Peter John Pretty On Top

Peter John Pretty On Top, Iskoochii Kuleesh (Chases His Enemy) went to the other side camp on May 28, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver. His Indian name came from the battlefields of WWII, given to him by the late Andrew BirdinGround. True to his name, he was a warrior, battled his illness, and fought the good fight for many years. So many times the doctors thought it was the end, but he would fight hard and bounced back. The doctors and nurses were amazed at how resilient he was---except for this last time, he was exhausted. God didn't want him to suffer anymore, so he took him to heaven, he needed a singer with a strong, powerful voice to take lead.

He was born on April 25, 1979, a son of Burton Pretty On Top, Sr., and Eleanor BirdinGround. He graduated from Lodge Grass High School in 1998, where he proudly wore the number #51 on his jerseys for basketball and football. He was a member of the Whistling Water Clan, child of the Bad War Deed. He was a friendly, kind, and humble man with many talents. He had a beautiful, commanding singing voice, he was an artist that could draw or paint anything, and he excelled at making things with his hands. Since he was a child, he had a strong faith in God, no matter what denomination, and he wore a scapular every day. He was a Catholic altar boy, and a member of the Native American Church. As a young boy, he used to sing Peyote Songs, and drum for his father. In 1993, he was selected, and had the honor to take up the host for Pope John Paul II on the "World Day of Youth" in Denver, CO.

He was an outstanding husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. He had an excellent work ethic, and was employed at the Crow Tribal Housing Authority, Crow Tribal Head Start, Crow Tribal Security, and the Lodge Grass IGA. He had an enormous heart, and cherished his own children, his step-children, his nieces, nephews, God children, and grandchildren. He loved every kind of music, but spent most of his life singing powwow songs. He traveled and sang at many celebrations where he met a multitude of people, who became good friends, and adopted family. He was such a good person that many people accepted him as their own, and were proud to call him "Son": William and Pamela Back Bone, Randy and Jessica Phalen, Douglas and Pauline Standing Rock, Aileena Covers Up, Mildred Old Crow.

The following preceded him in death: Great-grandparents, grandparents-Sam BirdinGround, Sr. and Winona Picket, Hannah Other Medicine, Otto and Elimere Caplett-Bear Ground, Henry, Sr. and Elizabeth Bull Horse-Pretty On Top, Edgar Pretty On Top, Donald, Sr. and Olive Bear Ground-Stewart, Andrew and Inez Reed-BirdinGround. Uncles-Greely, Burton Bear Ground, Andrew Russell, Aunts-Bernadine Nomee, Evelyn, Linda BirdinGround, Sister-Carlene Pretty On Top.

He is survived by his parents, his wife Tammy, his children: Kirsten, Brayden Pretty On Top, Brittany (Frank), Whitney, Jess Gervais, his grandchildren: Amerrah, Jesslynn Marceau. His Godparents: Peter Hashisaki, Jennifer Flat Lip, his Godchildren: Kayjah Twinn, Solomon Montoya, Lacey Gun Shows. His sisters: Velma (Scott) Pease, Wendy (Ferd) Twinn, Dorcella (Ben) Rowland, Burdine, Bethany Pretty On Top, Lorena Plain Feather, Emma Dillon, Lydia Falls Down, Paula (Vernon) Fisher, Roses (Jason) Williamson. Brothers: Mann (Deb), Samson (Cindy), Brock Pretty On Top, Richard Downing, Charlie (Lori) Tsoodle, Shawn BirdinGround, Evan Pretty On Top, Champ Falls Down, Tye Back Bone, Kendall Deputy, Jude Phelan, Bucky Standing Rock, Edmond Old Crow, Cliff BirdinGround, Jr., Brian Pretty Eagle. His aunts: Donna, Janet Stewart, Barbara (Kenneth) Spotted, Almeda (Dean) Good Luck, Dorcella Little Light, Ernestine, Andrea, Barbara BirdinGround, Elsie (Kirt) LaForge, Hannah (Kenneth) Pretty On Top. His uncles: Donald, Wesley (Twyla), Robert (Tina) Stewart, Ricky (Ann), Eugene (Lydia), Albert (Dana) BirdinGround, David Bad Bear. Grandmothers: Annette Couture, Myrtle Howe, Ruby Williamson, Rose Ann Reed, Laura Pickett, Verna (Carl) Pease, Phyllis Big Medicine, Mary Black Eagle. Grandfathers: John (Merce) Pretty On Top, Robert, Joe (Rena) Pickett, Sonny Joe (John Ann), Anthony Reed, Clifford (Ardith) BirdinGround, Sr., Blaine Falls Down. As well as his extended family, which include the Pretty On Top, BirdinGround, Reed, Bear Ground, Stewart, Other Medicine, Dust, Williamson, Not Afraid, Stops, Black Eagle, Horn, Back Bone, Phalen, Covers Up, Standing Rock, Old Crow, Whiteman (of Pryor), Red Star, Fredericks families. We have a large family; we apologize if we have forgotten anyone.

Rosary will be recited 4:00 pm Friday in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated 10:00 am Saturday in the St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.