Donald Buck Elk, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2015 at St. Vincent hospital in Billings, MT. He was born to Darlene Left Hand on February 23, 1959. He was raised by his grandparents, Eli and Thena Buck Elk in the Fort Kipp area. He attended Culbertson schools until he transferred to Brockton during the 2nd semester on his junior year. He graduated from Brockton on May 1977. He played basketball for the Culbertson Cowboys and the Brockton Warriors. He played for the Fort Kipp Little League soft ball team coached by the late, Nathanial Long Hair. They played in many tournaments in the area.
After graduation he attended Dawson Community College in Glendive in the fall of 1977 to May 1978. He then attended Northern Montana College in Havre for a couple of months in the fall of 1978. He returned home and worked for the HIP program for the Fort Peck Tribes in Poplar. He moved to Billings in September 1981 where he attended Billings Vocational Technical College where he received his degree in Auto Mechanics on March 1, 1984. While in Billings he joined the independent basketball team from Plenty Coups. They traveled to many tournaments. In the summer months he joined the softball team and enjoyed playing basketball and volleyball as well. He returned home and on October 19, 1991 he and Lorrian Bear were married at Red Eagle memorial Church in Fort Kipp by Rev. Simon Looking Elk. They later divorced but remained friends. In February 2005 he and Myrna Grey Hawk were married in Brockton. They later divorced. We are thankful for the life he shared with us. He will be missed not only by his family but by the countless friends over the years who took him as a dad, grandpa, and brother.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Eli and Thena Buck Elk; grandma, Susan Red Boy; uncles, Milton Buck Elk, Bernard Buck Elk, Kenneth Buck Elk, Darrel Buck Elk, Harold Buck Elk, and Michael Buck Elk; aunts, Marlene Buck Elk and Cheryl Thomas; cousins, Lida Sue Buck Elk, Emmual Buck Elk, Carmen Birdsbill, and Andrea Davis; adopted sons, Isaac and Harold Red Eagle; adopted sisters, Melvin Birthmark And friend Del Ray Smith.
He is survived by his mother, Darlene Left Hand; special granddaughter, Mandy Red Eagle of Fort Kipp; aunts, Ernestine Red Boy, Esther (Frank) Hapa, Phylis (Cedric) Praie Chief, Myrtle (Fred) Olson, Eileen Buckman of Billings, Barbara Birdsbill of Wolf Point, Bernadine (Arthur) Mandan of New Town, ND, Gloria Yankton of Fort Kipp, MT; uncles, Henry (Violet) Buck Elk, Louie (Leann) Buck Elk, Warren (Geraldine) Buck Elk of Rapid City, SD, Robert Buck Elk, Adrian Thomas of Fort Totten, Richard Thomas, and Robert Buck Elk; cousins, Michael, Ronald and Kevin Buck Elk of Billings, MT, Clayton Davis, Tiana Eder, Lesley and Latoya Buck Elk, Ashleigh Weeks, Caren Brooks, Marilyn, Joyce, Wanda, Anna, and Cynthia Thomas of Fort Totten, ND, Alysia Williamson, Carson and Michael Buck Elk of Wolf Point, Colleen and Charlene Birdsbill of Wolf Point, Nannett Davis, Tamara Firemoon, Evron Davis, Carlos Buck Elk, Bernard Erick Gideon Alan and Allie Buck Elk of Dickenson, ND, Thalia, Theresa, Darrell, Janelle, Eveth Buck Elk of Fort Kipp, Mary Follett of Poplar, Vernon and Sharon Buck Elk of Fort Kipp, Joseph and Tiffney Buck Elk of Fort Kipp, Christy and Christopher Shields, Loren Ramsey, April and Milton Buck Elk, and Darice and Sylvia Buck Elk; and grandchildren, Marshale and Hailey Buck Elk, and Mia Long Knife of Brockton; and Justice Bearcub, who he raised as his own daughter.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Friday, December 18 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, December 19 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. Interment will follow at the Fort Kipp Cemetery in Fort Kipp, MT. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by using the form below.
Carlos J Buck Elk | Dallas TX says
Condolences across the many miles to my Aunt Darlene & Families.
mary follette and family says
condolences to auntie darlene my thoughts and prayers are with you. if there is anything you need me for let me know.
Monita Chapman says
My condolences to Darlene & family, you are in our thoughts & prayers. He was the best son-in-law I ever had we will miss him always!
EIleen Buckman says
My sincere condolences to cousin Darlene, just remember he is with his Grandpa Eli and Grandma Thena, and all those who have gone on before us. He is finally home!
Diane Lambert says
I’m very saddened to hear the passing of Donnie Buck he was a good friend throughout my life.I have many memories. Prayers to ypu Darlene and your family during this difficult time. God Bless
Gerald Jackson says
Condolences to Darlene and family sorry for your loss!!!!!
Marilyn Johnston says
Dear Darlene and family, I am thinking about you today and wish I was there to give you a hug during this time of sadness! Take care and love you.
Kathleen says
My sincere condolences to my good friend Darlene. I sure liked Donnie, he had a gentle soul about him. I could tell that you raised him in a good humble way of life. He never had a mean word to say about anyone, always laughing and a very generous heart. I believe Donnie is with our Savior. People look at the outer appearance, but God looks at our heart. God said, the Spirit is willing but our flesh is weak. It is sad when one of our loved ones move on to our mansion that Jesus prepared for us, but knowing that he is safe with the Lord, it gladens our hearts. Take care my friend, Jesus is only a whisper away. Call on him when you get lonely or missing him. I will sure miss Donnie, but he is now rejoicing with our Savior and his loved ones who are there now.
Jim Lambert says
Darlene and family: I’m so sorry to hear of Donald’s passing. He was a true friend that I could always count on, and I will never forget him! I remember all the fun times I had with him while we were growing up in Culbertson. Our family lived down by the tracks and Donnie and I would hang out together; running around, always getting into mischief, which all seems pretty harmless, when you compare it to situations kids get into nowadays, sigh. This one particular day stands out above the rest. As we were playing down by the tracks, we decided to venture over yonder to play in the haystacks. When mysteriously, out of nowhere, one of the haystacks “accidentally” caught on fire! How and why, may never be known, but let’s just say we were “up-to-no-good!” It just so happens, my Grandma Lambert was babysitting us and she was busy doing laundry. What we didn’t know, was she witnessed the entire incident! We walked into the house, whistling like nothing happened. Grandma caught us both by surprise, and because she was quick with a “hanger,” I got a good belt on the backside! In the meantime, Donnie split, blowing by me like a lightning bolt! I can laugh about it now, but at the time, it was not too funny! I can remember many happier times with Donnie too, and will never forget his smile and laugh, as he was always such a happy-go-lucky guy! We never know when our time is up; so we need to count our many blessings each day, but also – make each day count. I work in a program that helps at-risk kids, providing them with the simple tools necessary to survive in today’s busy world. Some of the horror stories I’ve come across through my job have saddened me. Most stem from not having strong support systems in place through childhood. Darlene, I just want you to know, that you’ve always been there for your kids, helping them with anything and through your nurturing, they turned out pretty darn good! I’m proud to have known Donald Buck Elk and I’m so sorry that he had to leave so soon. Please accept my deepest sympathy, Darlene, and contact me if you need anything!
Agnes says
Sory to hear of your loss Darlene….may the Lord comfort you and your family at this time..
Spike Bighorn says
I am saddened to hear of the passing of my old Brockton Warrior teammate. “Buck” was a great friend and teammate, and I have many wonderful memories of playing baseball, basketball and softball with him throughout our lives. When I missed a crucial free throw that could’ve won our team the District championship in high school, Buck was the first person to come over and console me after the game – I will never forgot that act of kindness and caring for a fellow teammate… Rest easy Buck.
Roxanne Gourneau says
I have thought and prayed of you often since I have heard that your son Donny has passed, the loss of your beloved son touches my heart and I am deeply saddened for you, but please know that I will keep both you and Donny in prayer.
Duane J Green says
Darlene , I am so sorry for your loss ! Buck was a good friend with a good heart. We shared a lot of memories together some good and some not so good but than again that’s life. When ever I would make it back to Ft Kipp it was Buck that would be first to come over and say hi ! I will never forget him and glad I had him as a friend.
Darlyn Grainger says
Darlene and Family. So sorry for your loss of your beloved Donnie. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Roxy Smith says
Much love and prayers at this very sad time. I always used to see Donnie at the sporting events. I loved to hear him laugh. He will be your angel watching over his family. Love Roxy
Nancy Sundvold says
Donnie will be missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile no matter what was said. Rest in peace big man.