On the night of January 20th 2014, Joray passed away at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, MT. Joray was 36 years old.
Joray was born in Poplar, MT at 7:14 a.m. on May 25th 1977. He was the second son born to Charles Four Bear and Iris M. Sherman Four Bear.
Joray attended Poplar Schools, graduating in May 1995. Joray participated in basketball, football, and cross country. He was a champion runner in the mile and two mile races.
In 1995-1999 he served in The United States Army. After an honorable discharge he began his law enforcement career. Throughout the years Joray has worked as a police officer, highway safety officer, and juvenile probation officer for the Fort Peck Tribes. Joray was also a Sergeant for the City of Poplar.
Joray has had intensive training in all aspects of police work and was qualified for leadership supervisor positions from Tribal Police and The National Guard. Some of his accomplishments include;
Joray was also qualified to teach fellow officers in Master Hit Man, self-defense tactics, hand cuffing techniques, expandable ASP baton, tactical folding knife techniques and OC pepper spray. Joray completed the basic Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT). He was also an Instructor of Defensive Tactics, First Line Supervisor and in the National Guard PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course).
Joray was preceded in death by: older brother; mother Iris Sherman Four Bear; grandparents Virgil Four Bear and Eleanora McKay; aunt and uncle “Big Daddy” and Davetta Four Bear; great grandparents, Dan and Rena Comeslast; and cousin Reanna Four Bear;
Joray is survived by Paulette and his children; Ethan, Audrianna, and Gabrielle Four Bear; and Twins Ken and Kaitlyn of Alaska; Father, Charlie (Anna) Four Bear; Adopted mother Cookie Big Horn, Brothers; Melichi, Houston, Roy, Cole, Charles, and Deyo; Sisters; Leslie, Kayce, Rande, Marlyss, Olivia, Dani, and Jacey; other siblings include Bobby, Mervin, Jonathan, and sister Avalee; Aunts; Rena Williams, Violet Comes Last, Noreen Four Bear; Ella Fighting Bear, Ethleen Demarrias, Shari Demarris; Uncles; Dale Four Bear, Cornell Four Bear, Dana Comes Last, Merval “BoBo” Sherman Grandpas; Leroy(Sabrina) Comes Last, Daniel Comes Last. And also left behind a very special friend who never left his side, Cari Falls Down.
Joray had many many relatives in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Joray was an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Sioux – a descendant of Sitting Bull’s band.
A wake will be held 6 p.m. Friday, January 24 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp with cremation will follow.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.