Chris Black Bird
July 26, 1959 ~ February 6, 2008
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Cante Wasaka “Strong Heart”
Christian Clarence Black Bird Jr. better known to relatives and friends as “Rocky,” entered the spirit world on February 6, 2008 at McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Chris was born to Christian Black Bird Sr. and Bella Meeter Black Bird White Eyes on July 26, 1959 at PHS at the Old Agency.
Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the HV Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. Burial was in the Blackfoot Episcopal Ascension Cemetery under the direction of Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte. An all night wake service was held at 6:00p.m., Monday evening.
Chris was raised in the Blackfoot community area during his growing up years he traveled and lived in various places with his family including Nebraska, Minnesota, California and South Dakota.
Chris married Cheryl Four Bear and from this union Christian Black Bird III and Shannon Black Bird Begay were born.
Chris met Arlene in 1979 and they finally married July 1, 1994. There were three children born of this union: Ezra, Sara and Mariah. They made their home near Swiftbird, SD.
When he became a father he left school to go to work in Roscoe, SD for Wiedrick Construction. From 1982-1985 Chris was employed at the Pierre Indian Learning Center, from 1985-1988 at John Morrell’s in Sioux Falls, from 1989-1991 Chris attended Lake Area Vocational School for Building and Trades, from 1991-1997 he was employed at Dakota 2000 and Cheyenne River Housing Authority, 1998-2000 Chris owned and operated Black Bird Construction, 2000-2007 he was employed with Cheyenne River Indian Health Service where he retired on July 29, 2007 due to Leukemia.
Throughout his lifetime, Chris remained very athletic, acquiring many trophies, jackets and awards. Chris was an accomplished carpenter and sportsman while continuing to hold a SD Big Game Record for Typical Mule Deer since 1984.
Chris is survived by his wife, Arlene Black Bird of Swiftbird; two sons, Chris Black Bird III of Bismarck, ND and Ezra Black Bird of Minneapolis, MN; three daughters, Shannan Black Bird Begay of Pierre, SD; Sara Black Bird of Eagle Butte, SD and Mariah Black Bird of Swiftbird, SD; many grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by one brother, Ron (Mary) Black Bird of Eagle Butte, SD; two sisters: Alita Pfeifle of Woonsocket, SD and Ansonia Black Bird of Pierre, SD. One uncle Tim Swimmer, Mobridge, SD.
He was preceded in death by his father Christian Black Bird, Sr. and his mother Bella Meeter Black Bird White Eyes; one sister, Collette White Eyes; his paternal grandparents David Rattling Hail and Anne No Heart; his maternal grandparents Imogene Red Crow Swimmer and Alfred Kills the Enemy and step-father James Meeter, Sr.
Arrangements were entrusted to Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte.
Christian Clarence Black Bird Jr. better known to relatives and friends as “Rocky,” entered the spirit world on February 6, 2008 at McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Chris was born to Christian Black Bird Sr. and Bella Meeter Black Bird White Eyes on July 26, 1959 at PHS at the Old Agency.
Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the HV Johnston Cultural Center in Eagle Butte. Burial was in the Blackfoot Episcopal Ascension Cemetery under the direction of Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte. An all night wake service was held at 6:00p.m., Monday evening.
Chris was raised in the Blackfoot community area during his growing up years he traveled and lived in various places with his family including Nebraska, Minnesota, California and South Dakota.
Chris married Cheryl Four Bear and from this union Christian Black Bird III and Shannon Black Bird Begay were born.
Chris met Arlene in 1979 and they finally married July 1, 1994. There were three children born of this union: Ezra, Sara and Mariah. They made their home near Swiftbird, SD.
When he became a father he left school to go to work in Roscoe, SD for Wiedrick Construction. From 1982-1985 Chris was employed at the Pierre Indian Learning Center, from 1985-1988 at John Morrell’s in Sioux Falls, from 1989-1991 Chris attended Lake Area Vocational School for Building and Trades, from 1991-1997 he was employed at Dakota 2000 and Cheyenne River Housing Authority, 1998-2000 Chris owned and operated Black Bird Construction, 2000-2007 he was employed with Cheyenne River Indian Health Service where he retired on July 29, 2007 due to Leukemia.
Throughout his lifetime, Chris remained very athletic, acquiring many trophies, jackets and awards. Chris was an accomplished carpenter and sportsman while continuing to hold a SD Big Game Record for Typical Mule Deer since 1984.
Chris is survived by his wife, Arlene Black Bird of Swiftbird; two sons, Chris Black Bird III of Bismarck, ND and Ezra Black Bird of Minneapolis, MN; three daughters, Shannan Black Bird Begay of Pierre, SD; Sara Black Bird of Eagle Butte, SD and Mariah Black Bird of Swiftbird, SD; many grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins. He is also survived by one brother, Ron (Mary) Black Bird of Eagle Butte, SD; two sisters: Alita Pfeifle of Woonsocket, SD and Ansonia Black Bird of Pierre, SD. One uncle Tim Swimmer, Mobridge, SD.
He was preceded in death by his father Christian Black Bird, Sr. and his mother Bella Meeter Black Bird White Eyes; one sister, Collette White Eyes; his paternal grandparents David Rattling Hail and Anne No Heart; his maternal grandparents Imogene Red Crow Swimmer and Alfred Kills the Enemy and step-father James Meeter, Sr.
Arrangements were entrusted to Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte.
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Arlene & family,
I am so sorry to hear about Rocky. He will be greatly missed. I think of your family often and want you to know I am praying for you. Let God wrap his arms around you at this very difficult time. If there is anything we can do for you please yell. We love you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Arlene,Ezra,Sara and Mariah. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry to hear the loss of Rocky. He was one great guy.
You and family have always had a special place in our hearts.
Bill and Deanna