Ta Woihanble Owape

Richard "Codger" Red Owl was born in Pine Ridge, SD on August 14, 1940 to Cynthia Garnette-Red Owl and Theordore Red Owl. Richard was raised in Medicine Root District and Gordon, NE with his 4 sisters and 3 brothers. He had attended school in Gordon and was a state qualifier in Track, he also attended school at OCHS. Around the age of 18 & 19 he worked on the Silos in Gordon, NE. Richard had met his mahasani Geraldine "Chooch" as he called her in 1960 whom he then married in 1961 and have been married for 64 years. They settled and raised their 5 children in Batesland, SD. Richard worked from the age of twelve years old and he was a jack of all trades, he worked in construction, he worked for the Oglala Sioux Housing Association for at least 10 years, he was a bus driver and Home School Coordinator at Batesland School, when Richard was in his 40s he bloomed in his art, he ran for Shannon County School Board, served many years and was president 1 year, he served many years on Oglala Lakota College Board of Trustees. In the late 1960's he helped found the Oglala Sioux Artists Association and later helped Victor Runnels create the Dream Catcher Artist Association and in 2025 they received the Governors Award. Richard was also a speaker at the University of Pennsylvania in Art Goes to School Program. He also was a ranch hand throughout the years and especially on his daughter and son in laws ranch. He and his wife moved to East of Kyle, SD where they had a small art gallery and sold many paintings to visitors from different countries and a few famous people including the Black Hawk Band, James Cromwell, Marty Stuart, Willie Nelson, and Williams and Ree. He won Best of Show at the Northern Plain Artshow in Sioux Falls. He participated in many art shows throughout the states and won numerous awards throughout the years. He was a very humble man who never bragged. Grandpa Richard's love, humor and smile was a gift to cherish. He always showed us what true family means. His presence in our lives was a blessing, and his love was strong and deep and filled with memories to keep.

Richard made his journey to the spirit world on August 21, 2025 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE.

Richard is survived by his wife, Geraldine "Chooch" Red Owl; sister, Linda Castanida; brother, Dale Red Owl; daughter, Suzanne (Bertt) May; sons, Jeffery Red Owl, Gordon "Dean" (Michelle) Red Owl, Richard "Darren" Red Owl Jr, and Jon (Dawn) Red Owl; grandchildren, Jason (Shannon), Stephanie (Tasunke), Christopher (Amy), Elizabeth, Michael, Travis, Destiny (Monte), Traci, Richard III "Ritchie", Gerald "Son", Raymond (Felisha), Clay, Shay (Richard Jr), Tyrees and Shadow; 39 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandbaby.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Cynthia Garnette-Red Owl and Theordore Red Owl; maternal grandparents, Emma Sherman & Richard Garnette; paternal grandparents, Della Smith and Henry Red Owl; siblings, Faye Alderman-Red Owl, Alma Leach-Red Owl, Rosalind Red Owl, Alvin Red Owl, and Larry Jo Red Owl; and great granddaughter, Tianna Red Owl.

Honorary Pallbearers: Dominic, Imogene Arquero and Family, Randall Blaze, Wilbur Witt, Mario Gonzalez & Family, Anita Leach, Jim Yellow Hawk, Roger Broer, Mike & Ruth Abeta, Don Montileaux & Family, Raeann Red Owl & Family, Lance, Lana Christensen & Family, Sandy Christensen & Family, Jimmy Christensen, Karlene Hunter & Family, Tim, Tammi, Lola & Sis Lessert, Jerome LeBeaux & Family, Dusty LeBeaux & Family, Devon & Lyle LeBeaux, Spur Pourier, Lynne Pourier & Family, Monte Gonzalez & Family, Leon Gonzalez & Family, Wade Cuny, Robert Pille, Carl, Ginny Swallow & Family, Ivan, Stephanie Sorbel & Family, Marlon Garrett, Tudy, Melvin Swallow & Family, Arty Harvey, Clayton Faubion & Family, Chris, Allie Faubion & Family, Steve Reddy, Alan Reddy, Daine, Wayne Clifford & Family, Sandy, Wayne Morgan & Family, Duane Wilcox & Sisters, Tom Short Bull & Family, Myreen, Ronnie Ferguson & Family, Ray, Felisha Janis & Family, Clay Janis & Family, Shay, Richard Big Boy & Family, TD, Tiffiny & Family, Gary Jr & Friday Garnette, Tuffy Sierra, Joe American Horse, Larry May & Family, Myles Janis, Chris Janis, Marilyn Pourier & Family, Ray & Garry Runnels, Ben Jensen, Michelle Hagen, George, Maryann Reddy, Pat, Cindy Reddy & Family, Sandi & The Two Lance Family, the late Rick Albers & Family, Terry Albers & Family, Ettamae Runnels & Family, Troy Ferguson, Calvin Ferguson & Family, Wilbur, Gina Ferguson & Family, Keith Brave Heart, Conroy Families, Red Owl Families, Hunter Families, Iron Cloud Families, Janis Families, May Families, OLC Facility & Board, First Peoples Fund, Shannon County School Board (OLC), Northern Plains Artists, Dream Catchers Artists, Gordon High School Friends & Family, OCHS Friends, Thunder Valley Sundance Family, Around Him Sundance Family, Cross Sundance Family, All Lakota Artists, and all friends and relatives.

Pallbearers will be Richard Red Owl III, Christopher Red Owl, Michael Red Owl, Travis Red Owl, Jason May, Raymond Janis, Shadow Red Owl, and Gerald Cournoyer.

Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 4:00 PM, Friday, September 5, 2025 at the Rockyford School Gymnasium, in Rockyford, SD.

Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 5, 2025 at the Rockyford School Gymnasium, in Rockyford, SD.

Traditional Lakota Services: Jerome LeBeaux, Dominic Aquero, and Delane Has No Horse

Burial Services: Red Owl Family Cemetery, 2783 Red Water Dam Road, 6 Miles East of Kyle, SD on BIA 2.

Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD