James Russette Jr.

James Paul "Cheato" Russette Jr., 56, whose Indian name was "King of the Lodge,"our brother/uncle/father/grandfather, was called home by the Creator on June 8, 2012, in Billings, Mont., of undetermined causes.

Cheato was born Oct. 18, 1955, to James Paul Russette Sr. and Bernice Ruth (Meyers) Russette in Havre, Mont. Following his school years in Rocky Boy and Busby, he joined the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division in Fort Ord, Calif. After his discharge from the Army, Cheato attended college at Southern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M.

James Russette

His careers also included construction work for Joe Monteau and working as a mechanics instructor for Dull Knife Community College. He worked Helitac for Northern Cheyenne Forestry in Lame Deer and performed maintenance labor for the Thunder Child Treatment Center outside of Sheridan, Wyo.

Cheato's love was for family and friends. He teased immensely as he continued to communicate with everyone no matter where he was located. He enjoyed mechanics, welding and outdoor activities, but most of all he loved life.

Cheato was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Juanita; and his two sons, Jeremy and Omaro.

He is survived by his very special friend, Maria Eskew of Brownsville, Texas; his sons, James and Calvin Russette of Lame Deer; his daughters, Tonya Russette of Billings and Alix Russette of Albuquerque N.M .; his brothers, Dean (Venita) Russette of Rocky Boy, Wesley (Renessa) Russette Sr. of Lame Deer, and Donald (Sarah) Russette of Napa, Idaho; his sisters, Ruth (Lyman) Wolfchief of Rocky Boy, Deanna (Udall) Gibson of Thoreau, N.M., Dale Russette of Rocky Boy, Janna Chavez of Havre, Christy Chavez of Billings and Kyla Valdez of Rocky Boy; his uncle, Calvin Russette; and aunt, Pauline Russette, both of Rocky Boy; and numerous grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A wake began Sunday and continues today at Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Rocky Boy. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Pastor Linda Webster officiating. Interment will follow at Rocky Boy Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.