Funeral services for Bernard Lawrence Jr., 61, of Ft. Yates will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 11:00 am at the AJ Agard Building in Fort Yates. An all-night wake will begin on Friday, October 28 at 5 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm. Bernard passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Ft. Yates. Arrangements are with Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.

Jr. was educated at SRCS, graduating in May 1979. He was active in several sports football, basketball, cross country & track which he made a lot of records with his teammate Chief Keepseagle. After graduating he attended United Tribes, BND with an auto mechanic degree in 1982. Went on to attend Haskel Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas until 1984. In 2000 he also attended a semester at Sitting Bull College getting his Building Trades degree.

In 2001 he became a private contractor (Cayn Construction) all while working for other companies & living in Pine Ridge. He worked for Carlow Construction & then moved to Ft. Yates, ND continuing to work a second job @ Flickertail Co. First Dakota, Prairie Knights Casino, for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe & then for Standing Rock housing. Jr. was also a fire fighter (BOA). His last job was with the 4U ranch in Flasher, ND for Duane Frank.

In 2002 he participated in a Spiritual Ride from Huff, ND to the United Tribes Annual Celebration in Bismarck, ND. In 2004 he was honored after 25 years as catcher for Fast Pitch.

In 1977, while being raised by late Mr. Ed Moore, he was taught to box while on his team. Jr. had a match up with Virgil Hill. Jr. won that match with him in Belcourt, ND.

Junior was a very humble man. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He loved being outdoors whether it was mowing, gardening, building or fixing things up. He also enjoyed riding horse, working with cattle, hunting, fishing, playing or watching his favorite team the Denver Broncos, or sitting eating sweets, visiting or playing games, doing tea parties with his BOSSES. His great granddaughter was his life. Jr. honored them to the fullest.

Anyone who knew Jr., knew he was a hardworking and trustworthy and especially for his sense of humor and ability to take the best of each day.

Jr. started as a catcher (Fast Pitch) at the age of 16. Catching for over 25 years for his brother Gil Walking Elk these two were inseparable.  While traveling all over he made many friends, brothers while doing his love of the game. He was a 2-time state champion Fast Pitch Catcher.

Junior was also a rodeo clown with his uncle TJ Eagle.