On May 19, 2008 our dear loving husband, papa, grandfather, brother, son and cherished loving friend, Donald Paul Addy Jr., went on to be with his Savior and Lord.
On May 19, 2008 our dear loving husband, papa, grandfather, brother, son and cherished loving friend, Donald Paul Addy Jr., went on to be with his Savior and Lord. Don was an inspiration to countless many, especially his family. He loved the Lord and boldly shared his faith with everybody he met. He loved to read the bible, teach Sunday School, sing and play the guitar and preach the word of God at the Harlem Assembly of God church and to anybody who would listen. He was a great prayer warrior and the foundation and cornerstone of his family; he loved to spend time with them every moment he could. He was a true servant and man of God. His favorite scripture verse was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” He enjoyed coin collecting with his grandsons and loved the great outdoors. One of his many passions was to make the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation beautiful. He could be seen on every corner of the precious land he called home planting trees, picking weeds, building shelterbelts, landscaping, mowing lawns, growing gardens and sharing his faith in Christ. His unsurpassed love of life emanated through all he did. He had a great sense of humor and a heart of gold. He was a very caring, kind-hearted and generous man. He never thought twice about giving to the needy and praying for the hurting. He was a very loving father and devoted husband, watching over his family like a hawk and going to great lengths to ensure their safety and well-being. He was a very cautious driver; his family joked because the only driving violation he ever received was for driving too slowly. He loved so much being a grandfather, often saying his grandchildren are a “blessing beyond words.” Don, known as “Butch” growing up, was the oldest of six children, born on June 22, 1943, to Donald Addy Sr. And Gladys (Maseck) Addy in Syracuse, N.Y. He grew up on a dairy farm in Genoa, N.Y., and attended college both at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and later at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D. After his first year of college at Cornell University, Don felt a desire to serve his fellow man and signed up for the VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Program. At 22 years-of-age he was detailed to serve in Hays on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation for one year. He served for a year-and-ahalf and was quoted as saying, “I am honored to work with the magnificent Native American people.” It was here that he met his best friend and the love of his life, Patricia Dorothy Walker. Don went back to Cornell for another year, but soon returned to Montana to marry his sweetheart, who he called his Indian Princess. Don and Patty were married on August 31, 1968, at St. Paul’s Mission in Hays. They started their family and after a year returned to New York where their family continued to grow and Don once again pursued his degree. He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science with a minor in horticulture in May 1972. By this time, they had four children and moved to Lander, Wyo., where Don worked for the Wind River Reservation as an extension agent. Don worked in Wyoming for two years before moving back to Montana, the place he called home, in 1974 to work on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation as an extension agent with his beloved people. Don and Patty had one more child, loving and caring for each of their five children with gentle hands and open arms, always leading by example. Though he didn’t have much, Papa made sure his family was taken care of, building them a playhouse, taking them to church and on many camping trips in Montana, to Disneyland, and back to New York to visit his family, making sure they saw every national park along the way. Papa was very proud of all of his children, teaching them to love the Lord and instilling the same values and determinations he had in life. Don received numerous recognitions, honors and awards over the life of his career, though he was a very modest and humble man, never seeking to be recognized for his numerous accomplishments. He received the Silver Buffalo Award in 1990 as the Outstanding Agent of the Year. This is the highest award an extension agent can receive. He received the Extension Agent of the Year Award, and numerous merit and appreciation awards from the tribes of the Fort Belknap reservation. He was lovingly referred to as “Donny Appleseed” because he gave out several thousand trees and shrubs to families over the years. In 1992, he received the Region VIII U.S. Small Business Administration Advocate of the Year Award. His greatest honor ever received was in 1998 when he was adopted into the Assiniboine Tribe, a very rare honor, and was given the name Woo-Woo Shee-Aye, which means “Likes To Help.” He was also affectionately known as “Chief Yellow Top” and “Chief Many Irons.” Don orchestrated close to 50 youth camps through the years, each one a big success. Don had a heart for the children of his community and many of them referred to him as “Uncle Don.” He worked closely with a local livestock marketing co-op to develop a cattle-weighing facility near Hays at the old fair grounds. He worked with the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Rural Assistance Loan and 4-H Junior Agricultural Loan programs. More than 130 youngsters have gone through the Junior Ag Loan program throughout his years to purchase cattle and many have gone on to expand their operations to assume the family ranch. He was very proud to have worked with three generations of farmers and ranchers throughout the years. Due to his hard work, his program became a model for other similar programs around the country. He has also worked with various tribal programs at one time or another because he was an avid believer in collaboration. He worked with the local school districts and various tribal programs to provide leadership and staff development training for teachers and educating youth through the extension program. Don worked with the Mid-Winter Fair Committee at Fort Belknap for more than 30 years, putting so much into every detail. He recently retired in March 2008 after 38 years of dedicated service to the Fort Belknap Extension Service. He was happy to have more time to spend at home with family and the love of his life, treating her like a queen and caring for his yard. Though he was only retired for a brief amount of time, he already had many calls from community members wanting his assistance and consultation with various programs. Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald Paul Addy Sr. Don is survived by the love of his life, Patricia Addy, and their five children: daughter Mary (Charles) Taylor of Helena and two grandkids, Patrick and Whitney; daughter Michele (Chuck) Vanasse of Ellendale, N.D. and three grandkids, Charis, Chris and Joanna; son Michael (Stephanie) Addy of Billings and three grandkids, Lacey J., Tylo and Jairus; daughter Ann (Samson) Boyd of Nashville, Tenn., and grandson Joey; son Joe (and Erinn) Addy of Great Falls and two grandkids, Damaris and Gideon. He is also survived by his mother, Gladys Addy of Auburn, N.Y.; brother Ronnie (Joan) Addy of Genoa; sister Connie (Steve) Gile of Savannah, N.Y; sister Diane (Robert) Curtis of Aurora, N.Y.; sister Dixie (Randy) Negley of Locke, N.Y.; and brother Bill (Cindy) Addy of Genoa, and numerous nieces and nephews. Papa left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. He was loved by all who knew him and will be missed more than words can ever say. The seeds that he planted, both literally and figuratively will reap a great harvest the harvest that he always prayed and believed God for. We yearn for the day we will see his beautiful smile when we meet him once again in Glory! Aut-na-ha-ban, Papa, we love you! A wake will be held on Friday, May 23, 2008, starting at 5 p.m. at the Red Whip Center, Fort Belknap Agency. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at 11
a. m. at the Harlem High School gym. Burial will follow at the Harlem Cemetery. A feed will be held at the Redwood Center following internment. Donations in his honor can be given to the Harlem Assembly of God Church, P.O. Box 157, Harlem, MT 59526. All proceeds will go towards scholarships for Native American students attending Bible College. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
