Roddy Not Afraid

Roddy Allen Not Afraid, 28, of Lodge Grass joined his family in heaven on May 26, 2023.  Roddy was born October 21, 1994 in Crow Agency to Randy Not Afraid and Sharon Louise Laforge.  His Crow Indian name, Bachiialaacheesh (Always he who battles), was given to him by his grandfather William Medicine Tail.  Roddy spent most of his life on the family ranch on Sioux Pass as well as with his grandma Dolly.  Roddy attended school in Lodge Grass, Alkali Creek, Independence, Castle Rock, Skyview, graduating from Hardin High School in 2013. In Roddy’s early years, you would always find him on horseback and playing basketball.  Roddy and his brother Michael were inseparable, fighting each other but never allowing anyone else to fight the other. Roddy competed in junior and high school rodeos, qualifying in the Jr. Breakaway at the INFR in 2010.  After high school, he worked on various ranches in the area as well as helping his dad run the family ranch with Michael. Roddy and Michael lived out their childhood dreams of competing with each other at Indian Rodeos and Team Ropings all over the United States and Canada.  Roddy strived to be the best at his roping and horsemanship, which showed as he became one of the top heelers in the INFR.  Roddy qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo in 2018 with Braydon Boyd and also in 2021 with Aaron Henry.  He spent many winters in Arizona roping, training horses and making lifelong friends.

Roddy always had a soft spot for all his siblings, nephews and nieces whether it was helping them in the rodeo arena, leading them in the parade, roping the dummy, encouraging them or just showing that special Roddy unconditional love.

Roddy’s motto was God First, Be Humble, Work Hard, Sit Long, Talk Much, Laugh Often.  Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep”.

He  is preceded in death by his father, Randy Not Afraid; brother, Michael Not Afraid; grandparents Gary Not Afraid and Karna Falls Down; great grandparents, Cedric and Julia Not Afraid, Blaine and Danetta Falls Down, John and Georgianna Moore, Louise Dawes and James Laforge; and cousin, Echo Laforge.

Roddy is survived by his mother Sharon LaForge; a special sister Aaliyah Bull (Little) Shows; his brother, Tanner Not Afraid; his sisters,  Vernice (Terrace), Bailey, baby Julie, Myam and Charmayne; maternal grandfather, Michael (Sara) Laforge; paternal grandmother, Georgia “Dolly” Not Afraid; uncles, Mike (Lorri) Not Afraid, Charles (Marilyn) Salway, Dusty Howe, Clarence (Kristin) Little Wolf, and George Little Wolf; aunts, Dannelle (Rick) Hyatt, Michelle (Alfred) Armajo, Julie (George) Cummins, April (Cameron) Tobacco, Michelle (Willie) Not Afraid, Taryn Laforge, and Christie Medicine Tail.  Other extended family are the Cannon Family of Hardin; grandparents Marlene (George Steinmetz) Falls Down, Hjordis Johnson, Patsy Yellowtail, Clara (Julian) Joe, Rachel (Joe) Wallace, Wayne Laforge, Tom and Gloria Moore, Lloyd and Elvenia Pickett, Margo and Laura Real Bird.  Additional aunts and uncles include Marty (Marion) Not Afraid, Jeremy (Roxanne) Not Afraid, Kim Not Afraid, Annie Beth, Mark and Jess Real Bird, Judy Wagner, Endawnis (Cassius) Spears, John (Emma) Moore, JoJo, Junior and Kidd Littlelight. He is survived by many, many cousins and friends; his special friends Colton and Clay Martinez, Brooks Dahozy, the Henry family from Rocky Boy, the Chase Family from Mandaree, the Dixon family from Morley, the Loring Family from Cut Bank; and the Mike Stevens family.  Our family is large, please forgive us if we forgot anyone.

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