Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away from a heart attack on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Our dear one is no longer suffering from his many health issues.
Sheldon Ray Youpee was born on April 26, 1965 to Sharon Fay Youpee in Poplar, Montana. At a young age he was adopted by his mother’s parents, Jim and Jeannette Youpee. He grew up in Brockton and played basketball all through high school. He graduated from Brockton High School on May 20, 1983.
Sheldon loved being outdoors. His favorite activity was hunting. He spent many evenings with each of his children and both of his grandsons, sitting down in the brush, watching for the deer to come out. He also loved to take a ride up north, as the sun was going down, watching for deer and other animals. He had many hunting buddies. He remembered all their hunting trips.
Sheldon started working when he was 14 years old for the CETA program. He did odd jobs around Brockton like yard work, mowing lawns and hauling things away. When he was 18, he worked in the oilfields. He started working with his stepdad, Calvin Red Thunder, Sr. He worked his way up to working on the rigs.
He worked at A&S Tribal Industries in the netting department. He liked pulling edge cord the most. It was while working at A&S, he met and married his wife, Ilenda Jane Thompson. Their first two children, Sean James and Tiffany Rae were born during this time.
Sheldon’s next job was working for the 1990 Census. When that job was over, he worked as Animal Control Officer with Gale “Dusty” Menz. During this time, their youngest son, Jim Thomas was born.
Sheldon achieved his Commercial Truck Drivers License in 1993 at Fort Peck Community College. He then worked for Mark Rite Lines of Billings and helped create the turning lanes through Poplar on Highway 2. Sheldon’s favorite job was truck driving. He worked for Riverside Contracting of Missoula for many years hauling hot mix asphalt, and different types of gravel and dirt across the state of Montana, rebuilding the roads and highways.
He missed his family, being away so much, so he got jobs closer to home. During this time his youngest child, Maria Joy was born.
Sheldon worked for the Fort Peck Tribes in several positions. He was a bus driver for Transit and for Headstart. He worked for the Community Services Program, delivering meals to the Brockton, Riverside, and Fort Kipp elders, helping Violet Buck Elk in the Brockton Center.
He then went back to truck driving for M.A. Deatley of Clarkston, WA. They rebuilt Highway 2 from Brockton to 10 miles east. When that job ended, he worked at Commodities as Warehouse Manager. After that, he worked as Weatherization Maintenance Supervisor, again helping the area elders, and supervising the community service workers.
Sheldon went back to truck driving yet again, for the Indian Reservation Roads program. He worked there seasonally, until he permanently broke his foot, on the job.
His last job was working for Fort Peck Housing Authority as Resident Services Counselor, until he became disabled.
Sheldon was very honored to have won the drawing for a buffalo hunt. He skillfully dropped the buffalo with one shot, hitting it right behind the ear. He considered this one of his greatest hunting achievements.
Sheldon met many people at his various jobs and remembered everyone. He was a kind and caring man and always wanted to help people. He loved his family most of all and we all were blessed to be loved by him. He was “Papi” to his grandson, Ben; “Grandpa” to his grandson, Dane; “Chepa” to his “Gram”; “Big Ray” to his “Dad”; and “Cheps” to his childhood friends.
He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Tiffany Rae; his grandparents, Jeannette Cloud Youpee and Lester “Jim” Youpee, Sr.; his sister, Denise Red Thunder, his stepdad, Calvin Red Thunder, Sr.; his uncles whom he was raised with as their brother, Joe, Russell ”Gus”, Gary, Bob, Sr., Tommy, and Lester ”Big Son”, Jr. He is also preceded in death by his cousins, John “Thunder” Red Thunder, Jr., Kenny Devereaux, Jr., Joe Boyd, Sr.; nephew, Rocky Clark; nieces, Valerie Youpee and Dani Jo Youpee; aunt and uncle, Dolly Mae and Wayne Boyd, Sr.; aunt, Linda Red Boy; great grandparents, Helen Lester and Joe Brushorn, Frank Youpee, Rebecca Campbell and Moses Cloud. He is also preceded in death by his brother in law, David Thompson, and sister in law, Leslie Thompson.
He is survived by his wife, Ilenda, his daughter, Maria, sons, Jim and Sean, grandsons, Benjamin Lane Brown and Dane Riley Follette, and his granddaughter, Harper Rae Hopkins, his mother, Sharon, sister, Angeline (Miguel), brother, Calvin “Chick” Jr., aunts whom he was raised with as their brother, Jamie Kay, Jeannette “Kate”, Millie (Marion), nieces, Jen’Ette (Taylor), Shanel (Clay), Maria, Denise, Jeanette (Vernon), Windy Sioux (Eric), Millie (Felix), Heather, Karen (Erik), Sophina, Edith (Landis), Summer, Johnelle, Jamie, Grace, Colleen, Jennifer; nephews, Jared (Stacy), Seth, Tommy Joe (Tiana), Brandon, Shilo, Raymond “Sonny”, Ira “Totsz” Jr. (Olivia), Bob “JR”, Marion “Moose” Jr, Leslie, Kelly, Raven, TeeJay, Breyten; cousins, Kevin, Samson, Wayne “JR” (Mia), Debi (Faron), Valerie, Jodie, Machelle, Waynette, Sharon (Ash), parents in law, Dennis and Sarah Thompson, mother in law Lenda Logston, brothers in law, Jonathon and Ben (Denise), sisters in law, Gina, Emmamae (Mike) and Gennie, and all of their families.
Sheldon made many friends throughout his life. He will be remembered for his expertise as a truck driver, his skill as a hunter and for his honesty, integrity and intelligence.
“FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS”
Due to COVID-19 guidelines we are asked to keep attendance at the services limited to 30 individuals. Masks are required for all public services.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 24, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 25, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
4:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 24, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 25, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Russell & Francine Boxer says
Condolences to Sheldons family. We are so very sorry for your loss of a loved one. Big Sheldon was a classmate, teammate, & most of all a true friend. RIP my friend until we meet again!
Respectfully,
Russell & Francine Boxer
McGeorge DeMarrias Jr. says
Condolences to the family, he will be missed, enjoyed the basketball games we played together as Brockton Warriors as well as the pick up games up at the Cultural Center.
Traci LeVay-Holt says
Condolences to the family. May he Rest In Peace.
Dreamis Eagle Boy says
Ilenda n Family, So Sorry for the loss of Sheldon 💙. Our Prayers are with you all at this time…
Patt Runs Through says
My heart is broken. I know yiur beautiful wife’s Ilenda’s heart is broken too. I will pray for your tiwahe and for your darling Momma. I love you all. We will see you again dear nephew!! Auntie Patt 😭💔🙏🏼
Terry McAnally says
Sincere condolences to all of Sheldon’s family and friends. May the Creator wrap loving arms around you all as you move through this time of grieving.
Gina says
Ilenda n Family, our prayers are with you all at this time…may the comfort of God’s grace sustain you. My prayer for your family…
SS “We bless the Lord with the gift of His Son as we minister that which He(the Creator) is creating in us by faith; being that of His kingdom of light.”
Cindy says
Ilenda and family I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May God wrap his arms around you during these troubling times and comfort you. My hugs and prayers are with you
Frank DeMarrias says
Big Ray remember we were team Champs for the Poplar Mens Pool League at one time gonna miss you nephew safe travels God speed later Frank D.
Terry and Deb Wagner says
Ilenda and family our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barbara Perry says
Sincere sympathy to the family of Sheldon. It’s so hard to lose a loved one. I pray you have peace in the knowledge that he is with his family in heaven.
Carolyn Brugh says
My sincere condolences to Sheldon’s family. I grew up wirh Sheldon and Jamie throughout our school years and we were all Brockton Warriors. I was sadden to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are extended to his entire family.
Al Bets His Medicine says
Fly high my friend and classmate. I enjoyed our visits together and I loved your sense of humor. My prayers are your family.
David E. Boyd Sr. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Sharon I remember him as a little guy at your folks house. Always seen him working and happy with his family and life. Prayers
Barry says
Condolences to the family. My classmate, hunting partner, and teammate. Great sense of humor.
SAMSON BOYD says
Always enjoyed my loooong visits with Chep……I made sure I had him laughing when we would end our conversations….and he would say….I will see u later Samps’…lol
Gonna miss you Chep….!!!!
Samson Boyd and family
Gay Pennington says
My prayers to Sheldon family, relatives. May god be with you all. Enjoy knowing him. Rest in peace .From Gay (Stephanie) Paulson Pennington Billings MT.