THOMAS GARDIPEE obituary

ROCKY BOY Thomas Ray Patrick Gardipee, 48, of Rocky Boy died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, at the Rocky Boy Clinic of respiratory failure.

His wake service began Wednesday night at 5 p. m. at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church. His funeral service will be held at 10 a. m. today at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Kenneth Gopher, Roy Small and Derik Small officiating. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Thomas was born March 17, 1958, in Parker School on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. He attended schools in Rocky Boy and Box Elder. Tom worked several positions with the BIA as a peace officer and a heavy equipment operator. He believed strongly in the traditions of the Chippewa Cree, especially in the pipe and Sweetgrass. Tom was well respected throughout the United States and Canada for his prowess as a ceremonial healer. Tom married Doreen Sunchild on Sept. 21, 1992, and they had one child. Tom enjoyed long drives, attending pow-wows, evening walks, traditional sweats and long talks with family and friends. He also enjoyed watching his game shows, playing his poker machine game, teaching his grandsons traditional ways and visiting with his friends, but most of all being with his wife. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Tim and Ruth Gardipee; son, baby boy Gardipee; sisters, Dorinda and LaVerne Gardipee; nephews Marvin and Curtis Wayne Gardipee; and niece, Mariah Gardipee-Smith. Survivors include his wife of 17 years, Doreen Gardipee of Rocky Boy; adopted mother, Jean Hobbs of Rocky Boy; daughters, Darinda and Janice Gardipee of Canada; adopted daughters, Crystal Denny of Roky Boy, Miley Sunchild of Spokane, Wash., and Jenny Morrow and Chelle Morrow of Rocky Boy; sisters, Irene Gardipee Potts of Rocky Boy and Anna Gardipee of Wolf Point, and Rowna Turn Toes and Sandra Murie of Rocky Boy; brothers, Allen and Vern Gardipee of Rocky Boy; 15 grandchildren; and 10 greatgrandchildren. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.