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

Darrell Scott Bradley, 'íítaanɔɔn'aa' (Buffalo Robe), known to many as "Buffy" or "Bad Brad", 59, made his journey on Saturday, December 16, 2023 surrounded by his family in the family home at Starhill in Hays, MT. Darrell was born June 18, 1964 in Ft. Belknap, MT, to Joanne Bradley. He married the love of his life, Carolyn Osife-Smalley in Albuquerque, NM on March 4, 2000. Darrell spent his early childhood in his hometown of Hays. Also in Glasgow, Harlem, & FT Belknap, MT. He graduated from Inter-Mountain High School in Utah in 1984. In his late teens, he returned to his hometown of Hays, MT. During this time, Darrell spent most of his summers at his uncle "Snowman's" with his cousins "the Snows" where he said he had many fond memories that he treasured. He spent his early 20s contracting on & off the reservation, serving on various boards here in Fort Belknap, for one of his early contracting jobs, he had painted the Harlem, MT post office; when he briefly moved back to Hays, he was employed as the Fort Belknap Housing Director & had a large involvement of the Green Building in Hays, MT being constructed. He then moved to Sacramento, CA for a few years, then later to Albuquerque, NM. Darrell was an entrepreneur, he first had a contracting business and eventually formed his own company, Star Hill Enterprise. In the 1990s, he was employed by the BIA in Washington DC, Sacramento, CA, and Albuquerque, NM. After almost 30 years working for the BIA, Darrell retired. His time was spent with his wife Carol, his terrier Marley, and securing contracts through his company Star Hill Enterprise. Darrell deeply loved classic country music, especially Johnny Cash & Charley Pride just to name a few. He very much enjoyed doing karaoke with his friends in his free evenings & go out dancing. When he would return home to MT for a visit, he enjoyed a good hunt in the mountains with his nephews or friends. He was always friendly and had a smile for everyone he met; he was willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed one. He was a proud, modest man to the very end. He was well known to be strong-willed & very stubborn. Darrell was also proud of his Native heritage. Darrell took pride in fixing up his fancy trucks & making them look flashy & nice. Over the years, Darrell met many people during his work related travels throughout the country. He considered everyone he met a friend & a part of his family. One employee whom he considered a good friend for years and then an eventual "son", was Alejandro Reyes, aka Alex. Alex was with him through it all down in Albuquerque. For this, we are forever grateful to him for being by his side. He considered Alex & all his nephews his boys. He had a deep love for all the children & babies of the family & would enjoy teasing them, but all in fun. In 2019, Darrell lost his wife Carol, this greatly affected his health. Darrell had many quotes & words to live by, but his favorite was "I want to live a GOOD life, not a long one", and he did. He got off the reservation, had his own company, his own home, met many, many people, seen a lot of places across the country, ate lots of different foods, had many good times with friends & made many memories, in which he would tell us about, but most of all, he LIVED... Darrell's last wish was to be home with his family and we ALL fulfilled that wish. Darrell is survived by his siblings, Gary, Daralyn (Bill), Darlene, and Karen, his son, Alejandro ; stepson, Mike Smalley; Godson/nephew Clint, nephews Clayt (Lynette), Chance (Cassidy), Hoot, Jacob & kids, & Rocky the cat; Nieces Geri (Jimmy), Cheyenne & kids, Shellee, Jess (Anthony), Amanda (Kenneth); grandkids/great grandkids, Rylee, Aliyah, Bob, Taylynn, Emmitt, Rayne, Gerdee, Chattee, Aceyn, Ava, Rayden, Rayla, Amala Jo, Akirralyn, Levi, Aubreyonna, Amayah, Messiah, Remia, Kyle, Angelica, Vanessa, Savannah, Rieal, & Aurora. Lifelong friend Snuffy Main, Godparents Joel & Marci Frank, numerous friends & family, too many to name. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Carol, mother Joanne Bradley, brother Cory(Tabby); uncles, Willy, Gilbert, Alfred, Herbie Bradley and Vernon Hawley; Aunts, Rita Bradley, Myrna SpottedBear, & Vicki Bradley. His beloved pets, Rooster Bradley, Kitty Lou of 20+ years, & recently his terrier Marley. Grandparents, George & Mabel Bradley..