Leonard Granados

Funeral services were held at 10:00a.m, MDT, Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte.  Burial followed at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cemetery in Promise, SD.   Wake services were held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 6, 2010 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte.

Lennie was born October 30, 1950, at Old Cheyenne River Agency to Marcella Elizabeth (Veo/Yellowhawk) and Clayton Cyril (Bad Moccasin/Eagle Shield) Granados. Lennie grew up in Pierre, SD, surrounded by friends and relatives; as a young adult he moved to Eagle Butte with his parents. He attended elementary school and middle school in Pierre; he graduated from Riggs Sr. High School in Pierre in 1968.

He valued his sobriety for more than two decades. As was his nature, Lennie worked in fields of work where he helped people. He was employed with the Sacred Heart Adolescent Center, Indian Child Welfare Program, Social Detox Unit, and the Tribal Child Protection Services. He worked for a great many years for the Four Bands Healing Center; he was a Chemical Dependency Counselor (Level II) and director when he retired in 2009.

He was a proud grandpa to Kaden, Lolita Joy, A.J, Micayo, and Dezmond. He loved being around his grandchildren and cared for their well being and safety from the time they were born until he went on his journey; those that were with him in his last moments on this earth could see that his last thoughts were with his grandchildren.

He learned to play the guitar at a young age and he played in a band with his younger brother Monty, his cousins Kenny Twiggs, Paul, Sid Jr., and Cliff Bad Moccasin. As years went by he played music with Willis Whiteman, Harvey Hawk Eagle, Jerry Goodhouse, Brad Taylor, and Orville Lee. Music was an extremely important aspect of his life, with gospel becoming a big part of his music in recent years. Lennie was happy to be a part of the Tiospaye Gospel Group. He never failed to provide music during any event, including dances, weddings, reunions, or just jamming out with friends. He enjoyed being able to be there for families during their time of need. Lennie’s love of music included, Johnny Rivers, Van Morrison, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and all Oldies, Classic Rock, and Gospel. He collected guitars throughout the years.

If you spoke with Lennie; you know he had a smile, a listening ear, and a joke to share. Lennie’s friendship was significant to many people, if you met him; you usually had a friend for life. Lennie was a humble man, compassionate to people in need, a man of few words but he could tease and laugh with you. He was a good man, good grandpa, father, uncle, brother, and relative. He was very proud of his nieces and nephews. Lennie was very close to his nephew, Chris. He established a place in everyone’s heart; memories of music and Lennie are remembered by all.

Joyful to have shared his life are his children; Jamie Lee Granados (Kaden, Lolita Joy, A.J., and Micayo); of Eagle Butte; son, Michael Granados (Dezmond Raphael) of Eagle Butte; and Jeremiah Travis Hale of Rapid City, sister Mabel Beth Granados & children (Chris Granados of Pierre, Tammy Joy Granados of Pierre, Lennixx & Phoenix Lee of Eagle Butte, Dominic Eagleman of Eagle Butte). Lennie’s loving companion, LaDean Rainbow of Eagle Butte. Nephews Larry Schunk (Trevor & Winnie) of Sioux Falls and Tim Schunk of Pierre, niece Neva Whiteshield and children of Spirit Lake, ND, and all relatives & many cousins, nieces & nephews, and friends. Upon entering the Spirit World, Lennie will join his parents, Clayton and Marcella Granados; sister, Lolita Joy Granados Schunk, and brother, Montague “Monty” (Granados) Bad Moccasin; and the friends and relatives who went before him.

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