Raymond "Ray Buck" A. Lenoir

Raymond “Ray Buck” A. Lenoir, age 76, of Ardoch, North Dakota, died December 3, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family at home.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Raymond Anthony Lenoir was born July 13, 1949, in Belcourt, North Dakota, to Francis and Delphine (Azure) Lenoir. He graduated from Belcourt Day School on May 24, 1964. On January 17, 1970, Ray Buck was inducted into the United States Army after his parents’ approval. He went to Texas for Basic Training and lived in Germany from 1970 to 1972. He was honorably discharged on January 7, 1972. Raymond was united in marriage to Linda Marie Azure on February 4, 1973; they later divorced.

Ray Buck was known for his bossy but also youthful and mischievous spirit, and had unconditional love and pride for his family. He loved seeing his family grow and looked forward to the tradition of taking a photo with each new addition to the family. Ray Buck enjoyed teaching his children and especially took pride in teaching each of his children how to drive a car, and instilled hard work.

Grandpa Ray Buck enjoyed taking care of his grandchildren in their younger elementary years. It was fun for the city grandchildren to go hang out with him during the summer on the reservation. It was then they learned how to drive the “Brown Jug,” shoot guns, bow and arrows, trap leeches, count the ticks, and play smuts. Their grandpa had the biggest, widest thumb on the reservation, but it didn’t stop them from trying to take a good match on with him. When his great-grandchildren came along, his teaching skills were still sharp as ever. You could catch his great-grandchildren speeding through Ardoch in his electric wheelchair or the rigged-up riding lawn mower that towed a small trailer and love seat behind it. He loved to get ATVs and motorcycles just to watch them go up and down the dirt roads, leaving trails of dust. They have stories and memories to last their lifetime.

Ray Buck is survived by his children, Marlin Troy Sr. (Heather) Lenoir of Grand Forks, ND, Trina Lee (Jeff) Morin of Belcourt, ND, Miranda Rae (Jimmy Burnett) Lenoir of Fargo, ND, Miranda Victoria (Joe) Patnaude of Grand Forks, ND, Dustin (Desiree) Grunewald of Cottonwood, MN, and Brandon James Lenoir of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Lakeesha Morin, Marlin Troy Jr. Lenoir, Skyler Poitra, Devon Morin, Megan (Rocky) Demery, Micaelyn Lenoir, Mikena Lenoir, Alex Patnaude, JoZetta, Jolyn, and Stacy Bruce, Jimmy Jo and Jamie Jo Burnett, Colin Lerum, McKenzy and Myha Grunewald, Theodore Tollefson; great-grandchildren, Xavier, Xannon, Frankie, and Charlee Lenoir, Jayde and Teairra Demery, Connor and Hank Cree, Shaleigha Phelps, Anthony DeCoteau, Caliann and Cali Morin; siblings, Leo Lenoir and Jean “Cook” Allery; special friends, Linda Azure and June Boyer; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Delphine; grandchildren, Jeffrey Morin Jr., Matthew Lenoir, Joseph Bruce Jr., Marlin Troy Lenoir III; siblings, Joseph, Louis, Marlin Troy, Roger, Bob, Dominic “Doc”, Daniel “Hot Dog” Lenoir, Bernadette “Bunny” Van, and Carol Bahl; and special friend, Sue Buck.