Funeral service for Kenneth Howard Jr. age 71 of Little Eagle, will be 10:00am Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Kesling Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Kenneth passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Kenneth was born on November 11, 1944, to Evelyn Walking Elk and Kenneth Patrick Howard Sr. in Fort Yates, ND.

He graduated from Fort Yates High School in 1962. He joined the U.S. Navy in May of 1963 and was honorably discharged in May of 1969. During his time in the service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) (Bronze Star), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He graduated with a BA in business administration from the University of Southern California. While living in California he married and had two children from this union.

While living in California he worked as a long-haul truck driver for more than 20 years. He then lived in Denver where he worked in construction demolitions. He returned to Standing Rock in 1988. He married Alvina Spotted Horse on June 4, 1988. He adopted her children one year later and the family made their home in Little Eagle. After returning to Standing Rock he worked at the Bear Soldier Bingo Hall as a security guard, Standing Rock Water and Sewer, as well as sitting on many tribal district boards. He also served as the Running Antelope District Chairman.

In his free time, he enjoyed listening to music, especially Cajun music, watching old movies, and visiting the casino.

Kenneth was survived by his wife, Alvina of Little Eagle; his sons, Stewart of McLaughlin and Eli of Little Eagle; his daughters, Teresa Davis of Pensacola, Fla., and Starla J. Howard of Little Eagle; his adopted son, Dana Fast Horse of Little Eagle; his adopted daughter, Sue Taken Alive of Little Eagle; his grandchildren, Heaven Strongheart, Malachi Howard, Jackson Howard, Brayden Andrews, Tehya Andrews, Bryson Andrews, Trinity Andrews, Trenton Howard, David Owen, Daniell Davis, and Dominick Davis; his siblings, Pamela Howard of Minneapolis, Rose Red Leaf of Rapid City, Charles Vermillion of Rapid City, Joe Vermillion of Minneapolis, Glenda Red Leaf of Rapid City, and Kathy Vermillion of Rapid City; his aunt, Estelle "Poxy" Lone Hill; and his sister-in-law, Roberta Spotted Horse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn Walking Elk and Kenneth Patrick Howard Sr.; his maternal grandparents, Mark Walking Elk Sr. and Florence Peltier Crow Ghost; his paternal grandparents, George and Letha Howard; his son, Kenneth Patrick Howard III; and his stepson, Sylvan Strongheart Jr., brother Clement "Donny Joe" Howard and Niece Mary Beaupre.