Funeral services for Gary Wavrecan Sr., 79, of Trail City and formerly of Lawrenceburg, TN, will be at 10 AM, CT, Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the Little Eagle Blue Gym. Burial will be at the All Nations Veteran Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A procession will leave at 5 PM, Wednesday for a prayer service at 7 PM at the Little Eagle Blue Gym. Gary passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024 at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.

Today our family lost a great man. He was an amazing dad, brother, uncle, grandfather and a great friend to many.

Gary Stephen Wavrecan Sr. was born on May 14, 1945, at Staten Island, NY to Artemese (Kay) and Joseph Wavrecan. He grew up and attended school in New York City. Following high school, he joined the US Marine Corp where he served in Vietnam. He was a dedicated marine. After his discharge from the Marine Corp he joined the Air Force National Guard. Gary served his country for over thirty years in the military. After retiring from the military he worked for the Department of defense as a technician. When he decided to retire for good he moved to Tennessee to be closer to his sons. Gary made sure he attended all the reunions with his fellow comrades, throughout the United States. Even after serving his country, he was a dedicated Marine and Veteran, ensuring things were done to honor all who served.

In 1987, Gary found and reconnected his friendship with a fellow comrade that he served with while in Vietnam, Howard Wilkinson. Howard was from the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota and lived in White Shield. Gary made many trips to visit him before his passing. He also came to know the Jamerson family of Little Eagle, South Dakota. He came to Little Eagle to look for Kenneth Jamerson's family. Gary's s10 truck displayed many names of those who were killed in Vietnam, it had the name of Kenneth Jamerson on it. Through this meeting, he eventually became family by taking Frank Jamerson Sr. as a brother and his wife Geraldine, as a daughter. Although she was older, they found humor and companionship in one another. He was very close to Howard's nephew Doug Wilkinson of Little Oak Creek. Gary's bond with family and friends, kept his travels to South Dakota on going, several times a year, to and from Tennessee. Gary enjoyed attending cultural events and was especially involved in any event that honored veterans. Gary enjoyed sitting at powwows and visiting with fellow comrades, carrying flags in grand entry or being there to honor a Comrade who passed on.  He thought the world of how the Lakota would honor their Veterans in every occasion possible. He always said he found his peace and happiness and felt at home on Standing Rock. Gary eventually made his home in Trail City South Dakota in 2021. He had many plans to live his life out in a happy and friendly way, Gary was well liked by many and by those who he crossed paths with. He will be greatly missed, for he was a very kind and gentle man who lived his life.

Although Gary was not of native decent, he was honored with special ceremony of which he was given the Lakota name of "Lakota ob mani" which translated to walks with the indian people. This name appropriately describes Gary's relationship to all of the Lakota people of whom he became friends with.

Gary was a member of the Little Eagle American Legion Post #239, VFW in Columbus, OH, and the Marine Corp League Detachment 246 in Staten Island.

Gary is survived by his two sons, Gary Jr. and Joel of Lawrenceburg, TN, six grandchildren, two brothers, Bruce Wavrecan of New York City and Scott Wavrecan of Indiana, three sisters, Diane Wavrecan of New Jersey, Gabby Wavrecan of California, and Suzie Tunstal of California, and numerous nieces and nephews. Gary is also survived by his Hunka "adopted" relatives on Standing Rock, Frank and Geraldine Jamerson, Bruce and Mary Kills in Water, Frank, Angelek, Destinee, Mango and Frankie and his Lil Buddy Nyal Kenneth, Francis and Mary Jamerson and Ernestine Jamerson and Family, Doug and Anetha Wilkinson and Family, Howard Wilkinson's granddaughters of White Shield, Post 239 Family and Auxiliary.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Artemese and Joseph, his biological father, Lester Ives, sister, Laura, aunt, Louise, cousin, Dottie.

Military Graveside honors by Post 239

All Veterans groups welcome