On February 2nd, 2017 Charles Dean Four Bear Sr. (Spotted Horse Man) went to be with our creator, joining late son Joray Charles Four Bear, his parents and relatives. On September 28th 1957 Charles was born to Virgil and Elenore (Comes Last) Four Bear in Poplar, MT. Charlie received his education in Poplar and graduated from Brockton High School in May of 1975. Charlie married his high school sweetheart Iris Sherman (deceased) to this union two sons Joray Charles and Melichi Four Bear were born.
Charlie also attended Montana State University receiving his heavy equipment operating license. Charlie attended United Tribes in Bismarck North Dakota starting his career in law enforcement, majoring in police science. He was also employed with the Mandan Police Department while attending school in Bismarck.
Charlie returned back to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and was employed with the Fort Peck Tribes Law Enforcement, Poplar City Police, Roosevelt County Deputy, BIA Law Enforcement, Fort Peck Fish and Game. Charlie received many law enforment awards Valor outstanding leadership (he rose through the ranks as a Police Officer, Fire Arm Instructor, Sargent, Lieutenant and Captain of the Police). Charlies name was also engraved on a plaque that was placed at the I.P.A Artisia New Mexico as a distinguished Fire Arms Expert. He was a well-known officer on the Fort Peck Reservation for exactly twenty two years. Charlie was married to Sandra Christian (divorced) and three girls were born Leslie, Kaycee, and Rande Four Bear. Charlie was then later briefly engaged to Loretta and son Cole and daughter Danielle Four Bear were born. During Charlie’s late cop years which lead him to the love of his life, Anna Mae (Powell) Four Bear “His Lady Blue”. Charlie and Anna got married on February 14th 1991. To this union daughter Jacey Gail, and two sons Charles Dean II and Deyo Virgil was born.
Charlie had a huge passion for his horses and sharing his passion with his family and friends. He later on retired from law enforcement and became employed with the Kirn Farm and Ranch. Charlie loved riding his horse (Poncho) during the Kirns brandings and cattle drives. Charlie then helped start the equine assistant therapy with Lisa Miller and HPDP Program. He started to live his dream by bringing the horses back into the culture and to our children.
In December 2015 Charlie and his horses participated in the Dakota 38+2 ride which was over 300+ mile ride and the Ft. Belknap Ft. Peck healing wellness ride. He was always proud and confident in his horses, people in the community could trust they would be safe. Other schools and surrounding areas on the reservation such as Frazer, Wolf Point, Poplar, Fort Kipp, Brockton would invite Charlie and the Four Bear horses to come teach the youth. Charlie was a teacher who knew the spirit of the horse could heal his people and many others. Through the years Charlie operated with 100+ horses on his ranch and had a natural ability to train horses.
Charlie had a big heart and a tremendous love for his family with a strong faith in God. He would have bible study with Ray Whitetail Feather (of Poplar) and Charles Nixon (deceased), in his home for many many years. Charlie also was a very very great papa to his grandchildren. He and his wife Anna, together, raised their grandchildren Kaden and Nevaeh Little Whirl Wind, Carsyn and Taryn Lonebear. Charlie was also extremely proud member of the Fort Peck Tribes. A true Hunkpapa Warrior for his clans are members and descendents of the Great Hunkpapa Shaman Sitting Bull.
We all knew Charlie as a great loving husband, father, brother, uncle, papa, and friend. When it came to children and horses there was no impossible task that he could not overcome. No matter the obstacles Charlie always had a smile on his face and many jokes to tell. He always was a hardworking man with pride and loyalty to his family.
Charlie survived by his wife Anna Mae Four Bear, his children Melichi (shelby), Leslie, Kaycee (Chevo) Samudio, Rande (Robert) Eklund, Cole, Danielle, Jacey (Tristan) Lonebear, Charles II, and Deyo. Along with his step-children, Bobby (Yvonne) Yellow Fox, Mervin and Johnathan Little Whirl Wind, Avalee (Bitsy) Horace Small. His brothers Dale and Cornell Four Bear and Dana Comeslast. Sisters Rena Williams, Noreen Four Bear, Violet Comeslast. His uncles Leroy and Daniel Comeslast.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Daniel and Rena Comeslast, parents Virgil and Elenore, brother Delvin (Davida), son Joray Charles, and niece Reanna Four Bear.