Eldred Red Fox

Eldred Jay Red Fox “Sa Gla Cikala”, 43, of Rapid City and formerly of Eagle Butte, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Rapid City.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. MDT, Friday, July 27, at the Cultural Center, Eagle Butte. Burial followed at the LDS Cemetery, Cherry Creek.  All night wake services began at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 26, 2012 at the Cultural Center with a procession forming at the four mile at 5:00 pm.

Eldred Jay Red Fox was born August 15, 1968 to Beatrice Red Fox and Vincent White Eagle in Eagle Butte, SD.  Jay lived most of his life in Eagle Butte until enrolling in the LDS Placement Program in Idaho during the 1980’s.  Jay was first placed in the LDS Placement Program while living with foster parents, Wayne & Georgia Oberhansley of Ashton, Idaho.  Jay blessed the home of Georgia and Wayne at the age of 11. He joined their two youngest boys, Eric and Craig and the grown brothers and sisters: LaDawn, Dennis, Garth, Gary, Steve and Ina. He was very quiet at first but settled in quickly as one of the family. He loved to follow Wayne around to help him with whatever he was doing. But he also spent lots of time in the kitchen watching Georgia cook and just talking about many things. Later, his younger brother Murray, became part of the family and that made four young boys for them to raise when they were already in their 50’s. Their oldest grandson, Corbet, was also the same age, so he spent most of his time with them as well, making it five boys who were always finding all kinds of things to do. This was one of the happiest times for Wayne and Georgia. Even though they were not young, they enjoyed following the athletes, teaching the boys waterskiing and the various school activities and dances. For one of the proms Wayne’s mom, Grandma Clarice, was pleased to remodel the neck of Jay’s dress shirt. His neck was always too thick for the shirts that would fit his small waist.

Jay was a handsome boy and all the girls enjoyed his company. He was always at the center of the cool guys and was very popular amongst his classmates. Throughout Jay’s high school years he was active in sports.  Jay’s favorite sports were wrestling and football where he qualified for State in both sports all four years of high school.  He was an exceptional football player, a fast runner and a mean tackler.  He was chosen as one of the all conference running backs. 

Jay and Craig formed an exceptionally close relationship.  They were not just brothers they were soul mates and loved each other very much. They spent the summer moving pipe for one of the Ashton farmers from Howell.  They both had motorcycles that they rode to work.  They put thousands of miles on those bikes working and playing. Jay also worked for Tim Howell Farms all four years of high school.     

Corbet, Craig and Jay were fearless in their adventures.  In the winter they would go up on the hillside overlooking the house and then down the hill into the borrow pit flying straight up into the air with arms and legs going in all directions and then disappearing down again.  It was a miracle that they didn’t break their necks. 

Bonfires in the back yard were a favorite pastime, along with exploring the hillsides, camping and horseback riding at the sand dunes and water skiing at rattlesnake dam.  Jay enjoyed being an outdoors man.  Everything Jay did, he did well.

While in North Fremont High School Jay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he was a deacon, teacher and was ordained a priest, by his foster father Wayne Oberhansley, performing duties such as passing and blessing the sacraments and doing baptisms at the Idaho Falls Temple. 

He left a strong impression on many people in Ashton. Friends, family, classmates, teachers, and employers Tom & Karla Howell were so sad to hear of his passing.  All kids could say was “We just really loved him.”  That’s the same thing many others are saying including his 6^th grade teacher Mrs. Richards, she laughed and said that class just about did her in.  They were so full of life and wanted to be so grown up. We think they were following Jay’s lead. They talked her into having a fancy Valentine’s dance with cool lighting and cool clothes.  But, she said when it was time to open their Valentines and treats they all turned back into little kids again.  

After returning home Jay met and married Dody Black Moon in 1992, to this union four children were born: Jaylynn, Matthew, Miranda and Dillon.  Jay also had three step children with Dody: Kyle, Tiffany and Wilson Red Water. He loved his children and step-children.  Later, Jay met a special companion, Stephanie Hollow. They had no children together, but Jay took in Stephanie’s kids: Kayla Hollow, Kiana Daniels, Julian Bruguier, and raised them as his own. 

Jay loved life and enjoyed his family and friends. He always had a smile on his face. Jay was also well known for being the family mechanic, and Jay’s family thought of him as a Jack of all trades. 

We all missed Jay when he moved away. He came back on a few occasions; the last time was for Wayne’s funeral. Wayne knew he was going to die from his illness, so he ordered his own headstone, drawing what he wanted it to look like and then placing his children’s names on the back, including Jay and Murray.  Murray, you need to know that Wayne and Georgia loved you and Jay more than you will understand and that special love will be for always. 

Jay is survived by his kids: Jaylynn Red Fox of Rapid City, Matthew Red Fox of Pierre, Miranda and Dillon Red Fox Waggoner of  Shelly, ID; mother, Beatrice Red Fox of Eagle Butte, foster mother, Georgia Oberhansley of Ashton, ID; brothers: Loren Anderson of Salt Lake City, UT, Mark (Stacy) Red Fox of Las Vegas, NV,  Murray (Delphine) Red Fox of Eagle Butte; sisters: Rilla Noisy Hawk of Eagle Butte, Clarice (Mark) Lara of Rapid City, Patricia (Lloyd) Red Fox, MaryAnn Red Fox, CeCe Beaumister all of Eagle Butte; foster brothers and sister;   LaDawn, Dennis, Garth, Gary,  Steve, Ina, Craig & Eric Oberhansley;  special aunts: Sharon White Eagle, Delphine Red Fox and Vivian Traversie all of Eagle Butte; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandkids.

Jay was preceded in death by his brother, Merle Kermit Phillips;  father, Vincent White Eagle; stepfather, Elmer Traversie; uncles, Harry Red Fox and Steve Red Fox;  grandparents: Lawrence (Lala Grover)  and Laura (Fast Horse) Red Fox, Charles and Ella (Pretty Bear) White Eagle, Pete and Blanche Bowker-Fast Horse; and foster dad, Wayne Oberhansley. 

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Jay’s arrangements.