Richard "Laeth" Laethum McCormick

Richard Laethum McCormick, 17, of Backhousings, Montana, USA left to the Other Side Camp on December 14th, 2024. He was born to Jolee Whiteclay and Virgil McCormick. Everyone knew him by Nacho, a name he declared for himself when he was four-years-old after his hero at the time, Nacho Libre. His Crow name is Iishbaapilitcheahoosh/Good Times, one that he truly lived up to. It was given to him by the late Kenneth Plenty. His Northern Cheyenne name is Má’ome/Ice. Richard is a member of the Greasy Mouth clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth clan. He was raised in Dayton, WY and Wyola, MT later finding his place in Crow Agency spending most of time with his late great-grandmother, Carol Whiteclay, and his main partner, Papa Joe Whiteclay. He attended Tongue River and Hardin Schools.

Richard valued and lived by the philosophy of kaizen, which was to continuously improve day-by-day even if it is 1%.

As young as he was, Richard was the most optimistic person you would ever meet. You would leave your conversation feeling like you can conquer the world because he believed in you that much. He was the most beautiful, genuine and kindest soul to ever walk this earth. Richard was the light of his family. He loved watching the sunset with his brother, Zander. Often spending their evenings cruising and jamming to their favorite songs and “light sparring” but he was actually trying his best to knock Zander out. He wasn’t scared to tell you how it is. He was always straight forward, never beating around the bush. Richard was an old soul that had so much love and respect for his family. When he spoke, he was articulate. When he listened, he never judged. He only loved. When he was called on, he would never hesitate to lend a helping hand. He deeply cared about the Crow rez and rez kids.

Richard grew fond of Santa Fe, NM when he lived with his sister, KamiJo, who he dearly loved. Everywhere his sister went you would see Richard right behind her from art markets to pueblo feasts to fashion shows. He found a love for fashion and built his own sense of style even making it on the runway. Every room he stepped foot in immediately became brighter. His positivity was so contagious and you would always see him busting a dance move, catch him cracking jokes, and constantly laughing. He had a love for mixed martial arts, UFC, and boxing. He spent every day working on his technique. He built himself home gyms and made sure they were well-used. Richard dreamed of becoming a world champion fighter and of opening up a fighting club on the Crow reservation one day.

He admired and cared for one young woman who became his love, Arlene Kaline.

Richard was the man.

Preceding him in death are brothers, Elijah Whiteclay and Clinton “Baby Clint” McCormick, maternal grandmother, Bernadette Bear Claw-Whiteclay and paternal grandmother, Leslie Fisher. His maternal great-grandmothers, Joan Horn and Carol Whiteclay, and great-grandfathers Francis Bear Claw and Vernon Whiteclay, Jr. His paternal great-grandmothers, Geraldine Fisher and Verna McCormick. His uncles: Dane Ryan Fisher, Allen Lynn Fisher, Arlin “Shugg” Bordeaux, and Michael Bear Claw.

Richard is survived by his mother, Jolee Whiteclay, and father, Virgil McCormick. His older sister, KamiJo Whiteclay, and older brother, Zander McCormick; younger sisters, Sharky and Amelia McCormick. His papa Joe Whiteclay, who was his right-hand man. The love of his life, Arlene Kaline. His auntie-moms, “Mama” Lissa Whiteclay, Autumn Whiteclay, and Misty (Clint) McCormick. Adopted parents: Tammy (Danny) Mendez. His siblings: Taylor LaFrance, JoRee (Talon) LaFrance, TyRyssa and KrayTei Chandler, Emilio Vega, Zeke and Arnold Coyote Runs; Virgil Tommy Z, Shiloh (Clay), Jaxon, and Tommy Joe McCormick, Claycee and Britleigh Fitzpatrick; Kass Big Horn, Dante Shotgun, and Jayleigh Braswell. His nieces and nephews: Jaymason Birdinground, Chaselyn and Kasidy LaFrance, Cataleya Barrios, McKenzie Whiteclay, Brynlee and Daxton Birdinground, and Harmony McCormick. His uncles: Richard McCormick, Jr., Tommy McCormick, Sr.; Burney, Sarcee, Micah (Jessi), Jesse, and Seth Whiteclay, Jody and Jay Koch, Daryl Bright Wings, Jr., William (Barbara) Gardener, and Robin (Kallie) Old Bear. His aunties: Destiny Whiteclay, Tiffany (Ty) Birdinground, Winona (Jason) Real Bird, Jamie and Peggy Whiteclay, and Trinity Rides The Bear. His maternal grandparents: Rosaline Old Bear, Melvin Stops, Katherine Old Crow, Hartford (Angie) Bear Claw, Lana (Carson) Schenderline, Trivian (Jeff) Rides The Bear, Joanie (Frank) Rowland, Rhonda (Larry) Horn, Buzzy (Jolene Ann) Whiteclay, Tommy (Cheryl) Whiteclay, Cheri (Mark) Real Bird, Verna Koch, and Jolene Whiteclay. His paternal grandparents: Richard McCormick, Sr.; Terry, Tommy, John, and Cameron McCormick, Frank “Little Bit” Knows His Gun, Alma McCormick, Amanda Two Two-Dillard, Nellie Foote-Speelman, Amy Foote, Marvin Two Two, Vincent Two Two, and Albert LaRance, Sr. And all his childhood friends from backhousings that he spent everyday with.

Immediate and extended families on his maternal side include: Horn, Bear Claw, Whiteclay, Tobacco, Stops, Little Light, Stewart, all descendents of Pretty Eagle, Four Times, and Whiteclay On the Forehead. Immediate and extended families on his paternal side include: McCormick, Knows His Gun, Hogan, Driftwood, Yellowtail, Bird, Bear Don’t Walk, Smart Enemy, Bird Hat, Jefferson, Wilson, and all Pretty Shield and Goes Ahead descendents.

If we have forgotten you, please forgive us during our time of grief. Richard was loved by many and has a large family.

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