East Lee

East LeRoy Robert Lee, 19, of Bear Creek, was called unexpectedly to be home with the Lord on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the tender age of 19 in Eagle Butte at Brueschke Lake near Eagle Butte, SD.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., MDT, Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Eagle Butte School Auditorium, with Sister Addie Morris presiding. Burial was held in the Dog Eagle Family Cemetery, Bear Creek. An all night wake service began 7:00 p.m., MDT, Thursday, October 29, at the Old Agency Building with a procession from the 4 mile corner at 4:00 p.m. His Lala Jeff Turning Heart Sr. will be escorting him in.

East “Easta Bear” LeRoy Robert Lee was born on December 16, 1995 in Eagle Butte, SD. His proud parents are Sherri Turning Heart & Steve Lee. He grew up around Bear Creek and at his Grandma Gina’s north of Bear Creek, SD.

East attended school at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte until 8^th grade. He then transferred to Takini and onto Little Wound High School during his freshman year. He graduated from C-EB in 2015 but was honored to be a part of the 2014 class (his close friends know why), his friends made it possible for him to get through his most difficult times. Shai Bagola, Kimmie LeCompte, Erynn Bree Ducheneaux, Shanee Ward, Ty’Leigha Takes the Knife, Cray Allen, Seven Annis and Wyatt Knight played a huge role in showing him there is hope and keeping his head held high. The list could go on and on, Wendell Phillips and Tracy Lawrence made him see his talent and how to use it, he bumped heads with a few other coaches and had stories that made you laugh but his mom always reminded him “it’s to help you”.

East was a born athlete. He was in boxing from 3^rd grade through 5^th grade, where he made it to the Golden gloves championship under the direction of Kory Annis and Joe Brings Plenty Sr. He played Jr. High Football and ran cross country for the Takini School. He played basketball from 3^rd grade until his senior year. He traveled with Ed Norris Sr. and the Hoksila Sica traveling team participating in various tournaments gaining brotherhood bonds. He also participated in the Queen City Classic tournaments with Tom Allen (Cray’s lala). During his Sr. year East was part of a team that are considered brothers to him they are known as the C-EB Braves Boys basketball 2013/2014 State “A” Team. His love for them and the game was his highlight, always talking and sharing his stories, arguments and victories.

East was blessed with his son Kobi Karter Lee on June 24^th, 2013 who was born in Rosebud, South Dakota, with Charlee Witt. Kobi was his pride and joy. East had no greater pleasure than spending quality time with his son. To East there was nothing that he wouldn’t or couldn’t do for Kobi. His baby boy was precious in his eyes and he captured his father’s heart the day he entered this world.

East loved to travel with his dad Steve to big cities and had recently planned to locate to the state of Washington. He enjoyed going to Maka Luta with his dad Steve in Manderson and helping where he could with all his “other family” as he always said. He was loved by many from the Pine Ridge Reservation and enjoyed his time with them.

East had the opportunity to gain a relationship with Heath Ducheneaux and all his extended Ducheneaux family. They loved him from the day they met him and welcomed him with open arms, for that he was humbled by how much he affected all their lives. His Aunt Lisa Maynard was known to him as “my mean auntie” she was always making sure he was in school or would not give him a break. Thank you Lisa, he did it!!

From the time East was born, East was blessed with numerous family who cared for him. His number one supporter was his Grandma Gina. He could be the naughtiest of them all but still her ANGEL. East became known as his Lala Stuart’s pride and joy. East was known for his genuine smile and it was a smile he had for all. His smile and ability to make one laugh was contagious. He was full of compassion and his heartfelt generosity proceeded him. His little brother Nevyn Mendoza admired and looked up to him. Nevyn learned of his big brother’s techniques of the game of basketball. Both Nevyn and East were adamant Lakers fans mainly because of Kobe Bryant. Because of his love for the Lakers it can be said that his favorite colors were Purple and Gold. East always encouraged and supported his little brother Nevyn and at every opportunity would voice his love for him. East had parents that never turned him away who were always there to pick him up. His love for his mom was noticeable, the love for his “sisters” was not denied.

All of those (family and friends) that had known East had a different name for him. He was affectionately known as “E-Bear”, “E-Mato”, “E-Puppy”, and “Easter Bunny”. His newest and latest nickname was “Eastern Sky”.

Before his Great Grandma Gina passed in June 2015, East along with his brothers and sisters accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior at her bedside. East will be deeply missed by all who were affected by his smile, love, and wittiness. He is now rejoicing in Heaven. Although we will miss him every day along with his dazzling smile, with his passing we remind others that his life is to be celebrated. And one day we will see him again and until that day, he will forever remain in our hearts and thoughts. Those who have been blessed to share his life are his mother, Sherri Turning Heart (Cameron Dolphus), Bear Creek, SD and father, Steven Lee of Eagle Butte, SD; other parents: Heath & Tawa Ducheneaux, Kyle, SD, Arlys & Dale Bagola, Bear Creek, SD, Jack & Shannon Heideman, and D’Ann LeBeau and Duane West of Eagle Butte, SD; precious son, Kobi Karter Lee, Eagle Butte, SD; brothers: Nevyn Mendoza of Tahola, Washington, Okicize Lee, Sonny Ducheneaux, Brent Bagola, Noah Kennedy and Bryant Heideman, sisters: Dreyann Lee, Shai Bagola, Traci Bagola, Sunni Bagola, Erin Bagola, Kayla Turning Heart and Tsenesa Ducheneaux; uncles: Casper Ducheneaux, Samuel LeBeau Sr., Nick Woods and Clement White Dog Jr.; loving aunts: Amy Lee and Chante Lee; grandparents: Ina Rae LeBeau, and Stuart Turning Heart; special grandparents: Kracy Dog Eagle, June Trivdik, Theresa Ducheneaux, Pam and Rocke Afraid of Hawk; and many numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Our blessed East was proceeded in death by his great grandmother, Gladys Turning Heart; great grandma and grandpa, Aaron Turning Heart and Gladys Turning Heart; aunt, Sherri L. Shepherd; Sullivan and Lillian (Shaving) LeBeau, Robert Lee and Diane Shot At, Harold (Peaches) and Velma (Walters) Lee and Lyle C. Ducheneaux.

Do not feel as though we left close family, friends or extended relatives out, for East considered everyone family. He had eight large families that he came from, and he loved each and every one.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with East’s arrangement.