Thomas Three Legs, Jr.

Thomas J. Three Legs Jr., 23, of Eagle Butte, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025, at On The Tree. 

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. MDT, Saturday, June 14, 2025, at C-EB Auditorium, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Episcopal Cemetery, On The Tree. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 13, 2025, at the auditorium, with a procession from the rodeo grounds at 5:00 p.m. 

Thomas “Tommy” James Three Legs Jr. of On The Tree, South Dakota was born November 21, 2001, in Pierre, South Dakota and passed away at Sunrise, June 7, 2025, in On The Tree, South Dakota.  He was born to Thomas Sr. and Reba Three Legs, joining his older brothers, Kyle Three Legs and Franklin Blue Coat.  

Tommy received his Lakota name Peji Hota from Lala Joe Milo Blue Coat. At the same time Tommy Hunka’d Papa Pierre Traversie as his dad. Tommy was a third generation Lake Side Singer, keeping the family drum active that his grandfathers, James and Wilbur Three Legs, started in 1970.  

Tommy traveled with his parents to church meetings. This is where he became the youngest member of The Brother Hood of St. Andrews in Sisseton, SD at the age of 10 years old.  

He traveled to many powwows growing up and had his own drum set up at the CRST Fair & Rodeo having his uncles cover it. Tommy was the youngest of the cousins and you wouldn't find him far from them. His little sister, Jo, came into his life in 2004, he always made sure he was watching her and you would always find them together.  

Tommy found his love for horses at a young age and began to ride with his brother Frank in On The Tree. Frank took him riding one day and Kola came back without him. Frank had to go look for Tommy and found him on the other side of the river sitting up from a bush. From that time Tommy would ride, pushing the cows and taking care of things around the ranch.  

He attended school in Eagle Butte, South Dakota at Cheyenne Eagle Butte School. While in school, Tommy played football and attended All Poly Camp Making a Difference in Utah, with late Coach Inukihaangana and his parents. It was one of his greatest memories, he fit right in, he talked about it to family and friends. Tommy met his first love Aalyah Standish resulting in him leaving school. He later finished his GED on July 27, 2022.  

Tommy met Aalyah’s family from Mandaree, ND, who took him in and loved him as one of their own. This is where he met Charlie Vigen who owns the Awa Daa Hey Team. Tommy traveled to various places with the Indian Relay team throughout the US and Canada wearing the bright pink proudly.    

Tommy lived his whole life in On the Tree but left for North Dakota to live in Bismarck while working at Doosan Bobcat Acceleration Center welding and working overnights, for a brief time. 

He decided to come home, and his dad was happy to have him home to help with various things around the house and ranch. He did a lot of mechanical work, working beside his dad, a lot of it was self-taught but if dad didn't know Tommy would figure it out.   

Tommy was always out to find adventure. This resulted in always making friends, inviting them home, and making them family. This is how Gage Jewett and Ty Red Bear came into the family. It was a running joke by Beaver; Thomas brought a guy home, and he’s still here, when referring to Gage. 

He helped at various ranches with branding around Cheyenne River and at times traveled to North Dakota to help there. Tommy carried on the Legacy of his late grandpa Archie Blue working with his brothers during the CRST Labor Day Fair & Rodeo at the strip chute. He also helped the White Wolf family at the Sullivan White Wolf Memorial Team Roping, in Faith, South Dakota.   

Tommy worked during COVID as Border Patrol in the Timber Lake area. He started working for CRST Solid Waste Program in 2020 where he was a truck driver later moving to a roll off driver; he was still currently employed. He was also a volunteer fire fighter with the Eagle Butte Volunteer Fire Department for the past two years.  

Tommy was always very respectful with the biggest contagious smile, laugh, and he gave the best hugs, reminding you he loved you. You would always find him playing with his nieces and nephews, whether it was football, roping, red rover or having them play tug of war. Tommy always had Kynzlei, Edith or Jamerson not too far behind him; they will tell you he is their best friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was so proud to become a godfather to Landon Cline at the age of eight. 

He enjoyed playing darts and made many friends as he traveled to various Dart Tournaments. Tommy enjoyed singing with his uncles on the Lake Side drum and recently started singing with Wakinyan Maza.  

Tommy left early in the morning on Saturday at sunrise without saying goodbye. We know his relatives were there to greet him.  We would like to thank everyone who reached out in any way, we loved our Tommy so much. Turn to the person next to you and tell them you love them.  “Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey”-Joubert Botha.  

He is survived by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Reba Three Legs; brothers: Kyle Three Legs, Franklin Blue Coat, Gage Jewett,; sisters, Jo Blue Coat; grandmas: Marge Clown, Alexina Evans, Arbana Thompson, Elizabeth Bruguier; aunts: Iva Traversie, Carrie Blue Coat, Carla Blue Coat, Faye Rousseau, Sylvia Picotte, and Pat Red Fox; uncles: Bills Three Legs, Pete (Yvonne) Three Legs, Stoney Three Legs, Matt (Julia) Davila, Richard Red Elk, Late Lanny Laplante Sr. Family, Late Orville Laplante Family; cousins: Elliot Blue Coat, Ryan Blue Coat, Jarred Blue Coat, Wyatt Blue Coat, Beaver Mound, Peyton Red Elk, Kirby Blue Coat, Jimmi Guerrero, Ashley Red Elk, Kelsey Montreal, Neil Blue Coat, Ashley Blue Coat, Amber Red Elk, Severt Red Elk, Martin Montreal, Victoria Bruner, Dawn Bad Male, Issac Three Legs, Vaughn Three Legs, Chet Four Bear, Haydee, Kara, Bobbi Three Legs, Payden and Kenon Davila, DJ and Seth Picotte, and Dawn LeBeau.

Thomas was preceded in death by his grandparents: James Three Legs and Lorraine Tiger, Archie and Irene Blue Coat; hunka father, Jim Picotte; aunts: Amanda Blue Coat, Harriet Blue Coat Uncle Clyde Walk in the Wind, Larry Three Legs, Little Jimmy Three Legs, Stan Three Legs, Webster Three Legs, Nephi Three Legs, Phillip Jr. Blue Coat, Ira Blue Coat, Lanny Laplante, Orville Laplante, Pierre Traversie Cousins: Joshua Guerrero, Bennett Red Elk, Chauncey Red Elk, Richie Marrowbone, Naomi Kasto. 

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