leslie Keenan; son Jeffery Keenan; granddaughter, Autumn Keenan; grandson, Jaid Keenan; grandson, Revel Keenan; nephew, Landon Simon; niece, Ericka Gartner; cousins, Jose Simon Jr., Mildred Simon and Robert Simon.

He was preceded in death by father Luke Simon; mother, Dorothy Simon; brother, Marcel Simon; and sister, Esther Silvas.