Matthew Cody Lee Wells – Piitaspiita (Eagle Standing Tall)
March 18, 1984 – July 8, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Cody Lee Wells – Piitaspiita (Eagle Standing Tall), age 39, devoted son, father, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many on July 8, 2023 after a lengthy illness suffering from a heart attack.
Cody was the oldest and devoted son of Donna Wells Oka and the late Matthew Wells. He loved and cherished his children: Suraye Blackwater, Lattrell and Luke Wells; his grandma Harriet Wells, adopted parents Rusty and Philomena Melting Tallow; his siblings: Bradford Red Crow, Rosanna Big Plume, Tiffany, Tamara (Brad) Day chief, Tashina (Trinity) Wells; his nephews Skye, Dustin, July, Treycen, Shea, Shane, Dason, Conan, Bexley, Rowan, Baylen, Kylo; his nieces: Jasmine, Chole, Sienna, Esperanza(Chipper), Sykora, Zoey, Kayzlee, Kristian, and Melissa and special niece baby Skyla Day Chief; his uncles: Glen (Joy) Oka, Andrew (Evelyn) Wells, Robert Wells, Melvin (Margaret) Wells, Clifford (Judy) Wells, Marvin Many Chiefs, Ray (Veronica) Brewer, John and Sheldon Brewer, Warren (Kathy) Twigg, Billy Creighton, and Kurtis (Lorraine) Iron Shirt; his aunties: Rita and Vera Oka, Audrey Tallow. Delphine (John) Pipestem, Edith, Laverne, Joan, Roberta, Debbie, and Bobbie Wells, Tammy, Natalie, Kim Dikki, Natalie and Charlene (Tim) Creighton, Verna (Ivan) Many Fingers, Nora Brewer, Tanya (Myron) Eagle Speaker, Kathy Goodstriker and Shelly Iron Shirt. Cody is also survived by his many friends.
Cody was born in Cardston on March 18, 1984. He received his education at St. Mary’s School and St. Francis Junior High School in Lethbridge. He married his beautiful wife Lesley on July 30, 2011 and was employed in various capacities for the Blood Tribe. Cody was an exceptional and talented athlete in his younger days, participating in hockey, basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. He loved the thrill of winning and challenging himself to play better in the event of a loss. From 1997 to 1999 Cody played with the Cardston hockey team. He was a skilled and avid handgame player travelling and competing in many tournaments. He gained popularity as a good pointer during open games and played as often as he could. In 2004, Cody made the ultimate sacrifice and momentous decision to participate in the piercing sundance under the leadership and guidance of the late Morris Crow. His commitment to dancing for 4 years brought deep respect and he gained a new perspective of the sacredness and spirituality of sundancing. He was always so honored to have been adopted by Rusty and Philomena Melting Tallow as their son and strived to carry out the teachings of his holy adopted parents, his holy grandfathers and grandmothers, elders and his parents. He will be remembered for his kindness and thoughtfulness and offering a helping hand to anyone who needed help. He always had a smile for everyone, and had so much good energy regardless of the pain and suffering he endured.
On his spiritual journey home, Cody will be reunited with his daughter Annie Rose, his dad Matthew Wells, paternal grandpa (John) Jiggs Creighton, Maternal grandparents. Rose Oka, Patrick Brewer, his great grandparents: Wallace and Josephine Oka, Ben and Annie Brewer; his great grandma Helen Tallow Cochrane; Aunties Jackie Red Crow, Beauty Wells, and Sharon Creighton Tammy Many Fingers; his uncles: Arnold Wells, Henry, Alroy, and Brian Creighton, and Henry M “Little Joe” Wells.
Family and friends are invited to a Candle Light Vigil for Cody at Cardston Hospital on Saturday, July 15 at 5:30 pm. A Wake Service will be held at Tanner Senior Centre, Cardston on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:00 am. Interment to take place at Blood Band Cemetery.
March 18, 1984 – July 8, 2023
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Matthew Cody Lee Wells – Piitaspiita (Eagle Standing Tall), age 39, devoted son, father, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many on July 8, 2023 after a lengthy illness suffering from a heart attack.
Cody was the oldest and devoted son of Donna Wells Oka and the late Matthew Wells. He loved and cherished his children: Suraye Blackwater, Lattrell and Luke Wells; his grandma Harriet Wells, adopted parents Rusty and Philomena Melting Tallow; his siblings: Bradford Red Crow, Rosanna Big Plume, Tiffany, Tamara (Brad) Day chief, Tashina (Trinity) Wells; his nephews Skye, Dustin, July, Treycen, Shea, Shane, Dason, Conan, Bexley, Rowan, Baylen, Kylo; his nieces: Jasmine, Chole, Sienna, Esperanza(Chipper), Sykora, Zoey, Kayzlee, Kristian, and Melissa and special niece baby Skyla Day Chief; his uncles: Glen (Joy) Oka, Andrew (Evelyn) Wells, Robert Wells, Melvin (Margaret) Wells, Clifford (Judy) Wells, Marvin Many Chiefs, Ray (Veronica) Brewer, John and Sheldon Brewer, Warren (Kathy) Twigg, Billy Creighton, and Kurtis (Lorraine) Iron Shirt; his aunties: Rita and Vera Oka, Audrey Tallow. Delphine (John) Pipestem, Edith, Laverne, Joan, Roberta, Debbie, and Bobbie Wells, Tammy, Natalie, Kim Dikki, Natalie and Charlene (Tim) Creighton, Verna (Ivan) Many Fingers, Nora Brewer, Tanya (Myron) Eagle Speaker, Kathy Goodstriker and Shelly Iron Shirt. Cody is also survived by his many friends.
Cody was born in Cardston on March 18, 1984. He received his education at St. Mary’s School and St. Francis Junior High School in Lethbridge. He married his beautiful wife Lesley on July 30, 2011 and was employed in various capacities for the Blood Tribe. Cody was an exceptional and talented athlete in his younger days, participating in hockey, basketball, football, baseball, and soccer. He loved the thrill of winning and challenging himself to play better in the event of a loss. From 1997 to 1999 Cody played with the Cardston hockey team. He was a skilled and avid handgame player travelling and competing in many tournaments. He gained popularity as a good pointer during open games and played as often as he could. In 2004, Cody made the ultimate sacrifice and momentous decision to participate in the piercing sundance under the leadership and guidance of the late Morris Crow. His commitment to dancing for 4 years brought deep respect and he gained a new perspective of the sacredness and spirituality of sundancing. He was always so honored to have been adopted by Rusty and Philomena Melting Tallow as their son and strived to carry out the teachings of his holy adopted parents, his holy grandfathers and grandmothers, elders and his parents. He will be remembered for his kindness and thoughtfulness and offering a helping hand to anyone who needed help. He always had a smile for everyone, and had so much good energy regardless of the pain and suffering he endured.
On his spiritual journey home, Cody will be reunited with his daughter Annie Rose, his dad Matthew Wells, paternal grandpa (John) Jiggs Creighton, Maternal grandparents. Rose Oka, Patrick Brewer, his great grandparents: Wallace and Josephine Oka, Ben and Annie Brewer; his great grandma Helen Tallow Cochrane; Aunties Jackie Red Crow, Beauty Wells, and Sharon Creighton Tammy Many Fingers; his uncles: Arnold Wells, Henry, Alroy, and Brian Creighton, and Henry M “Little Joe” Wells.
Family and friends are invited to a Candle Light Vigil for Cody at Cardston Hospital on Saturday, July 15 at 5:30 pm. A Wake Service will be held at Tanner Senior Centre, Cardston on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Blood Reserve on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:00 am. Interment to take place at Blood Band Cemetery.