Dwayne Boyer

Dwayne Queep Boyer
BLACKFOOT - Dwayne Queep Boyer left to the spirit world on May 8, 2008. He was born March 7, 1940, the son of Edward Queep Boyer and Olive Burns Boyer (both deceased).
Viewing was today, May 11, 2008, at the old Boyer residence outside of Blackfoot. Sunrise ceremony will be held Monday morning with traditional services at 11 a.m. at his parents' home. Intermittent prayers will follow for burial at the Gibson Cemetery.
Dwayne was known by his family members for his keen perception and sharp wit. His brothers and sisters affectionately called him "Antenna" because he would tease them about their secrets. He had a very difficult life growing up on the reservation, and although a bright student, he was sent to St Anthony Youth Correctional Institution with his cousin, Max Baker.
Dwayne joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. He also spent time on Governor's Island in New York. Afterwards, hard living back on the reservation (known by his "Cruising buddies" as "Drac") led to time at McNeil Island federal penitentiary, Steilacoom, Wash.
Dwayne learned a trade as a telephone lineman and received his high school diploma at McNeil. He was paroled through the Bureau of Prisons Relocation Program in the San Francisco Bay Area where he attended the University of California at Berkeley. He made exceptionally high grades and was on the Dean's List his first year at Berkeley. Dwayne was in the founding class of the Antioch School of Law in Washington. D.C., where he received his paralegal degree and worked for Idaho Legal Services, Pocatello, Idaho and the Native American Rights Fund, Boulder, Colo.
Dwayne was an avid Indian Rights supporter and conducted extensive research and wrote articles on Indian issues. He enjoyed reading and later on, gambling. He was a leader of the "Thunderbirds," Oakland, Calif./ and although he did not want to live on another island, he was an active supporter and participant of the 1969 Alcatraz Island Takeover (Indian Occupation and Demonstration) and Third World Strike for Ethnic Studies, Berkeley, Calif.
Dwayne was married to Alfreda Broncho and had three children: Anthony Wayne (Pete) Broncho (46); Charlie Reed LaDue (45); and Dolly Gonzales (43). He later was married to Madelyn Edmo (deceased) and had Michael Lee Boyer (deceased) and stepson. Charles Blueback.
He met his third wife, Donna Brockie. while in the Bay Area and had three children: Darnel (37); Derek (28); and Delena (24). One child was stillborn and buried in Hayes, Mont.
Dwayne's home was the center of the Billings Indian community, He was the adopted father of his daughter's two friends; Kalley Cole and Roselyn Gawn. He also adopted and raised two children; Beau (10) and Twana (12). He also had two other boys, Joe Lenahan (38) and Mario Diaz (23).
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Donna Brockie Boyer, Billings, Mont.; aforementioned children; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters; Madzina Williams; Lionel (Merceline) Boyer; Genevieve Edmo; Sandra Eschief; Dennis (Betty) Boyer; Bill (Pat) Brower; Dr. LaNada War Jack; Merlin (Colleen) Brower; Tzo Nah; Claudene Boyer, all of Fort Hall; Thamer Jorgenson, Palm Springs, Calif.; Ted Taylor and Rebecca Taylor, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Debra Williams of Honolulu, Hawaii. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews; grand-nieces, grand-nephews and extended families.