Iitsooaantskii

(Singing in the Water)

March 16, 2001 – April 20, 2026

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

 

On March 16, 2001, at 10:44 pm a beautiful soul was born and captivated all our hearts

Hunter (or Mason whom family knew him as) came into this world at the Cardston Hospital with all his aunties and his loving grandmother Linda & sister Leslie eagerly awaiting his arrival.

He was a beautiful baby boy with his light brown hair with blonde tips and his beautiful blue green eyes which then eventually turned into our brown eyed handsome baby boy.

Hunter was the love of his mom Maria and dad Bruce’s lives along with this his older brother and sister Dustin and Leslie. He created so much joy and laughter in the household, but was also extremely mischievous and tormented his sister, brothers and younger aunties with endless antics. His parents spoiled him immensely; and had everything he wanted. He bought his first truck at 17 years old and cherished that blue ford.

Hunter was raised to attend the Horn Society Sundance and the Sundance at Joe Eagle Tail Feathers, this is where he made lasting friendships with people that attended the Sundance. It was also here where he received his name Singing in the Water from his Grandfather Oliver Shouting. His name came from the time Oliver was invited to Hawaii to announce there, and while there Oliver went to the vast ocean and sang. Hunter was proud of his name because it had such a special meaning to his Grandfather Oliver. He always cherished the families he made there, Lydia & older sister Mackenzie First Rider and Joyce & Guy Mountain Horse & their family. He had so much love and respect for this way of life

Hunter loved playing football, first for the Lethbridge Bulldogs while attending Our Lady of Assumption Elementary School, he then attended St Francis and Catholic Central High School and played with the CCH Cougars. But his football days started sooner then anyone thought. It all began for him when his older brother Dustin was playing for the CCH Cougars and Hunter was just a tiny little guy who would put on his Calgary Stampeders jersey with his hockey pads and he’d grab his football and run up and down the sidelines as if he was playing in the game. Hunter loved his older brother Dustin immensely and always strived to be just like him.

Hunter than started his short rodeo career by riding steers and Jr bulls. He followed the Junior Rodeo trail and rode with so much excitement. He was proud to have followed in both his grandpa’s foot steps. He loved to hear stories of his grandpas Tyrone ES and Jim SBS rodeo days with Tyrone riding bareback and Jim riding bulls. He especially loved to hear stories of his Grandpa Tyrone who owned his own business Ty’s Custom Leathers, he made chaps, saddles and tack for some of the all-time greats like Lane Frost, Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert. Hunter said this was his (almost) claim to fame.

Hunter was intrigued with the MMA sport, so he signed up and joined the Canadian Martial Arts Centre gym in Lethbridge. He enjoyed training and learning the techniques under Lee Mein & staff whom he considered a friend and kept in contact with after he moved to Calgary, he then joined a couple of other gyms there.

As a small child, Hunter and his dads all time favourite thing to do was to watch war movies. Their favourite movie was We were Soldiers and would watch it endlessly; Hunter would imitate the movie through out the house with his toy guns. This is where he became intrigued by war and took it upon himself to study the World War’s. He could tell you where and why these wars happened and enjoyed holding extensive conversations about this topic.

Hunters’ employment journey began just before he started his family. He was a hard worker and was so proud to be able to help his mom with some of the household expenses. His first job, he was hired as a labourer and worked with his friend Trace Bruised Head and his father Tommy Healy. He learned a lot of his work ethics from them, they were a positive influence in his life. When he had to leave this job due to relocating to Calgary, he valued their friendships and took their work ethics with him. He than worked with CBI and PCL Solar Companies. This work took him & his brother Dustin to different job sites, they then completed their job with CBI Solar at Oyen AB, by always working together Hunter and Dustin’s bond became even stronger. They enjoyed working together immensely and wouldn’t have had it any other way. Hunter’s last employment was at the Tsuu’tina Gas Stop in Calgary, it was here where he worked with his sister, he enjoyed working there and meeting new people.

Hunter met the love of his life Kora when they were 16 yrs old. They always supported each other & encouraged one another in everything they chose to do. He was always so proud of Kora and was her biggest cheerleader when she played Rugby. They started their family when their handsome baby boy was born Saint Conor Tyrone. Hunter always said he was the best thing to happen to him & Kora, he was so in love with his baby and was the best dad a boy could have. As a family they did everything together and were always on adventures together especially going on their camping trips. They made so many precious memories together. Hunter loved to play with his baby and made sure he always had the things he needed and wanted, their all-time favourite thing to do was to play on their x-box’s, wrestling and to watch the latest movies. Saint will always have those memories of his dad and the special bond they shared in their short lives.

Hunter is survived by his best friend and wife Kora L.S and their beautiful baby boy Saint Conor Tyrone. His mother Maria whom he always had a very special bond with, his only sister Leslie (Anthony) Keirra & Kingston (who was always there for her baby brother), and his older brother Dustin (Tasha) Treyton & Taizlynn (who will miss him & love him always) Grandfather Jim Aunties Beulah (Colin), Lurlene, Malina (Dwayne) Uncle/God Father Malcolm (Carla), adopted Uncle Garrett &  Cousins Teslynn (Dallas) Dennis (Harley) Trez & CJ Azailia Duran, Ethan, Brody (Rhiannon) Annabelle, Nash & Layla, Brendan, Manny & Girly, Cobe, Rosie & Kennedy, and his father in-law Corey, Sister In-law Joan along with our family pets Teddy Bear, Chase & Coco.

Oka family: Brothers Tyson, Dakota, Bruce, Trent & Austin, Aunties Corinia (Marvin) Marie, Jolene & Samantha, Uncles Jon (Joni), Keith and his cousins

Hunter was predeceased by his dad Oliver Bruce Oka his Grandmothers Linda SBS, Esther (Keith) RATD Grandfathers Tyrone ES and Oliver (Ann) S Great Grandparents Iimitsiimakii & Anoota, Aunty Denise ES and his Cousin Linda Simone ES and his precious niece Julieta MH and our first pet Oscar whom he had a special bond with.

Relatives: too numerous to mention

We’ll miss his amazing beautiful handsome smile along with his big hugs and I LOVE YOU’S.

The family apologizes to everyone who we may have missed during this difficult time.

A Wake will be held at Jim Shot Both Sides Residence, Blood Reserve, AB, on Monday, April 27, 2026 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve, AB, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Jose Bustalino celebrating.

Following the Funeral Mass, Hunter will be laid to rest in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2026-04-20
• Location : Alberta