Obituary: Louis 'Buckskin' LaTray

Louis D. "Buckskin" LaTray, 69, passed away due to natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital Wednesday, November 27, 2019.

Wake services began at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 1, 2019, and will continue until his funeral service, which will be at 11:00 a.m. today, December 2, 2019, all at the Fort Belknap Community Center. Burial will follow in the Fort Belknap Agency Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Buckskin's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Buckskin was born February 4, 1950, in Havre to Buckskin Louis and Mary (Gone) LaTray. He was raised in Fort Belknap, attending school there.

After graduation, Buckskin attended college and received his certificate in masonry and attended truck driving school and received a certificate there, as well. He worked most of his life as a mason, helping to build the Walmart in Billings, flagpole outside of Seattle, WA, Cutting Log in Sandy, OR, Women's Prison in Billings, Fort Belknap IHS building, Browning High School, Armory Building in Havre, and the dam in Fort Belknap. He also worked for a time as a firefighter and bus driver for the firefighters.

Buckskin was a kind, loving man who believed in hard work and education. He told his grandchildren that he loved his children, but his grandchildren were his world, and he was able to become close to his new grandson, Duke. His nieces and nephews were also treasured. His smile and laughter were unforgettable, and he was always taking care of his wife Sandra. His favorite nephew and niece were Tyrone Crazy and Cherya Denny, and watching wrestling with Sage always lifted his spirits.

He was preceded in death by his son Louis LaTray Jr .; granddaughter Tianna Cliff; parents, Buckskin Louis and Mary LaTray; and brothers, Joe Denny and Kenny Lame Bull.

Buckskin is survived by his wife, Sandra Cochran-LaTray of Fort Belknap; children Gwen LaTray of NE; Sybil (Jim) Allen, Ariane LaTray, Joseph and Zekiel LaTray, all of Fort Belknap; grandchildren Sage, Madyson, and Bobby Lone Bear, J.C. and Jay Den Allen, Little Duke, Tamira, Taniya, and Tristan Cliff, and Marcus and Zackery LaTray; sisters, Donna Markham of Oregon and Ramona Crazy of Fort Belknap; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.

Many thanks to IHS workers and drivers Tessel, Camren, Brandon, Stuart, Mike, and Hawkins and the staff of Sletten Cancer Center for being so kind and patient.