TAILFEATHERS Ira

TAILFEATHERS

IRA TAILFEATHERS, beloved husband of Rosie Jane, passed away at home on August 9th, 2016 at the age of 65 years.

Ira (Spike) Tailfeathers was born in the Blood Indian Hospital, Jan. 5 1951 to Helen and Kenneth Tailfeathers. He leaves to mourn his beloved wife of 45 yrs, Rosie Jane and his children Cal (Terry), Blaine (Christy) Chase, and grandchildren Kale, Kadence, Shaliya and Brenden. Brother Butch (Johnelle), sisters Shirley Healy and Beverly Tailfeathers-Maiers(Dave). Ira was predeceased by his parents Kenneth and Helen Tailfeathers, siblings Ken Tuffy Tailfeathers, Caroline Romero, Leslie Punch Tailfeathers, Keith Punky Tailfeathers, Byrdeen Quesnelle, brothers-in-law Dave Healy and Eugene Romero, sister-in-law Faye Tailfeathers.

His early years were spent in his beloved Bullhorn area, the home of his family. He was educated in the Cardston School system and graduated from High School in 1969. He continued his education at Mount Royal College studying Business Administration. Ira believed in hard work and took pride in all his pursuits. He held numerous jobs throughout his life, including finance officer and Blood Tribe Housing Director, Public Relations Officer and Council member for 5-6 terms which concluded in the 2012 term. In 1986 he worked with the Alberta Indian Health Care Commission. His service to the Blood Reserve community spanned 50 years.

Ira was a gifted horse and dog trainer, since his youth and extended into his adulthood. One of his first favorite horses was UCan, well known by many rodeo contestants and match racing enthusiasts during the 1960-1970 era. He had many throughout his life.

He was equally passionate in rodeo and horse racing throughout his life. His rodeo career started at the Calgary Stampede in the steer riding event where his father Ken was a pickup man for 21 yrs. Many summers were spent in the infield with his father. He went on to win 3 IRCA bareback titles, and was also an exceptional bull rider. In 1972 he won the bareback, bullriding and the all around titles at the Sarcee rodeo.

His other passion was horseracing, which started at community match races on the Blood Reserve as a jockey for Bullhorn. His jockey career took him to races throughout Southern Alberta during the early 1960’s.

After his active years as a cowboy and jockey, he focused his talents on training horses, helping his father produce many winners at races in Alberta and Montana.

Ira was a multi-talented athlete competing in hockey, boxing and track and field. He was proud to be a member of the Bullhorn Bucks Sr. Hockey Team which included many of his cherished friends. As a youth in then mid 1960’s he qualified to compete in then Alberta Golden Gloves. His enthusiasm for sports carried on into his adult life. Even though Ira had numerous accomplishments he remained humble and didn’t like to be in the spotlight. He was a man that lived his life with high values and integrity and these values he portrayed and instilled in his children.

Ira loved life and enjoyed the company of friends and family, spending many hours involved in family activities such as camping, and other outdoor activities with his children and grandchildren, and his favorite cousin Rennie Tallow. He had many friends and would not hesitate to help anyone who needed it. In many cases he would go out of his way to insure the well being of friends and family.

A Family Service will be held at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday, August 14th at 5:00 p.m. The Wake Service will be at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Blood Reserve on Sunday, August 14th from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Blood Reserve on Monday, August 15th at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Paul’s Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to: www.legacyfuneralhome.ca