Allan O. Crain

Allan O. Crain, 87, passed away from natural causes on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at his residence in Parker Canyon in Rocky Boy, Mont. His wake service will be held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, and will continue until his funeral service at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 26. Burial will be held at Parker Canyon near his residence, with Pastor Marvin Russette officiating. Memorials in Allan's honor may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy.

Allan Crain when he was young

Allan was born on March 29, 1925, to Alfred and Ina Crain in Nanty Glo, Pa. He was raised and education in Nanty Glo. He served in World War II where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Following the war, he went to college at Cambridge, England. He then returned to the United States and finished his bachelor's in English at Miami University in Florida.

He received his Master's in Education from Kent State University in Ohio. He applied for a teaching position with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and was hired to teach school at Rocky Boy, Mont. While at Rocky Boy, he met and married Anna Parker, his wife of 58 years. He continued working as an educator at Rocky Boy where he fell in love with the people and the community. He ran several of the day schools in Haystack, Parker School and Sangrey School. During his employment with the BIA, he served one year in Round Rock, Ariz., one year in Intermountain Boarding School in Brigham City, Utah. For six years, he was at Busby, Mont., where he was given his Indian name "Wolf Foot" by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. He spent nine years in Mount Edgecumbe, Alaska, as the superintendent of Mount Edgecumbe Boarding School. He retired from the BIA in 1975 and returned to Rocky Boy, where he and his wife built their home. He began working for the state of Montana, taking a teaching position at Rocky Boy which he held until he retired in 1987.

Allan Crain recently

He enjoyed singing and attending church at Our Savior's Lutheran. He was an avid bird watcher and gardener. He loved telling local history to his children and many grandchildren.

Allan is survived by his wife, Anna Parker Crain of Rocky Boy; daughter, Lisa (Mike Lame Bull) Crain of Rocky Boy; son, Matt (Wendy) Crain of Phoenix, Ariz .; daughter, Kim (Frank) Russette of Rocky Boy; eight grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.