Tye LaFaughn LaFranier, age 27, of Colstrip

Tye LaFaughn LaFranier, Aneohe Ohtamehneste “Hawk Walking” given by Don Lonebear. He was named Bah-be-lish-she-gah-lah-gosh “Server of Living Water” by his clan aunt, Dorcella Little Light, was called home on Sunday November 21, 2021, following an extended battle with HLH, a very aggressive autoimmune disease and NK Cell Leukemia. He was 27. He was an enrolled member of the Crow Tribe, Greasy Mouth and Child of the Greasy Mouth clan as well as a member of the Northern Cheyenne Nation. Like with everything our gypsy boy did in life, he took this battle on with full enthusiasm and courage and fought hard ‘til the very end. Tye’s story starts in Crow Agency, on Sept 11,1994 where he was born to Larry ”Fonz” LaFranier and LaVern Old Elk Evans. He made his home in Crow until his parents decided to part ways. At a very young age Tye moved to his other childhood home in Lame Deer with his dad. There he gained his second mom, Chasity Robinson who loved him like her own. That is also where he received his 3rd Indian name “Saspoosh” from his papa Lee Lonebear. Tye started Head Start at Little Cheyenne and graduated in the Billings Headstart program, the graduates were able to pick out their own color gown, and he picked Pink. Tye had the pleasure of enjoying time with both of his families. He attended elementary school at St. Labre and eventually his parents moved to Colstrip where he finished at Pine Butte. His childhood summers were spent at Rotten Grass and Crow Agency with his family, where he established a love for his papa Blaine Small that was unbreakable. He was papas “Cowboy”. This is where Tye learned the traits of hard work and how to be a man, traits that lasted his lifetime. He also spent a lot of his youth at his LaFranier grandparents, where he was also very loved by his aunts and uncle and made many memories. The memories he made at the Lonebear household on south side remained dear to his heart. It was also at this time in his life, where he gained two baby brothers and a little sister. Tye was a gypsy, and his story rings true from youth until adulthood. He played his little league baseball for “Booger Red” and the Stingers and the Colstrip Rangers. He attended CHS and graduated with honors in 2012. In high school, Tye excelled in Cross Country, football, basketball, and track. After graduation he enlisted in the USMC and was discharged a short time later. He then moved back to Lame Deer and started his college career at CDKC. During this time, he became a father to Bryson Blaine, his spitting image. Tye was a dedicated and loving father to Bryson often taking him to classes while earning his Associates degree in 2016. During college Tye competed in the World Indigenous Games in Brazil. It was an experience that he enjoyed immensely and that he took great pride in. Did we mention our boy is a gypsy? He also played basketball for CDKC and made many memories. He also enjoyed watching his sister and brothers excel in sports. He moved to Billings where he was reunited with his mom and brothers which made him very happy. While there he held several jobs, enrolled in Barber School, and became the best roommate Brandon and Marco could ever ask for. Our gypsy then enrolled in SKC in 2020 until he made his way back to his sisters in Billings. The two of them moved in together where their bond became unbreakable. Tye was his sister’s best friend and protector. He also gained another brother with his sister’s boyfriend. He developed a strong relationship with his youngest brother, working jobs together, while following his other brother’s D-1 college success. This brings us to his sudden decline of health and eventually our last gypsy road trip to Utah. Tye, we are very proud of how you fought this battle; you took some on the chin and got right back up. We’ve met some wonderful people, who also are very touched by your character and bravery. Tye LaFaughn, we are all proud to have been a part of your short but full life. Although your time on earth with Bryson was cut short, the love and memories that were made are strong enough to last his lifetime. We will all do our part in watching over Bryson just as you have advised us. Please give us your strength and courage as we stumble through this chapter in our life with you. Godspeed our gypsy angel; don’t let papa Roy cheat you in cribbage too much. He was preceded in death by; his great grandparents, Elias and Dorothy Hugs Sr., George and Evelyn Old Elk Sr., Ivan and Pauline Small, his grandmothers, Violet Hugs, Verna Hugs Rogers and grandfather Roy LaFranier. Tye is survived by his son Bryson Blaine, his parents Lavern and Israel Evans and Fonz and Chasity, brothers Rayquan and Travaughn Evans, his sister Amaya (Jashon), and sister Zaylee. Larry Duane and Carol Old Elk. Grandma’s Rose LaFranier, and Collette Fisher. his grandparents Blaine and Beldean (Hugs) Small, Lawrence and Carol Old Elk, Arlie Stops, Elias (Theo) Hugs, Leo (Tammy) Hugs, Bryan Rogers II, Clara Hugs, Daisy Iron, Edward (Mary) Iron, Ray (Melva) Iron, Norman Dale (Lynn) Iron, and Deana Milda, Clayton ( Georgiane) Old Elk, John (Karen) Old Elk, Walter (Colleen) Old Elk, Lloyd (Alvina) Picket. Grandmothers; Snell Sisters of the Big Horn District, His brothers; Cameron, RayQuan (Ronnie), Travaughn (Hayley), Ethan Chau, Chase, Elisha, Micah Hugs and Kalen Plain Feather. His sisters; Ronelle (Larin), Tianna (Eva), Carrie Millie Little Light, Jada and Kalia Plain Feather, and Bryna Rogers. His uncles; Bryce (Marilyn) Rogers, Bryson (Patricia) Rogers, Bryan Rogers and Elias Plain Feather Sr., his name sake, Ty (Shanna) Ten Bear, Clinton (Lucinda) Small, Kurt (Elsie) LaForge, Johnny Stops. His Aunts; Joen (Dana), Lynn, Danielle, Dawn, Ada, Paula (Lenny) Plenty, Patricia, Larna, Luvenia, Lexie, Angie (Clayton) Good Luck . His extended family; Hugs, Old Elk, Birdinground, Morrison, Big Lake, Old Horn, Snell, Hiwalker, Lonebear, Eastman, Robinson and descendants of Chief Pretty Eagle. Our hearts are broken, please accept our sincere apology if anyone has been excluded.
Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, far too many to list but each and every one of you know the role you’ve played in his life. With heartfelt thanks to the BMT/ Hematology staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Dr. K, Dr Still, Dr. McLune, Dr. Sborov, Dr. Courel; BMT coordinators, Wiley and Braxton; PA’s Paige, Rachael and Seth. Special Nurses, Ellen and Steph; Special CNA’s, Madison and Stacey; Physical Therapist, Amy; Rec. Therapy, Jody. Social workers Ramona and Jessica. And the rest of the BMT floor who he touched immensely.

Service Schedule

Traditional Wake

4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Monday November 29, 2021

Life's Journey Church

Colstrip, Montana 59323

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Visitation

10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Tuesday November 30, 2021

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Forsyth, Montana 59327

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Funeral Service

10:00 AM

Wednesday December 1, 2021

Four Square Church

Crow Agency, MT

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Graveside Service

1:30 PM

Wednesday December 1, 2021

Hiwalker Family Cemetery

Lame Deer, MT 59043

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