Lodge Pole- Leroy Joseph Tucker, 32 has
walked on to the Big Camp to be with his creator on April 1,
2019.
Wake services will begin at 5p.m. on
Wednesday April 3, 2019 at the Enemy Killer Gym. Funeral
services will take place at 11a.m. Thursday April 4, 2019 also
at the Enemy Killer Gym with burial to follow at the Lodge Pole
Cemetery. After the burial there will be a four day feast pipe
ceremony at the Enemy Killer Gym.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com
He was born August 30, 1986 in Havre, Montana to belated mother Zola F. Baptise and Dad Leroy D. Tucker. He was gifted with two Native American names. One name came from his Dad who calls him Wamnee Hoksheena in Nakoda. It means Eagle Boy. His other name came from his grandpa Joe Ironman who decided to name both his sister and brother at the big lodge during Joe’s last Sundance. His Aaniiih name is Kibyoh’ uhk’I Binaathei’ PH’ooo’ which means Big Flying Thunderbird.
He was a
firm believer in the creator, of following the Lakota and Wecha
Winktgogo way of life. At 14 years old he had his first and was
the youngest to pierce a Wecha Winktgogo Sundance, below the
Little Rocky Mountains. He became a part of the Wecha Winktgogo
clan. They said that he will live a hard life and it was true.
He made a commitment to carry-on that way of life with Lakota
Sundance, which was held North-West of Lodge Pole, Montana, at a
place called “Wild Horse.”
He spent most of his Sundance way of
life learning and practicing songs and prayers with Sundance
relatives from Wyoming of the Talksdifferent Family and with
Mike Talksdifferent. Leroy was a great singer, he loved to
listen to pow wow music, play games, and share his knowledge of
any hardships he faced in life. No matter what was wrong with
him, anyone, especially his love for his sister’s well-being
came before his. Leroy loved to help younger generations by
giving them support and love. Leroy danced traditional at the
local Milk River Indian Days. He also loved to play basketball
with his brothers who are close friends. He liked to tease
people and always had fun with whoever knew him well.
Even though Leroy’s life was hard and
short on this earth, he always brightened and greeted everyone
with a huge smile. He loved his dad and his sister immensely.
While he was here he had dreams to become successful person, not
educationally but with strong will to help others by telling his
hard life story so others could learn from him. Leroy will be
greatly missed by everyone that he came into contact with but
will be remembered always.
He is preceded in death by his
great-great- grandparents Joseph and Juanita Tucker, his mother
Zola F. Baptiste, his honorary brother’s Jay T. Allen and Allen
John Long Soldier, Jr.; his paternal grandparents Leroy Tucker
Sr., and Ruth Johnson, his sister Kathy Begs His Own, his
grandma Lucille Tucker, his aunt Luella Tucker, and his Grandma
Jeannette Looking.
He is survived by his dad Leroy
Tucker, his sisters Jerry Begs His Own, Red Lake, MN. And
Emerald L. Tucker, Lodge Pole, MT. His brothers John Chandler,
Malta, MT., Joshua Castillo, Billings, MT., J.T. Castillo,
Missoula, MT., Mathew Castillo, Iowa, Anthony Sanchez, Fort
Belknap Agency, MT. and The Gone Family, The Johnson Family, The
Tucker Family, The Talksdifferent family, and The Allen Family.
Guest book submissions may be made using the link to the left.
