08/24/2019 - Fred Afraid Of Bear Sr.

Funeral services for Fred Afraid of Bear Sr., a.k.a. Ross James Afraid of Bear “TaSunke Wanagi” (Ghost Horse), age 75, will be at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 24, 2019 at the Afraid of Bear residence in Slim Buttes, SD with Sister Barb Bogenschutz officiating. Traditional Lakota services will be provided by Dave American Horse.

Burial will be at the Afraid of Bear Family Cemetery in Slim Buttes, SD.

A one-night wake service will begin at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Afraid of Bear residence in Slim Buttes, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM.

Fred was a veteran in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Fred was born on January 29, 1944 at home in Slim Buttes, SD to George Afraid of Bear Sr. and Annie (Kills Crow) Afraid of Bear. He made his journey to the Spirit World on August 18, 2019 at his home in Slim Buttes, SD.

As a child, Fred had always loved the Buttes and the woods behind his home. He enjoyed camping and fishing in the White River. Slim Buttes is the place where he returned home from Rapid City Regional Hospital to spend the last of his days among family.

Fred had worked as a Tribal Police Officer for the Sho-Ban Tribe in Ft. Hall, ID. He had also worked at a lot of different jobs including a beef plant called Monfort’s Inc. in Grand Island, NE. When he returned home to South Dakota, he worked as a ranch hand for Reuben and Connee Quinn in Slim Buttes, SD, where he was born and raised.

Fred had an ongoing struggle with his health, the dialysis, heart attacks, and pain throughout his body. Going back and forth to VA Hospitals and Clinics in Hot Springs and Rapid City Regional Hospital took a lot out of him. Finally he gave up on life. His last wish was to die at home. Fred will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Fred is survived by wife Cathleen Afraid of Bear of Slim Buttes, SD; children Fred Afraid of Bear Jr., Brandon and Jon Afraid of Bear, all of Slim Buttes, SD; granddaughter Jasmine Afraid of Bear of the Wolf Creek Community near Pine Ridge, SD; siblings Esther Afraid of Bear of Ft. Hall, ID, George Afraid of Bear Jr. of Slim Buttes, SD, and Rose Becenti of North Platte, NE; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by parents George Sr. and Annie Afraid of Bear; son Byron Afraid of Bear; and siblings Ernest Afraid of Bear Sr., Larue, Steven, Richard, Robert, and Francis Afraid of Bear.

Pallbearers will be Jon Afraid of Bear, Brandon Afraid of Bear, Earl Russell, Cranston Afraid of Bear, Marvin Afraid of Bear, Dale Kills Enemy, Joaquin Janis, and Robert Afraid of Bear.

Honorary Pallbearers will be All Friends and Relatives.

Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD is in charge of arrangements for Fred Afraid of Bear Sr.