BROWNING — Beloved community member and famed sculptor Jay Polite Laber passed away earlier this week, but his artistic legacy will live on.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years Natalie Nelson and siblings Frank (Lisa) Laber and Annie (Frank) Gallagher.
Laber was born on the Blackfeet Reservation and attended Salish Kootenai College in Pablo.
The sculptures Laber made were old automobile parts he transformed into statues that now welcome visitors at the North, West, South, and East entrances on the Blackfeet Reservation.
Jackie Parsons, Jay’s cousin, believes the statues were guarding the reservation. “Guarding people, like guardian angels or something."
A Celebration of Life will be held at Foster Funeral Home at a later date to be announced.
