Gillis Bear Stops, Jr.

Gillis J. Bear Stops Jr., 48, of Red Scaffold and Cherry Creek, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Denver, CO.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Red Scaffold Gym, Red Scaffold. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Red Scaffold. A wake will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 6, 2025, at the gym with a procession from the 2-Mile west of Red Scaffold at 4:00 p.m.

Gillis James Bear Stops was born on June 15,1976 to the late Aurelia Lucille (Swan) Cisneros and Gillis James Bear Stops Sr. 

He was the middle child of seven children, which included: the late Alwin Earl Swan, late Aleta Estelle Tubbs (Bear Stops), Angeli Evon Chavez (Bear Stops), late Madonna Mae Morrison ( Bear Stops), Lumanuel Joseph Two Two, and the late Lucy Josephine Two Two. 

Gillis has eight children and six grandchildren; Son Matthew Brennon Iron Hawk with grandchildren Wakinyan Ob Hi’ Iron Hawk, Wio Weste’ Iron Hawk, Zayne Sakiya Iron Hawk, Emma Rose Iron Hawk, Redaya Iron Hawk; Daughter Brianna Marie Jewett ( Iron Hawk) with granddaughter B Holly Belle Ducheneaux; Son El’Wyn Jae Bear Stops; Son Al’lyn James Bear Stops; Son Wakinyan Tokahe Hill; Son Ran’Dunn Coque Bear Stops; Son Emanuel Bear Stops; Son late Gillis James Bear Stops III. 

Gillis liked to live his life to the fullest. He was well known in the Lakota community due to being very active. He was pipe carrier, singer and sundancer; receiving his Lakota name, Point Man, from Mona Red Horse.

Gillis lived across the United States with his parents and on his own. He attended various schools in Idaho Montana, Chicago and Utah, finally graduating from Takini School. 

He was also very active in sports activities which included the boys’ basketball team going to state, team roping, riding saddle bronc, and simply riding horses. 

Gilis comes from two strong families; his maternal White Swan and paternal Bear Stops. 

Gillis is preceded in death by his parents: Gillis James Bear Stops Sr. and Aurelia Lucille (Swan) Cisneros; brother, Alwin Earl Swan; sisters: Aleta Estelle Tubbs (Bear Stops), Madonna Mae Morrison (Bear Stops) Lucy Josephine Two Two; maternal grandparents: Angeline Ruth Swan (Condon) and Manuel James Swan; paternal grandparents: Margaret Bear Stops (Lone Eagle) and Peter Bear Stops. 

Please accept my sincere apologies for misplacing my original copy of the obituary. It is not my intention to forget anyone.  

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Gillis’s arrangements.