Funeral services for Kem James "Jimmy" Agard, 64, of Ft. Yates, North Dakota will be at 11 AM, Saturday, August 19, 2023, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ft. Yates. Burial will be at the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Family and friends will leave Kesling Funeral Home at 4 PM Friday for wake services at 7 PM at the AJ Agard Building. Jimmy passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck.

Kem James "Jimmy" Agard was born on October 12th of 1958 to late parents Evelyn and Aljoe Agard in Fort Yates and was raised on the Standing Rock Reservation. Growing up he attended St Bernards Mission school 1-6th grade. "Big Jim" as his coaches called him, loved to play football, basketball, softball, and go fishing. He was a good hunter in his younger years. Kem graduated from SRHS in 1977. He attended UTTC and received his Plumbers Certificate. He liked to gamble and loved family bingo nights. He also enjoyed picking turnips and berries.

In 1980, Kem met Deborah Ireland who he would marry in 1982 and from that union they had their children, Beau Sr. born January of 1981 and his twin baby girls, Misty Dawn & Melissa Jo in December of 1982. Kem also fathered his second oldest son Bronson WarPainte in August of 1982 and In 1991 his youngest daughter Alyssa Dawn Eagle would be born to him and Linda Black Elk. Jim, Deborah and their children, along with his adopted son Dakota Middletent would move from Bismarck, McIntosh, and eventually to Minnesota where Deborah would make her journey in 1999 and the twins would move home to Fort Yates with him. In 2000 Beau Sr. and Maria Jackson would welcome Jims first grandchild Beau Jr, and in the years to follow Alexis and Isiah were born.

Jim was always happiest when his grandchildren would come home to visit from Minnesota. He loved hearing about his grandchildren's sports and schooling in Minnesota and was proud to hear of them entering the powwow circle. On December 25th of 2018 Melissa gave birth to her miracle baby Dakota James Blu, he was the greatest Christmas gift a papa can ask for. Dakota and papa Jim were inseparable from the day he was born. Papa Jim was one of Dakotas favorite people beside his mama Melissa. Isaiah (ZayZay) & Dakota Blu were Papa Jims favorites! Each and every one of his grandbabies made him so proud whether it was in school, sports, or on the powwow trail.

In 2021, Jim was diagnosed with Liver cancer. He overcame that in 2022. In early 2023, the cancer came back and he lost his battle. Papa Jim fought a long and hard battle and to the very end for his grandbabies!

Kem is survived by his sons; Bronson War Painte and Beau Agard Sr., Grandchildren; Beau Jr., Alexis, Isaiah Agard, Dakota James Blu Agard, Brayden Jackson, Jace Eagle, Kieri Fourswords, Nalah & Lynkin Jones. Many more grandchildren & great grandchildren, sisters; Dellis, Joette, Cindy, Susan, Bessie Agard, (Hunka Sister) Beverly GreyWate Brothers; John Agard Todd, Donald and John Cameron, Aunt; Edith Whitetail & Family, Special Nieces; Lacey, Sadie, Jahni, Desiree and PrairieRose,

Kem is welcomed in Death by: Daughters; Misty & Melissa Agard, Alyassa Eagle, Son; Dakota Middletent, Parents; Evelyn & Aljoe Agard, Grandparents; Bessie Jordan Culbertson & Ralph White, James & Isabelle Agard, Uncle; Charles Whitetail, Brothers; Duane, Alfred, Charles "Ox", Willard Agard, Batman & Mike Silk, uncle Joe Agard, many relatives & friends.