Arnt Thomas Stafne, Jr., our beloved Tom, was born to June Shields Stafne and Arnt Thomas Stafne, Sr. on March 28, 1963, in San Jose, CA. Tom joined his sister Twila and later Grant was born. The family was in San Jose, CA, due to the BIA relocation program. June and Rusty desired to move back to the Fort Peck Reservation. They packed up and moved back to Wolf Point in 1968.
Tom attended Headstart through the 12th grade in Wolf Point, graduating from Wolf Point High School in 1981. He then attended Billings Vo-tech learning about auto mechanics.
Tom came back to Wolf Point and worked at A&S Industries. He went to Seattle and worked as an airport marshaller. He came back and worked at various jobs including Fort Peck Housing, Fort Peck Tribes, and more recently enjoyed his job as a CHR driver taking clients to their appointments. He was always involved in farming with his dad. He loved to farm and help out wherever he was needed. He loved his country life.
Tom was in a car wreck and was in a lot of pain over the years with his hip. Even though he was in pain, you couldn’t tell because he had a smile for everyone, always ready to tease and joke around with people. He helped many people when they needed him. Even if it was -40 below and best friend cousin Fee Fee called, he was right there to help! You could always count on Tom in your time of need. Tom had only one child, Jordan whom he adored. He loved being a grandpa. He loved his family very much and was proud of them all. He was a very proud uncle to his nieces and nephews. His friends and co-workers all held a special place in his big heart. Tom loved all animals. He was especially fond of chihuahuas. If Tom was cruising, you’d see his Taco or Lori Lane right by his side.
Tom is survived by his dad, A.T. Rusty Stafne; son, Jordan Stafne (Shailee); grandchildren, Kaiden Miller, Kayto and Kehlani Stafne; sister, Twilia Bear Cub (Vincent); brother, Grant Stafne (Mary); adopted brother, Junior White Eagle (Sandra); nieces, Jade Daniels, June Azure, Arianna Neutgens, RaShane Walking Eagle; nephews, Jesse Daniels, Jace Daniels, Wilder Bear Cub, Clay Stafne, Cauy Stafne, Cade Stafne, Chief Stafne, Chryss Jackson, and Cewl Stafne; he was grandpa to 14 other grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter; aunts, Rosanne Shields, Sherry Shields, Sandy Azure; uncles, Caleb Shields, and Stoney Anketell; his cousins who will miss him are Anna Pipe, Jackie Chase, Grace Pipe, Alfred Pipe, Patty Headdress, Debbie Ricker, Dwain Balch, Sybil Duchene, Gary Medicine Cloud, Lois Medicine Cloud, Claudette Stanley, Cheryl Medicine Cloud, Gib Medicine Cloud, Sabrina Reese, Danette Baker, Tony Shields, Suzette Boyd, Felicia James, Carrie Lynn Manning, Shelly James, Michael Heathman, Ken Heathman, Azurene Real Bird, Mandy Azure, Matt Azure, Presley Bracken, Linda Keziksak, Karen Dunderstat, and Jonathan Anketell. Tom had special relationships with many cousins and many friends who he loved to visit. Our relatives are Shields, Stafnes, Medicine Clouds, Pipes, Cantrells, Birthmarks, Blacktails, Dennys, Ackermans, Bad Temper Bear Clan and Wadopana Clan.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, June; grandmothers, Josephine Hancock, Annie Hancock, and Frances Smith; grandfathers, Fred Shields, and John Stafne; aunts, Joy Shields, Shirley Redstone, Joanne Pipe, Marie Esparza, and Joy Martin; uncles, Buddy Pipe, Gary Medicine Cloud, Fish Redstone, Fred Shields, Jr., and Ken Azure; cousins, Samona Clements, Antoinette Shields, Ken Azure, Jr., Pat Clements, John Pipe, Thelma Medicine Cloud and a favorite cousin, Larry Connor; nephew, Delmar Martell and granddaughter, Brynn Baker.
We take comfort in knowing he is with our beloved mother and family now and no longer in any pain from his hip and cancer affliction. We are related to many people and ask forgiveness if we forgot to mention anyone, as it is not intentional.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, July 23 at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment will follow at the Stafne Ranch in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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