December 15, 1966 – January 14, 2020
Brian Gene “Kazoo” Kinzhuma, 53, born December 15, 1966, passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2020. His parents were Roberta (Powless) and Gene Kinzhuma. His siblings include Anthony “Tony” Kinzhuma, LeAnne Thompson, Keith (Mary Haney) Kinzhuma and Laverne Kinzhuma.
Brian was born in Chicago, IL, later moving to Rochester, MN., before coming to Oneida. He attended Oneida Tribal School and Pulaski High School. He excelled in mechanics and attended the Wyoming Technical Institute, Laramie, Wyoming for auto mechanics.
Brian worked for years in various maintenance positions, including IMAC in Oneida and The Inn of The Mountain Gods in Mescalero, New Mexico. Brian was proud of his Mescalero Apache roots and spent many years in New Mexico, living, working and learning the traditional ways. His heart belonged to Oneida and he returned home in the past couple years.
Brian loved Blues music such as Billy Ray Vaughn, BB King, Albert King, Freddy King and Roy Buchanan. He always had an electric guitar amp close by to join in and jam out or just play on his own tune.
Brian always had a quick wit and fun loving and a little mischievous personality. He can best be remembered by his infectious laugh and big smile and loving heart.
Both Brian’s parents have passed as well as maternal grandparents, Vera (Owen) Wilson and Clifford Powless, Paternal grandparents, Prince Kinzhuma and Angeline Treas, aunt and uncles, Carmelita Kinzhuma Yuzos, Sharon Rosa Treas, Orville Morgan, Rex Morgan, Chandler Morgan, Herbert Kinzhuma, Boyd Kinzhuma, and Allison Kinzhuma. His sister Kathleen “Kitty” Spitty as well as close cousins Charisse and Robert Slove preceded him in death.
Brian is survived by his other siblings, aunts, uncles, Rochelle Powless, Marianne Boyes, Donald Wilson, Bernard Wilson, Priscilla Shegonee and Diane Wilson. Further survived by nieces and nephews, Alex, Adrian, Alyssa, Alaina, Cassandra, Quinten, Halley, Briley, as well as numerous cousins and countless friends.
Visitation will take place at Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere after 4:00pm Saturday January 18, 2020, with the service at 6:00pm.
The family would like to thank his special friend Electra Skenandore who was there for him in his last year, final hours and minutes. We also appreciate St. Vincent Hospital E.R. staff for their efforts. Brian will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.
