Obituary: Rudolph P. Arriola

Rudolph P. Arriola, 81, passed away surrounded by loved ones Sept. 1, 2016, in Sandy, Utah.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Deacon Tim Maroney officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Rudy's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Rudy was born Jan. 4, 1935, in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Joseph and Flora (Garcia) Arriola. His mother worked at the St. Xavier Mission School on the Crow Reservation in southern Montana, where the Arriola children were schooled, and given room and board. Rudy attended classes, and also worked there to earn his and his sister's keep.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War as a radio seaman 1st class on the USS Boyd. Later, Rudy completed college, working at Eddy's Bakery to support his family. He used his bachelor's degree from the College of Great Falls throughout his 30 years in the social services field to advocate for others.

Rudy enjoyed classic cars, attending fiestas and powwows, and visiting friends. Cooking Mexican food was his labor of love. He could often be found taking enchiladas to people he knew. Rudy was also known for silly pranks and loved to joke around with everyone.

Rudy lived the majority of his life in Billings. He suffered a long bout with Alzheimer's, and his last years were spent in a memory care facility in Utah.

Preceding Rudy in death are his parents, Joseph and Flora Arriola, and his sister Amelia (Arriola) Foster.

He is survived by his sons, Thomas Arriola of Phoenix, Arizona, Daniel (Deborah) Arriola of Midland, Michigan, and Darrin Belgarde of Spokane, Washington; his daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Shaffer of Billings, Margaret Wakeham of Sandy, Utah, and Angela Montez of Billings; his seven grandchildren; his four great-grandchildren; his sister Guadalupe "Lupe" Daniel of Havre; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.