Larry Black
Funeral services will be held for Larry Dean Black, 78, Watonga resident, at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Event Center in Watonga. He died Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in his Watonga home.
Mr. Black, along with a twin sister, was born Oct. 21, 1937, to Dana and Mae (Dubrae)Black, in Fonda. He was given the Indian name of Mah-hi-vist “Red Bird” and also “Red Plume.” He was raised in the Fonda community, where he attended the Pumpkin Ridge School, and then graduated from Seiling High School. He continued his education at Texas A&M, where he received his Master’s Certificate in welding.
In 1957 he married Roberta Bear in Watonga, where they made their home. Black traveled doing welding work. He also worked for himself in the oil fields and for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, and he also worked with local farmers for many years.
Black was a proud member of the Cheyenne Tribe and was a Headsman and Sun Dance Priest for many years. He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Marvin Black Jr.; four sisters, Elisabeth “Lizzie” Bull, Alice Littleman, Mary Little Coyote, Norma Buffalo Meat; a son, Larry Black Jr.; two daughters, Rita Shakespeare and Mary White Hat; a granddaughter, Minnie White Hat; and a grandson, Stan Wes Shakespeare.
He is survived by two daughters, Norma Black and Kim Black and Kerwin Little Thunder and a son, Cecil Black and his wife, Cynthia, all of Watonga; two sisters, his twin, Rita Black, Seiling, and Norma Smith, Fonda; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his adopted sons, Shawn Spotted Wolfe, R.G. Harris, Norman New Rider, Robert Little Bird, Henry Little Bird and Charles Yellow Eyes and many others that he mentored; two adopted brothers, Roy Dean Bull Coming, Fonda, and Lawrence Birds Head, Carlton.
An all-night wake service will be held in the Watonga Event Center starting at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Services will be officiated by Rev. Gerald Panana and Rev. Pat Gonzales. Interment will follow at Cantonment Cemetery near Canton under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.