Phillip Dale Smoker Sr. “Wabaha” (War Lance), age 60, of Frazer, MT took his journey home on Friday, October 26, 2012 in Roy, Utah.
Phillip was born on January 12, 1952 in Poplar, MT to Pauline Roberts Smoker and Allen “Sonny” Smoker.
He grew up in Frazer where he also attended school. He loved to play sports and excelled in basketball and track. He loved the game of basketball and was a great supporter of the Bearcubs.
At the age of 14 he met the love of his life, Rosalie Jackson. They were married on February 20, 1974 and were happily married for 38 years. To this union seven daughters and one son were born. He loved and cherished his children very much; they were his pride and joy and he was very proud of each of them.
He was a very hard worker and had many jobs, from which he learned many skills throughout his lifetime. He worked in law enforcement as a Tribal Police Officer for the Fort Peck Tribes. He also worked as a carpenter, in the oil fields, and as a custodian/bus driver at the Frazer School. He later was a bus driver/janitor for the Frazer Head Start Center for 20 plus years until he retired. He also drove the BIA firefighters for numerous years and drove the Bearcubs to many of their activities and sporting events.
He was an avid hunter and trapper. He enjoyed hunting with his family and friends. He was proud to share his stories of how he learned to trap beavers and minks with his father-in-law, Wilson Jackson. He enjoyed taking his family to pow-wow’s and spent many summers travelling all over to attend. He was proud to watch his children, and then later his grandchildren, dance.
Phillip was a very traditional man; he practiced and believed in his traditional ways. He tanned hides, made dried meat, and loved his traditional foods. He raised and taught his children knowing the traditions, ceremonies, and culture by always stressing the importance of keeping the traditions alive in his family. In his past time he studied his native tongue and loved reading anything native.
He also was a coach of the Little Bearcubs for a number of years, which he loved to do. He also coached basketball and softball. In his earlier years, he played softball and was well known for hitting homeruns. He had many friends throughout his life and often talked about growing up in Frazer while he shared his stories. He liked to write short stories and read them to anyone who wanted to listen. He liked to tell jokes and tease by giving people nicknames he would come up with.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rosalie Smoker; children, Sonya (Jamie) St. Marks of Frazer, Tiana (Mike) DeWitt of Wolf Point, Phillip “Choya” Smoker, Jr., Sheena Smoker, Teera (Tristan) Randall, Donell, Lonell and Rhea Smoker all of Frazer; grandchildren, Saunder, Kaylandra, and DeShaya St.Marks, DeShon, Mikaya, and Milayna DeWitt, and Kiann Randall; special nephew, Garret “Chino” Smoker; sisters, Adeline (Robert) White of Frazer, Nadine (Jim) DeCoteau of Frazer, Sandra (Joe) White Eagle of Wolf Point, and Denise Garfield of Frazer; brother, Gary (Artis) Robinson of Wolf Point; uncle, Kenneth (Theresa) Smoker Sr. of Poplar and Dean Blount of Frazer; aunts, Vera (John Henry) Iron Man of Poplar, Pearl Four Bear and Marietta Four Bear of Brockton, Arlene Standing and Rita Talks Different both of Frazer; grandfather Phillip Red Eagle of Tacoma, Washington; and many other beloved relatives too numerous to mention.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Roberts Smoker; fathers, Allen “Sonny” Smoker and Dennis Blount; sisters, EllaMae Aguiar Silvia and Natalie Smoker; brothers, Allen Smoker Jr., Llewellyn Smoker, Loren ”Sonny Boy” Smoker; nephew, John Paul Smoker; and niece Susan Smoker.
Phillip was very much loved and will be greatly missed.
A traditional four day feast will be held 3 p.m. Monday, October 29 at the Community Hall in Frazer. A wake will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 30 also at the Community Hall in Frazer. Phillip’s funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 31 at the Frazer High School Gymnasium. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Frazer with a luncheon to follow at the Frazer Community Hall.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.