Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, Edison E. Tapaha, age 67, of Wolf Point left us to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday morning, September 9, 2011.
Edison was born on March 6, 1944 to Daisey Herds Many Horses-Tapaha and Martin Tapaha.
He grew up in the Four Corners area of New Mexico, attending Shiprock Boarding School; from there he attended Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, UT. In 1962 he moved to Billings, MT to find work; where he spent several years working for Bob Jahn as a body mechanic. He started working at the AVCO Corporation at the Glasgow Air force Base. From there, over many years he worked at High Plains Motors in Wolf Point under three different owners. In 2004, he went to work for Randy’s Auto Body and Glass in Wolf Point. While working there he was forced to retire because of health reasons. In 1964, he met the partner for life, Josephine Fourstar. They were married on March 23, 1965. From this union they had 8 children. On October 27, 2001 they were sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the Billings Temple.
Edison’s favorite pastimes included fishing, target practice, doing puzzles, reading and spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved going to gun shows and air shows.
He is survived by his wife and eternal companion, Josephine of Wolf Point; 5 sons, Elliot, Craig, Arthur, Kevin and Dusan Tapaha all of Wolf Point; 3 daughters, Carolyn (Quincy), Yvette, and Alicia Tapaha all of Wolf Point; 13 grandchildren, Dusan Jr., Richard Jr., Delsin, Kamren, Kaitlyn, Kamarise, Erika, Tamyra, Tiana, Malia, Josephine “Joey”, River, and Georgia; sister-in-law, Helen Tapaha of Shiprock; sister, Bessie Benally of Shiprock; and special nieces, Susie Scott, Julia Begay and Marie Benally; and adopted sons, Dustin Siervers, Lance Fourstar and Gene Badhawk.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Helen Tapaha; brother, Robert Tapaha Sr.; nephews, Eugene Benally and Robert Tapaha Jr.; and niece, Maryanne Tapaha.
A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, September 15 at the Latter-Day Saints Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Chicken Hill Cemetery west of Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Lisa Jon Allen says
Sorry for your loss my prayers go out to your family.
Wilberta Red Tomahawk says
Josephine & family:
I’m sorry for the loss of a great man, Eddie… He was a very sincere, genuine and loved him, his grandkids so much!
The Tapaha family will be in our prayers…
Respectfully,
Wilberta Red Tomahawk
Jackie Follette-Mason says
My thoughts and prayers to you in your time of sorrow. Ellison was a very nice man. It was a honor to take care of him at dialysis.
maryann spottedwolf says
auntie josephine you are in my prayers,
Lance Elliot Four Star says
To my Mother Josephine and family,
I wanted to sincerely express my deepest sympathies and condolences for our family. I did my best to try and handle today the best way I can. My best judgement was to memorialize my adopted father, Edison Tapaha, with my best efforts to start putting the pieces back together in my life. One major piece of my life is artwork, I have been working on a creation to present to you Auntie Josephine and will when the proper time presents itself. I hope you know that my family and I totaly love all of you. My mother had told me that you would understand my physical absence from the services. I did not forget and decided that by the time I would have gotten ready after working all night and morning, it was best I kept working deligently towards my goal. I know my adopted father and uncle Edison would understand. I love you Auntie Josephine!!! You are the best Auntie/Mom I will ever have. I did pray for you all day and hope that somehow these prayers were sent to you and the family. My mother does send her love and told me to tell you she is only sane because she knows my boys and I haveyou nearby. Thank you again and much respect and love to the rest of the family.
– Tatanga Mani
Erika Tapaha says
I mIss you grandpa, i’ll never forget you. I love you.
-Love, Erika