Memorial services for Stu Dolphus, age 66, of Eagle Butte, SD, will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 at 11 AM at the Landmark Building in Eagle Butte. Stu entered the Spirit World on Saturday, March 11, 2023.  Arrangements are entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home, Mobridge, SD.

Stuart "Stu" Anthony Dolphus entered this world in Norwalk, California on November 24, 1956 to D.D. and Geraldine (Carter) Dolphus. He joined older siblings Paulette Dolphus Heideman, Willetta Dolphus, and Vaughn Dolphus. One of Stu's first words was "REMARKABLE" taught to him by his sister Paulette, which was a word he used very frequently. Stu lost his mother at the early age of 9 years old.

D.D. later married Marge (Dupris) Dolphus and Stu's family increased to include the rest of his brothers and sisters; Marlene Lessert Ducheneaux, Danny Lessert, Sharon Arpan LeCompte, Elaine Arpan LeBeau, Birdie Arpan Richards, Helen Arpan, DeAnne Dolphus, and youngest brother Junior Dolphus. They made their home at Rousseau Creek on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. He became extraordinarily close with his blended family and was loved by them all. This is where his love for horses began.

His love for horses came early from his father D.D. who was an Armstrong County Rancher and race horse owner. Riding fast horses started at a young age with a ride out in the pasture on a horse named Rusty that he found out could run pretty fast. It was not long before his skills in horsemanship and horse racing developed and shaped Stu's career as a Jockey. Stu got his first jockey license at the age of 16. His first win came on a horse named "Justice Brown" at the South Dakota Quarter Horse Pari-Mutuals. He then started riding more in Southwestern States, Texas and New Mexico, and kept his winning ways moving forward through the 1990's.

He had many career accomplishments. Some of his accomplishments include 1980 Leading Jockey Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Association at Val Verde Downs, All American Gold Cup, June 2001 Broke the 11-year-old record for 330 yards at Canterbury Park, and multiple Stakes Winners. In his career he had earnings upwards of 2 million dollars.

During his time racing he also had two children. Trady Kay Dolphus was his first-born daughter. 9 years later he married Paula (Jones) Gardner and his first and only son, Jensen Dolphus, was born. Jensen, his wife and Stu's granddaughter Naomi reside in Bandera, TX. After Stu finished up racing in Texas he moved back to Eagle Butte where he had his third child, Phoebe Dolphus. Stu and his kids didn't always communicate well but they all knew that he loved them and was immensely proud of them.

Stu was a legend of his time. Famous for his skills as a jockey, not only here on Cheyenne River but in the world of horse racing. His name comes up in conversations in ND, NM, TX, MT, and SD. He was thought to be one of the best quarter horse jockeys of his time. Everyone that knew Stu, has a story to tell. He loved hearing and telling his own stories. His laugh is one that will always be heard in our mind and hearts, right along with one of his favorite sayings, "How you like me now." Stu loved being the center of attention and was loved by those he crossed paths with.

Stu loved people and had many friends. Those that he cherished most were: his late partner, Shawn LeBeau Lamb, closest friends and relatives Leland and Melissa LeBeau, Jeff Bowker, Randee and Spike Guardipee.

Stu is survived by children Trady Kay, Jensen (Rebekah) Dolphus of Bandera TX, Phoebe Dolphus of Eagle Butte SD, grandchild Naomi Dolphus of Bandera TX, many siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He is preceded in death by Mother's Geraldine and Marge, Father D.D., both maternal and paternal grandparents, and siblings Vaughn, Danny, and Birdie, and half-sister Arlene Thompson.