On Thursday April 3rd, 2014 our beloved son, husband, and brother, Lee Aron Atchico departed from this earth naturally to be with the Lord.
John and Linda Atchico were blessed with Lee on August 8th, 1985 in Williston, ND. As a young child Lee’s passion for music first began to bloom when he taught himself how to play the bass. From there he blossomed into a very gifted musician; learning how to play other instruments, produce music, start the band Away from Nowhere, and DJ on a regular basis.
He graduated from Poplar High School in 2005 and continued his education at the Fort Peck Community College, where he later obtained his CDL. Lee also received the John Phillip Sousa Music Award in 2005.
He was a very hard worker and held various positions at Wal-Mart, Trans-Systems Trucking (Grand Forks, ND), Altendorf Inc. (Minot, ND), The City of Poplar, and Poplar Schools as a bus driver. Lee was also an active volunteer firefighter for the Poplar Fire Department for many years.
In his time on this earth, Lee found and married his soul mate Tiffany (Martell) Atchico. Together they made a home and had two dogs: Scraps & Elvis Atchico. Lee provided to the best of his abilities for their small family of four. Anyone who knew Lee would say he loved and lived his life to the fullest with a smile on his face. He will always be remembered for that and the way he touched lives with his music.
Lee is survived by his beloved wife Tiffany (Martell) Atchico; mother, Linda Atchico and father, John Atchico; siblings, Leslie (Darrel) Todd, Jr., and Jennifer (Nishant) Shrestha; grandma, Myrna Greufe; aunts, Kathleen Ventura, Anita (Clyde) Bauer, Suzanne (Courtney) Smith of Lewiston, Id, and Feryl (John) Grainger of Helena, MT; uncle Butch Bear; cousin, Traci Longtree; cousins who were like brothers to Lee, Joey Ventura, Marcus Red Thunder, and Dale Bear; special nephews (brothers) Andrew Frederick, Jalen Atchico and Abhi Shrestha; niece, Cory Fourstar, Grandson River Frederick; and numerous family members from Oklahoma and Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joe and Evelyn Red Thunder of Poplar, E.J. and Jenny Atchico of Oklahoma; aunt, Carol Red Thunder, LaDonna Allrunner, Irene Fry, Beatrice Onzahwah; uncles, Rufus Atchico, and Danny Atchico; and best friend, Travis Spotted Bull.
Lee will always be with us in our hearts and memories; he was truly a loving, beautiful soul. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, but he’s now making music in Paradise with the angels. Sonny boy – we will never forget you. You will forever be in our hearts.
A prayer service will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at the Assembly of God Church in Poplar. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, April 14 at the Assembly of God Church in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Red Thunder Family Cemetery in Poplar.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Sunday April 13, 2014
Assembly of God Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 14, 2014
Assembly of God Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Sunday April 13, 2014
Assembly of God Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 14, 2014
Assembly of God Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
Darlyn Grainger says
Linda, John and families, I am so sorry for your loss of Lee. I know this is a very hard time. Take care, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kathleen Ventura says
Knowing Lee is now in the presence of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords is comforting, but missing and knowing we won’t be seeing his happy smiling face any more is the hardest. We will see him again, if we are here when Jesus comes in the clouds known as the Rapture of the church or if we should pass on to the spirit world. None the less, we all loved Lee. Him & his cousins Dale & Joey were all the same age and growing up together. I will sincerely miss my nephew Lee and there will forever be a void in all of our lives. I know Grandma Evelyn, Grandpa Joe & Auntie Carol were told by Jesus that you were coming and they waited happily by the gate as you entered into paradise, but most of all our God opened his arms and sat you on his lap and told you how much he loves you. Till we meet again nephew, rest in peace.
Penny Kaleva says
So very sorry for the loss of Lee. He is with our Lord. He will be missed but we have great memories.
Rocky and Nyla Braaten says
So sorry for your loss, praying for your family.
Richard White Owl III says
So sorry to hear about your family’s loss, Lee was a good guitarist! Being in band with him was awesome! Many prayers and blessings.
Rose Atkinson says
Love and prayers out to your family at this very sad time. We who all loved Lee will truly miss him, as will all his students from the bus route.
David and Chong Ae Boyd says
Ours prayers are with you.
David and Chong Ae Boyd says
John and family:
Really sorry to hear about your loss.
Our prayers are with you.
Steve Holte says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that my heart is full of wonderful memories of Lee, his music, his patience, and gentle presence.
Ardey Boxer says
I was sorry to hear about the passing of your son……May our Creator comfort both of you and his wife…..May he rest in peace……..One day you will all see him again…….My continued prayers for you and all his relatives…….
Adriann Ricker says
Lee was the kindest soul and had a great sense of humor. I don’t think there’s one person that knew Lee that had a bad thing to say about him. My heartfelt condolences are sent to his wife and family during this tough time.
John and Arin Grainger and family says
So sorry for your loss, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Stacey Summers says
John, Linda and Family..God Bless you during this difficult time.
maryann spottedwolf says
so sorry for your loss…my heart and prayers are with the family…..maryann s.w and dolly stark and family
Charley Billy and Kelly Murdock-Billy says
We are so sorry for the loss of Lee. We know what it is to lose a son. Our love and prayers are with you.
Geoff Hagadone says
We are very saddened by the loss of Lee. He was such a kind hearted person. My girls enjoyed having him as a bus driver. They mention him everyday! They told us about an instagram pic. he took leaving our house on his final route! It was of the cattle along the road.
Rubin Ackerman says
We share the families loss. Lee was a very good young man, always polite and respectful. He will be missed. See you in Heaven young brother.
Patt Iron Cloud says
Dear Linda And John, and Family, Truly YOU are blessed to be the parents of such a fine young man……Such as Mr. LEE ATCHICO……Death can never take that Eternal Bond away…Our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our Tunkashina, our Wankan Tankan….and .our Beloved Savior Jesus Christ are Real,,,,and because they live, we too will live again…..Dearest Lee will be missed by all who knew and loved him…..I just wept like a baby when I heard this sad news…God be with you. Love, Patt
Edna Wetsit says
I am very sorry for the loss of your son. My condolences to the family.
Kathy Berosik says
To Lee’s Family. My deepest sympathy in the loss of Lee. He was a great person and co-worker at Wal-Mart. I enjoyed very much working with him. He was one of the first person I met when I went to work there. And thanks to facebook when he left we kept in touch. He will be missed by everyone that new him.
Erik Helberg says
Thinking of the family during this terrible loss. Prayers and support to you all.
Patt Iron Cloud says
Dear Tiffany…..Mrs. Atchico……I attended the evening service and when you spoke….Your cherished words that Your beloved husband wrote YOU made me cry……You are a Strong And Brave WINYAN…..May God bless you and keep you……..Lee is closer tHAN YOU think…..when you pray…..Thank God always for your love you both share with one another….Loves lives on FOREVER…….YOU WILL BE WITH LEE ONCE AGAIN…..HUGZ, PATT….
elicia hapa says
im sorry for your loss