Justin Cortright

Justin Emmitt Cortright, 55, of Pryor, Montana, passed away Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation in Billings, Montana.

He was born February 11, 1970, in Billings, Montana, to William "Bill" Cortright and Ellajean Sun Goes Slow. He was a member of the Bad War Deeds Clan and was a child of the Piegan Clan. Justin grew up in the Pryor area. He attended school in Pryor, where he was a basketball player on the Plenty Coups Warrior all state championship team, and graduated high school.

Justin was a direct descendent of Chief Plenty Coups, Chief Bellrock, Chief Pretty Eagle, Chief Bull Tongue, and Pvt. Sun Goes Slow from his mother's side.

Justin liked to fish and hunt, and he enjoyed being outdoors. He also liked laughing and joking around and lived with a carefree spirit. He worked for BIA Forestry as a seasonal fire fighter and worked for his uncle, Robert Leahy as a roofer.

Justin married Trivian Ten Bear in Hardin, Montana but later divorced. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Mildred Mary, Sidney Leo, John Charles, William Carson, Ellagene and Lisa Bellrock; his uncles James "Sonny" Bellrock and Kenneth Sun Goes Slow; and his aunts Catherine Smells, Ethel Bellrock, and Dorothy Sun Goes Slow.

He is survived by his brother, Charles "Chucky" Lance; nieces Alahna Rowland, Zoriah Stands, Julissa Lance, Karmyn Sanchez, and Jaleigha Lance; nephews Jalen Davis, Jasper "Sonny" and Buster Plainbull, Brandon Lee and Caleb Cortright; adopted sisters, Gaye Kopezynski, Carmen Belden, Adriene Leahy, Nicole Leahy, Lena Tsosie Rides Horse, Mary Big Day, Emma Lena Bellrock, Randine Crego, Amanda, Tamara, and Lana Little Eagle; adopted brothers Edwin Tsosie, James K. Bellrock, Darin Standsoverbull; aunts, Eloise Leahy, Janice Bellrock, Emma Core, Clara Ann Rides the Bear, and Melvina Bellrock Prince; uncles, Carson Bellrock, Linwood Curtis Prince, and Robert Flat Lip.

Extended family includes Bellrock, Sun Goes Slow, Birdinground, Bird Hat, Little Owl, Flat Lip, Lincoln, Brown, Don't Mix, and Beaumont. Our family is large; please accept our apologies if we have missed you and ask that you bear with us during our time of loss.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday December 21 and Monday, December 22 at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings, Montana. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 23 in Pryor, Montana, along with burial.