Eugene Red Star

Eugene Dale Red Star AKA "Smooge," iisaxpuatacheexxaalia "Elder Big Horn" went home to be with the Lord peacefully on the evening of August 13, 2023, surrounded by family who loved him dearly. He was born in Pryor, MT on April 17, 1944, to the late Wallace Red Star Sr. and Alvina Old Crane Bear Tusk. He was an enrolled Crow, a member of the Whistling Water clan and a child of the Sore Lip Clan. Eugene was raised in Pryor, MT, was given to the late Josephine DeCrane Whiteman who raised him along with her own children. He attended school in Edgar, MT, later earning his GED. Eugene Joined the US Army on June 4, 1969, his job was a 63B20 Army Wheel Vehicle Mechanic, with an honorable discharge at the rank of PFC E-3. He often told the story about a young man who had orders to go to Vietnam, but he was scared, so he asked to go in his place, but the US Army denied his request, he often wondered about the young man and prayed for him. He participated in the Apsaalooke Sundance Ceremonies at a young age and the Sweat Lodge Ceremonies. One story was that he was the first one to dunk the basketball in Pryor. He would always make sure he got his season pass tickets to the tournaments when the Plenty Coups Warriors were playing. He would drive or hitch rides to all the games. He loved to watch football, eat his snickers, drink 7 Up and read his paper. His favorite meal was Pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage, his last meal before he left us.
After the military, he worked as the Pryor Public School Board Chairman, and was a part of the committee who raised funds to build the current Plenty Coups High School. He, along with other district officials cut the ribbon for the grand entrance into the new high school on November 2, 1980. He was a bus driver, according one of the stories told, he was so excited when he had the opportunity to drive the new charter bus for the Plenty Coups Warriors whom he loved. He worked as a Wild Land Fire Fighter, CHR driver, and the BIA road department as a heavy equipment operator, and a truck driver. Eugene was an active member of the Crow Tribe 107th Committee when it was functional.
Eugene loved to tell stories about his school board and boxing days, we often joked about how we could repeat verbatim all his stories, sure going to miss those stories.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, wife Marlene Rides Horse Red Star, son Vinnie Dale Red Star, daughter Carlene Red Star, grandmother Nora Big Hail Old Crane, adopted mother Josephine DeCrane Whiteman, Aunt; Gertrude Old Crane Bear Tusk, brothers; Don Allen, Ralph Bear Tusk Jr.,, Sheldon, Randi and Olin Red Star, RT Old Crane, Edward Posey Whiteman Jr., sisters; Lani, Kaneeta
Harris Red Star,, Almeda, Alferdine Old Crane, Alberta Bird Hat, Phyllis Shane, April Kay Bear Tusk, Geneva Whiteman, Velma "Cookie" Whiteman Bell Rock, Nieces; Charmion C. Stewart, Michaela Bear Tusk, Nephew; Sheldon Bear Tusk, his best friends Chester Bird Hat, Dallas Bird Hat, Oliver Costa, Wayne Turnsplenty, and Bradley Stovall. After the death of Myron Goes Ahead, the late Carty and Ruby Goes Ahead took Eugene in as a son.
Survived by his daughter Tina (Elliot) Red Star Mountain Sheep (Brianne Rogers (D'Alan), Elroy Hendricks III), son Eugene Chico Red Star (Kai, Aaron, Thomas, Rai), his namesake grandson Eugene Red Star (Jermaine Reavis, Tamara, Taliyah, Kyan, and Kaysa Red Star) Sisters; Theodoris Red Star Asencio, Walla (Max) Spotted Bear, Red Star Price, Dorothy "Baby Girl" Spotted Bear, Ardith "Cookie" Hogan, Jolene Kills Pretty Enemy, Carol Good Luck, Valeen Plain Feather, Brothers; Sealmer Red Star Sr., Reuben Jr., Levi Sr., Michael Dean Bear Tusk, Wallace "Big Boy," Kevin, Aaron, Marlin Dean Red Star, Channis Whiteman, Nieces; Noreen Hutchinson LaForge (Mike, Mitch, Armondo, Mitchellene, Red Star), Maglene Asencio, Kaneeta Asencio Briggs (Darren, Jaylin, Caliya), Denalene Falls Down (Evan, Kirsten), Fawn (Maleeya, Sheldon), Leota, April, Rosemarie Bear Tusk (Lakeisha, Keshawn), Farah Moccasin (Randy, Lacey), Roseen (Raheem, Raynin, Rya), Stacey (Nellek, Kelsey, Jaheed, Alina, Jayceon, Jose, Javon), Stephanie (Murlina, Jessinia) Red Star, Lujuana, Quana Old Crane, Adrena Old Crane Yarlott (Victor, Alphonso, Paisley, Lavera) Ginger Old Crane Goes Ahead (Makayla, Melina), Regina Williams ( Kourtney, Tiara, Junior), Nephews; Benny (Leslie, Chantel, Melaina, Kristen), Melvin (Ryan, Nathan, Princess) Asencio, Bryan Hutchinson (Forest, Bryanna), Lenny (Davion, Zyree, Marley, Draden), Leon (Jaris, Lyle, Selah, Lailani), Levi Bear Tusk Jr., Brian (Brian "Bubba", Adrienne, Richard, Levi, Miranda), Sealmer Jr. (Shae, Rashaun, Rashaunda, Rose, Razariah, Sterling), Richard (Rifawnio, Riccaila), Sealmer III (Amber) Red Star, Mike LaRance, Holland (Kendra), Jonas Red Star (Lathan, Jonas Joseph "JJ," Kacelyn), Tommy Joe, Frankie Mascarena, Brother-in-law; Max Asencio, Special sister in-laws; Annette Bear Tusk and Sherry Rides Horse whom he loved to tease. His phone friend Thomas Lion Shows. Eugene had many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.
His extended families include; Red Star, Farwell, Old Crane, Goes Ahead, Lion Shows, DeCrane, Hugs, Big Hail, Wall, Small, Flat Lip, Stops, Pretty On Top, Gardner, House, Bear Crane, Glenn, Fritzler, Falls Down, Briggs, Bear, Bear Tusk,
Whiteman, Lande, Susan White Shirt, Violet Stops Enick Family, White Clay, Johnny Bull In Sight, Patrice Smells.
Please forgive us if we have unknowingly omitted anyone during our time of grief, it was not intentional.
The Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Billings Clinic Hospital ICC, CVU and ICU departments, Pulmonary Team, Dr. Edward Ferman, Ciera "Ed" B. RN, Mary RN, Anna Ammons RN, Nicole CNA, Case Management team Carrie Roth, Orianna Ontiveros, and the Pryor Clinic Staff.
Thank you all for your support, love, and presence during this most difficult time. Thank you to Dahl Funeral Chapel staff for all the assistance offered (Janna Baker, Melodie McDermott, Parker, Richard). Special thanks to Neal Beaumont Sr.