Gary Bad Warrior Sr., 75, of Eagle Butte, passed away Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were February 13, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial was in St. James Episcopal Cemetery at Bear Creek.
Gary was born on May 22, 1948, at Cheyenne River Agency to Oscar Bad Warrior and Maethel Butcher. He comes from the Elk Head and Crazy Horse Tiospayes. His Lakota name was “Sungila Sapa” Black Fox.
Gary was baptized on August 15, 1948, at St. James Church in Bear Creek Community. He grew up in Bear Creek and went to Bear Creek Day School until 1959. Gary was promoted to 9th grade on May 22, 1963.
During his high school years, he was involved in basketball and softball. He graduated from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School on May 25, 1967. After high school, Gary enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and was deployed to Vietnam. After Vietnam, he moved back to Eagle Butte, where he worked as a cook at the C-EB Cafeteria, and as a janitor and a maintenance worker at the CR Housing Authority.
His favorite hobby was working on vehicles, and he loved playing softball with his brothers, family, friends, and children. He was a self -taught mechanic In his later years, he enjoyed watching and coaching
May 22, 1948— February 3, 2024
softball. He had several softball teams named Gary’s Team and Zuya Sica.
He met the late Rita Yellow Lodge and to this union, Milton, Mike, and Myron were born. He met Delilah Charger and to this union, twins Terry and Gary and Robin were born. He met the late Pauline Eagle Chasing and to this union, Jody, Jackie, Jayme, Jerylin, Jovanna, and Joni were born. He met the late Mary Louise Horn and to this union, Jocelyn, Wade and Chad were born. He met Melissa Curley and to this union, Troylynn, Tori and Randi were born.
Gary’s health started failing. He received his first kidney transplant from a donor in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, that kidney failed. Therefore, on February 14, 1997, he was gifted a kidney from his son, Gary Bad Warrior, Jr.
Gary will be remembered for his genuine friendship and charming personality. He will be remembered as a loving brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and relative that would check in with everyone.
Gary will be greatly missed by his surviving children: Terry Bad Warrior and Gary Bad Warrior of Eagle Butte; Robin (Leon) Bad Warrior of McLaughlin; Jody Bad Warrior of Eagle Butte; Jackie (Donovan) Hart of Scottsdale, AZ; Jayme (Marlene) Bad Warrior of Albuquerque, NM; Jerylin Bad Warrior of Eagle Butte; Joni Bad Warrior of Sioux Falls; Jocelyn Bad Warrior, Wade Bad Warrior, Troylynn Curley, and Tori (Alex) Chasing Hawk, all of Eagle Butte; and Randi Curley of Sioux Falls; hunka daughter, Laura Red Fox of Sioux Falls; hunka granddaughter, Genevieve Iron Lightning of Eagle Butte; siblings: Dewey (Pat), Steve (Tisha), Wanda (Neil), Philomine (Mark), Judy and Christina; hunka brother, Calvin Edwards; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother; children: Milton, Michael, Myron, Chad, and Jovanna; hunka daughter, Paula Red Bird; siblings, Toni Peterson and Louie High Elk Butcher; grandchildren: Jeri Lynn Bad Warrior, Sarah Eagle Horse and Ronni Big Back; nieces and nephews; and longtime friend, Thomas “Moose” Sand.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.