John Evin Old Elk

John Evin Old Elk, age 40, Billings, Montana, passed to the other side camp surrounded by loved ones at Intermountain Health St. Vincent Hospital on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, after a long illness. John Evin was born on December 29, 1983, in Billings, Montana to Karen Little Light and John J. Old Elk. His Crow name was An Nakaá E? Xíassaash, Leads His Race Horse. He was Ties-The-Bundle Clan and Child of Whistling Water.
John Evin attended Lockwood Schools, Billings Senior High School, and Hardin High School. In 2001, the family relocated to Mesa, Arizona. He graduated from Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, California where he played varsity football and participated in the performing arts. He later earned Associate degrees in mathematics and biology from Little Big Horn College and his Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Montana State University (MSU), Bozeman, Montana. While studying at MSU, John Evin, was a student intern at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
After college, John Evin remained in Bozeman working various jobs and maintained close friendships. He later returned to Billings and worked for the non-profit, Western Native Voice, engaging with Native American communities and advocating on Native American issues throughout the state of Montana. He found the work very fulfilling.
Throughout his life, John Evin's warmth, humor, and wit were felt by all who knew him. He was a big man with a big heart. Certain circles called him "Sweet John". He said his acquaintances were being ironic. But people have told his family, it was because he was sweet. He could make a room erupt in laughter with his wit and innate comic timing. He had a mischievous streak, once convincing a naïve co-worker that there was a measure of timekeeping called "metric time". He defended the weak and watched out for friends and family when they were vulnerable. Our biggest defender's journey has ended.
He swelled with pride regarding his daughter Joie's academic accomplishments. He enjoyed long chats with her and proudly supported her participation in the Crow Fair parade. As his health turned, he was determined to watch his daughter receive her high school diploma.
He enjoyed supporting his nieces and nephews' extra-curricular activities by attending their basketball games, orchestra, and choir concerts. He loved football and enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos with his buddies. He enjoyed tailgating at MSU Bobcat games. He enjoyed cooking and was known for his beef stroganoff and hot wings.
John Evin was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents George Old Elk and Evelyn Old Elk, maternal grandparents Anastasia "Pauline" Little Light and Evin Clawson, his adopted brother, Simon Old Elk, his paternal uncles Sharon Old Elk, George "Chood" Old Elk, Daniel Old Elk, and Andrew Old Elk, maternal uncles Cloyce Little Light and Norris Little Light, and paternal aunt Dora Rides Horse and his beloved friend Krystal Nizhoni.
He is survived by his daughter, Joie Sanchez, parents Karen Little Light and John J. Old Elk; siblings Dawn Old Elk, Misty Little Light, Brent Old Elk, Shereena (Eduardo) Old Elk, Rebecca Joe Old Elk, Larna (Lane) Old Elk, and Karena (Ben) Vigil; nephews Jacob Nunez, Matthew Lopez, Judah Lopez, Solomon Lopez, Thomas Nunez, and Edward "Eddie" Nunez; nieces Samira Old Elk & Kaylee Nunez; uncles Walter (Colleen) Old Elk, Clayton (Georgianna) Old Elk, Lawrence "Larry" (Carol) Old Elk; aunts Gwendolyn Plain Bull, Carlene Old Elk, Janet Old Elk, Marla Little Light, Roberta "Blue" Henman, Linda (Tommy) Little Owl, Ava (Carson) Bellrock, his lifelong friends Wyatt Burns, Clint Smith, and Pascal Grapard. He is also survived by over 100 first cousins on his paternal side and over 20 first cousins on his maternal side.
Extended family includes Old Elk, Birdinground, Onion, Little Light, Adams, and Comes up.Our family is very large; please forgive us if we forgot to mention anyone during our time of grief. John Evin gained many friends throughout his journey of life. Please forgive us if we forgot to mention good friends as well.