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James Stiffarm

James Stiffarm James Stiffarm

James Kipp Stiffarm, 44, of Wolf Point died March 24, 2021.

Born at midnight, his parents, James “Tater” Stiffarm and Jonny Cantrell Bearcub, chose the beginning a new day, July 30, 1976, as his date of birth. He carries the name of his maternal great grandfather, Harvey Bearcub, TaShunga Hunga – His Horses Chief. He is a member of the Hude’Sana’ and Wadopana Clans of the Nakota Nation. He was raised in the LDS and Wicohan (tribal) religions.

He attended HeadStart, elementary and junior high schools in Wolf Point and two years at Golden High School in Golden, Colo., lettering in cross country. His was the team took the state championship after many years. He returned to Wolf Point for his junior and senior years, graduating in 1994. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps and became a diesel auto mechanic while in the Marines. He received his CDL and worked as a semi-truck driver for Iron Woman Construction & Environmental Services, driving big rigs all over in metro-Denver, Colo. He learned many construction skills from friends and relatives and worked construction. He was a security guard for the Brown Palace in Denver, Colo., and for Silver Wolf Casino.

When he was four years old, his uncle Jonathan Windy Boy taught him and his brothers how to grass dance, telling them the stories of how it came to the people, the ceremonies and the society. Out of the three boys, he carried on the family tradition of dancing. He served as flag bearer, drum keeper, lodge keeper and committee member for the Red Bottom Celebration Committee throughout his life.

Young teen love between Kipp and Carrie Shawl blessed him with his first son, Jerreth Jaymz Shawl-Rider. He and Arlene “Baby” Riley had two sons, Andy Edmont and Joseph Kipp Ethan, and two daughters, Jaymee Lee and Arlene Nevaeh. They married, then divorced. His last love was Michelle Clancy.

He was big hearted and had many friends and beloved family members. He kept close to his brotherhood of Marine buddies. He loved to joke and tease and never backed down from a good fight.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Jeremy Tate Stiffarm; and his children’s mother, Arlene Riley.

He is survived by his sons, Jerreth Jaymz Shawl–Rider of Wolf Point, Andy E. Riley of Arizona and Joseph Ethan Kipp Stiffarm of Wolf Point; daughters, Jaymee Lee Stiffarm and Arlene Nevaeh Riley, both of New Mexico; significant other, Michelle Clancy of Wolf Point; mother, Jonny of Wolf Point; father, “Tater”(Velma) of Porcupine, S.D.; brother, Joshua Stiffarm of Aurora, Colo.; and sisters, JoDene Sherwood of Aurora, Colo., Victoria Adams of Billings and Libby Imlay of Havre.

The funeral was held Monday, March 29, at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Interment followed at the Oswego Presbyterian Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.

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