Tex Curley, 72, of Lame Deer, passed away due to complications with Pneumonia on September 10, 2020 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings.
A’otse’, “Hail”, was born on August 14, 1948 in Forsyth, Montana, a son of Joseph Curley Sr. and Irene Sanchez-Curley. He was raised and received his education in Busby graduating in 1968. He was a member of the Catholic Church and the Swift Fox Society. During his high school years, Tex was known for his speed and athletic abilities as he was an all-around athlete for the Busby Eagles winning multiple awards in football, cross country and track.
In 1968, Tex enlisted in the military as a Marine. He was sent to Vietnam until his honorable discharge in 1970 where he received numerous awards. He served his country with pride.
In 1975, he married Laverna Mae Wallowing and to this union they were blessed with one daughter Reva. The couple eventually made their home in Busby. They later divorced and Tex became a single parent raising his daughter. He was an active father working many jobs caring for his daughter and his mother Irene along with the rest of his family. He spent a lot of time hunting and playing softball with his nephews, the Haugen boys teaching them everything he knew. Later in life he became a grandfather and a great-grandfather and loved every day he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; TJ, Shania, Calderone, Reuben Jr, Tyrone, Tavian and Taveon along with Nadia and Nathan.
He was known for his coaching in Basketball taking the Busby Eagles to State in the 80’s as well as the Chief Dull Knife College Women’s team winning the AIHEC championship. He loved to Hunt, play Horse shoes and Softball teaching his nephews how to play as well playing Handgame with the Northern Cheyenne Senior Team winning 3-Senior Handgame Tournaments in a row. He was a Head Guesser and often bragged that the Chicago Bulls weren’t the only team in history to win a 3-peat! Traditionally, he always helped his brothers with the annual Sundance Ceremony that his family participated in. Tex was a fluent Cheyenne speaker and loved his language but he was most known for his teasing. He had several close friends including Walter Whistling Elk, Harvey Bigheadman, Juan Castro, Robert Bearchum Jr, Wille Rowland, Clinton ‘Columbo’ Stops, George Pretty Weasel and the late Joe Castillo along with all his Horse Shoe playing and Handgame family extending from Crow Agency to Newtown, North Dakota to Oklahoma.
He is preceded in death by his father Joseph Curley Sr., mother Irene Sanchez-Curley, sister Audrey Haugen, Florine Taylor, Alice Risingsun, Reeva Red Fox and brothers Joseph Curley Jr., Logan Curley Sr, Robert ‘Sonny’ Red Fox, Edward Fox, George Fox and Darryl Scalpcane. His aunts Edna Red Fox, Helen Wilson and uncles Ralph Red Fox and Irvin Red Fox and Nephew Logan Curley Jr.
Survivors include his daughter Reva, his grandchildren Tyler James (TJ), Shania, Rueben Jr, Caldarone, Tyrone, Tavian and Taveon, great grandchildren Nadia and Nathan; sisters Tera Curley, Fonda Red Fox (Jay Bob) , Melanie (Charlie) Charette, Karen Red Fox, Eva Foote and Ethelene Killsnight; brothers Billford, Kevin, Jody and Terry Curley, Travis Aimsback, Lyman Wolfchief, Ronnie Harris, Dean Rondeau, Vincent White Crane, Verlin Foote, Joe Fox Jr, Richard Fox, James Fox William and Orin Red Fox; his extended family including the Haugen, Red Fox, Wolf Chief, Brady, Wolf Black, Costilla, Bird Hat, Crazymule, Harris, Lei, Flatness, Spotted Elk, Rockroads, Bearchum, Kinzel, Medicine Top, White Crane, Scalpcane, Foote and Lone Bear families along with many Nephews, Nieces, cousins and friends. We apologize if we have left anyone out as our extended family is large.
Traditional wake services will be held at 7:00 pm on Wednesday September 16th at the Lafe Haugen residence in Ree District. Graveside services will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday September 17th at the family cemetery near Busby with Reverend Willis Busenitz officiating. Stevenson and Sons Funeral homes have been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 17, 2020
Busby Cemetery
Busby, Montana 59016
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 17, 2020
Busby Cemetery
Busby, Montana 59016
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ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF TEX CURLEY, THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
Dick and Jan Littlebear says
Tex, nėstavȧhosevoomȧtseme, Taavepėheveaseohtseo’o. Nėstsenėve’eeavȧhooto’o. Neešėpėheve’xovevo’ėsta
-stanėheve. Tex, we will see you again. Leave here in a good way. Do not look back. You have lived a good life. A lot of people–especially your immediate relatives–are going to miss you. You are one of a kind. I feel good knowing that we were good friends. May Ma’heo’o watch over you on your journey.
Clarice Big Back says
My condolences and prayers to Reva and family. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I sat in on many exciting games when Eugene played hand games with Tex. They had a good time.
Janet M. Lassen says
Sorry for your loss.
Kaysee (Williams) Curley says
Sending love and prayers to all my in-laws. I know how much Tex meant to you all.
Jim, Rita, Kyle Alderman and Family says
Tex was a very nice man that really enjoyed serving his people. I had opportunity to give him a ride when his car broke down doing that very thing. Our thoughts and prayers and condolences to the family for this terrible loss hope they comforted by Tex’s many great deeds
Billford J Curley says
I WILL MISS YOU uncle Tex! ! ALWAYS!
The memories we shared will always be ours uncle!
BINNO!
Ron D Harris says
I was shocked to hear of Tex’s passing, I will miss him and his sense of humor. He could always make me laugh and smile, I’ll never forget our softball days with the Busby Bandits. The world is a sadder place without Tex in it. Both him and Logan took me as a brother, and that will always mean the world to me. RIP Tex
Eugene Blackbear says
Busby Eagles HS Football 🏈 team, all Cheyenne’s!! Wow, Tex was the backbone of our winning Team!! We skunked Lodgegrass HS, beginning with opening kickoff!! Safe Journey home, brother in-law!! Peva’
Melanie Charette says
Rest in peace brother 🙏 your going to be with all those we love and miss dearly. You will be missed