Omer Jeffrey Bull Shields February 8, 1949 - September 22, 2024 Aged 75 years
With hearts full of love and heavy with the loss, we come together to celebrate the remarkable life of Omer Jeffrey Bull Shields, known simply as Jeff to those lucky enough to have shared in his laughter and friendship. Jeff was more than a father, husband, and grandfather; he was a legend, a man whose presence filled any room, whose smile was as sharp as his wit, and whose spirit was untameable. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched, a testament to the adventurous and joyous life he lived.
Born the first son to Charles Sr. and Irene Bull Shields, Jeff was raised with a deep respect for his Blackfoot traditions. From a young age, he danced with dedication and heart, joining Akokaksin and proudly becoming the youngest dancer in the group. His passion for dance was legendary; he won his first prize of $75, which he used to buy jawbreakers and a pair of cowboy boots, setting the tone for the mischievous and playful man he would become.
Jeff's school years at St. Paul's Anglican Residential School from 1954 to 1962 shaped his resilience. At Fort Macleod High School, his athletic talent in long- distance running and track sports shone, competing against local athletes and even traveling to Siksika to showcase his skills. Ever the competitor, Jeff's love for golf and pool led him to countless Vegas tournaments, where he became a pool shark in his own right, always ready with a grin and a challenge.
In 1972, after serving with honor as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War, Jeff retired with numerous medals to his name. His service was a chapter of his life that he wore with quiet pride, adding yet another layer to his storied life. That same year, fate brought him to Vicky. On a cold winter morning, delivering stove oil with his father, he met the woman who would stand by his side for over 52 years. Together, they built a family, raising six children, spoiling twenty grandchildren, and welcoming twelve great-grandchildren, each of whom carries a piece of his strength, laughter, and love.
Jeff's love for the powwow trail and his passion for old-style chicken dancing were unparalleled. He walked the path of his ancestors, connecting with his powwow family, his steps both graceful and powerful. Though illness eventually took his ability to dance, he never lost the spirit of it, famously remarking, "God should have left me with at least my dancing so I can continue dancing." Even when his body failed him, his spirit danced on, a rhythm that will never fade.
He worked alongside his people, farming with local farmers on the Blood Tribe, and later served his community as a correctional officer for the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and the Blood Tribe. Jeff took immense pride in his role as a provider for his family, his work ethic unshakeable whether as a laborer with Kainai Industries or as a beloved figure within his community. In 1985, he joined the Horn Society, a moment of profound spiritual significance, under the guidance of Wilton and Evelyn Goodstriker, marking a new chapter in his life rooted in cultural pride and spiritual dedication.
Jeff had "the look"-that unmistakable, legendary gaze that could silence a room or spark laughter with just a raised brow. He lived life fully, embracing both its challenges and its joys with a heart that knew no limits. In the end, Jeff Bull Shields was a man who lived by his own code, navigating the good, the bad, and the ugly with grace, humor, and undeniable strength. His life was one of service, love, and adventure, and like the old Westerns he loved, his legacy remains legendary.
"You see, in this world, there's two kinds of people, my friend: those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
A Wake Service will be held at Jeff and Vicky Bull Shields’ residence on Sunday, September 29 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will also be held at the Bull Shields’ residence on Monday, September 30 at 11:00 am. The interment will follow in the Bull Shields Family Cemetery.
With hearts full of love and heavy with the loss, we come together to celebrate the remarkable life of Omer Jeffrey Bull Shields, known simply as Jeff to those lucky enough to have shared in his laughter and friendship. Jeff was more than a father, husband, and grandfather; he was a legend, a man whose presence filled any room, whose smile was as sharp as his wit, and whose spirit was untameable. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched, a testament to the adventurous and joyous life he lived.
Born the first son to Charles Sr. and Irene Bull Shields, Jeff was raised with a deep respect for his Blackfoot traditions. From a young age, he danced with dedication and heart, joining Akokaksin and proudly becoming the youngest dancer in the group. His passion for dance was legendary; he won his first prize of $75, which he used to buy jawbreakers and a pair of cowboy boots, setting the tone for the mischievous and playful man he would become.
Jeff's school years at St. Paul's Anglican Residential School from 1954 to 1962 shaped his resilience. At Fort Macleod High School, his athletic talent in long- distance running and track sports shone, competing against local athletes and even traveling to Siksika to showcase his skills. Ever the competitor, Jeff's love for golf and pool led him to countless Vegas tournaments, where he became a pool shark in his own right, always ready with a grin and a challenge.
In 1972, after serving with honor as a U.S. Marine in the Vietnam War, Jeff retired with numerous medals to his name. His service was a chapter of his life that he wore with quiet pride, adding yet another layer to his storied life. That same year, fate brought him to Vicky. On a cold winter morning, delivering stove oil with his father, he met the woman who would stand by his side for over 52 years. Together, they built a family, raising six children, spoiling twenty grandchildren, and welcoming twelve great-grandchildren, each of whom carries a piece of his strength, laughter, and love.
Jeff's love for the powwow trail and his passion for old-style chicken dancing were unparalleled. He walked the path of his ancestors, connecting with his powwow family, his steps both graceful and powerful. Though illness eventually took his ability to dance, he never lost the spirit of it, famously remarking, "God should have left me with at least my dancing so I can continue dancing." Even when his body failed him, his spirit danced on, a rhythm that will never fade.
He worked alongside his people, farming with local farmers on the Blood Tribe, and later served his community as a correctional officer for the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and the Blood Tribe. Jeff took immense pride in his role as a provider for his family, his work ethic unshakeable whether as a laborer with Kainai Industries or as a beloved figure within his community. In 1985, he joined the Horn Society, a moment of profound spiritual significance, under the guidance of Wilton and Evelyn Goodstriker, marking a new chapter in his life rooted in cultural pride and spiritual dedication.
Jeff had "the look"-that unmistakable, legendary gaze that could silence a room or spark laughter with just a raised brow. He lived life fully, embracing both its challenges and its joys with a heart that knew no limits. In the end, Jeff Bull Shields was a man who lived by his own code, navigating the good, the bad, and the ugly with grace, humor, and undeniable strength. His life was one of service, love, and adventure, and like the old Westerns he loved, his legacy remains legendary.
"You see, in this world, there's two kinds of people, my friend: those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
A Wake Service will be held at Jeff and Vicky Bull Shields’ residence on Sunday, September 29 from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will also be held at the Bull Shields’ residence on Monday, September 30 at 11:00 am. The interment will follow in the Bull Shields Family Cemetery.