Thomas Ray Stands For

February 17, 1948 - November 8, 2013

EAGLE BUTTE | Thomas R. Stands For, 65, of Eagle Butte, entered the Spirit World Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, at the Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte. Thomas R. (Uses the Knife) Stands For was born February 17, 1948 to Raymond & Ethel (Butcher) Uses the Knife, Sr. at the Old Cheyenne Agency. He was raised in the country in the Thunder Butte area with his parents, brothers & sisters. He had a special horse named “Sioux Chief” that he raised as a colt to a grown horse. In his early years he attended Chamberlain school until the 8th grade and then attended C-EB High School. After High School, in 1967, as the Vietnam War escalated, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam, and from 1968-1969, he served side by side with his Lakota Brothers, Gilford Iron Wing and Donovan Pretty Weasel in the Mekong Delta. He received the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal. In 1969 he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in the Cheyenne River community. He attended the United Tribes Technical College and received a Certificate of Completion in Vocational Course in Building Trades. He then moved to Eagle Butte with his wife, Nancy (Brings Horse) where he resided since the ‘90’s. He is survived by three sons: Trenton Stands For, Wallis Stands For and Tristan Stands For of Eagle Butte. Five daughters: Tilla Anderson, Ft. Totten, ND, Tomi Stands For, Rapid City, SD, Tahnie Stands For of Dupree, SD, Tina Aungie and Taryn Chasing Hawk of Eagle Butte. His mother, Ethel Uses The Knife of Rapid City. Four brothers: William Uses The Knife of Rapid City, Matthew Uses The Knife, Raymond Uses The Knife, Jr., and Bernard Uses The Knife of Eagle Butte. Three sisters: Mary Zephier of Rapid City, Etta Rush of Deville, LA and Marietta Uses The Knife of Eagle Butte. Numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Stands For, father, Raymond Uses the Knife, Sr., sister, Bernadette Uses the Knife, infant sister, Ruth Marie Uses the Knife, niece, Loreil Uses the Knife, Maternal Grandfather & Grandmother, Sam & Nellie (Clown) Butcher, Paternal Grandfather & Grandmother, Frank & Elizabeth (Eagle Chasing) Uses the Knife, Aunt, Maethel Moran and Uncle, Sidney Keith. Thomas’ family wishes “special thanks” to Harvey & Stella Eagle Horse, Rev. Norman Blue Coat, Mother Margaret Watson and Mr. Matthew Uses the Knife, Doug Jo Knife, CRST Support Services and the Cheyenne Akicita Warrrior Veterans Visitation, with a veteran's roll call, will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at the Rooks Funeral Home in Eagle Butte. Funeral services will be at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte, with Mother Margaret Watson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.