Warren Smith

Rick passed away on October 26, 2024, at home surrounded by family.

Rick was a proud member of the Crow Tribe and a member of the Ties the Bundle clan. Warren D. “Rick” Smith was born on October 7, 1944, to William and Jennie Cashen Smith in Pryor, Montana. He was the youngest of eight children. Rick attended Pryor Public School for 8 years, never missed a day. Rick was proud of his perfect attendance. He then went on to attend Edgar High School and graduated in 1962. In his younger days he trained horses and learned how to rope. Roping was a talent he worked to master, genuinely loved, and practiced all his life. In his younger years, Rick was known to rope all types of animals. Using these skills, he worked on various ranches throughout the Crow Reservation.

On July 27, 1965, he married Frieda Whitewolf Smith in Sheridan, Wyoming and they then made their home in Pryor, Montana. Three children were born to this union: Shawn, Rachel Warren. Rick entered an Apprenticeship training program to be a Plumber/Pipefitter, completing the training in 5 years. He then went on to work as a Journeyman Pipefitter for the Union, Local 30 for 39 years, retiring in 1999. He then began his dream of ranching and was in the ranching industry for the past 25 years. He also worked as a Rodeo Judge. Rick supported his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in all their activities with rodeo being his favorite sport. The bucking chutes and roping chutes will not look the same without Grandpa Rick encouraging his grandkids and great grandkids.

Besides his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his older siblings, brothers Jim and Alfred, sisters Carolyn, Margaret, Isabel, Mary Joe, and nephew Joe LaForge.

Survivors include his wife, Frieda, sons, Shawn (Lynna) Smith and Warren Smith, daughter, Rachel (Brian) Smith Bedoni, special niece Miriam Smith and nephews Burton and Doug Smith. Four grandsons, Clinton (Leslie) Smith, Cash Smith, Cole Cash Half and Johnny Whiteshirt. Two granddaughters, Brittany Smith, and Bryanna Bedoni. Great grandchildren, Sadie, Cannon Blaze, Daisy, Hesston, Sierra, Taylor, Gage, Darris and Darrian. And beloved sister Bernadette Smith. Also, Ricks lifelong friends, Larry Fallsdown, Barney Smart Enemy, Bob Teal, and Billy Greenough. Other survivors include members of the Cashen, Smith, Kent, Stevens, Emery, Reinhardt, Caufield, Raines, LaForge, Dawes, Gardner, Pease, Bighair and Goes Ahead families. If we have missed anyone, please understand that it was not our intent we are grieving a great loss at this time, our family is huge.