DENNIS SANGREY obituary

ROCKY BOY - Dennis Victor Sangrey, 47, died Monday, June 21, 2004, at a Havre hospital of complications from a car wreck which left him paralyzed in 1995.

A wake service began Tuesday evening at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with the funeral service set for 11 a.m. today, also at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church.

Burial was to follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery.

Dennis was born on Feb. 20, 1957, in Helena to Minnie Sangrey and Victor Lamere. He was raised in Helena and Rocky Boy. He graduated from Box Elder High School in 1976 and from Stone Child College in 1989, with an associate degree in computer science. He also graduated from Billings Vo-Tech in metals technology in 1979. In high school, Dennis participated in track, football and basketball, where he played on two teams that qualified for the state tournament. His greatest success was in high school rodeo, where he rode bulls, won the state saddle bronc championship and qualified for the high school national finals in 1975. He finished runner-up for the state championship in 1976. Dennis participated in rodeo until a car wreck in 1995. During his career, he qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo in the years of 1985, 1986, 1991 and 1994, at the United Indian Rodeo Association Saddle Bronc Championships throughout Montana and the Northwest. Dennis was an accomplished horseman who enjoyed training and raising horses that would later serve many cowboys in ranch and roping competitions.

Dennis's love for horses and rodeo was instilled in him at a young age by his brother-in-law, a very special friend to all of the family, John E. Colliflower Sr. John and Dennis spent many long hours discussing horses, their tendencies, equipment, how to care for it and selecting the right equipment for him. They also traveled and competed together for many years. John put Dennis in the right frame of mind to become a successful, competitive saddle bronc rider. Dennis had a special bond with his nephews, John Colliflower Jr., Lyman (Patrice, Brent) Calliflower, Wade (Clintanna, Enyis) Colliflower and Jesse Colliflower.

In the years flowing his accident, Dennis lived at home with his mother. He enjoyed watching basketball games and supporting his son, Dennis Jr., who competed at the collegiate level for the University of Great Falls. He also enjoyed spending time with family members following their progress through education, sports and rodeo. Dennis remained an avid rodeo fan and kept in contact with many of his lifelong friends made on various Indian and non-Indian rodeo circuits.

Dennis was preceded in death by his sisters, Inez Sangrey, Charlotte Sangrey and Sybil Sangrey-Colliflower; brothers, Victor (Puc-sue) Lamere Jr., Robert Lee (Hobbs) Lamere, Melvin Lamere and Roger Saddler; and father, Victor Lamere Sr.

Survivors include his mother, Minnie Sangrey; sisters, Patsy (Ivan) Raining Bird, Rena (Kenny, Ronnie, Ricky, Suzie) Gardipee, Madeline (Henry, John, Dennis, Hank, and Justin) Gardipee and Mona (Odin, Gidge, Lynn, Richard and Tisha) Henderson, all of Rocky Boy; brothers, Sam (Harriet, Mike, Steve and Marissa) Sangrey of San Diego, Calif., James Sangrey, Richard (Connie, Michelle, and Aubrey) Sangrey and Mike (Delphine, Cory, Mikey) Sangrey, all of Rocky Boy; sisters, Bette Lamere, Mildred Lamere and Judy (Martin) Parker, all of Rocky Boy; brothers, Eugene Lamere, Billy Lamere and Larry (Margaret) Denny, all of Rocky Boy; and son and daughter, Dennis Sangrey Jr. and Mackenzie Sangrey, from his marriage to Jan Mitchell.

Arrangements are under the direction of Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.