Brycene Neaman

Brycene Allen Neaman passed away November 15, 2017 at Yakima Regional Hospital surrounded by family. He was born April 7, 1955 in Toppenish, WA to Lee Allen Neaman and Lucille Marie (Albert) Neaman. Affectionately known as “Buff” to family and friends, he graduated from Granger High School in 1973 and was chosen by his classmates to be a commencement speaker at their graduation ceremony. He earned letters in basketball and baseball. His senior year he was MVP of the baseball team. Brycene continued his studies at Brigham Young University and later Utah State University. He was active playing competitive basketball on campus teams and Native American teams. He earned many all star and high scorer awards and played on several championship teams as a starting guard. Brycene became a champion fancy war dancer and won and placed throughout the western states and Canada. Later, he became lead singer for the Northwest Medicine Horse Drum Group and travelled the Northwest with his drumming brothers. He also became a skilled drum maker. Brycene was employed with the Yakama Nation and For Simcoe Job Corps. He took pride in being a museum curator and later a certified substance abuse counselor. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and respected all the teachings and beliefs of the religion. He also had great respect for his Native American heritage. Bryce had Yakama and Northwest Band of Shoshoni Indian blood as his lineage. Upon retirement, Brycene was an avid sports fan. He followed the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks, and attended Granger High School athletics to see his nieces and nephews play. He took great joy and pride seeing his relatives in the valley play in high school athletics. He is survived by his daughters Coral Rose Hill (Daniel) and Dorothy Neaman; grandchildren Teancum and Danica Hill; brother Delford Neaman (Sandra) and sisters Lorena McGeshick (Fred), Judy Mansfield, Odessa Johnson (Lindin), and Amy Blodgett (Steve), and many nieces, nephews, and relatives both Yakama and Shoshoni. We will miss Buff’s warm smile and easy-going personality and his great zest for life. He easily made friends. We wish him well and loved his time with us. Heaven needed a great lead singer and hero to pave the way for us. Journey well! To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brycene Neaman, please visit our flower store.