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

Mark "Higgins" Blackcrow Sr. of Hays, MT was born on June 27, 1941 at Old Hays, MT. He was born to Joseph Blackcrow Sr. and Rosie Shortman Blackcrow. All his school years from 1st grade through high school were attended at the St. Pauls Mission in Hays MT where he played basketball. After his school years Mark took jobs with ranchers, the railroad and fought fires.

He then married his first wife the late Lorna "Honey" Grant in 1964. From this union came their daughter McKalinda Grant. Mark and Honey later divorced but remained good friends.

In 1968 Mark moved to Missoula to attend the University of Montana. Where he meet his wife Carmalita Evans of Badger Creek MT. They were married on March 3rd. From this union they had 5 children. They then moved to Browning, Hays, Havre where he got his mechanics degrees then later moved to Harlem then eventually back to Hays, where they planted their roots and made a home for his family.

Mark was well known for his carpentry, taking walks, following his son and later his grandsons in all their school sports. He helped raised 4 of his grandsons Cammeron, Kyle, Elijah, and Kenneth Jr. He was especially proud of them and could be found in the stands of every sporting event they played in. Mark also loved to travel to Powwows to watch his children and grandchildren dance.

Mark is proceeded in death by his parents Joe Blackcrow, Rosie Shortman Blackcrow, his siblings Aloysius "Punny" Blackcrow, Edwin "Wimpy" Shortman, Phyllis Shortman Moss, Lois"Bussettes" Blackcrow Falcon, Mary "Cuddy" Blackcrow Bigby, Nora "Eagle" Blackcrow, and Eileen Bradley "Prairie Children Woman".

Mark is survived by his loving wife Carmalita Blackcrow, children Mikki(Anthony) Shambo of Hays MT., Markalene (Dave) Madera of Wellpinit WA., Aloysilu Blackcrow of Butte MT., Henrietta(Clay) Taylor, Kenneth Blackcrow of Spokane WA., Mark Blackcrow Jr. of Hays MT., adopted daughter Annie Evans of Polson MT., God Children Kyle Doney and Karen Haakanson. Siblings Joseph "Fiddles (Mary Anges) Blackcrow of Hays MT., Gloria (Leroy Sheilds) Blackcrow of Fort Belknap MT., Phillip " Buzz" (Sissy) Blackcrow of Harlem MT., George "Zot" Blackcrow of Fort Belknap MT., Adopted brothers and sisters Mike Neely, John Brockie, Janice Brockie, Francis Mann, Rebecca Evans, Annie Vielle. His Grandchildren Ray Eve Shambo Inman, Ray Lynn Lamere, Steve Shambo, Cammeron Bullshoe, Kyle Blackcrow, Hannah Blackcrow, Daven Madera, Desmond Madera, Dakota Madera, William Blackcrow, Lauren Taylor, Dail Taylor, Christian, Taylor, Adam Taylor, Sonny Taylor, Elijah Blackcrow, Kenneth Blackcrow Jr., Alexsis Blackrow, Angela Blackcrow, Ashera Blackcrow, Ethan Blackcrow, Mark Blackcrow III, Karen Blackcrow, Brooke Blackcrow. 17 Great grand children and NUMEROUS nieces and nephews that he loved dearly