George F. “Chaskay” Ricker Jr., age 41, of Poplar, MT passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at the Poplar hospital in Poplar, MT.
Skay was born on January 4, 1969 to George Ricker Sr. and Helen Youpee-Ricker in Poplar, MT. He was the “New Years Baby” of 1969.
Skay’s Indian name SunKaKan Wanagi “Horses Ghost” was given to him when he was 11 months old by his great great grandfather. He held of high significance his Indian cultural heritage. Of special pride was his champion fancy dancing ability and the honor of being a whistle carrier. He graduated from Poplar High School in 1987 and attended the University of Montana in Missoula, MT from 1987-1988. He was a 3 year letterman in both high school football and basketball and was involved in many other school activities.
Skay was active in all kinds of farming, ranching, and outdoor activities. Branding was one of his favorite hobbies as well as barbecuing for family and friends on any given occasion. He especially loved watching any and all sports with his closest friends, mostly football and basketball. Skay was always the “go-to” guy for many of his friends and family.
Skay was an avid Denver Broncos Fan and Broncos memorabilia collector. His uncle “Greek” Culbertson knew his passion for the Broncos and acquired him tickets to a couple games which he attended with his lifelong best friend Troy Dimas. He was a champion dart thrower who was a participant in international invitational dart tournaments in Las Vegas and was a winner of several local and regional dart tournaments in both Montana and North Dakota. Skay had a humungous passion for the dart “life” in which, he liked to help/coach other dart players especially his dart partners/team. He had special dart “families” in Montana and North Dakota and had such a love for anything competitive.
Skay had various jobs throughout his life such as working on the Poplar oil fields, Ft. Peck housing security officer, A & S tribal industries, Ft. Peck Tribal Police Dispatcher, Assistant High School Football Coach for Brockton High School, Northeast Montana Health Services-Ambulance driver, Tribal Health Environmental Safety Department, and Tribal Maintenance Department.
Skay is survived by his wife Freda Christian; two daughters, Erin Jade of Minot, ND and Tamra Rae of Poplar, MT; Adopted son, Eithan Toby of Spokane, WA; Parents George and Helen Ricker of Poplar, MT; Brother, Willie (Tiki) Ricker of Poplar, MT; Grandpas, Jim Youpee of Brockton, MT and Lloyd Youpee of Poplar, MT; Grandmas, Loretta Bearcub of Ft. Kipp, MT, Winona Weinberger of Poplar, MT and Mamie Dupree of Poplar, MT; Aunts, Willamette “Chub” (Larry) Bussard of Salinas, CA, Josi (Rene) Youpee of Poplar, MT, Lori Lafromboise of Pablo, MT, Gretchen Youpee of Wolf Point, MT; Uncles, Allen (Bernadyne) Youpee of Trenton, ND, Dwight Youpee of Santa Barbara, CA, Cary (Linda) Youpee of Helena, MT, and Marvin (Renay) Youpee of Rapid City, SD; Special family members, Joan Broomfield of Poplar, MT, Albert (Greek) Culbertson of Denver, CO, Jewel Youpee Hanna of Poplar, MT, Kay Kay Culbertson of Denver, CO, Susie Jackson of Portland, Oregon, and Royce Lafromboise of Pablo, MT. Also, Father and Mother in law Adrian and Jackie Perry of Ft. Kipp, MT; Sisters in law, Joni Johnson, Robin Perry, Andrea Perry, and Jackie Christian; Step children Lavael and Kobe Christian of Poplar, MT; and two special nephews, Yamni and A.J.; and numerous Cousins, Aunties, Uncles, and Friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son Chaskay Ricker, Jr.; Aunt, Florence “Red” Youpee; Uncles, William Youpee Jr. and Danny Youpee. Grandparents, Bill and Isabelle (Weinberger) Youpee, Ted and Mildred (Dupree) Ricker; Great grandparents, Ezra and Mary Ricker and Joe and Helen Brushhorn.
A wake will be held starting 7:00 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2010 at the Poplar Cultural Center, Poplar, MT with the Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday March 23, 2010 also at Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT.
Interment will follow in the Youpee Family Cemetery in Poplar, MT.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.