Moses Tall Bear Jr.

Moses "Buddy" Tall Bear Jr., of Lodge Grass, Montana, passed to the Other Side Camp on January 1, 2026. He was affectionately known as "Buddy," a nickname given to him by his older sister, Violet Rose Tall Bear Scraper, as he did not have a middle name.

Buddy was born on April 27, 1950, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Moses Tall Bear Sr. and Blossom Good Bear. Enrolled member of the Cheyenne - Arapaho Tribes. His Cheyenne name, WoheWahtohis Man on Cloud, was bestowed upon him by his uncle, Lyndon Tall Bear. He was raised by his grandparents, Rosie Touching Ground and Eddie White Thunder. He was a member of the Bow String Society in the Cheyenne way of life. Later in life he followed his wife's the Apsaalooke ways. His father in law the late Joseph Morrison Alden Sr. took him in as a son and he followed the Bad War Deed clan and became a member of the Reece Society.

Buddy attended school in Watonga, Oklahoma, and Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated from Watonga High School in 1968. He excelled in athletics, including softball, football, basketball, cross country and track. His talent earned him a football scholarship to Haskell Indian College, which he attended beginning in 1968. He also played with the Oklahoma travel softball team, the "Watonga Braves."

While attending Haskell Indian College, Buddy met the love of his life, Amber LaVonne Alden Tall Bear, through his roommate, Frank Backbone Jr. The couple married in 1972 in Lawrence, Kansas.

Buddy grew up in a strong Cheyenne family during his early years at the homesite in the west countryside of Watonga, Oklahoma. During his youth, his family held many peyote meetings for healing on his behalf. As he grew older, Buddy developed a deep respect and love for these family peyote meetings. One that held special meaning to him was led by his son-in-law, Gary B. Dawes, in honor of his daughter, Neva Tall Bear, upon her graduation with a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Buddy also participated in the Southern Cheyenne Sun Dance for four consecutive years, with the support of his wife, Amber LaVonne, and his mentor, the late Everette Yellowman. Soon after this he became a ceremonial instructure. In later years, he helped family members through the Sun Dance ways by providing ceremonial guidance when needed. Buddy was a praying man who respected all religions.

Buddy loved participating in powwows as a fancy war dancer and also enjoyed gourd dancing and singing at the drum with the late Phillip Whiteman Sr. Later in life, he took great pride in watching his sons, daughters, and grandchildren dance and sing at powwows. He encouraged his sons and grandsons to record at the drum for his cassette tape collections. His grandson, the late Anthony Nugget Whiteman, sang with the Bad Canyon drum group and loved sitting behind the drum to listen; the drum group always saved him a seat by the drum. Buddy made many lifelong friendships along the powwow trail and especially enjoyed creating fancy war dance bustles for his family.

He also supported the Lodge Grass Indian Basketball team, attending games for many years and cheering on children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the children of friends. When his grandsons-Nugget, Jerrin, and Teivon-attended Hardin High School, he proudly supported the Bulldogs, celebrating their athletic achievements, including several state basketball championships. Buddy took great pride in his family's accomplishments, whether academic, athletic, rodeo or cultural.

His pastimes included enjoying time at the casino, where he was known for his lucky streaks, and watching the Oklahoma Sooners, and Dallas Cowboys. He knew all the sports game schedules by reading his newspapers. Loved the great outdoors with hunting, camping, fishing and getting his camp ready for Crow Fair.

Buddy and Amber LaVonne Tall Bear moved to Lodge Grass, Montana, in 1979 following the passing of his mother. He was deeply dedicated to the Lodge Grass District, the Lodge Grass community, and the Valley of the Chiefs District. Along with his wife, he contributed greatly to many aspects of community life. His family, in-laws, First Indian Baptist Church, and his community were central to his life, and he was well known and deeply appreciated by all. Whatever he did, he did wholeheartedly and with unwavering commitment.

Buddy began his career at the Cheyenne-Arapaho Housing Authority as a carpenter and also worked at Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas, as a custodian. After moving to Montana, he collaborated with his brothers-in-law on numerous construction projects, including the Crow/Northern Cheyenne Indian Hospital in Crow Agency. He served at the Apsaalooke Housing Authority for many years until his retirement in 2014, supporting his wife and children, and worked with several contractors across the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. Buddy had many friends and supportive brothers-in-law who were always there when he needed help. He was a humble, kind, and good man with a contagious smile and laughter.

Buddy and Amber LaVonne Tall Bear were blessed with four children: Rosanna "Rosie," Neva (Gary B. Dawes), Moses Dee, and Tommy Noel (Verlie) Whiteman. They also raised many other children as their own. He was always surrounded by loved ones, including his children, grandchildren, in-laws in Montana, and extended family in Oklahoma.

Buddy was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents and parents; his wife, Amber LaVonne Tall Bear; his brothers, Richard Tall Bear, Robert Good Bear, Ted Young Bear, Clinton Young Bear Jr., Belo, Alvin and Joseph Alden, Ronald Falls Down Sr., and Larry Kindness; his sisters, Violet Rose Tall Bear Scraper, Millicent Mae Young Bear, Etta Lorrine Coyote Robe, Jayshon Young Bear, Lavada HowlingWater Gould, and Daphne Alden; his adopted brothers, Harry and Wayne Mocassin, Dee Russell, and Robert Pickett; his adopted son, Gary Joe Whiteman; his adopted daughter, Lillie Jo Franklin and Brandi Alden; his nephews, Terrill Medicine Bird, David Young Bear, Darryl Young Bear, Shylon Alden, Greg, Alvin, and Indian Three Irons; and his grandson, Anthony "Nugget" Jade Whiteman.

He is survived by his children, Rosie, Neva (Gary B. Dawes), Moses Dee, and Tommy (Verlie); his grandchildren, Jerrin, Dacee, Cedric, Baby Devin, Nolan, Liam Whiteman, Cheryl Deputy, Jonah Taken Alive, Illena, Laree, Larry Jr., Teivon (Kdence), Violet Rose, Vydel Joe, and Taylor Moses (Karlee) Tall Bear, Caleb Little Owl, Gary Dawes Jr, Norman Dawes, Jandra, Isaiah and Blake Tall Bear, Gabrielle Falls Down; and his great-grandchildren, Analeia Jade Tall Bear, Honor Moses, Kloli LaVonne, Cošim, Dakota, Dante Whiteman, Ja'Kobe Levi, and Dari'Anna Backbone. He is also survived by his aunt, Ruth Brooks; his brothers, Duke (Hollie) Young Bear, Richard Scraper Sr., RoyDean BullComing, Gordon Yellowman, Eugene "Hammer" Blackbear Jr, Charlie HowlingWater, Philip Whiteman Jr., Jay Russell, and Benjamin Bear Below, Tony Davis; his sisters, Lois Jean and Bernice Young Bear, Dara Franklin, Bobbie Ann White Thunder-Hamilton, Charlene Alden, and Jolene Walks Last, Frances, Clara, Anita, and Laurie Alden, Joselyn (Clarence) Three Irons, Karen Watembach; and his adopted children, Polly (Ellsworth) Decrane, Nema (Charlie Scott) Alden, Sharon Whiteman, Michelle (Coolidge) Jefferson, Rochelle (Eugene) Duptee, Laurie (Lonnie) Kindness Fritzler, Ivy Rose (Marlin) Stewart, Shara Rose, Tanya, Christina Beardontwalk, Shannon (Henry) Wilson, Krystal (Paul) Hill, Leslie (Clayton) Neiss, Cheyenne Robinson, Vanessa Birdinground, Loni Whitford Taylor, Penny and Lucy (Jesus) Scraper, Christine Levi, Gretchen, Jamie, Maria, and Ivy Brien, Tanya Falls Down, Lana Robinson, Jana Goes Ahead, Paula Small Plenty, Heather Bales, Jenifer and Nicole Lefthand, Regina and Melanie Young Bear, Kara, Theresa, Breanna, Raniey Farris, Darla Brown, Andrea and Jessica Young Bears and adopted sons Jonathan and Evan Pretty On Top, Brandon, Randy, and Adrian Beardontwalk, Manuel (Mary) Whiteman, Mike, Kevin, and Ronald Buck Elk, Clay and Cameron (Tena) Three Irons, Joe (Heidi) Kindness, A.J. Not Afraid, Grant Scalp Cane, Nathen Little Hawk, Ted Lee Young Bear, Earl Scraper, Adam Young Bear, Nathan Chief Child, Stevie Mullenberg, and many more nieces and nephews.

His extended families include the Good Bear, Tall Bear, Young Bear, Shoulderblade, Roman Nose, Stars, Touching Grounds, Limpy, Waters, Brady, Levi, Big Bow, Franklin, Bullcomming, Yellowman, White Thunder, Red Birds, Scrapers, and the late Marie Whiteman family, Alden, Backbone, Blood Man, Bear Below, Old Horn, Morrison, Pretty On Top, Not Afraids, and Little Bears of Canada. We apologize if we have overlooked any family members, as our families are extensive, and Buddy loved everyone he encountered. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the family during this difficult time.

Wake Services will be on Wednesday January 7, 2026 at First Indian Baptist Church in Lodge Grass from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., January 8, 2026, at First Indian Baptist Church in Lodge Grass, Montana, with interment following in the Lodge Grass Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.