Patricia Lumas

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Ann (Montague) Lumas, who
entered eternal rest on May 27, 2026, at the age of 86. Patricia was born on September 1, 1939,
on the Fort Yuma Kwatsan Reservation to James A. Montague and Cecelia Marie (Bryant)
Montague.

She was raised with strong values of family, faith, culture, and community that guided her
throughout her life. Patricia and her family were of the Roman Catholic faith and belonged to the
parishes of St. Thomas Mission, Winterhaven, California; Saint Raphael Catholic Church, Los
Angeles, California; and Sacred Heart Church, Redlands, California.

Patricia taught catechism at Sacred Heart for many years, preparing children for the Sacrament
of First Holy Communion. She attended Immaculate Conception Catholic School and later
graduated with the Class of 1958 from St. John’s Indian School in Komatke, Arizona.
A lifelong believer in education, she continued her studies at Los Angeles City College, earning
a degree in Nursing, and later attended Crafton Hills College, where she pursued studies in
Ophthalmology and Early Childhood Development. She worked diligently with Governor
George Deukmejian and Governor Edmund G. Brown. Patricia was a civil rights activist,
advocate, and supporter of many political causes that opened paths for future generations.
In her younger years, Patricia was honored by Chief Red Cloud’s family with the Indian name
Blue Water Woman (Tho Mni Winyan). This special honor remained a source of pride
throughout her life and reflected her deep connection to traditional culture and community.
As a proud Kwatsan woman, she valued her heritage, traditions, and people. She was a strong
advocate within the American Indian Movement (AIM) and remained committed to serving her
community throughout her life. 

Patricia held many positions and roles throughout her long and meaningful life, always guided
by a desire to serve others and strengthen her community. She spent several years as a Head Start
Teacher at Fort Yuma Quechan Head Start, helping to shape the lives of countless children and
families.

In her later years, she volunteered at Yuma Regional Medical Center, serving in both the Gift
Shop and Emergency Department, where her compassion and caring spirit touched countless
lives. Most recently, she served as a Greeter at Quechan Casino Resort, where she warmly
welcomed guests and represented her community with pride, dignity, and kindness.
Patricia was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, great-grandmother, sister,
aunt, and treasured friend. Family was her greatest joy, and she loved gathering with loved ones,
sharing stories, celebrating milestones, and creating lasting memories. 

Patricia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernest J. Lumas Sr.; her father, James A.
Montague; her mother, Cecilia M. (Bryant) Montague; her paternal grandparents, Joseph A.
Montague, Alice Roosevelt Montague, and Clara Montoya; her maternal grandparents, Michael

Bryant and Anna (Jaeger) Bryant; her lifelong partner, Carlos J. Silva; her sons, John Lumas and
Gilbert Lumas; her son-in-law, James L. Eagleman; her paternal uncles, Henry Montague Sr.,
Blaze Montague, Thomas Montague, and Joseph Montague; her paternal aunts, Emory O’Brien,
Alice Tatro, and Rose Johnson; her maternal uncle, George Bryant; her maternal aunts, Elane
Bryant, Rose Bryant, Muriel Bryant, Ermagene Bryant, and Virginia Jaeger; her cousins, Joanne
Beadles, Vivian Kibbie, and Cornelia Montague Rodriguez; her niece, Stacey Juan; her nephews,
Sheldon Durand and Roy Durand; and her brother-in-law Stacey Durand.

She is survived by her paternal uncle, Felix Montague (Joann); her brother, James A. Montague
(Corey); her sister, Cecile Montague Rodriguez (Joseph); her children, Michele R. Eagleman,
Stephanie Florez (Ernest), Ernest J. Lumas Jr., and Phenella A. Ruckoldt (Andrew); her
grandchildren, Valbert Lumas, Gillery Lumas, and Cherokee Lumas; Monique M. Trujillo
(Freddie), Alana D. Salinas (Arturo, SSG, U.S. Army, Retired), Tina Somenek (Joseph), Bianca
Thundercloud (Izeal, PFC, U.S. Army), David Salinas Jr., SSG, U.S. Army (Danielle), Michael
Salinas (Janyse), Nakita Eagleman, Nathan Eagleman, Philip J. Eagleman, Linzee Small Bear,
and Maddie Small Bear; Joseph A. Gil (Heidi), Amber Aparicio (Gabriel), Miranda Gamboa
(Anthony), Ernest Florez Jr. (Marissa), and Daniel Florez Sr. (Monica); Jeanice Lumas and
Gabriel Lumas (Brenda); Phenesse D. Santacruz (Tony), David G. Fisher Jr. (Makenzie), and
Jennifer Ruckoldt; her great-grandchildren, Mia M. Gutierrez (Ramon), Keely M. Escalanti,
Kenna L. Escalanti, Layla K. Escalanti, and Millie Luna Trujillo; Ila M. Silva and Mia Somenek;
Tristan L. Salinas, Jenoah Golding, Liliana Michele Golding, Dean Michael David Golding,
Noella Thundercloud, Cyrus Thundercloud, and Ilas Thundercloud; Bear Salinas; Sophia Gil and
Gilberto Gil; Kimberly Aparicio, Kaila Aparicio, Gabriel Aparicio, and Derek Aparicio; Aleyah
Olalde and Ezekiel Gamboa; Cynthia Mendoza and Ariana Florez; Daniel Florez Jr., Adrian
Florez, Noah Florez, and Riley Florez; Valencia Carma Lumas, Luna Lumas, and Halo Honey
Lumas; Jeremiah Roy Santacruz, Ezekiel Tony Santacruz, Bella Gloria Santacruz, and Elijah
Levi Santacruz; Grant Luka Fisher and Paloma Quinn Fisher; her niece, Ora Lee Valesta; her
nephews, Tudor Montague (Maria) and Vincent Todd Durand; her nieces, Kim Epps, Bernadette
Lumas, Regan Lumas, Patrice Lumas, and Regina Lumas; her nephews, Irvin Epps, Timothy
Lumas, Michael Lumas, Glen Lumas, Gary Lumas, and Lenard Lumas; her cousins, Sylvia
Miniz, Gloria McGee, Maralyn Poni Cappo, Memory Poni Cappo, and Emilio and Susan Koteen
and family; her godsons, Richard Montague and Charles Montague; along with many extended
family members and dear friends who will continue to honor her legacy of love, strength,
service, and compassion.

While our hearts mourn her passing, we celebrate a life beautifully lived. Patricia's love, wisdom,
and spirit will remain with us always. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her
love will remain in our hearts forever. 

Pallbearers: Michael Salinas, Tristan Salinas, David Fisher, Gilberto Gil, Tudor A. Montague,
Gabriel Lumas, Anthony Gamboa, Xavier Juan, Zion White, Christobal Illingworth, Joseph Gil,

Ernest Florez Jr., Daniel Florez, Gabriel Aparico, Philip Eagleman, Gabriel Aparicio, and Valbert
Lumas 

Honorary Pallbearers: Felix Montague, James A. Montague, David Salinas Jr., SSG, U.S.
Army; Arturo Felix, SSGT, U.S. Army (Retired); Freddie Trujillo Jr.; Izeal Thundercloud, PFC,
U.S. Army; Joseph A. Somenek; David Salinas Sr.; Kenrick Escalanti; Albert Golding;
Christoper Silva; Mario Adame; Craig Suchil; John Macias Sr.; Gilbert Gil; Andrew Ruckoldt;
Nathan Eagleman; Tony Santacruz; Ernest Florez Sr.; Ernest Tovar; Leland Yaeger, Alfred Tatro;
Alfred Cornejo; Jason Coyote; John Kibbie; Solomon Durand, USMC; Brandon Durand; Daniel
Sestiaga; Julio Sestiago; George Lemelle Jr.; Preston Jefferson; John Jefferson; Tomas Jefferson;
William White; John Montague; Charles Montague; Richard Montague; Vincent Todd Durand;
Mitch Vest; Mike Montague; Bruce Montague; Lionel Montague; Joseph Montague; Alton
Montague; Cain Palone; Jordan Joaquin; Mike Jack; Keeny Escalanti Sr.; Mike Jackson Sr.;
Jonathan Koteen; Virgil Smith; Aaron Brown; Faron Owl; Ral Christman; Daniel Murphy;
Lyman Golding; Robert Wallace; and Lester Nelson.

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