Ernest “John” Longee, Jr., age 69, of Poplar, MT passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at his home in Poplar.
Ernest was born on August 5, 1942 in Poplar to Ernest Longee Sr., and Ethel Buckles. John was one of nine children. He attended school in Poplar and was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar.
He married Sharon Hollow in 1960 and moved to Oakland, CA. To this union two children were born, Blossom R. Longee and Ernest Longee, III. He went to school for auto body and fender repair. He worked as a sheet metal worker and carpenter. After returning to Poplar in 1975, he became employed at the Fort Peck Housing Authority in Poplar. This is where he was superintendent for 17 years, retiring in 2000. Ernest enjoyed building things, working on cars, playing cards, and most of all spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. Ernest was with his companion, Agnes Ward since 1981. He was a loving dad, brother, companion, uncle, grandpa, nephew, and friend. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
He is survived by his companion of 30 years, Agnes Ward of Poplar; daughter, Blossom R. Longee of Hayward, CA; son, Ernest Longee, III of Fort Washakie, WY; step-children, Tanya Steele, and Mike Ward, Sr. both of Poplar; grandchildren, George E. Nichols, Jr. and Melody A. Nichols both of Hayward, CA, Tristen Ward, Mike Ward, Jr., Thomas Steele, Jr., all of Poplar, Jonathon K. Vierra and Lorenzo A. Vierra of Ft. Washakie, WY, and Erica M. Mendez of Hayward, CA and; great grandchildren, Angel M. Brito, Jaydesen Chapman, Hayley and Hayden Ward; brothers, Lawrence Longee, Sr., of Toppenish, WA, Maynard Longee, Sr. of Poplar, Russell Longee of Wolf Point, and Dennis Scott of Grand Forks, ND; sisters, Darlene Longee of Poplar, Joy White Hawk of Ft. Collins, CO; aunts, Pearl Hopkins, Gloria Chopper, and Louise Ell all of Poplar; nieces and nephews, Darlene Sampson of Toppenish, WA, Deborah Nero and Lawrence Longee, Jr. of Sacramento, CA, Tina Longee of Williston, ND, Johnna Grey Bull of Glasgow, MT, Sheila Grey Bull and Lee Black Hoop of Great Falls, MT, Tina Cody of Glendive, MT, Lori Black Hoop of Oklahoma City, OK, Brian Grey Bull of Sisseton, SD, Maynard Longee, Jr., Diane Menz, Shannon Alden, Tony Browning, Everett Browning, Francine Boxer, Brandy Longee, Liza Black Hoop, and Rodney Black Hoop all of Poplar, Amanda Longee and Marcie Longee borth of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Laura Longee of Vancouver, WA.
Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Arthur Longee and Mervin White Hawk; sister, Diane Longee; and grandsons, Ryan Buckles and Dallas Ward.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, February 23 at the Poplar Cultural Center. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, February 24 also at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the Longee Family Cemetery in Poplar.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.