Richard "Dicky" White Clay, Sr.

Funeral services November 30, 2021 at the the Spirit of Life Foursquare Church. Burial held at Fairview Cemetery.

“Don’t grieve for me, for now, I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all.”

Richard “Dicky” White Clay Sr., was born February 26, 1958, a son of Vernon White Clay Jr. and Carol Ann Tobacco. A member of the Apsaalooke Nation by way of the Big Lodge Clan and child of the Ties the Bundle clan, he was named “Baaiitchannish” (Plenty Good) by his paternal grandfather, Vernon “Slick” White Clay Sr. He was humbled and proud of being a direct descendant of Chief Pretty Eagle.

Richard married Jolene Beaumont and were blessed with 38 years of marriage and made their home in the Black Lodge and Pryor Districts. Under this covenant, they were blessed with Jesse and Seth White Clay.

Dicky, as he was affectionately known, was an achiever. His Indian name “Plenty Good” fittingly described his commitment to life; he truly lived up to his name. He had a deep concern for and was committed to the Crow people, their resources and social justice. He did all that he could to retain the current wealth and resources and was always researching and seeking ways to increase them. Elders would seek out his knowledge and assistance in regard to their land resources and leasing decisions. He was a true Samaritan, always there to help family, friends and strangers. Dicky’s ever-present smile was contagious, he had a huge heart and never turned anyone in need away, especially children.

A majority of his adult life was spent working in schools with children in one way or another. He began his work career, a passion, as a teacher’s assistant, at the Crow Elementary School. Then Crow Head Start Program, followed by the St. Charles Mission Elementary School and Pryor Public Schools. His other passion was rodeo. He went on to be a Rodeo Coach and an advocate for the sport of rodeo at Little Big Horn College. He constantly encouraged youth to become successful rodeo competitors. Dicky was a member of the rodeo team at Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho, an achievement he was very proud of. He also attended Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND and Little Big Horn College, majoring in Early Childhood Education.

Dicky was known throughout the rodeo world, as a fierce competitor and promoter. Excelling in agriculture and land resources, he assisted in the day-to-day operations of family ranches in both the Pryor and Black Lodge districts. Aside from his other passions, he lived the cowboy life and loved being on a horse. He was a past member of Montana FFA as an Advisor, member of the Montana Livestock and Grain Growers Association, Inter-Tribal Agriculture Association and Cowboys for Christ. He was also instrumental in founding the Crow Allottee Association. He raised Registered Quarter Horses, cattle and his prized cow dogs and also dabbled in raising sheep and goats for his beloved grandchildren His favorite time of the year was Crow Fair, where he entertained family and friends throughout the United States at his camp. He honored the Crow traditions and respected all his brothers and sons-in-law, bestowing them with horses and gifts. He was a true believer in Yeshua and loved his Lord and Savior, he was a faithful member of the Mountain Crow Worship Center and the Everlasting Covenant Congregation in Billings Montana. He was gifted to blow the Shofar and used that gift on many occasions, blowing into the atmosphere declaring “God is in charge”.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his adopted mother Martha White Clay; his sons Stephen Beaumont and Micheal Study; his grandparents Vernon and Fannie White clay, Sr. and Thomas and Katie Tobacco, Sr.; his brothers Tyrone, Howard, Monte Vidal and Monte Ray White Clay, Henry ‘Sarge’ Old Horn; his sisters Rachel Beatty, Phylene and Tsianina Bigman, Bonnie White Clay, Gladys Jefferson and Regina Stewart; his brother in law Warren Koch; his uncles Joe He Does It, Archie, Joseph, Guy, Phillip, Harold and Robert White Clay, Hugh and David Plenty Hoops and Tom Tobacco, Jr.; his aunts Rachel, Mildred and Mamie White Clay, Marie Yellowtail, Eloise and Joyce White Clay, Phyllis Spotted Horse, Edith Big Lake, Emily Lincoln, and Mabel Yarlott, Alice Mae LaForge and Alice Mae Tobacco.

Survivors include his wife Jolene; his children Jesse and Seth White Clay and Neal Beaumont, Sr.; his brothers Harold (Cheryl), Hugo (Ava), Francis, Vernon (Jolene), Clinton (Kathleen), Delano (Alta), Ronald, Kenneth and Franklin (Rebekah) White Clay, Johnny (Michele) Friday, Paul (Cindy) Roper, Tim (Carrie) McCleary, Frederick (Denette), Vernon (Mimi), Larry and Wayne (Rachel) Brien, Ken (Fannie) Plenty, and Edward (Francine) Real Bird; sisters Verna Koch, Cheri (Mark) Real Bird, Claudia (Tim) Bernardis, Veronica White Clay, Rebecca Buffalo, Valarie Brien, Bobaleen White Clay-Brien, Francine (John) Small, Sherry and Joyce LaForge, Mary Ten Bear, Debbie (Mike) Gust, Beverly White Clay-Shane, Laura White Clay and Sandra (Myron) Shield, Dawna (Robert) Nelson, Verna (Franklin) Jefferson, Rebecca Jefferson, and Clydine White Clay; adopted sisters Jade (Chazz) Bends, Almeda (Dean) Good Luck and Orlene Barber, his aunt Wilma Stands; adopted children Autumn, and Lissa White Clay; grandchildren Denisha, Cody and Sharmayne Hardy, JoRee and Taylor LaFrance, Elijah White Clay and Emilio Vega; two grandchildren in Ft. Hall, Idaho; he was also a father to his many nieces and nephews and their children.

Extended family includes Pretty Eagle Descendants, White Clay, Stewart, Holds The Enemy, Fighter, Covers Up, Bull Horse, Costa, Bear Cloud, Lincoln, Big Lake, Tobacco, White Fox, Dawes, Pretty Paint, Morrison, Bull Chief, White, Old Crow, Bad Bear, Eagle, Bradley, Stiffarm, Shortman, Colliflower and Fox families. Please accept our apologies if we have forgotten anyone during our time of grief.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Richard "Dicky" White Clay, Sr., please visit our Tree Store.