Alvin "Turk" Cobell

ALVIN “Turk” JOSEPH COBELL, 74, of Valier, passed away March 1, 2019.

He was born February 22, 1945 in Browning and was an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation and Army Veteran.  Alvin had a successful 40+ year career as a hard-working rancher on the Blackfeet Reservation where he raised cattle and alfalfa.  He also spent 25-years as a commercial fisherman in the pacific northwest and Alaska fishing for salmon and halibut.  Alvin graduated from Browning High School and attended Western Montana College in Dillon.  He was an avid basketball player during and after high school traveling to many Native basketball tournaments in surrounding states.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing the many lakes and streams.  He consistently donated to an organization that helped underprivileged children receive schooling, meals, clothing and clean water.

Alvin loved taking long rides to visit friends and family around St. Mary Lake and Babb where he built a cabin that was used for many family gatherings over the years.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin; mother, Liberty; brothers, Irvin and Rowland “Hunky”; sister, Leola Tatsey Kennedy; and loving wife of 42-years, Elouise.  He is survived by his sisters, Carol Racine, Wanda (Nossie) Cobell, Eva (Tiny) Cobell, and Mary Garrett; Brother-in-law, Rusty Garrett; son, Turk Russell Cobell; daughter-in-law, Bobbie Cobell; grandchildren, Olivia Cobell and Gabriella Cobell.

Memorial services will be announced and held at a later date.