Anthony "Tony" Ray Smith, Sr.

Anthony "Tony" Ray Smith, Sr.

Born: Thu., Mar. 6, 1958

Died: Mon., Apr. 14, 2014

Anthony "Tony" Ray Smith, Sr. "Mukwa", 56, of Federal Dam, MN began his spiritual journey surrounded by family in his home on April 14, 2014 following a four year battle with cancer.

Tony was born March 3, 1958 in Hollywood, California to Donna (Budreau) & Francis "Boy" Smith. He attended school in Hollywood and later worked for the Ford Motor Company. He lived in Oregon and Montana before returning to the Leech Lake Reservation in 1980. After Tony returned to Cass Lake he worked with the Ojibwe fisheries. He spent hours on area lakes mapping and charting rice beds and transporting fingerling to area hatchers. In 1991 Tony began his career with Leech Lake Gaming starting at the Palace Casino as a Vault Supervisor. In 1995 he worked at the Northern Lights Casino as a Security Guard and moved his way up as a Shift Manager. Tony then moved into the Security Manger position and eventually he moved into compliance department as an Investigator. He was there until returning to the Palace Security Department as a Security Supervisor/ Sub Shift Manger until he retired health Issues in 2011. When Tony retired from this position, his call number "807" was also retired. Following Tony's retirement he enjoyed visiting the casinos, going to pow-wows, especially the regional competition powwows. He enjoyed watching western movies and spending time with those he loved. Tony also served as a community representative with the Sugar Point Local Indian Council and enjoyed planning and working at the Battle Point Pow-wow. Tony met his wife Diane (White-Losh) in 1991. Together they were married in Cass Lake. Diane and Tony resided in the Cass Lake area, where they raised their children and 'the girls' before moving to the Sugar point community in 1996.

He was preceded in death by his Grandparents, father, mother and brothers; Patrick, Donavin and "Auggie". Tony is survived by his wife and their children; Nigel (Courtney Chalker) Smith of Walker MN; Anthony Smith JR. of West Virginia; Yolanda Smith Minneapolis MN, Michelle (Charles Jones) Smith of Cass Lake MN; Alisha (Kyle Gordon) Smith of Cloquet Mn; Timothy Smith, Toni Leigh Rae Smith, Benjamin Smith, and Raelynn Losh of Sugar Point & 'The Girls' Toni Losh, of Sugar Point and Teri (Joshua Hess) Boswell of Boy Lake. Tony and Diane also opened their heart and home to their extra special children: Neauanna & Joseph Carmona, Lexi Losh, Angel, Shawnee and Rubianna Littlewolf. He is also survived by his beloved Step Father, Leo Blair of Cass Lake, MN; Brother Stacy Smith of Cass Lake, MN & Sister Yolanda (Jim) Oxford of Cass Lake, MN. And his grand children, Anthony, Carlynn, Aleigha and Amia.

A wake service for Tony will begin at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the Facility Center in Cass Lake. At 7 a.m., Thursday morning the wake will move to the Sugar Point Community Center. It will continue until the 10 a.m. service on Friday also at the Sugar Point Community Center. Steve Jackson will be the spiritual leader. Pallbearers for Tony will be Donavin Smith, Terry O'Connor, Ron White, Jr., Bradley Losh, Donavin Oxford, Tim Smith, Ben Smith, Nigel Smith, Kyle Gordon, Charles Jones, In spirit are Frank Johnson and Anthony Smith, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be 'The one below her heart'/baby girl Gordon, Teri Boswell, Toni Boswell, Kim St. John, Brad the IHS Nurse, Matt Ross, Rodney Northbird, Dennis Banks, Tony's four grandchildren; Aaleigh, Aamiya, Carlynn and Anthony and all his nieces and nephews. Interment will be held in the Battle Point Cemetery at Battle Point.

Tony's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com