Our beloved, Phillip Dale Smoker Jr, “Whistle Necklace”, “Iyazho Wanap’e” was welcomed home to the creator on Monday night, March 7, 2022 at his family home. He was 43 years old. He was not only a son but a brother, an uncle and a grandpa. He was known as “Choya” to his all family and friends.
Choya was born on July 10, 1978 in Wolf Point to Phillip and Rosalie Smoker. He was the third of eight children, as he was the only son and loved that fact. He was a middle child and because he was the only boy his sisters catered to him. He attended and graduated from Frazer School with honors and was the Valedictorian of his class of 1996. Choya played many sports in his high school career and excelled at basketball. He also participated in cross country and track.
In his younger years he enjoyed hunting with has dad, Phillip Sr. and he danced traditional in his youth and enjoyed attending pow-wows with his family all over.
He loved to cook and try out new recipes he would make for his family. His family would brag about how delicious his food he’d make and he enjoyed cooking his famous ribs for his mom and Aunty Rose.
Choya enlisted in the United States Army in 1997 but due because he developed asthma he received a medical discharge. Choya attended DeVry College in Phoenix, AZ and majored in Computer Graphics Science. After a year he came home and attended college off and on at Fork Peck Community College. Before he could finish Choya was in a car accident that affected him and the loss of use of his left arm. Choya was very intelligent and loved to learn new things. He would research about anything and visit about what he learnt. He liked to share his knowledge.
He enjoyed family gatherings and he loved his family as he was happy to see them all when they’d come to visit. He was big on giving all his sisters, nephews and nieces nicknames. He had a nickname for everyone who meant something to him. He liked to joke around and make everyone laugh.
He had many friends that he cared for and he loved to go around and visit with his family and friends. He would load up his friends or sisters and go for a cruise either the small town of Frazer or Wolf Point. He enjoyed his cars he would hook up his radio system and bass. He was known for always basing. If he wasn’t out cruising he would be jamming out in his room. He loved to listen to music. Always sharing whatever music he thought was good with his sisters. He also loved watching TV or movies with his mom. They would watch Sci-Fi movies or Crime shows together for hours.
We celebrate our son, brother, uncle and grandpa Phillip “Choya” Dale Smoker Jr. life. He was taken too soon from us. He will be deeply missed but not forgotten. Fly High with the Angles brother until we meet again.
Choya is survived by his mother, Rosalie Smoker, his sisters; Sonya Smoker, Tiana Smoker (Mike DeWitt), Sheena Smoker, Teera Smoker, Rhea Smoker and Donell Smoker. His nephews; Saunder St. Marks, DeShon Smoker-DeWitt and Tracye Smoker-DeWitt and DeShane Smoker. His beloved nieces Kaylandra St. Marks and DeShaya Smoker, MiKaya Smoker-DeWitt, Milayna Smoker –DeWitt, KiAnn Smoker-Randall, Kellyn Smoker-Randall and Jessa Smoker-Nelligan. His grandkids Amara and Elijah Smoker-DeWitt. His special auntie Rose Smoker-White. And many relatives too many to mention them all.
Choya is preceded in death with his dad, Phillip Smoker Sr., His sister Lonell Smoker, his niece Jaceen Smoker, his maternal grandparents Josephine and Wilson Jackson, His paternal grandparents Pauline and Allyn Smoker Sr.
A wake will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the Frazer Community Hall. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at the Frazer Community Hall. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.