On June 22, 2023, Loren Burton Offield Jr passed away in Hoopa after a long battle with cancer. He had been in remission for 12 years and was fighting his second battle with cancer. He was 73 years old. Loren was a proud member of the Karuk Tribe.

Loren was born on June 16, 1950 in Hoopa. He attended River schools and went on to join the Army in 1969. He was an Armor Crewman and also earned a National Defense Service Medal. Loren worked in construction and carpentry, he learned to weld and was an auto mechanic at the Ford Company in San Jose, and he also worked in the woods as a choker setter. He had a keen eye and attention to detail in all his work.

Loren led a very happy and active life filled with family and friends who loved him dearly. He enjoyed many activities, which included, drawing, playing the guitar, rock stacking, martial arts and working on cars. Loren was a very skilled player of horseshoes, darts and pool. He was competitive, skilled, and took pride in the games he played. When playing darts, he could shoot a bullseye with his left and right hand. Loren’s greatest skill and what he enjoyed the most was competing and playing horseshoes. He played up and down the river and earned a well-known reputation for his ability to win. Many experienced players would mention how long it took them to finally win a game against him. Loren would always talk about how he eventually had to let people win just so they would play him again and then he would beat them. Loren was also a traditional Karuk dip net maker and made tons of dip nets for the Ishi Pishi falls.

Loren is survived by his children, Loren “Twofeathers” Offield (Lucki) and Shalayna Offield; grandchildren, Vanessa (Dellavin), Michael Sr (Luca), Marcus (Tiny), Dakota, Kehniwh, Chase, and Lennox James Offield, Nathaniel, Leilanie, and Dominick Dalizon, great-grandchildren; Bravehawk and Faron McCovey, Michael Offield Jr; siblings, Shirley Clark, Donna Smith, Bessie Munson and Betty McKinnon; nieces, Talonna Marshall (Whitsiwe), Sonia Donahue, Unchnanna Cote (Jesse), Helen Thom, Yaamitch Jackson (James) Ashley Donahue, Qosos and Xatimniim Drake, Trella Gillespie, and Gladys Dunn (Josiah), nephews; Rick Offield, Jack Thom, Panther Riesling, and Juni Black, great-nephews and nieces; Ishyuux, Iim’nih and Ikchaxvaan Marshall, Wallace Donahue, Jesse and Brayton Cote, Aodhan, Deimos, Hayden and Isabella Johnson, Delate Slater IV, Pauline and Peter Jackson, Riley and Roman Dunn.

Loren was preceded by death by his father, Loren Offield Sr, his mother, Trella Aubrey, nephew, Nakima Joseph Frye, and niece, Tessa Donahue.

Pallbearers are Michael, Marcus, Dakota, Kehniwh, Chase and Lennox James Offield, Nathaniel and Dominick Dalizon, Robert Blake, Panther Risling, Nicknekich Hillman and Whitsiwe Marshall.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jon Burr Rogers Sr, Shawn Pine, Terry McCovey, George “Dick” Robbins, Keg Super, Dana Chisum, Ed Leach, Stanley Jones, Jimmy McLaughlin, Jess “Chuck” McLaughlin, Jeff Peters, Matt Douglas, Willie Harrison, Walt Cosce, Jake Blake, Victor Starritt, Dellavin McCovey, and Patrick Willson. Loren O left a lasting impression on all who knew him, the family would like to apologize for anyone who’s name was not mentioned. Please join us on this day to honor Loren O.

The family would like to express sincere thanks Dr. Hugh Kent, Paula McKinney RN, Jackie Dair MA, Orleans Volunteer Fire Department and the Hoopa Ambulance Services for taking such good care of him.

A wake will be held in the evening on Sunday June 25, 2023 at his home, 160 Panamnik Elders Housing, Orleans, California. Memorial Services will be on Monday June 26, 2023 at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building in Orleans, California with Loren “Twofeathers” Offield officiating. Graveside services will be at the Aubrey Family Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Building.

###