Alan J Joscum

Alan J. Joscum,

                It is with heartfelt sadness that I announce the sudden passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother and Uncle, Alan Joscum on August 21st, 2021 in Ronan, MT.

                Alan was born on May 22nd, 1960, the first child of Mary Christine "Tina" Joscum/Zachry at McKennan hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Unfortunately, due to specific circumstances, Alan was adopted at the age of 10 months old. Following adoption process, Alan J. Joscum became "Dick" (Richard) Story. Alan (Dick Story) was raised in Sioux Falls where he attended school up until high school in 1978/79. Throughout his younger years, Alan was involved in sports where he found passion in baseball. According to relatives, Alan had a wicked left-hand pitch and was known to strike out the batter up. Alan enlisted into the National Guard in 1981/82 and attended boot camp in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri however, only served a short time.

                Alan had always told us that his adopted parents were very caring people and as he got older, they were always up front & honest to him as to why he was the only kid in the house that looked different and had dark brown skin. His parents raised him with compassion, equality and love.  Another thing Alan would always say is that he never ever held any kind of hate or resentment towards his biological mother for adopting him out because as he became an adult, he had a better understanding of life & raising children. Shortly after turning of age, Alans parents suggest that he should go to Montana, specifically to the Reservation so that he can look for his birth family. So that he did, he set out for MT with high hopes of finding his roots amongst the Salish, Qlispe & Kootenai people. Those who know Alan knows he had no problem hitchhiking so that's exactly what he did from SD to MT. Once he made it to the Arlee area, Alan heard there was a powwow celebration in town. Some of the few people he met first that ended up being blood relations were Deeda Adams, Everett Fyant & Marie Fyant. A complete shock, Alan told Deeda he is looking for his birth family. He said Christine Joscum or his Aunt Ursula. Deeda of course knew who they were & brought Alan to the powwow grounds to Ursula's camp. As happy as I'm sure it was, it was also sad because Alan learned that his biological mother passed away just over a month prior in Wichita, KS. That is the day that changed his life forever. It was at that moment, that his Auntie Ursula became a mother figure to him. Alan was always proud that his birth mother named him at birth instead of having no name. Now that Alan was home with is family, he began to meet relatives and began to adjust as a proud member of the Salish & Kootenai Tribe. Mark Thomas, Roger & Wayne Vanderburg, the Adams bro's, Dino and the Sheridans were some of the first to meet and show their new cousin/brother the ropes of the rez by hunting and showing him around. Alan enjoyed spending time outdoors as much as possible weather its for a walk,a hike, to hunt, fish or camp. Alan worked various jobs in his life but his most favorite job when he was younger was deep sea fishing in Alaska. Auntie Urs would always give the big lecture whenever it came time for Al to get ready to head to AK because he preferred to hitchhike all the way to Anchorage. He made sure to "call home" as soon as he could to let Urs and the family know. Alan also spent several years working as a CAN in Ronan, Polson and Missoula, and also as a wildland firefighter.

                Because of the simple life Alan chose to live, he never did settle into a home of his own. He spent a lot of time with his Aunt Ursula & her sons. Alan also spent many years with his companion friend Rose Beauvais and her daughters that he claimed as his own (RoAnna Irvine & Nicole Pablo).

                Alan was preceded in death by his biological mom, Christine "Tina" Joscum, adopted parents Frank & Freida Story (Sioux Falls), his Auntie/mom Ursula Thomas, Aunts Virginia Joscum, Louise Joscum/Bluesky, MaryRose Joscum/Funk, uncles Alex LaFontaine & James Joscum/Cahoon.

                Alan is survived by his companion friend Rose Beauvais, step daughters Nicole Pablo, RoAnna Irvine, his sile & sxepe (Landon, Talon, Braylon Pablo) (Liberty & Shantae Ironstar, Gabriel Healey), brothers Emmanuel Littlewolf ('H"), Leo Zachry & Vincent Zachry, a sister Carol Jean Joscum, Aunties Judy Joscum/roy, Mari Ulmer. 

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