Eddy O., age 66 passed away suddenly on Friday, April 21, 2017 in Billings, MT.
Edward Orval Smith, Sr. was born on June 14, 1950 to William “Buck” and Louise Three Stars Smith in Poplar, MT.
Eddy began school and graduated from Poplar High School in May 1969. He went on to attend Haskell Indian Nations Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas, graduating in 1971 with a degree in carpentry.
In high school he participated in basketball, track and football. He was on the 1967-68 basketball team with Coach Mike Granbois when they were conference champs.
He began working for the Irrigation Dept. when he returned from Haskell, working there until 1975 when he began work with Tribal Enterprise, where he worked up to the time of his passing. He worked for Enterprise for 42 years along side his sidekick Richard Young.
Eddy was affectionately teased about being the “gravedigger”. He was the best damn heavy equipment operator who could operate a backhoe with his eyes closed, as he used to say.
In 1973 his first child, a daughter, Carrie Smith Pribbernow was born.
In 1978 he met Connie Crowe and in January 1979 they were married at the Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Poplar, In December, 1980 their first son, Eddy, Jr. was born, followed by another son, Dustin, in January 1985.
Eddy began bowling in the early 1970’s, joining a league at the VFW Club in Wolf Point. Throughout his bowling days, he won many places in tournaments alongside his sister Edna, his brother Mike, sister-in-law Lovena and wife Connie. Never missing a year of the BIA Bowling tournaments in Billings, MT and Aberdeen, South Dakota.
After his bowling days he began shooting pool in league play on Wednesdays where he was a damn good player in his own right. Playing on teams with his co-worker brothers.
In his younger days you could always find him down by the river fishing with his boys and nephews, teaching his nephew Darren how to fish. Eddy was always game to go on a hunt too. Going across the river with uncle Archie, Donovan and Dennis, son Eddy and brother Paul.
He always enjoyed sharing his fishing spoils with friends Elmer and Kristie DeCoteau at a weekend fish fry.
Through the years, the Smiths hosted many outdoor barbecues attended by many of their friends and co-workers.
Eddy was an avid Boston Celtics Basketball and New England Patriots football teams fan, enjoying the games with his boys and mother-in-law Bette.
We would like to acknowledge all his co-workers and friends he has worked alongside throughout his long Enterprise career, not only were they co-workers and friends but brothers to Eddy as well. We cannot forget his sis Tina Magnan.
Eddy is preceded in death by his Dad, Buck Smith; maternal grandparents Paul and Sarah Three Stars; paternal grandparents Eddy and Anna Smith; maternal uncles Harry Three Stars, Alonzo “Pugg” Three Stars and Pete Three Stars; paternal aunts June Smith and Iva Trinder; paternal uncles Howard “Sol” Grainger, Ray Smith, Orval Grainger, Mick Smith and Dutch Grainger; mother-in-law Bette Iron Ring and father-in-law Nelson Crowe.
Eddy is survived by wife Connie; sons Eddy, Jr., and Dustin, Sr. (Butterfly); daughter Carrie (Travis) Pribbernow; mother Louise Smith; brothers Mike (Lovena) Smith and children, Stephanie and Sarah and their children of Wahpeton, ND; Paul (Corina) Smith and their children Taureen, Miya, Maverick and Reagan and their children; also Mandy and Jessica Granbois; sister Edna (Larry) Wetsit and their daughter Stacie Smith and her children.
Eddy leaves behind his grandchildren Whitley Smith, Aiesha Smith, Tyler, Travis, Jr., and Anna Louise Pribbernow and Dustin’s sons, Dustin Jr. and Dillinger Cain Smith.
He leaves behind many brother co-workers, friends, nieces, nephews and grandchildren; sisters-in-law Delores Crowe and family and Dolly Crowe and sons; father-in-law Cyril Iron Ring; many maternal and paternal cousins living in and out of state. If we have omitted anyone, we apologize at this very difficult time.
Eddy O., you left a big impact on a lot of people with your kind and gentle demeanor, daily waves and handouts to the man on the street. You are loved and will be missed immediately. Until we all meet again, “see ya’ later brother”, journey well into the arms of the angels.
A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center in Poplar, MT. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at the family cemetery in Riverside, MT. Condolences for the family may be left at www.claytonstevensonchapel.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.