Clifford John Country, affectionately known as “Duta” as a young boy, passed away April 25, 2020 in Poplar MT.
Clifford was born in Poplar to Bonnie Clincher and Jeff Country, Sisseton SD on May 20th 1982. Bonnie later married Herman Red Elk, who helped raised him from a young age.
Clifford attended Poplar Schools. He grew up with Alan Hoke across the street. They could always be seen together and when the hoop went up, many games were played between all his childhood friends, including Dorrance (Bodoo) ComesLast, Darren Red Boy and Tony “Tones” Shields II, Brandon Big Leggins and many others. Clifford spent a summer in Laurel and grew close with cousins Verle Clincher and Louis Montclair. Clifford transferred to Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD, graduating in 2001. He made lifelong friendships that continued to this day. After graduating, Clifford attended Job Corp in Nemo South Dakota. He studied trades in masonry and culinary arts.
Upon returning home, a group of friends started Rez Life Ent around 2003. Clifford joined the group around 2005. This was an important part of his life and they made many songs and videos, some that can be seen on youtube. The group consisted of best friend and brothers Chaz Dillon, “Chaz D”, Casey Weston, Paul Atkinson (Wazetta), James Culbertson (Jimmy C), BJ Johnson (Benzo), Vern Red Elk and Milo Whitetail (Siouxicide) and Dorrance (Bodoo) Comes Last.
Clifford worked at Tribal Express, Commodity Foods, Faith Lutheran Home and lastly at Agland West, with the “Swagland Crew.” Thank you to the “Swagland Crew” for going above and beyond for Clifford, we will not forget it as you all became his “family.”
In 2014 Clifford met Kay Weston and they welcomed “his love” Carolann Lenore Country on February 05, 2016. Clifford loved Kays son Lucas Fast Horse as his son, enjoying getting him ready for school and into the school building. He was proud to do this.
There was never a kinder soul. Clifford never got mad. Always the one who calmed us down. He didn’t let things that happened in life harden his heart. Clifford loved to cruise, hangout with friends and family, jamming to good tunes. In his later days he was always hanging with his best friend and brother, Zack Dionne. The Last Place Champ, Big Spliff, dat illest, we will miss you. There will never be another you.
Clifford is survived by his daughter, Carolann Country; Kay Weston and Lucus FastHorse of Wolf Point MT; Brothers, Vern( Adrian&Joseph) Red Elk, Miles City MT and Randy(Hazel) Red Elk of Wolf Point, Jesse Country of WA and John Country, Sisseton SD; Sisters, Charley (Lee) Red Elk-Snell of Glasgow, Carly Clincher, Wolf Point and Lynn Country of Grand Forks ND; Aunts, Marian(Bruce) Montclair of Poplar, Barbara Salinda of Laurel MT, Annabelle Weston of Pine Ridge SD and Ilona Jo Mathews of Wolf Point; Uncles, Stephen James Clincher and Barry Beach and Bradley Beach of Billings MT, Francis Country Jr of Sisseton SD; Grandmother, Roberta “Bobbie Clincher of Laurel MT; Cousins, Jo’e Youngman, Robin Youngman, Kristofer Boyd, Marise Headdress, Louis, Silas and John Montclair, Ronetta, Verle (Aleih) of Kentucky, and Declan Clincher and families, Ashly Payne and Christian Clincher, Sydney Salinda of Hawthorne Ca. Leann, Lisa and Vicky Perry and families, Alexandria(Azmae) Longee, Kacie(Alan&Taliana) Youngman, Rumiko, Dana, Muriko and Zo’e Mireau, Kylee, Kody, Kalen and Eli Stump. Extended family Weston, Kelly, Hollow Horn, Duboise, Longee and Perry and many throughout Montana and South Dakota. We also remember his special Red Elk Family throughout the US, Valerie, Marlon (Gaye), Derrick, Evi and all the others he loved.
Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie Clincher Red Elk and Jeff Country; Paternal Grandparents, Francis and Ester Country; Maternal Grandparents, Mercy and Colonel Macdonald and Silas Clincher; Aunts, Carol Clincher, Nancy Clincher; Uncle, Victor Perry; Cousins, Thomas Montclair and Josephine Youngman; and the main sitter growing up, Faye Perry. Also, Grandma Lenore Red Elk; and Uncle, Loren Red Elk. We apologize if anyone was left out.
In an effort to abide with the social distancing requests, we are asking that only family and close friends attend the viewing and graveside services.
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