Lawrence Matthew Fisher

Friday, May 11, 2018, beloved uncle and brother Lawrence "Uncle Larry" Matthew Fisher (Indian name of Rain in the Face given him by his grandmother Jennie Bad Roads), 77, crossed over out of this world. Traditional Wake services will begin Thursday, May 17, at 5 p.m. at St. Paul’s Mission Rec Center in Hayes, Mont. Funeral services will also be at the St. Paul’s Mission Rec Center at 11 a.m., on Friday, May 18th, with interment to follow at Mission Cemetery. A scattering of his ashes will also take place on EagleChild Mountain, next to his older brother Bill. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Larry was born April 25, 1945, at the old Fort Belknap Hospital, the youngest of 12 children to Mamie Anne Shortman and Frank Joseph RunningFisher (Indian name of Rides High) from Hays MT the heart of the Aaniih/Gros Ventre Nation.

Larry came from a long line of Aaniih/Gros Ventre warriors his Grandfathers include: Bears Shirt Chief of the Aaniih/Gros Ventre, one of the principal signers of the 1855 treaty with the United States, next is Tall Eagle Chief of the Aaniih/Gros Ventre, he was the father of Chief Gros Ventre Jerry RunningFisher, one of the Founding Chiefs of Fort Belknap and the very 1st Captain of the Fort Belknap Police force, next is his Grandfather Snakes Headdress who was a former U.S. Army scout, he was the father to Frank Joseph RunningFisher, Decorated World War I combat veteran & he was awarded the Croix De Guerre by the Government of France for valorous service, he was part of the American Expeditionary Force serving with distinction. Years later he was awarded posthumously for his bravery under fire by President of the United States Lynden B. Johnson.

Larry was raised and educated in Hays and Fort Belknap Agency, like all of his family growing up running and playing in his beloved Little Rocky Mountains, Uncle Larry would regale all of his nieces and nephews with his many adventures with our parents, sometimes to their embarrassment but laughs were had by all. After growing up he moved to Butte, Mont., with other members of our family where he spent the rest of his life. He worked as a construction laborer for most of his life. He loved the outdoors and was always game to go camping or fishing at the drop of a hat. He was very active in the Butte's native community where his older brother James was chairman for a number of years. Through most of our childhoods, Uncle Larry would always be found traveling from Pow Wow to Pow Wow with his trusty sidekick, Bandit. Larry was a member of the Frozen Clan of the Aaniih Nation as are all of his family. He loved Johnny Cash and Pow Wow music really enjoying the drumming contests in particular. In later life as his health declined he moved to the Continental Gardens assisted living home where he was cared for by his nephew Tommy up until he lost his fight with cancer. Our beloved Uncle and Brother never had kids of his own so all of his nieces and nephews became his kids.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Mamie, Brothers Tom, Jerry, Irvin, James and Bill, Sisters Christine, Hilda, Yolanda, Rosella, and Delores.

He is survived by his older brother Albert of Malt, Mont., and Nephews Tommy Fisher, Josh Horn, YoungBill RunningFisher, Frank RunningFisher, Santos Luna, Robert Luna, Burke Scown, Johnny Scown, Jim Scown, Joe Scown, James Fisher Jr., Jesse James RunningFisher, Nieces Maria Walker, Cheryl Scown, Mamie Alhorn, Mary Montoya and Annabelle Lamb. Plus numerous cousins and lifelong friends.

Our beloved Uncle and Brother has now been reunited with his family and our relatives in the Sand hills, in closing I leave you these final words for our Uncle-Don't remember me with sadness, Don't remember me with tears, Remember all the laughter we've shared throughout the years, Now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile. Knowing that I passed along the way I made somebody smile. When you are walking down the street, And you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. So please do not be unhappy, Just because I am out of sight. Remember I am with you always.