Douglas Dupree Sr.

Douglas Dupree Sr., 72, of Iron Lightning passed away Friday, October 5, 2018.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MDT, Monday, October 15, 2018 at the Old Agency Building, Eagle Butte with Mother Margaret Watson presiding. Burial will follow at the <> D <> Family Cemetery, Iron Lightning. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, October 14, 2018 at the Old Agency Building with a procession from the 4-mile at 4:00 p.m.

Douglas Luther Dupree, Sr. was born December 26, 1945 at the Old Agency, SD to Wilmer and Cordelia (Iron Lightning) Dupris as the 3^rd oldest child of 10 children and one half-brother.

Doug started school at the Iron Lightning Day School and went there until the 6^th grade, he then attended and graduated in 1964 from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School. While in high school, Doug played basketball. Their team went to State in 1964. He was also a high-jumper, he held a record of 5’6” until his brother Kermit cam along and broke his record.

After high school, Doug attended the Sante Fe Art School with Austin Rave. While in school there, they worked several jobs and were in a movie called “The Rounders.” Doug listed in the service and got all the way to California before they found out he was deaf in one ear, which was the result of one of the many times the boys raced a crossed the flat by Grandma Amy and Lala Ed Clown’s place. Doug’s horse fell with him and he was paralyzed on his right side, he was not supposed to ride for six months. But being defiant of any rules or orders, he was back riding with in a few weeks.

In his early adult life, Doug went to Denver, CO in 1968 and stayed with the Brown & Ruby Shore family. He worked in the Denver area and then got a job at a “Dude Ranch” in Boulder, CO. He made a long-time friend, Ben Watkins from Minnesota. They came back to South Dakota and Ben stayed with the family for a while. In the early 70’s, Doug went to Tucson, AZ where his sister Barb and her two boys, Chip and Grant Hartfield lived. Doug showed up packing his “bronc saddle” and since it was rodeo season there, he took in a few rodeos, won a few buckles and lots of “mazaska”. He was Grant’s babysitter while he was there.

Doug started his own cattle business by buying out dad’s herd and in 1976 Doug sold his cattle herd to his sister Barb but continued to be the “bossman” in keeping the ranch going.

Doug met and married Eleanor Bad Male and from this marriage they had three sons: Dustin Lyle, Douglas Luther Jr., and Daniel Lee. They lived in Eagle Butte, Green Grass and eventually moved to Iron Lightning where he resided until his passing.

Doug worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in the property and supply department for many years. He was been the tribal election superintendent for the Iron Lightning community for many, many years. Just lately, within two weeks the community lost two of their election workers, first Kenny Curley and now Doug.

Doug lost his son, Doug Jr., this crippled him emotionally and spent many lonely days and nights mourning for his son, “his pride and joy”, we all shared this grief with him. After the death of his brother and sidekick, Austin Rave, as a true Lakota man, he stepped in to fill the role of dad and grandpa for Kim Rave and her children: Jacque, Hoss, Erin and their children.

Douglas was always supportive, proud, and hauled horses for the relay race at the Faith Stock Show, which became a family event. It started with Lil Doug, Baby Casey and Jayme Grant, then went on to Jenny, Lyn’dee, lil Dan, JC, Quentin, Marvin, Bennett, and many others. He was also very proud of his three sons who participated in the Wild Horse Race in Faith and Eagle Butte. He was an avid fan of his sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anyone that participated in a sport. During basketball season, he always had a full agenda.

Just like with his sons, Doug continued the tradition to his grandchildren and was their number one fan: Summer, Makenzie, Chloe, Tiauna, Dillon, Bowe, Dakota, Daesia, Drake, Dalis, and Daelyn.  Being the first-born grandchild, Tiauna Lane was quickly known as the “Golden Girl” amongst her uncles, as she helped with ranch chores before she could walk and could do no wrong in her grandparent’s eyes.  Doug attended numerous events for his grandchildren; his favorite was the athletic events, as you could ensure he would be at gyms attending volleyball and basketball games.  He was extremely proud when Dillon played his card at saddle broncs and was behind the chutes passing on his knowledge to Dillon. Doug’s great grandchildren, Teegan Douglas and Taya Adelle, quickly learned that Poppa Doug’s arms were always opened to them.  Doug took great pride in his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was at every birthday and family get together, giving his gift of time.  His gifts, especially his homemade cards and drawings, will be treasured by them all.

Doug had many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, other relatives and friends that he called up for ranch work after his brothers got older and his boys moved on with their own lives. His right hand “cow girls” were: Jenny “Bear”, Lyn’dee “Lou”, “Shady” Kati, “Shelly Belly” Lachelle, Erin “Bear”, and “Tijuana” Tiauna. His cowboys were: Lil Dan, Quentin, Dillion, Marvin, Drake, Elwyn, Baby Casey, Darin Tiger, CJ Miner, JoJo Lafferty, Jay Clark, and Kenny Curley. The big boys for branding horses: the Red Elk boys: Peyton, Chauncy & Bennett.

Doug is survived by his sons: Dusty (Robin) and their girls: Summer, Makenzie & Chloe; Dan (Tracy) and their children: Drake, Dalis, and Daelyn; Doug Jr’s children: Tiauna, Dillon, and Bowe; two great-grandchildren: Teegan and Taya (Tiauna’s) and one due to arrive in march (Summers); brothers: Kermit (Nancy), Fred, and Dana (Wynema); sisters: Barb, Carol (Tom) Knight, and Connie; hunka brothers: John Bachman and Stephen Smith; hunka sisters: Susie Payne and Crissey Smith; hunka daughters: Lyn’dee Hill, Jenessa Kirk, Kati Dupris, and Lachelle Heart; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; god-children: Lyn’dee Hill, Robert Traversie, Wakinyan Maza Harden, Brexton Traversie, and Calla Turning Heart.

Doug was preceded in death by his son, Doug Jr.; granddaughter, Daesia; baby sister, Wilma Ramona; sister, Jackie; brothers: Buddy Boo and Casey; his parents; maternal grandparents: Molly (High Elk) and Grant Iron Lightning; paternal grandparents: Mabel (Poor Buffalo) and Douglas Dupris as well as many aunites, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

The Cowboy’s life came to an end on Friday, October 5, 2018 as a result of a four-wheeler accident out in the pasture, doing what he loved, chasing horses and checking cows. True to form of an old cowboy, Doug died “packing heat” as all the kids said, which was not discovered until long after he was brought to the hospital. So now we have to continue our lives without our “bossman” but with consolation that he is now with Lil Doug and all the others that have gone on before. May you rest in peace dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

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

Toksa Akhe Doug!