Dennis Moccasin

Dennis W. Moccasin, born December 8, 1947 in Fort Belknap, MT. Dennis was the 4th of five children born to John Moccasin and Edith Jackson. He lived a long life marked by perseverance, growth, and the steady achievement of greater independence.

Dennis was baptized Catholic, a faith tradition that was part of his life. He lived at home with his family until he was admitted to Warm Springs State Hospital on January 1, 1955. In 1957, he was transferred to the Montana Developmental Center, where he remained until he was placed in a group home in Bozeman, Montana, in 1976. He was readmitted to MDC on March 10, 1979. During his second stay there, from 1979 until 1983, Dennis participated in communication department training focused on improving social communication skills, increasing awareness of prepositional concepts, and strengthening verbal expression. He also took part in the active residential employment program, where he worked at bed making, laundry, recycling, and in the wood shop with the grounds crew.

In March of 1990, Dennis was placed at West Mont’s Farm in the Dell. He did very well there for approximately a year. He later moved to Tara House, and over time adjusted to life in that residence. During that period, he returned to work at the Farm in the Dell while continuing to live at Tara House. In March of 1995, Dennis returned to living on the farm, where he both lived and worked, and this placement proved to be very successful.

As Dennis became more independent, he and his individual planning team recognized that he was ready for supportive living services. Dennis had expressed that he wanted a place of his own, and with the right support, that hope became reality. In October 1997, he moved to the Cedar Apartments, where he shared an apartment with one other person, had his own room, and benefited from staff support available around the clock. That arrangement was very successful for him. In time, Dennis made it clear that he wanted even greater independence and specifically wished to live in an apartment apart from Cedar Apartments with a gentleman who had been his friend for many years. His life reflected determination and a deep desire to make choices for himself, and those who knew him could see the pride he took in each step forward.

Since December 28, 2020, Dennis made his home at West Mont Ron’s Place in Helena, where he lived until his passing on August 23, 2026.

Dennis will be remembered with affection and respect for the life he lived, the progress he made, and the quiet strength he showed through the years. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

He is survived by his only brother, Don (Alica) Moccasin of Eugene, Oregon; sister in law, Ethelyn Moccasin of Frazer; nieces and nephews, Shawna, Michael, Melissa, Elmer, John, Ronnetta, Cindy, and Robert.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edith and John Moccasin; brother, Ronald Moccasin Sr.; sister, Murdell Moccason and Mary Rose Jackson; nephew, Ronald Moccasin Jr.; grandson, Stonehail Moccasin; and granddaughter, Camerion FlyingHorse.

Visitation will be held from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, August 27 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. A funeral service will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 28 at the Frazer Community Hall. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Frazer. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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