On the night of January 20th 2014, Joray passed away at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, MT. Joray was 36 years old.
Joray was born in Poplar, MT at 7:14 a.m. on May 25th 1977. He was the second son born to Charles Four Bear and Iris M. Sherman Four Bear.
Joray attended Poplar Schools, graduating in May 1995. Joray participated in basketball, football, and cross country. He was a champion runner in the mile and two mile races.
In 1995-1999 he served in The United States Army. After an honorable discharge he began his law enforcement career. Throughout the years Joray has worked as a police officer, highway safety officer, and juvenile probation officer for the Fort Peck Tribes. Joray was also a Sergeant for the City of Poplar.
Joray has had intensive training in all aspects of police work and was qualified for leadership supervisor positions from Tribal Police and The National Guard. Some of his accomplishments include;
Joray was also qualified to teach fellow officers in Master Hit Man, self-defense tactics, hand cuffing techniques, expandable ASP baton, tactical folding knife techniques and OC pepper spray. Joray completed the basic Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT). He was also an Instructor of Defensive Tactics, First Line Supervisor and in the National Guard PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course).
Joray was preceded in death by: older brother; mother Iris Sherman Four Bear; grandparents Virgil Four Bear and Eleanora McKay; aunt and uncle “Big Daddy” and Davetta Four Bear; great grandparents, Dan and Rena Comeslast; and cousin Reanna Four Bear;
Joray is survived by Paulette and his children; Ethan, Audrianna, and Gabrielle Four Bear; and Twins Ken and Kaitlyn of Alaska; Father, Charlie (Anna) Four Bear; Adopted mother Cookie Big Horn, Brothers; Melichi, Houston, Roy, Cole, Charles, and Deyo; Sisters; Leslie, Kayce, Rande, Marlyss, Olivia, Dani, and Jacey; other siblings include Bobby, Mervin, Jonathan, and sister Avalee; Aunts; Rena Williams, Violet Comes Last, Noreen Four Bear; Ella Fighting Bear, Ethleen Demarrias, Shari Demarris; Uncles; Dale Four Bear, Cornell Four Bear, Dana Comes Last, Merval “BoBo” Sherman Grandpas; Leroy(Sabrina) Comes Last, Daniel Comes Last. And also left behind a very special friend who never left his side, Cari Falls Down.
Joray had many many relatives in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Joray was an enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Sioux – a descendant of Sitting Bull’s band.
A wake will be held 6 p.m. Friday, January 24 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25 at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp with cremation will follow.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.
Tara Douglas says
Joray were an awesome friend, we always had fun together. Robert and I will miss you very much. There wasn’t a day that went by they we keep you in our thoughts and prayers. God be you and your kids & family. Love you my friend!
Richard and Roberta Ramsey says
Charles and family, sorry to hear about your loss, we still remember you and your children,
our heartfelt prayers and condolences. in times like this words are hard to find. we pray that you have the strength to get through this..
Brian Azure, Sr. says
Paulette and Family, I was very sorry to hear about your loss. You will be in my prayers in hte days to come.
Carlos JBuck Elk | Dallas, TX says
My condolences from across the miles
to the entire family.
Rose&John Morsette says
Charlie and Family of Joray, Sorry for your loss,
Jane Beauclair says
Joray was one of my favorite students. He was also a nice young man. My prayers are with you and your family. (from Bismarck, North Dakota)
Marcella & Joel Grey Bull says
To Charlie and family
Our sincerest condolences for all the families…May the Lord be with you all. He was a good boy, a fine officer, Dad, and he will be missed by all…We all have our good memories of him always Take care
David E. Boyd Sr. says
Our prayers are with all of you.
Theresa Forrest says
Leslie and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you loved your brother very much. Joray will be missed by all who knew him.
Ethan, Audriana and Gabrielle.. Take comfort in knowing you now have an angel watching over you. I am praying for you all.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. -Matthew 5:4
Susan Twichel says
Charlie and family-
I’m so sorry for your loss. Joray was a great man with a wonderful smile! I remember babysitting he and his three sisters-full of smiles all the time.
Susan(Hagadone)Twichel
Keri Berg Furthmyre says
I’m so sorry for your loss, he touched many lives and meant the world to all who knew him. I have wonderful memories I will cherish forever! rest in peace, he will be missed but that smile he had will not be forgotten!
Sharon Boyd-Kidman says
Charles and Family – All my thoughts, love, and prayers to you all……Psalms 116:15~ “Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints (His loving ones).”
When Joray was serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, KY, I was attending college in Nashville, TN. Since we were home “peeps” he immediately contacted me as soon as he moved in. He would drive over quite often to visit with me and of course, bring his laundry. :0) I took him in as my little brother and he certainly fit the role…right down to me doing his laundry! LOL! We had wonderful times of attending church services, weekend shopping, going to movies, and long talks. He never missed a chance to make me laugh and it was so easy for me to feel like the protective “big sister.” Over time, I knew Joray grew closer to the LORD…I would always encourage him to look to the LORD in all things. And because I came from a loving family, I never missed an opportunity to tell him how much I loved him. I can still hear him saying, “Hey Sis, how are you” or “I miss you sis!” I will miss my little brother dearly….but I know the moment he closed his earthly eyes here…he was is instantly in the loving arms of our precious Savior JESUS CHRIST! Until we see each other again Joray, I continue to do as the Word of GOD calls us to do…..”Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
With all my love little brother,
Your big sister – Sharon
maryann spottedwolf says
my condolence to the four bear family….jorey was a sweet luving gentleman….prayers go out to the family….maryann spottedwolf and dolly stark
kay follette says
So sorry to hear of Jorays passing. he was a very special man. he will b greatly missed by everyone. rip joray. my prayers n deepest sympathies for the family.
Kristofer & Amanda Boyd says
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you in our prayers! God Bless.
Raquel White Hawk says
Sending my prayers & thoughts to your family, Joray was an awesome friend & 1 of a kind person! Was a pleasure to have known him and call him my friend.
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
To all your family—our sincerest sympathy to all of you during this sad time. It is comforting knowing that we will see our loved ones again. You are all kept in our prayers. Our sincerest sympathy
Mary and Jolyn Dillon Wolfpoint
Laura Ricker says
So sad to hear the news. Joray trained me as a police officer and was always very patient and helpful. May God bless you all in this loss and know that our prayers are with you.
Laura and Darryl Ricker
Bobby J Adkins says
I served with Joray at Fort Campbell, we were very good friends. we lost touch with each other once he left the Army, and I didn’t know he had passed until I was trying to locate him after all these years, I will always remember that smile of his, he taught me how to say his Sioux name and I remember it to this day. So many good memories of him, he is truly missed even after all these years and across a thousand miles.
Bobby Adkins, Kentucky