Roger Caufield

On August 10, 1939, a beautiful blue-eyed baby boy was born to Gertrude (Case) and Loren Caufield. They gave him the name Roger Lee Caufield. Akchiiá óolitaatúash (Owns Desired Horses) was a member of the Ties-in-a-bundle clan. He went to the other side camp on April 15, 2026. Dad was raised at the old Cashion ranch on East Fork southeast of Billings on the Crow Reservation. In his younger days, Dad would make extra cash shining shoes to perfection and boxing on the south side of Billings.

He attended St. X mission boarding school till he could stand it no longer. By the time he was a sixth grader, he decided that he learned enough to get through life, so he stole a horse from the school and off he rode to begin his adventurous life at the young age of 11 years old. His sister Marie and cousin Myrna followed suit and decided to steal the nuns’ station wagon and ran away. Their visits were often filled with stories about the mission boarding school, which left a lasting impression on Dad. He eventually embraced the Jack Mormon faith, although he didn’t fully commit to it. Instead, he found comfort in the belief in the afterlife. He then began his life as a cowboy working for various ranches breaking horses and making a hand. He was wild and crazy, and let nothing stop his determination to prosper and accomplish what he started. He was part of the largest cattle drive the state of Montana has ever had. They drove over 10,000 head of cattle from East Pryor to Aberdeen, Montana, located south of Wyola. Roger Lee Caufield found himself in many predicaments living life in the fast lane, one which landed him in a time in Canyon City prison. Because he lived the cowboy way, he learned to throw a mean, right hook, earning him the nickname, Slabs or Buckets. That punch knocked out Cassius Clay, a.k.a. Muhammad Ali’s sparring partner while doing time. Dad was never really alone as his partners in crime were always along for the adventures.

We’re sure there were many, but the ones that were allowed to be a part of the family were Larry Falls Down, Dennis Rule, Lee Plainfeather, Rolly Redfield, Joe Cummins, George Morris, Joe Gonzalez, Billy Corsant, Herschel Wilson, Cowboy Carlson, just to name a few, and many more who shall remain nameless, but you know who you are. They were the last of the last great wild West Cowboys. The legacies they have all left behind shall carry their memories forever.

His life took a dramatic turn when he met the love of his life, Betty Jane, at the Four Aces bar. As the story goes, she entered the bar and greeted him with a bold statement, “Hello, you good-looking, sweet-smelling son of a bitch.” According to mom, this was a lie. However, after meeting her sometime later, they decided to tie the knot on June 1, 1963, in Red Lodge, Montana. From this union, he became the father to Mary Liz,Fatman, and Monk, then came Rhonda and Robin. He and mama also raised Gary Jackson. Dad had many nephews, including Steve Mulenberg, Sonny Medicine Horse, Everett Martin, Audi Heron, Bill Marr, John John Cummins, Larry Dale Singer, Regis Hogan, and Brian Caulfield. These brave nephews spent their summers working for Uncle Rod, learning the true life of a cowboy. They broke horses, roped cattle, rode bulls and bucked horses, fixed fences, put up hay, and learned how to drink like a real cowboy. Mom and dad started their life on Rotten Grass Creek and ended on Pryor Creek. During their marriage, they embarked on a life of cattle ranching and horse breaking and training. Horse trading was an integral part of their existence, with their father traveling as far as Arizona to Audi’s to acquire horses. He would return home, accompanied by their brave nephews, who would break and train the horses before trading them again. They also had a string of relay and race horses that traveled across the country, even reaching Canada. Their father had a remarkable ability to spot great horses from a mile away and could accurately identify the calves belonging to their respective mothers. Dad’s keen eye always seen things that we would often miss, so he taught us how to look for them. He was the best teacher when it came to life’s lessons in nature. His knowledge extended beyond the textbooks because he lived it, learned it, and in some cases, mastered it.

One thing we discovered about Dad was that you couldn’t deceive him, even if you believed you had. He would call you later, knowing all along, and simply observe how far we would go throughout the years. Dad initiated what we affectionately refer to as “The Lee Legacy.” It began with his baby girl Robin Lee, followed by his first granddaughter, Crystal Lee. He continued this legacy by welcoming his first grandson, Larry Lee, and then came Roy Lee, Winston Lee, Clark’el Lee, Roger Lee, “My” Lee, Rylan Lee, Alvina Lee, Jessa J’Lee, and Rocky Lee. As evident, the Lee Legacy has endured and continues to thrive through his great-grand-children. Dad was proceeded in death by his wife of 53 years his parents, his sister Marie cousins Myrna and George Caulfield, his daughter, Mary son Gary, grandchildren Sheila, Adrian,Lenita, and Jesse Jane. adopted daughters Ursula and Jamie. Survivors include his sisters, Phyllis and Doris, sons, Rodney and Roy; adopted sons Loren Schmidt, Heywood Big Day III, Chuck Haukaas, James and Johnny Demontiney and Ronnie Flatmouth, daughters Orvilene, Rhonda, Robin and Jo. grandchildren Crystal, Billy, Sunny, Paradise, Janae, Cheyenne, Charlie, Zarah, Judah, Rheanna, Matthew, Ashley, Chad, Winston, Brian, Brandon, Brittney, Josey, Carla, Kristine, Tracy, Cyrus, Theodore, Alaina, RoyLynn, Rylan, Rocky, Bucky, Sam, Kendall, Monica, Michael, Dakota, Tia, Darlene, Nicole and Tina, great grandchildren, Candace, Kash, Jared, Trevor, Kylynn, Kiran, Krystune, Austin, Makayla, Aubrey, ZaKarah, Eagle Dancer, James, Hazen, Tuffy, Tyson, LeVonne, KeShawn, Alexander, Iceley, Jazmine, Jeziel, Brayden, Arabella, Cereignity, Adrian, Anastasia, KaTori, McKynzii, Vivian, Alethia, Randan, Tripp, Lazzara, Caleb, Harmonii, Justus, Olivia, Winston, Memory, Tajon, Tyron, Roger, Colson, Miley, Laverne, Alayna, Alvina, Ryder, Jacklyn, Jessa, Cordell, Gabe, Justin, Kori Jo, Jacinta, Carson, Kanen, Aria, Willow, Layla, Janae, Braylon, and Jayden. 10 great great grandchildren our family is huge as you can see if we’ve missed anyone we apologize.