Obituary of John Jay Laverty

John Jay Laverty

Two Eagles

1958 ~ 2023

John Jay Laverty was born in Kansas City, Kansas on a friday, August 3rd 1958, to Mr. Robert Thomas Laverty and his mother Helen Claire Moroney.  Growing up he was a inquisitive child with a great love for life and animals.  As he grew he moved around to many parts of the United States.

He had an interest in wood work, music, and Native culture.  He learned how to make Native American Flutes and drums in his past time.  Through the native culture he met many people and made lots of friends, of which he taught some to play the flute. He also loved to do beadwork as he loved the culture. The drum sang to him so he made drums too.  He stayed close to the Creator and went to church on occasion.  He loved everyone he met and helped them to find the light and their own interest in life.

He and his chow chows would go wherever the road would take them.  Yes he loved his dogs, they were his companions until they passed.

He joined a drum group and traveled around with them from time to time, singing, drumming, and playing his flutes for anyone who would ask him to play.  He used to say "this is the gift that the Creator gave me so I play for those who want to hear it and also for those who need the Creator's medicine".  Some of his friends he has known for more than 20 plus years, and some new friends  

he has met feel like he's known them for years.

Years ago he was asked to play his flute at a celebration of life ceremony for a friend.  That's where he met his lady friend, Cathy.  They had a good friendship and after a while they moved in together, their own bedrooms of course.  John was very happy for a while but then Cathy was diagnosed with cancer and soon passed away.  He'd say" I wish I had my dogs."  His friend, Deitz used to go and visit with him when he and Cathy were still together, and watched movies and ate popcorn and fell asleep on the couch...

Six years ago John and Deitz Peters, formed the beginning of the Native American Cultural Encampments.  He was so excited about going out and sharing this wonderful culture with the communities wherever we were.  His favorite place was Cascadia County Linn County Park.  He said he felt like he was at home there with all the old growth trees.  He said there was something about the place that really brought him there.  He  found his perfect world of the greater outdoors.

In June of this year, John came to stay with Deitz and his family.  He always was welcome there as he said there is always some kind of craft to do there.  He loved everyone who came to see him and hung out for a while.  In late June John was diagnosed with lung cancer.  He was going to pack up and go home, but Deitz told him if he wanted to stay he could stay, of course John asked to stay 

in his tipi, Deitz agreed so he put his tipi right in the front yard.  In July John's health was starting to go downhill as he became short winded and had some trips to the hospital for pain meds.  He was still alive and wanted to do whatever he could within his energy level.  Dietz and his family, threw John  and his nephew Tyson a little birthday party on August 3rd.  There was cake and icecream and lots of friends, they enjoyed everyone's company who came to visit.  He was looking forward to the last encampment of the year but his cancer would not allow him that.right to attend.   On monday August 14th at 10:50pm John was pronounced dead as the cancer claimed "Two Eagles", a very sad day.   His name was given to him by a Grand Ronde Elder,  "He who walks two paths of life"  He was surrounded by many fiends and loved ones, they even played flute songs for him to start him on his journey to a better place that is pain free.  We will miss John dearly, but we know in our hearts that he will be looking in on us from up above, soaring with the Eagles in Heaven.

Hiyu Masi John, for all of your time you have shared with us all as we have definitely enjoyed the light you have brought to our lives.