Sampson One Skunk
March 13, 1956 ~ February 5, 2025
Sampson One Skunk, Jr., 68, of Eagle Butte, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, February 15, 2025, at St. John''s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte, with a meal to follow. Burial of Sampson’s ashes will be in Frasier Memorial Cemetery, Red Scaffold, at a later date. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a service at 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 14, 2025, at the church.
Sampson One Skunk, Jr. was born on March 13, 1956, to Elizabeth (InAmongst) and Sampson One Skunk, Sr. in Faith, SD. He grew up in Bullhead, SD, with his mom and dad and sister, Linda. For elementary school, he went to Bullhead then St. Joseph’s for a year each, then grades 3rd-12th he attended McIntosh, where he graduated in 1974.
Sam went to school in San Jose, CA, then Haskell, KS. He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years as a top-notch jet mechanic. The Air Force flew him wherever his expertise was needed. Finished with his military service, Sam went to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM, where he graduated as a pressman.
He and Carmen were married in 1986 and he worked at Kwik Kopy Print Shop, in Albuquerque, NM from 1985 to 1993. Returning to South Dakota, he lived and worked in Philip, SD for 18 years at Ravellette’s Publishing as a pressman. Sam was a perfectionist as a pressman, no job left his printer and press until he was satisfied it was the best job possible. Retiring in 2014, he and his family moved to Eagle Butte, SD.
Sam enjoyed basketball, he played everywhere he was, with many good friends and exciting times. He was a traveler, always seeing new places. What he enjoyed most was socializing. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting, he’d laugh and talk, putting everyone at ease as he shared his good heart.
Grateful for having shared his life include his wife, Carmen (Whirlwind Horse); his children, Chuckie, Joseph, Rilee, and Jay; his sister, Linda and her sons, Charles, Richard, and Howard; his goddaughter, Ettie Mae Benoist; and a host of family of cousins, nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth (InAmongst) and Sampson One Skunk, Sr.; his cousin, Sarah; and his grandparents, Charles and Lucy InAmongst, and Peter and Josephine One Skunk.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Sampson’s arrangements.
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Deepest sympathy to you all at this time of sorrow. I worked with Sam for years at Ravellette Publications in Philip. He was always so kind, always smiling, a hardworking man who knew how to put ink on paper real well! He taught me a lot. Rest easy Sampson and may peace surround your family.
Sometimes a person comes into you life and you feel blessed that you were lucky enough to know them. That was Sam. This gentle giant of a man impacted my life more than he probably knew. Carmen and Joseph, I know he's watching over you still. Hugs and prayers.
Carmen and family, my sincere sympathy to you in the loss of Sampson. May he rest in peace.
Carmen and Joseph, we are saddened to hear of Sam's passing. He was always so friendly. Such a great guy! Our sympathy and prayers to you.
Dear Carmen, Joseph and family, so sorry for your loss of Sam. He was a very kind, gentle and soft spoken man with a warm smile. He was fun working with and I will cherish the many good memories and laughs working together. Sam was always willing to help you and taught me many things about printing. Sam loved his family. He will be missed.
Sonny and Betty
Sending my condolences to the family. Sam is the father of my oldest nephew, Charles(Chuck).
Sending my sincere condolences to Carmen and family. Sam had a heart of gold and was always so kind he will be missed, keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Carmen & family,
We were very saddened to learn of Sampson’s passing. He was such a kind person with a sneaky sense of humor! We are thinking of you all at this difficult time. Rest in peace, big man!
Sam, my friend, my brother, always think about you? wonder what your doing? wonder where you went? every year I go through Albuquerque and if meet or see a tribal member that lives in Albuquerque, I always ask them do you know Sam One Skunk? then I would describe you to them. I remember our fierce basketball games at SIPI, when you lived in Albuquerque, I always remember the last time we played we were playing a young team from SIPI, all Indian students, and mostly Oklahoma kids, they even had there own cheerleading squad, you called me at the last moment "Zig were short on basketball players! can you come and help out! I said I'll be right there!" we won! we beat those young kids, taught them a lesson! after the game, you came up to me and said "Glad you came Zig!" and shook my hand.
I always remembered that! as we aged, we went our separate ways, I still would ask people about you, what ever happened to Sam One Skunk? Hey! do you know, Sam One Skunk?
rest in peace my brother, think the world of you, my heart felt condolences to your family,
I shall burn tobacco for my brother tonite!
I am Bob(Kwik-Kopy) Rieth’s brother. I am sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. My brother died October 13, 2021. My sympathy to Carmen and all of Sam’s family.