Christopher Shields

Our beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend, Christopher Tyson Shields, age 37, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 31, 2025 at 6 a.m. at the Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana.

Christopher was born on May 23, 1988, in Poplar, Montana to Lester Shields and Liola Sue Buck Elk.

Christopher earned his high school diploma from Culbertson High School. He spent much of his life in Montana, finding a sense of home in Fort Kipp after living briefly with his sister in Virginia and in Bismarck. He had a varied career, working for organizations such as the Fort Peck Housing Authority, Northern Improvement in Bismarck, ND, Sugar Beets in Sidney and the Theodore Roosevelt Foundation in Medora, ND. He always sought out work, taking pride in being busy and contributing wherever he could.

Christopher grew up with many warm memories from his childhood. He would often reminisce about the fun times he had with his brother, teasing their sister Christy until she got mad, and the firework wars at the old rodeo grounds in Fort Kipp. Among his treasured memories was the bet he made with his fiancé during high school in algebra class, which he enjoyed bringing up in conversation.

An individual known for his beautiful soul, Chris was always eager to help others without expecting anything in return. Even during tough days, he had a way of putting a smile on everyone’s face. He loved to stay active, whether it was playing basketball or watching the stars. He enjoyed spending time with loved ones, joking, watching TikToks, and playing dice games like 10,000. Chris enjoyed listening to music and drawing. He was a big fan of the Los Angeles Lakers especially the late Kobe Bryant.

Chris is survived by his sons, Bryson Michael Shields, and Jacoby Dewayne Shields; father, Lester Wayne Shields; sister, Christy (Matthew) Scott; grandparents, Darlene Left Hand, Esther Hapa, Violet Buck Elk, Ernestine Ireland, Louis (Leanne) Buck Elk; aunts and uncles, Sharon Buck Elk, Arleda Shields, Darryl Buck Elk, Vernon Buck Elk, Cheryl Shields, Mary Follette, Theresa Buck Elk, Janel Buck Elk, Kenneth Shields Jr., Yvette Buck Elk; nieces and nephews, Marshall Buck Elk, Haleigh Buck Elk, Mikkel Buck Elk, Eli, Eliza, and Thena Buck Elk, Elias, Kylie Ramsey, Nortila and Neavan Okwei; and special friend, Ashten Youpee. He is remembered fondly by a large extended family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews who will miss his laughter and light.

He is preceded in death by maternal great-grandfather, Eli Buck Elk; grandpa, Milton Buck Elk; great-grandmas, Sue Red Boy and Thena Buck Elk, mother, Lida Sue Buck Elk, brother, Michael Shields, uncle, Donnie Buck Elk; grandmother, Ramona Robinson Buck Elk; paternal grandmother Serena (Shields) Good Soldier; paternal grandpa, Kenneth Shields Sr.; paternal uncles, Vernon Shields, Darryl Shields Sr., and Myron Shields.

Chris will be dearly missed by all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness.

His funeral services are scheduled to take place at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp, starting with a wake on September 11, at 7 p.m., followed by a funeral service on September 12, at 1p.m. Interment will follow at Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.