Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, Edison E. Tapaha, age 67, of Wolf Point left us to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday morning, September 9, 2011.
Edison was born on March 6, 1944 to Daisey Herds Many Horses-Tapaha and Martin Tapaha.
He grew up in the Four Corners area of New Mexico, attending Shiprock Boarding School; from there he attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, UT. In 1962 he moved to Billings, MT to find work; where he spent several years working for Bob Jahn as a body mechanic. He started working at the AVCO Corporation at the Glasgow Air force Base. From there, over many years he worked at High Plains Motors in Wolf Point under three different owners. In 2004, he went to work for Randy’s Auto Body and Glass in Wolf Point. While working there he was forced to retire because of health reasons. In 1964, he met the partner for life, Josephine Fourstar. They were married on March 23, 1965. From this union they had 8 children. On October 27, 2001 they were sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the Billings Temple.
Edison’s favorite pastimes included fishing, target practice, doing puzzles, reading and spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved going to gun shows and air shows.
He is survived by his wife and eternal companion, Josephine of Wolf Point; 5 sons, Elliot, Craig, Arthur, Kevin and Dusan Tapaha all of Wolf Point; 3 daughters, Carolyn (Quincy), Yvette, and Alicia Tapaha all of Wolf Point; 13 grandchildren, Dusan Jr., Richard Jr., Delsin, Kamren, Kaitlyn, Kamarise, Erika, Tamyra, Tiana, Malia, Josephine “Joey”, River, and Georgia; sister-in-law, Helen Tapaha of Shiprock; sister, Bessie Benally of Shiprock; and special nieces, Susie Scott, Julia Begay and Marie Benally; and adopted sons, Dustin Siervers, Lance Fourstar and Gene Badhawk.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Tapaha; brother, Robert Tapaha Sr.; nephews, Eugene Benally and Robert Tapaha Jr.; and niece, Maryanne Tapaha.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, September 15 at the Latter-Day Saints Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Chicken Hill Cemetery west of Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.