Deon Red Dog

Deon Red Dog, 55, of Eagle Butte, passed away Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., MST, Monday, February 26, 2018 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte, with Mother Margaret Watson presiding. Burial followed at Red Dog Cemetery, On The Tree. An all-night wake began at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 25, 2018 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte, with a procession from the 4-mile at 4:00 p.m.

Deon Wayne Red Dog was born on October 2, 1962 to Leo and Ruby (Blue Coat) Red Dog in Eagle Butte, SD. He attended Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Schools, then attended United Tribes in Bismarck, ND. In 1983, Deon met LouAnn Lee and they had a son, Austin Lee Red Dog. In 1991 he met Ethelene (Rose) Curley and they married. To this union, Jessie Ellen, Klair Scott and Kyler Dayton Wayne were born, he took in Duane Shawn and Jacob Conroy and raised them as his sons.

He had various jobs that included working with Gary Rousseau in electrical, he also worked at CRST Property & Supply, CRST Telephone Authority, Cheyenne River Housing Authority, Floyd Clown Heating Co. His last job was as an Environmental Coordinator at CR Housing Authority, a program which he set up.

Also, while working fulltime, Deon started annual powwows, a youth center and a community neighborhood watch program while living in White Horse, SD. After moving back to Eagle Butte, he started the Old Agency Christmas Wacipi committee and became the heart and soul of that annual event, working tirelessly from start to finish to make it a success each year. He was very active in fundraising, whether it was running around selling raffle tickets, cooking for a lunch sale, or having family Bingo nights, he was always family and community oriented. He kept family and friends busy all the time, whether he was giving orders or taking directions, He always had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed going to powwows and singing at the drum, he loved rodeos and throwing darts. If he wasn’t rushing the kids to grand entry, he was rushing to get to a rodeo. He always had fun wherever he went, he enjoyed spending time with his many relatives and friends and always had a good time. One summer he decided to put up lights behind the house and made horseshoe pits where many late night games were held by friends and family. His home was open to everyone, he helped raise several kids, Mary Curley, Jonnelle Curley, Eileen Brown Wolf, D’Shaun Eagle Chasing, Jeryn Slader, Raymond Clown and Andrew Curley. They have a lot of love and respect for their “Uncle Deon.” Some days and weekends the house was full of kids, which he didn’t mind, as long as he knew they were fed and safe. He was very proud of every one of his kids and grandkids in all that they did. Deon sang with the Screaming Eagles and Itazipco Drum Groups, traveled around and met many of his powwow friends. He was a man with an honest handshake, a joke or two to make your day, and a serious side to accomplish his daily work. He was a humble man, although he was the top guy of the Christmas Wacipi, he never looked for glory or recognition, not once did he ask for public recognition at the yearly wacipi, instead, he would ask all volunteers to come out and he would request an honor song for them to thank them for their help and would have the announcer say, “This is for you because we are thankful.” Deon was very close to all his nieces, nephews and grandkids, he was a grill master, he loved to dance, especially the Mexican Hat Dance, and he loved to joke around. He was an important part of the annual Terry “Cub” Curley Memorial Softball Tourney also, he worked hard, from getting the fields ready to taking down loud speakers when it was all over til the next year.

Deon is survived by his children: Austin Red Dog, Duane (Alison) Curley, Jacob Red Foot, Jessie, Klair and Kyler Red Dog; grandchildren: Aleigh and Abby Red Dog, Devin, Adrianna and Mikol Curley, Kingsten Knight, Kobe and Thomas Red Foot, Leah Red Dog, and Aiden Ducheneaux; sisters: Sylvia (Jim) Picotte and Nancy (Justin) LeBeau; brothers: Leon and Gilbert Red Dog; aunts: Margie Clown and Rose Bad Hand; many nieces, nephews and grandchildren; a very special person in his life, Ethlene Rose Curley/Red Dog.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kermit Red Dog; grandchild, Baby Angel Red Dog; and nieces: Kaye Marie Red Dog, Myrna Butcher, and Jonnelle Rae Curley.

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