Renick, Patrick Dorn

Patrick Dorn Renick - age: 72
(June 21, 1942 to February 23, 2015 )
Resident of Willits, California

Obituary:
Patrick Dorn Renick of Willits, CA was born in Graton Rancheria on June 21, 1942. Pat entered into rest on February 23, 2015. Pat is preceeded in death by the following loved ones: Mother, Genevieve “Gensey” Knight; Father, Robert Renick; Brother, George Renick, and Sister, Shirlee Smith (Laiwa). Pat is survived by children: Jaculine “Lisa” Renick Abbott, Megan Bailey and Hillary Renick; as well as Granddaughter Aryana Renee. Pat is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives. He was an enrolled member of Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians with close family throughout Mendocino County.
Throughout his life he maintained a great sense of humor, was known for his charismatic personality and hard-working ethics. He was an accomplished storyteller who entertained people with interesting and intellectual discussions. He is remembered for his generosity, leaving a legacy of memories behind for many people who crossed his path.
Pat was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, and traditional food gatherer. He was well known for hosting Traditional Salmon BBQs at cultural events such as Sherwood Bigtime, Coyote Valley Bigtime, California Indian Days and Elder’s Day Gatherings, plus many others. Pat was an expert cultural bearer of knowledge, who gathered seaweed and acorns, was a great teacher of traditional Indian food harvesting, preparation and cooking techniques, especially his coastal foods.
Pat’s attended Chapman College in Orange County and University of California Davis where he majored in Environmental Science. Pat also played basketball for the Davis Suns, an All-Indian Basketball Team where he served as coach along side life-long friends Alan Wallace, George Longfish, Hiram Campbell, and many others.

Pat’s work history included Recruiter for California State EDD where he enlisted several California Indians in vocational training schools located throughout the State. Pat was hired in the summer of 1967 by California State Employment Service by the former Governor Edmund Brown, along with 15 Other Indians throughout the state. Pat, along with Joe Carrillo and the political collaboration of Indians throughout the state established the California Rural Indian Health Board, thus the formulation of rural Indian health clinics today. He also held professional positions at Indian Health Service, California Tribal Health Association, Consolidated Tribal Health Project, Inc., General Manager of Black Bart Casino in Willits, former Chairman of Sherwood Valley Rancheria and sat on numerous governing boards.
His community service history includes advocacy on behalf of Indian people spanning decades. He was involved in issues on a local, tribal, statewide and federal level including critical issues such as economic development, environmental health, health care, housing, land and cultural preservation and many more. Once he got the private telephone number of Ronald Reagan (when he was governor), and had a conversation about a dam in Indian Country). He wanted to name his last daughter Reagan. He was a true renegade.
Siblings include: Sharon Bennett of Alturas; Helen “Wootsy” Renick of Sacramento; Robina Rafanan of Fort Bragg; and Carol Cook of Willits.
Pallbearers: Shawn Padi, Christian Bennett, Robert Brown, Dino Brown, Dewey Lucas, Robert Morgan, Jodi Jackson, Bill Feather and other family members.
Honorary Pallbearers: Eddie Knight, Alan Wallace, Oliver Forest, Dale Risling, Ronnie Hostler, Andy Masiel, Arnold Cleveland, John Cook.
Wake to be held 6PM at Coyote Valley Gym on Saturday February 28; Celebration of Life 3PM at Coyote Valley Gym on Sunday March 1; Recitation of the Rosary 7:30PM at Coyote Valley Gym on Sunday, March 1; Funeral Services 11AM on Monday March 2nd; Interment 1PM at Hopland Tribal Cemetery on Monday, March 2, 2015. Dinner will follow burial at 4PM at Coyote Valley Gym.
Cards may be sent to the family home at: Hillary Renick, 140 Sherwood Hill Drive, Willits, CA 95490.