Kendall Deputee

Kendall Marcel Deputee, 44 of Billings, MT, passed away due to a health illness on November 01, 2022. Hearts are heavy; however, the family rejoices knowing that Kendall has been greeted with open arms by his Heavenly Father and paternal grandparents, late James and Mary Deputy.

Born on April 29, 1978, in Crow Agency, Montana, to Kenneth Deputee, Sr. and Loretta Kaye Walks. Kendall was their middle child born between Kenneth Jr. and Amber. Raised in traditional Crow culture, with respect given to both his Hunkpapa and Ogalala bloodline. He was raised in the family home by his father and stepmother, the late Justine Sun Goes Slow in Lodge Grass and St. Xavier, MT.

Kendall's Crow name, Iikooshxiassaash, “One Who Has an Outstanding Whistle”, was given to him by Honorable Crow Elder, the late Hugh Little Owl. Kendall was a member of the Piegan Clan and child of the Piegan. He was a proud Ashkaamne. He respected the Crow Clan system and relatives. His Crow Culture was a fundamental aspect of his character. It was important to Kendall to speak his Crow native language, as he spoke fluent Crow. Kendall had been a champion arrow thrower and often supported up- and- coming arrow throwers by making arrows for them and helping them with their technique. He was a member of the 2018 Crow Traditional Hand Games Tournament Champion Team, Big Horn District Valley-Of-The-Giveaway. Bill and Pamela Backbone used Crow tradition to adopt Kendall as their son. Several other families adopted Kendall on their own private ceremonies.

Kendall attended Pretty Eagle Catholic School, Fort Smith Elementary School, Wyola Elementary, Lodge Grass Jr High, and graduating from Lodge Grass High School in 1996. Kendall was an outstanding student athlete in high school earning Montana High School Association honors. MHSA Basketball Class B All State First Team 1996, 1995, & 1994, Southern 3B Basketball First Team All-Conference 1996 & 1995, Southern 3B Basketball All Conference Second Team 1994. MHSA State B Basketball All Tourney First Team 1995 & 1994. MHSA Football 2nd Team All State B 1995, MHSA Football Southern 3B All Conference First Team 1996, All Conference 3B Football First Team 1995, 3B Football Second Team All-Conference 1994. 1991 Montana Free Throw Champion. He signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Rocky Mountain College. 1996 Denver All West Champion and Most Valuable Player. 1996 Fort Hall 17 & Under Indian Basketball Champion (jacket), MVP (jacket), All Star (jacket), 3-point Champion (jacket) and Slam Dunk Champion (jacket) honors all at one single high school basketball tournament winning a total of 5 jackets for himself. 1995 Denver All West Champions and MVP Award. 1990 & 1991 Big Sky State Games Basketball Champions. Kendall dominated his competition being named Most Valuable Player and selected for All Star honors at many Indian basketball tournaments. Kendall finished his high school basketball career as a 17-year-old Graduated Senior. Kendall received his height and strength genes from his grandfather, William Walks Between Lodges, who stood at 7 feet, 2 inches tall. Kendall was coached and trained by his dad, Kenneth Sr., who was recently Inducted into the Class of 2022 prestigious Oklahoma Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kendall was both Founder and the Original Lead Singer of the Mighty Few Drum Group of Wyola, Montana. Mighty Few Singers were selected to serve as Host Drum at many powwows. They won many singing contest competitions throughout Indian Country including Gathering Of Nations and United Tribes. Mighty Few Singers were crowned the 1998 Schemitzun Basketball Tournament Champions. Kendall was a very talented singer songwriter and composed many contemporary powwow songs He traveled throughout the United States and Canada, often visiting other Indian Reservations and checking out Indian Casinos.

Kendall and Miriam Vaschelle Chandler was blessed with a daughter, Vonya Marchelle. Vonya had two little girls, Luena Le and Anaya Marcine that made him Papa Kendall. The granddaughters lit up Kendall's face and they loved him so much. Kendall was blessed with a daughter with Chrystal Bad Bear, Dessie Mae. Kendall loved his beautiful daughters more than life itself. Kendall married Tracey Covers Up and had a close relationship with her boys. They later divorced. Kendall married Janet Turnsplenty and had a close relationship with her family. They later divorced. Kendall's special companion was Alexsandra Bearcrane. She never left his side during his hospital stay.

Kendall attended college at Rocky Mountain College and MSU-Billings COT, and Little Big Horn College. He studied General Education, Construction Management, and had earned a Construction Technology certificate. Kendall was a licensed contractor by the state of Montana. He was a small business owner. He loved working as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He worked on many construction projects. He worked on the oil rigs in North Dakota drilling Bakken & Three Forks oil wells. He was a jack of all trades and could repair any equipment and fix just about anything without asking for compensation. He was known for repairing engines, siding houses, framing houses, and installing walkway patio decks. No job was too big or too small.

One of Kendall's most exciting jobs was working with the Yellowstone TV Series (Season One) film crew. He had the opportunity to work alongside Kevin Costner and his stunt-doubles, Taylor Sheridan, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser and Wes Bentley, while filming on the Crow Indian Reservation. Kendall had closed highway roads and was hired as an “extra character”.

Kendall never met a stranger and would help everyone when needed. He was the type of guy who would give up his place so someone else could have comfort. Kendall will be missed by many for his humorous stories, his singing, his generous heart, and he had a unique nickname for his loved ones. Kendall loved all his family, and his family loved him to no end. It is impossible to explain what Kendall met to everyone. People gravitated toward Kendall, they wanted to be around his infectious laugh and bright smile. He made people feel important and protected, especially his daughters and granddaughters.

Kendall is proceeded into death by his grandparents James and Marietta Deputy; Stepmother, Justine Sun Goes Slow; Brothers, Chandler Eagle Jr., John "Catfish" Yellow Plume IV, Kevin Lessard, Tyrel Takes Enemy, Franklin Martel III, and Brett Martel Jr; BJ Backbone, Peter Pretty On Top, Freeman Bends, Edmond Old Crow, Brian Old Crow; Sister, Roylynn Rides Horse; Nieces and Nephews, Kaylee Takes Enemy, Steven and Zachariah George

He is survived by his Companion, Alexsandra Bearcrane; Parents: Kenneth Deputee Sr (Nancy)., Loretta Kaye Walks, Bill and Pamela Backbone; Children: Vonya Deputee (Raheem Redstar), Dessie Bad Bear, Quierra Bulltail; Brothers: Kenneth Deputee, Jr. (Shawna), Jonathan Deputee, Delin Sun Goes Slow (Tana), Shiloh Eagle, Chance Eagle (Danielle), William Marchant, Myers Brien (Vera), Elijah Delgado; Sisters: Amber Stewart (Isaiah) Thomasine Fife (Jeff), Carrina Flores; Aunts: Janie Phalen, Alta, Yellow Plume, Ella Chavez, Ernestine Pretty Weasel (Jerry); Linda Deputy (Kenny); Frances Takes Enemy (Robert); Bernelle Martel (Frank); Letty Morgan (Joe); Uncle: Eugene Deputy (Rochelle Whiteman Runs Him-Deputy); Extended Sisters: Alta Deputy, Eugenia Deputy, Francesca (Jamie) Galaz, Rowena (Kevin) George, Joanie Big Hair, Delean Dust, Deneen Not Afraid (AJ); Extended Brothers: Nathaniel Deputee, Truman Jefferon Jr., Tye Backbone, Johnny Flores, Jeremy Wales, Adrian Bird, Jr., Richard Left Hand, Vernon VP Nomee, Brian Two Moons, Phil Raising Sun, Sam Pretty On Top, Peter Big Hair, Byron Bends, Evan Pretty On Top.

Family Relatives include: Deputee, Big Hair, Pickett, Driftwood, Knows-His-Gun, Hogan, Cashen, Stevens, Redding, Smith, Bear Don't Walk, Little Light, Takes Gun, Spotted Horse, Bear Below, Medicine Horse, Plenty Hawk, Red Wolf, Blaine, Jefferson, Wallace, House, Left Hand, Bird Far Away, Laforge, Big Lake, Old Bull, He Does It, Fighter, Black Hawk, Walks Over Ice, Hunts The Arrow, Smart Enemy, Old Horn, Old Coyote, Bad Bear, Hill, Sun Woman, One Goose, Ties-The-Knees, Jack Rabbit, Old Rabbit, Chief Poor Elk, Chief Sits-In-The-Middle-Of-The-Land. Mother's Families include Walks Between Lodges, Looking Back, Looks Back, Chief Running Antelope, Chief Big Foot, and Chief Crazy Horse.

A traditional wake service will be held starting at 6:00pm on Sunday November 6, 2022 at Crow Agency Multipurpose Center. A procession will leave Dahl Funeral Chapel at 4:30pm. The funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Monday, November 7, 2022 at Crow Agency Multipurpose Center. The family requests that men wear white collar long sleeve shirts. Burial will take place at St. Xavier Cemetery.

*Please forgive us if we may have forgotten anyone in our time of grief.