Arlyn Craig Headdress, Sr was born on November, 28th, 1950 at Poplar Hospital to Dale and Norma Headdress. He was the 4th born sibling out of 13. As a child Arlyn spent a lot of time with his grandparents, Henry and Sarah Headdress whom he loved dearly.
He moved to Poplar in 1962 and in the 8th grade He participated in the LDS Placement Program through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He then returned home after the school year where he finished his schooling in Poplar and ultimately White Swan High School on the Yakima Indian Reservation in 1969. After graduation he moved back to Poplar. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, UT for a time where he would study Criminology/Criminal Justice.
He then moved back to Poplar and he was hired as a Bureau of Indian Affairs police officer. He pursued other employment opportunities and began his years of service with the Fort Peck Tribes, this includes a stint as a judge with the Fort Peck Tribal Courts. He then ran for the Tribal Executive Board in which he served 4 terms. During this time also was placed on the Board of Directors for West Electronics, a board he sat on for nearly 40 years until retiring in 2020 and he was also placed on the Fort Peck Community College Board of Directors, where he sat on for more then 30 years until retiring from that board in 2015. After 4 terms on the Tribal Executive Board, he then went back to work in law enforcement, this time as a Tribal Highway Safety Officer for the Fort Peck Tribes until being hired by the Bureau of Indian Affairs again, this time as a Rights Protection Specialist. In 1999, he decided he wanted to get back to serving his tribe directly rather than working for the federal government so he decided to run for the office of Chairman of the Fort Peck Tribes and was elected. This was a source of great pride for him. He would go on to serve two consecutive terms. During this time he had the privilege to serve on the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council.
Arlyn will always be remembered for his kindness and willingness to help others. He had a great sense of humor and could light up a room with his presence. He loved spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved taking rides out to the land and telling stories. The last couple years were hard for him but he had his grandkids and great granddaughter Esme to keep him going.
Arlyn is survived by his children Michael Headdress, Anthony Headdress, Christopher (Olivia) Headdress, Angelita Headdress, Craig Headdress, and Arlyn Jr.(Mariah) Headdress. 12 grandchildren Jayden, Seth, Cru, Finesse, Essence, Louden, Sam, Colton, Bo Thomas, Ariel, Valkyrie, and Legend. 1 great grandchild Esme Victoria. 5 brothers Charlie Headdress, Henry (Patty) Headdress, Leroy Headdress, Lonnie (Juanita) Headdress, and Larry (Pearl) Headdress. 3 sisters Shannon (Bernie) Gonzalez, Ione Hanson, and Doris Headdress Thompson including numerous nieces and nephews.
Arlyn is proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Mitchell Headdress, Dale Headdress, and Sheldon Headdress; Sister Michelle Buck Elk; and great grandchild Chloe Headdress.
A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point, Montana. Interment will follow at the Headdress family cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.