West River Eagle

Thomas LaVeaux


Thomas Jasper LaVeaux, 62, of Bozeman, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 13th, 2019. He was born at the Cheyenne Agency Hospital,December 25th, 1956 to Thomas Jasper Veaux Sr. and Evelyn (Bowker) Veaux on the Cheyenne River Sioux reservation, SD. He met his wife, Deb LaVeaux, while attending Montana State University – Bozeman. They were married on August 18, 1984. Thom was an athlete growing up in his younger years living in Marksville and Laplant, SD then moving to Eagle Butte. riding horses with the Lee Boys & Grandpa Louis Veo, playing horseshoes, shooting archery, practicing karate, judo, tai-chi & using a Bo stick at Y.M.C.A. camp. Playing baseball /softball traveling all over the reservation and up into Standing Rock hitting home runs at times. In high school he played Football and Basketball for the Cheyenne-EB Braves. He played basketball in the leagues in Aberdeen making the winning shot one year, banking in the bucket at the last second. He loved to fish, hunt and being outdoors camping under the stars and teaching his many skills he was blessed with. He could gut a deer in 5 minutes or less, shoot a prairie chicken flying the other way at 75 yards, fry up fish right after catching them for whomever wanted one. Always providing wild game meat for the elderly and others when asked. He can swim very well and one year he dove off the floating ramp at the YMCA camp winning the underwater swimming contest holding his breath until he was on his feet at the shoreline on dry ground. Thom loved God’s word the Holy Bible taking it to school despite the many negative reactions he got. He traveled the West Coast, Southwest area, Alaska and Canada at times with his older brother and his uncle, Brother Frank preaching Jesus to many people and God confirming the word with power. As many miracles, signs and wonders followed as they preached. Thomas started his school years at the Swiftbird Day School transferring to Cheyenne-Eagle Butte. He attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD receiving his Radiology Degree and he served his community through his work with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (NYC, I.A.T), Bureau of Indian Affairs (C-EB Business Manager) Indian Health Service (X-ray Tech), he held various jobs in Montana and he loved sharing God’s word with everyone he met. His family knows that he is in heaven doing his favorite things: fishing, hunting, reading and looking after those he loves with prayer.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Deb (Clairmont); his children, Kendra Beltran (Noel), David, Kristin, and Daniel (Julianna Comstock), Jestin, Gina, and Jaymee Spannring; his grandchildren, Remy and Ramsay Beltran; his mother, Evelyn Veaux of Laplant, SD; and his siblings, brothers Herbert (Ronda) LaVaux of Denton, Texas, Tiokasin Veaux of High Falls, NY , Terrance (Gina)Veo, Leon (Carla)Veaux, Steven (Janine)Bartlett, Clint Bartlett of Eagle Butte, SD and Lori (David)Bowen of Laplant, SD. He is preceded in death by his father Thomas Jasper Veaux Sr. and his sister, Lyndell Joy Bartlett.

The celebration of his life will be observed privately by his family in accordance with his wishes. His remains will find rest on his family’s plot in La Plant, SD. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service of Bozeman, Montana.

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