Leroy Spang, Ma’ena’evahe “Red Arm Panther, age 79, of Lame Deer passed away on February 11, 2023 at his home. Leroy was born on August 12, 1943, to Alfonzo and Mary Callsfirst Spang. Leroy was the sixth born out of ten children.
He graduated from Busby High School in 1962.
Leroy grew up on the Lame Deer Creek Homestead. He was a farmer, rancher, firefighter, contractor, coal miner, and Tribal President for the Northern Cheyenne People. Leroy operated cattle, buffalo, longhorns, horses, chickens, and pigs… later on, it was cats! Leroy took a lot of young men to train how to build fence, hay, and thin timber.
In 1966, Leroy married Celesta Harris at the Muddy Creek Catholic Church with his best friend, Tony Foote as his witness. Leroy and Celesta had four children: Vikki, Rayetta, and twins, Tracy and Tiffany.
Celesta passed away in 1990. In 1992, Leroy married Pamela Mullenberg.
Leroy’s first job was “pushing cattle” and stacking hay for various ranchers, he then worked for Northern Cheyenne Tribal roads for a few years. In 1974, Leroy started employment for Peabody Coal Company. Dozer/Drag Line operator. He put in 32 years of service. He always said he was going to turn the lights off when the mine shut down. He retired on March 25, 2006. Although he didn’t officially retire, he decided to take on Tribal politics. In 2008, Leroy was voted in to be the Norther Cheyenne Tribal president.
During presidency, he had half of his pay wages put into the Leroy Spang scholarship fund. He gave out numerous scholarships to students going to college.
After his term, he continued to work contract work with his son in laws and son, and continued farming and ranching. He was quite the craftsman, building unique birdhouses and bird feeders. He collected flat rock and make beautiful rock work around his place. He also made tombstones for his pets and loved ones. He loved his neighboring ranches, always checking on cows and checking on his neighbors all the way down Lame Deer Creek.
Leroy suffered from congestive heart failure, no longer suffering and now joins his best friends, Tony and Jimmy Foote, Raymond Harris, Steve Mullenburg, and the rest of the family.
Leroy is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Burt, Gordon, Darrell (Son Boy), Ernest, and Wilmer; sister, Jenny; wife, Celesta; daughters, Tiffany, and Rayetta; brothers-in-law, Matthew Harris and Steve Mullinberg; nephews, Wilbur and Gus Spang; niece, Crystal Dawn Spang.
Survivors include his wife, Pam; daughter, Vikki (Troy); son, Tracy (Shandi); step children, Amber and Michael; brothers, Jule, Terry; sisters, Bonnie, and HansaFaye; grandchildren, Travis and Tiffany Cady, Shelby, Jessi, and Dani Jordan, Shalay and Tracen Spang, Keisha and Quannah Coversup, and Devin McGinnus; great grandchildren, Tatum, Taven, and Riot Cady, Milo McGinnis; one special god-daughter, Lynette Spang; special niece, Twyla Rowland-Lessig, Dr. Sandra Dixie Wilson; sisters-in-law, Priscilla Robinson, Patricia Rowland, Annie (Charlie) Messer, Maria Charette, Alberta Twentystands, Denise (Hymn) Alexander, Clara Harris, and Tamera Mullinberg; Brothers-in-law, Clinton Harris, Leon Sioux, and Tim Mullinberg.
Leroy’s good friends include: Max Hiwalker, Manford Soldierwolf, Ducky Waples, Pete Thex, Clifford Small, Dave Pemble, Jimmy Larsen, Larry Jordan, Clinton Harris, Bruce Loudermilk, JC Bement, and Llerando Cowboy Fisher, Victor Woodenthigh Jr. these guys were just a few to name, there are so many more.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday February 16, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Thursday February 16, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Lane
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Carrie Little Bird says
Our Prayers and Condolences for Leroy n Family. He was a good man.
Calvin and Roxie Wilson says
Prayers and condolences for all of Leroy’s family. He was a good human being with a heart of gold! Every time we saw and visited with him he always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. He was the most positive person we have ever met and the stories he would tell left us feeling good about life. May the Lord watch over his loved ones he left behind and help them find some peace.
John Pachl says
My sincere condolences. I worked with Leroy for 12 years. And I always learned something. He was a great person.
George Birtic says
Great person indeed. He was always a good real good role model for young Cheyenne. His 2 children he raised, , Vikki and Rayetta were proof of that. What an outstanding person , role model and parent.
Ryan Parker says
Outside of my dad Bill, I don’t think there’s was another man who influenced me more than Leroy Spang. He was the good-natured uncle who would take you under his wing. I used to visit his place frequently to play with my pal – and his son – Tracy. Leroy would take us on trips on the backroads of the rez to enjoy nature and to do fun activities like hunt for arrowheads. One time I went with him and Tracy to church on Sunday morning, and then afterwards we drove to Colstrip to have breakfast at the Coal Bowl. While there, Mr. Spang emphasized the importance of having a wholesome and nutritious breakfast to give you a good start to the day – advice I still follow to this day. He exemplified integrity and demonstrated that hard work can give you a good life. Thank you for everything, Leroy. My condolences to Pam, Tracy, Vikki and the entire family.
Lynette Spang & family says
RIP Uncle Leroy you will be missed dearly. Give Auntie Celesta, Rayetta & Tiffany a hug and kiss for me. 😢❤
Latisha & family says
Sending all our love to Pam, Vikki and Tracy and all of Leroy’s family. We’re thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort for you during this difficult time. Uncle Leroy will be forever missed.
Beverly Shelley says
RIP Uncle Leroy you will be missed dearly. Condolence to Vikki, Tracey & Pam. God sure gained a beautiful Angel🙏🏼❤️❤️
Tim Wilson, M D says
Uncle Leroy always strived for the high mark, I’m sure he was greeted with ‘well done…’
Books can be written about him; hard working honorable Montanan rancher who raised his children with integrity.
He touched many and he will be sorely missed. 😢
Ann Knows His Gun says
My Deepest Condolences, Sympathy & Prayers to the Family.
Denise Swank says
Condolences to the family. Leroy was a fun man to visit. Will miss his humor n stories of life.
Tim and Debbi Dove says
Our tribe and community has lost a good and kind man who lived a life of integrity. Condolences to Jon, Shelby, Jessie, Dani, Vicki, Troy, Tracy and Pam.
Esther Littlewolf says
My love and prayers for Leroy’s loved ones. His smile and greetings were always uplifting at the VR office. His wife Pamela was so supportive and attentive with love for Leroy. I am sad for his passing, my heartfelt condolences to Leroy’s family.
Michele Eaglefeathers says
My condolences and prayers are with Pam and his family. One of the best leaders of our tribe. Journey well Leroy❤🙏
Dewey Foote says
Rest in peace Uncle Leroy, I’ll cherish what you taught me out in the timber n running a dozer! Condolences to Vikki n Tracy n family! Will truly be missed! Tell my DAD n rest of the family I said I miss them!
Glenn Littlebird Sr & Family says
My condolences and prayers to Leroy Spang and family. We became good friends and talked about bringing prosperity to the people and reservation and he had a good sense of humor, going to miss seeing him and visiting with him, may he RIP
John & Lisa says
Vikki, God bless you in your time of mourning. Your Dad was a good person. It’s hard to be parentless. Our sincerest condolences. Hugs and prayers for you.
Bonnie Bigback says
Vicki and all, only learned of your fathers passing this morning. My deepest condolences to you and all your family.
Ann Jordan says
So sorry to hear of Leroy’s passing. My condolences to all the family & dear friends of his. My heart breaks for my 3 niece’s Shelby, Jessi, Dani & my brother John. Leroy was like a dad to him & a best friend. I know there are alot of hurting people & I’m so sorry. I hope we can all show the love, kindnesss & helping hand to one another as Leroy did for so many. I will miss seeing his smile & seeing him come racing up in his truck & jumpy out before the vehicle is fully stopped, one if a kind. Give your daughter Rsyetty a hug for me💞
Ann Jordan says
Rayetta
Mary Dillon says
I am so sorry to hear about Leroy. I had so much respect for him He was a loyal friend to both Dean and I. We enjoyed him so much. He always had a smile and a good laugh You’d always hear Leroy and Dean laughing about something. I will never forget the kindness he showed jolyn and I after Dean and Dennis’ accident. . When I f came back to Jimtown after the funeral I was grieving so bad – struggling with everything – so broken hearted and trying to do what needed to be done. Leroy was the first one to come to do whatever he coukd. He fixed the lawn mower for me — moved Trailers for me.; and helped with the animals. Ii appreciated his kindness so much. I’ll never forget him
My sincere sympathy to Pam and all the family. I know for sure we will see him and lhave a good laugh again. Mary and jolyn Dillon
Lyle says
R.I.P. uncle Leroy. I was like an eighth grader when I went out in the woods with you. You make logging roads. I was bucking up the timber that you pushed over. I learned a lot from you and my dad. I will never forget the good times we have from working to after work in your tool shed laughing and telling jokes. Good times. Give my Dad and all our Loved ones a hug for me. Love You Uncle.
Anna Fisher says
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Spang family
God be with you all
Patricia Houseman says
So sorry for your loss of Leroy. May God be you at this time Pam and Spang Famile’s and all of Leroy’s relatives and friends.
Ron Gramling says
sorry for your loss Tracy, prayers
Melissa Whitewolf royston says
Sending our condolences to you all. Prayers for comfort during this time
Debbie(Bixby) Young says
Rest In Peace Leroy, My love and condolences go out to the Spang family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Joy Peters says
My condolences to all of Leroy’s family, and friends.
JoLisa Bahr says
Sending my sincere condolences to Vikki, Tracy, Pam and all of his grandchildren. He was a very hardworking fun loving man. Uncle LeToy will be missed. My heart breaks for our family. Sending love and prayers for comfort and peace.
Ray Whiting says
I remember these old timers from being amongst friends in highschool that I’ve lost touch with. Though my life has moved on I will always remember Leroy! Ray Harris, Wilmer, and Jimmy Foote, Rest in Peace Men I Will never forget them great stories and experiences.