Nathaniel “Nate” Long Hair, 58, of Poplar died Oct. 26, 2020, at the Advanced Care Hospital in Billings, Mont.
He was born on May 25, 1962, at the Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson to Nathaniel “Cowboy” and Iris (Red Bear) Long Hair. He attended school in Brockton and Culbertson and graduated from Culbertson in May 1980. After high school, he attended the Billings Vo-Tech College and received his accounting degree.
In 1980, he married Deborah (McDaniel) Long Hair in Fort Kipp after their daughter Nathelle was born. They moved to Billings while he attended school. In 1982, they moved back home to Fort Kipp and then to Poplar. Their family expanded with Michael, Maureen, Vincent and Jennifer before they separated. He later met Jacqueline Follette and had Stephanie and Natron, but they separated years later.
He was employed by A& S Industries, Poplar Schools, Fort Peck Tribal Courts and the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water. He enjoyed working for the school because he liked the youth.
He loved sports, especially basketball, softball and baseball. He earned the nickname “Nate The Great” by Donette White Bear from his softball days. He would always tell his children the memories of his sports playing days.
He loved to attend and support his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He loved to tease people and he would always make friends since he wasn’t shy and would talk to anyone. He enjoyed coaching basketball and would put teams into tournaments, every chance he got, especially the Poplar Youth Tournament. He had a very large basketball family and was proud of all of his players.
He is survived by his children, Nathelle Frederick, Michael Long Hair, Maureen Nordwick, Vincent Long Hair, Jennifer Shields, Stephanie Murdock and Natron Long Hair; sisters, Alice Long Hair and Lynnette Long Hair; numerous grandchildren, and grandmother, Loretta Bear Cub.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Vernon Johnson Long Hair.
A funeral service was held Monday, Nov. 2, at the James Black Dog Center in Fort Kipp. Interment was at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point was entrusted with the arrangements.