Aaron David West Sr.

Aaron David West Sr., 71, of Eagle Butte, passed away Sunday, January 18, 2026, at his home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at CEB Auditorium, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Luke's Episcopal Cemetery, Iron Lightning. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Auditorium with a procession from the 4-Mile at 4:00 p.m.

Aaron David West Sr. was born on November 30, 1954, at Old Agency on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation and was brought to the Wakiyan Maza Community where he was raised by his Unci, Marie Wet Skirt na Lala, Thomas Elk Eagle. To his close relatives, he was known as "Davey", most people knew him as "Dave", and to his takojas who he cherished, he was known as "Papa Dave".

Aaron attended school at Iron Lightning Day School for grades 1 st through 5 th. He attended Dupree School for 6 th grade, and continued school from the 7 th grade forward at the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Dorms where shortly, thereafter, obtained his GED.

In May of 1975, at the age of 17, Aaron David West Sr. hitchhiked to Mobridge, SD where he met with the recruiter and enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Berlin, Germany and was honorably discharged in 1980 after serving five years in the United States Military. Soon after being discharged from the military, Aaron's role as a father began. Throughout his path through fatherhood, he first welcomed three sons. Jacob Grant West, Duane David West, and Aaron David West Jr., then daughter, Penny LeCompte, and later would come two sons: James West, Loren West, and daughter, Berlin West.

Post-military, Aaron David West Sr. served his community for seven years as a Patrol Officer for the Cheyenne River Police Department. He also served as the Commander of the Cheyenne River Vietnam Veterans Association and was one of the original Si Tanka Wokiksuye Riders. He also participated as a rider and supporter of the Unity Ride in Canada.

He later achieved his education and began his role as an educator of Lakota Language and Culture. Aaron became one of the very first Lakota Language teachers within the BIA-Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School and taught Lakota Language and Culture in various positions with many Oglala Sioux Tribe Schools and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe schools. One of his most enjoyable experiences was at the Montessori school in Little Eagle, SD where he taught a Lakota Language immersion class with kindergarten students. He taught several Lakota Culture, Lakota history, and Lakota traditional foods and arts classes for Oglala Lakota College at Cheyenne River College Center.

Throughout his tenure as an educator of Lakota language and culture, Aaron worked as a Transitional Living Center Aide for 12 years at Wakpa Waste Counseling Services, formerly known as Four Bands Healing Center.

Shortly before his passing, Aaron volunteered his time by helping in teaching Lakota Language and Culture at the Lakota Arts & Crafts nights at the Lakota Cultural Center. You would always see him with the microphone in hand telling stories, teasing, and sharing announcements on these evenings. Aaron loved helping the participants who attended these events and became a relative to those who worked with him on their projects.

For the past 40 years of his life, Aaron dedicated himself to upholding and promoting Lakol Wicohan to all people through his personal commitment to Lakota ceremony, language, cultural teachings and history and maintaining that Wocekiya, Prayer; comes first in everything we do. He was a Sundancer for many years at several Hocokans in prayer for the people and all living things.

Aaron walked his life carrying the Lakota caje; Kunsu, Toka Kutepi, Kuwapi Hunska. Shortly before he made his journey to the Wicahpi Oyate, because of his many years of carrying and sharing the Lakol Wicohan, he received his final Lakota caje, Canunpa O'We which means, "Teachings of the Pipe".

Aaron David West Sr. holding true to his belief in his Canunpa and prayer, made his journey to the Wicahpi Oyate on Sunday, January 18, 2026, and has been reunited with his Unci Marie, Lala Thomas, his Cekpa Duane David West, and many other relatives who made their journey before him.

Aaron is survived by his sons: Jacob West (Kylan, Chael, Kristyn, & Lucy), Duane West (Dominik & DeKiera), Aaron (Michelle) West Jr. (McKenzie, Angelique, Santos, Duane & Selena), James West (Julian & Jackson), Loren West (Libby & Nova); daughters: Penny LeCompte (Shawn, Angel, Gabe & Ava) and Berlin West; sisters: Audrey Houser, Nancy West, Rene West, Anna Long Chase, Jackie Brown Otter, Roxanne Long Chase; brother, Loren Curley; nephews: Chip, Shane, Troy, Sonny, Marcus, Shannon, Kenton, Chaske, Kenny, William, Zachary, Ronald, Alex; nieces: Lee, Lonna, Michelle, Bridget, Monique, Christie, Erin, Rhonda, Nicole, Amber, Allayna, Alexis, Danielle, Kelly; and numerous Takojas who he deeply cherished.

Aaron was preceded in death by his grandmother, Marie Wet Skirt; grandfather, Thomas Elk Eagle; Cekpa Duane David West; sisters: Cecelia Curley, Octavia West, Olivia Bear Ribs, and Wanda West; brother, Cody Long Chase; hunka brothers: Alex Guererro aka "John Moon", Rocke Afraid Of Hawk, Duane Yellow Cloud; relatives: Justin, Bruce, Cekpas Duane and David, Sean, Maura, Samuel, Justine High Elk, and Davyn West.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Aaron's arrangements.