Thomas John Barlese

Thomas John Barlese was born on November 21, 2000 in Fall River Mills, CA to Ernie Barlese and Virginia DeGarmo. Thomas made his journey to the Spirit World on November 28, 2025 near Scenic, SD.
Thomas loved to play basketball, paint, and hang out with his family and friends. When Thomas entered the Army in 2019, he trained to be a cook specialist which he enjoyed until his honorable discharge in 2022.
Thomas is survived by his mother, Virginia DeGarmo; maternal grandmothers, Jeanne Janis, Rose Howard, and Marilyn Big Eagle; maternal grandfather, Dean (Diane) Big Eagle; great grandmother, Agatha Anderson; sisters, Ashley DeGarmo, Jennifer McLaughlin, Marvie Ferguson, and Sidney Twiss; brothers, Austin Zendejas, Cody Kills In Water, and Paul Kills In Water; aunts, Nanette Kills In Water, Denise DeGarmo, Emmaline Ferguson, Marlys Big Eagle, Sunny Big Eagle, Jodi Janis, Myreen Iron Cloud, Dawn Iron Cloud, Monique Janis-Two Crow, Jerri Barlese, Janet Barlese, Bonnie Larios, Ladonna No Neck, Elizabeth Yellow, Vanessa Kills In Water, and Valentina Traverise; uncles, DJ Big Eagle, Micah Big Eagle, Eric Big Eagle, Wes Big Eagle, Josh Rainbow, Ervin One Horn, Davey Red Owl, Dwight Kills In Water, Craig Kills In Water, William Cowan, Harrison No Neck, Parry Traversie, Mike Whitaker, Audie Noneo, Zach Yellow, Gabriel Toledo, Galen Howard, Cody Howard, William Yellow, Jr., and Ronnie Ferguson; niece, Kayliana Zendejas; nephews, Austin Zendejas, Jr., Anthony Zendejas, Daeymieon Lee, Nanego Contreras, Nemseni Contreras, and Ryan Harer; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, & nephews.
Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Ernie Barlese, Jr.; maternal grandfathers, Burt DeGarmo, Duane Big Eagle, Sylvester Janis, William Yellow, Sr., and Francis Yellow, Jr.; paternal grandparents, Edith Barlese and Ernie Barlese, Sr.; aunts, Anita Schacker, Tracy Barlese, and Kristy Big Eagle; uncles, Chris DeGarmo, Cory Big Eagle, Warner Barlese, James Barlese, Richard Barlese, and Greg Barlese; cousin, Mya Townsend; and many beloved grandparents, uncles, and aunts.
Pallbearers will be Austin Zendejas, Austin Zendejas, Jr., Cody Kills In Water, Paul "Sonny" Kills In Water, Matthew Janis, Tony No Neck, Shane Rooks, Jason DeGarmo, and Dawson Rooks.
Honorary pallbearers will be Janis Family, Big Eagle Family, DeGarmo Family, Kills In Water Family, McBride Family, Barlese Family, Garnette Family, Red Owl Family, Takes War Bonnett Family, Ferguson Family, Fort Night Veterans, his OLC College Family, his Waste Wota family, All Army Family, and All Friends & Relatives that loved him they way he loved them.
Wake Services: One night wake service will start at 4:00 PM, Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall in Kyle, SD with services starting at 5:00 PM with Military Roll Call to Follow.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Friday, December 12, 2025 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall in Kyle, SD.
Traditional Lakota Services: Delane Has No Horse
Officiating: Minister Mona Vocu
Burial Services: St. Stephen's Catholic Cemetery, Kyle, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD