Wayne T. C’Hair, 78, of St. Stephen’s, Wyoming passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. A rosary will be at 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Great Plains Hall. Following the wake will be at Rose C’Hair residence, 62 C’Hair Lane. Military honors will be presented. The funeral service is 10:00 am on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Great Plains Hall with burial to follow at Arapaho Catholic Cemetery.
Wayne Thomas C’Hair was born on March 11, 1945 in Fort Washakie, Wyoming to William Samuel C’Hair, Sr. and Eva (Brown) C’Hair. He grew up on the Wind River Reservation, graduated high school, earned his Associates Degree in Business Management from Central Wyoming College in 1982.
He served in the U.S. Army with the First Air Calvary during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He was Honorably discharged and returned to the Wind River Reservation as a Combat Veteran.
Wayne was baptized into the Catholic faith but also practiced the Traditional Northern Arapaho Ceremonies. He was the Keeper of Knowledge for the Northern Arapaho Tribe. He supported all the Traditional functions of the Norther Arapaho Tribe.
Wayne was a lifetime teacher of the Arapaho Culture. He taught the Arapaho Language in all Fremont County Schools, Central Wyoming College, Wind River Tribal College, and University of Wyoming College. He also taught and worked for the Southern Arapaho Tribe.
He was a storyteller, keeper of the language, spiritual advisor, and a horseman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, was a Native American craftsman, making moccasins, bows and arrows, and other crafts. He shared his knowledge of the Old Arapaho Sign Language, and was a member of the Northern Arapaho Culture Commission.
He is survived by his son, Brent C’Hair; daughers, Adene Goggles and Robin Lopez; brothers, William J. C’Hair, William S. C’Hair, Jr., Raymond L. C’Hair, Sr., Daniel L. C’Hair, Kenneth Paul C’Hair and David Duane C’Hair; sisters, Mary Ann Duran, Matilda A. C’Hair, Julia M. Whiteman, and Rose M. C’Hair; grandchildren, Lillie Goggles, Brentina C'Hair, Trisha C'Hair, Cole C'Hair, Kainen C'Hair, Angel C'Hair, and Donovan Bigleggins; numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren. Numerous extended family member of C’Hair, Lonebear, Blackburn, Yellowbed, Eagle, Norse, Wanstall, Brown, Willow, and Headley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eva C’Hair; grandparents, Andrew L. Brown, Sr., Alta “Tyler Brown, Xavier Iceman and Fannie Moccasin; brothers, John Tyrone C’Hair, Lee Eagle, and Ambrose Freeman C’Hair; sister, Louise C’Hair; and numerous uncles and aunts.
On-line condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.