TYRONE GOPHER obituary

ROCKY BOY - Tyrone Gopher, 65, a lifetime resident of Great Falls, veteran of the U.S. Army, and great-grandson of Chief Rocky Boy of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, died peacefully of cancer Friday, April 21, 2006, at Peace Hospice surrounded by his children, brothers, sisters, cousins, extended family and friends.

Tyrone was well-known throughout Great Falls, being seen riding his bike wherever he went. He befriended many people in his travels, Indian and non-Indian. Tyrone performed many services for the Native American communities throughout Montana and Canada whenever asked, giving ceremonial names to Indian children, hosting give-away ceremonies and other Native American ceremonial tasks. Tyrone was very proud of his Chippewa ancestry.

The traditional wake began Saturday and Sunday at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy. Traditional services were scheduled for 10 a.m. today at the Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy. The location and time of the traditional feast will be announced.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include his children, Tyrone Gopher, Jr., Reuben Gopher of Big Arm, Duane Gopher of Rocky Boy, Tim Gopher of Rocky Boy, and Rachel Big Knife of Lewiston, Idaho; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Gopher and Clarence Gopher of Rocky Boy, Michael Gopher of Browning, Ernestine Gopher and Phyllis Gray of Spokane, Wash., Carol WhiteSky and Andrea Ramage of Denver, Colo., Josephine Gopher, Leona Gopher, Jane Gopher and Brenda Gopher of Yakima, Wash., Peggy Myers of Great Falls, Aline Pitzer of Salt Lake City, Utah, Esther Spotted Wolf of Great Falls; special nephew, Tom Spotted Wolf; former wife, Ruby Big Knife of Rocky Boy; and numerous grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Pete Gopher Sr. and Annie WhiteSky; brother, Pete Gopher Jr .; grandfather, Chief Loud Thunder of Great Falls; and former wife, Louise Burke of Big Arm.

Any memorials and donations can be made through his son, Duane Gopher of Rocky Boy.