The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Anthony Paul Plumage 58, passed away of natural causes on January 16th, 2018 at the Benefits hospital in Great Falls, Montana. A wake will be held on Friday January 19, 2018 starting at 7 p.m. at the Community Center with funeral services and mass on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and burial at the Plumage cemetery.

Anthony Paul Plumage was born March 2, 1959 at Fort Belknap IHS hospital to Glorian Plumage and Bill Swaney and he was culturally adopted by his grandparents Joe and Frances Plumage. Anthony graduated from Harlem High School in 1977, where he excelled in sports, most notably basketball. As he was named All State during his sophomore, junior and senior years. During the infamous state title game between Harlem and St Labre in 1977, coached by Dave Williams, he received the MVP award. Upon graduation from High School, Anthony accepted a scholarship from Montana State University-Northern, for his basketball talent, which he attended for two years. He also attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. After college, Anthony continued to play in the basketball tourney circuit, with the "Warriors". Anthony enlisted in the Army and served for two years. He held various positions under the Bureau of Indian Affairs, (B.I.A) and Indian Health Service, (I.H.S) in the IT department. His work relocated him to Bemidji Minnesota. Later on upon moving back to Ft Belknap, he also become a wildland firefighter for the Fort Belknap Indian Community. Anthony married Doreen Bell and they had three children together and six grandchildren. Anthony's love for the game of basketball kept on going, as he loved to spend time his with grandson Tristan Crawford, in the basketball gym.

Tony is survived by his two daughters: (Kolynn Plumage) (Kara Rhoads of Ponca City, Oklahoma) and son: Eric Plumage. Six grandchildren: Kiera Fox of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cole and Micah Fox of New Town North Dakota. Ethan Labrada of Ponca City, Oklahoma. Tristan and WaStena Crawford of Missoula, MT. His brothers: Frank (Rhonda) Crantz of Ft Belknap. Rhett Crantz of Ft Belknap and sister Patricia Crantz- Messerly of Ft Belknap. His brothers: Joseph Plumage of Billings, Walter (Helen) Plumage of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Charles "Jack" (Delores) Plumage, , and Waldo Plumage of Billings. His sisters, Cathy (Phillip) Swain of St George, Utah. Cheryl "Jill" Plumage of Ft Belknap. His cousins Wendy Maratita (Lee) of Ft Belknap. Jo'Etta Plumage of Billings, Mt., and Annie Plumage of Oklahoma. And all of his friends and family.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Joe and Frances Plumage, Glorian (Ernest) Crantz, and Wendell Plumage and Arnold Plumage.

Pallbearers: Rod Benson, Rick Weasel, Larry Ell, Donald Bigby, Ed Hawley, Rick Johnson, James Walls Sr., Alan Bell and Tristan Crawford.

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