Ronald Dean Moccasin, Jr. “Nuzahã Omaní” (Travels fast), born December 21, 1957 went to be with the Creator on July 17, 2016 at St. Vincent’s in Billings at 2:23 a.m. of natural causes.
Ronny was born to Ronald D. Moccasin, Sr. and Belva First Raised. As a child he traveled with Sr. on his seminary. He went to grade schools at Chattanooga Public School, Chattanooga, TN, Talihina Elementary School, Talihina, OK and Corpus Christie, TX. He moved back to Frazer and graduated High School in 1978. While in school he participated in sports and was in basketball and a track manager. He excelled in cross country for Frazer High School. He also played football and baseball. Soon after High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army and after he was discharged he then attended Kicking horse Job Corp for carpentry.
Ron was a seasoned Montana Indian Fire Fighter and attended Sawer School in St. Regis, MT. Other jobs he held was a ranch hand at Petri Ranch of Turner, MT and for local farmers and ranchers in the area and at Ft. Belknap doing fencing and other jobs that needed to be done. He was a hard worker and always took his job seriously. He also worked as a carpenter apprentice at Ft. Belknap Housing Department. He did piling for Ft. Belknap Forestry.
While living in Ft. Belknap he met Cynthia Gone and to this union they had 2 children, Ronald “Dean” Moccasin III and Veronica Moccasin. They lost a daughter before she was born in 1986. They made their home at Ft. Belknap and Hays, MT. He also helped raise her two other sons from a previous marriage, Anthony N. Rider and Michael T. Rider. Although their relationship didn’t last they remained friends. Although Ron wasn’t much on sharing his feelings he sure loved all his children and all his grandkids.
He attended college at Ft. Belknap College in Liberal Arts and Northern Montana College in Havre, MT.
Ron’s hobbies included ready westerns, cards, watching movies, and joking around. He told many stories of when he was growing up and loved to laugh.
Ron is survived by his current girlfriend Hope Montoya, Wolf Point; his son Ronald “Dean” (Louise) Moccasin III, Havre, MT; daughter Veronica Moccasin, Hays, MT; father Ronald (Ethelyn) Moccasin, Sr. of Frazer, MT; brother John (Desi) Moccasin of Wolf Point, MT, Ronnetta and Cindy Moccasin of Frazer, MT; sister Thea Kiokaldie, Roberta Messerly of Ft. Belknap, Edagr Johnson of Ft. Belknap and Elgin Johnson of Chinook, MT, Mary Kay Johnson White, Vivian Johnson Herchel and Vicky Johnson all of Ft. Belknap; numerous uncles, aunties, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.
He is preceded in death by baby girl Moccasin; mother Belva First Raised Johnson; grandparents Edith Jackson Blount, John Moccasin, Amos First Raised, Sr. and Melvin Horn, III.
If we have left out anyone, please except our apologies