Thomas Blackeagle Jr.

Thomas Lee Blackeagle Jr. (Now Wena Thā) was born on February 5, 1953 to Lucy Billy and Thomas Black Eagle Sr. He was raised at McKinley Indian Mission by John and Norabelle Runyan along with many other foster brothers and sisters. When his mother passed away in his teen years he met his sister, Georgia, and became involved with his mother’s side of the family. Georgia taught him about the Yakama culture; giving him a connection to his people and helping shape him. After he graduated from Toppenish High School in 1971, he went to live with his father in Montana. There, he got to meet many of his half-brothers and half-sisters. Thomas Sr. taught him about cattle ranching and carpentry and Tom helped his father for a few years before moving back to the Yakima Valley. When he returned to the Valley, he applied his carpentry skills and began to work with local construction companies. He was able to save up and purchase two houses that he rented for a while before selling and moving to New Mexico where he went to school at Artesia Christian College and earned his bachelor’s degree in cross cultural ministries. From there he went to Pacific Christian College in Fullerton, California in 1985. While in California, he located Sybil Brazil who had sponsored him when he was living in foster care as a child. He lived with Sybil for three-and-a-half years while attending college and developed friendships with her whole family. This included her granddaughter, Melinda Radke, and great grandchildren (Melinda’s children), Christian, Thomas, and Sara. While he was close with the whole family, he maintained a relationship with Melinda upon his return to Washington in 1988. In 1989 he invited Melinda to Washington to visit him at the Mission. During her visit, he proposed to her and asked if she would come to Washington to stay with him. They were married on July 7, 1990 in Bell Gardens, California. Tom and Melinda lived at McKinley Indian Mission with his in-laws, Thomas and Wanda Taylor, as well as Melinda’s children. He welcomed her children with open arms and loved them as his own. Tom and Melinda worked together to minister to the congregation of McKinley Church of Christ. he became the head pastor at the church in 1995 until he retired from it in 2005. He brought in multiple work groups to help in the community and was a constant mentor, friend, and pastor to the people of the Yakama Reservation and beyond. The National Missionaries Convention named him president in 1996. For the next year he travelled across the country to many different conventions to tell his story and share the gospel. He had a servant’s heart and worked tirelessly to help the people around him. In 1992, Tom and Melinda welcomed their son, Seth, into the world and later in 1995, they had their daughter, Emily. Tom loved his children and made sure he was involved in their lives and encouraged them in their walk with Christ. He made a conscious effort to be present at their school activities and actively involved in their studies as well. Even though Tom may not have been the head pastor at a church after he retired from McKinley Church of Christ, he still ministered to the Yakama Indian Reservation and surrounding area. Tom officiated many weddings, funerals, and held many prayer vigils for members of the community. He started to work at Catholic Charities in 2005 as the Volunteer Coordinator. He used this role to continue his ministry by serving the elders throughout the entire state of Washington, building ramps, scheduling volunteers to pick up seniors, painting houses, cleaning yards, and many other projects; Tom would jump right in and work hard to complete the project smiling and laughing the whole time. Tom never knew a stranger. He would strike up conversation with anyone and everyone. Always welcoming with a warm smile, handshake, or hug. Tom would always take his time to make sure he greeted you and ask how you were doing. His earnest and friendly demeanor encouraged many to seek him out when they needed someone to help and/or support them. He remembered their name and could tell you everything he knew about the person off the top of his head. He would take anyone under his wing and made sure they knew they were loved. Not only by him, but by his Creator. Tom was also a loving grandfather. He spent much of his free time chasing them around the yard – usually with a water hose. Tom loved his family and was proud of every single one of his kids. Whenever the family would get together, he’d have an armful of grandkids and a huge smile on his face. They adored their papa and would seek him out to play and talk. His greatest desire was to spread the Gospel and ensure his people and everyone he met knew the love of Jesus Christ. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and mentor. He will be missed greatly by all. He passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Tom is survived by his wife, Melinda, his stepchildren, children and their spouses, Christian Radke (Whitney Radke), Thomas Radke (Amber Radke), Sara Brown (Jim Brown), Seth Blackeagle (Anndee Blackeagle), Emily Shewey (Jakob Shewey), his grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 26, 2022 at 10am at the Yakama Nation Toppenish Community Center with a graveside service to follow at Toppenish Creek Cemetery.

Thomas Blackeagle Jr.

February 5, 1953 - November 20, 2022

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Thomas Blackeagle Jr.

February 5, 1953 - November 20, 2022

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