On the morning of November 11, 2020, Duane was called home to the creator at the Poplar Hospital in Poplar, Montana as a result of underlying health issues. He was 63 years old.
Duane was born on June 8, 1957 to Robert and Cecelia (Counter) Blackdog in Poplar, Montana. He graduated from Brockton High School in 1976. He then attended college at UND Williston, Dawson Community College and Fort Peck Community College. He had attained his Associates degree in carpentry. In January of 1977, he married Wilma Longee and from this union they had 3 children. They later divorced. He then met Valerie GreyBear and from this union they had 2 children. They were married in 2008. He worked for A+S Industries and the HIP program.
Since high school he had played drums and sang with “The Blackdog Band”, and played with other musicians as well. He loved to sing and play his drums along with having cookouts with friends and family. He was always cracking jokes and was very comical. Duane was very kind hearted, generous, and a loveable person. He loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he loved very much.
He is survived by his wife, Valerie Grey Bear of Fort Kipp, Montana; his brothers Robert O Blackdog of Fort Kipp, Montana; sister Cindi (Leonard) Follette of Fort Kipp, Montana; his children, Candice Blackdog of Williston, North Dakota, Troy Blackdog of Williston, North Dakota, Vina Blackdog of Poplar, Montana, and Delaine Blackdog of Fort Kipp, Montana; grandmother Loretta Bear Cub of Fort Kipp, Montana; aunts Della Thomas, Lydia Long Hair, Cecelia Long Hair, and Dani Green, all of Fort Kipp, Montana; cousins Alice Long Hair, Lynette Long Hair, Les Long Hair, Allison and Jage Keeler, all of Fort Kipp, Montana.
He was preceded in death by both parents, Robert and Cecelia Blackdog; brothers William (Billy) Blackgdog, Charlie Blackdog, and Isaac Blackdog; sister Evelyn Counter; son Reuben Blackdog Sr.; Grandson Angelo Cooeyate; cousins Nate Long Hair, Valerie Youpee, Natalie Long Hair, Wes Long Hair, and Brandon Long Hair; and uncle CowBoy Long Hair.
Sorry to our family if we forgot anyone.
“Every drummer that had a name, had a name because of his individual playing. He didn’t sound like anybody else, so everybody that I ever listened to, in some form, influenced my taste??” -Buddy Rich
Due to COVID-19 guidelines we are asked to keep attendance at the services limited to 30 individuals. Masks are required for all public services.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.