James Lott Sr., chief of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, died Saturday of heart failure, at LaPine. The Lower Umpqua tribesman was 52.

Lott's five years at the helm of the Confederated Tribes saw major changes in his group's standing. On his watch, what once was an obscure tribe with few visible symbols became a group endowed with a casino and dreaming of creating more housing and social services for its members.

But to one of Lott's colleagues, the chief's most meaningful contributions were simple and personal.

"He was really (aware) he had to take care of all the members, like you're one big family and you're the head of it," said Carolyn Slyter, a member of the tribal council.

Born in Bend, he spent two years in the U.S. Army before serving as a Yamhill County Sheriff's sergeant from 1985 to 1992. He was elected in 2000 to a 10-year term as chief of the Confederated Tribes.

As a tribal chief, Lott joined the six-member council in voting on the direction of tribal business. But it was in culture and education that the Junction City resident became prominent - as the overseer of tribal weddings, funerals and traditional events, and also as a supporter of aiding tribe members with social services.

"He was a great person to make sure everybody got the very best help that was possible," Slyter said. "If there was any way we could help with housing and education, he brought it to our attention that it needed to be done."

A constant preoccupation for the chief, she added, was the welfare of tribal children - their opportunity to receive education, social services and the chance to absorb Native American culture.

"He was surrounded by family and grandchildren, always took a great interest in children to get them more involved in the culture," she said. At the time of his death, she added, Lott was organizing another youth-related activity - a spring snow-sports camp in Eastern Oregon for tribe children.

"He was committed to the children, always had encouragement to them, always wanted them to have the best quality of life," said Slyter.

A memorial service for Lott is set for 1 p.m. Saturday on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, at the Many Nations Longhouse.

According to Slyter, the tribe's electoral board will meet next week to schedule the vote to choose Lott's successor. That election will take place within 60 days.

The tribal constitution requires replacement chiefs to be selected by special election, not council appointment.