November 24, 1956 – March 11, 2023
Stuart Anthony Dolphus, 66, of Ridgeview passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023, at his home in Ridgeview. Memorial services were held Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Landmark Hall in Eagle Butte under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Stuart “Stu” Anthony Dolphus was born to D.D. and Geraldine (Carter) Dolphus in Norwalk, CA on November 24, 1956. He joined siblings Paulette Dolphus Heideman, Willetta Dolphus, and Vaughn Dolphus.
Stu lost his mother when he was 9 years old. His father D.D. married Marge (Dupris) Dolphus and Stu’s family grew to include the rest of his brothers and sisters: Marlene Lessert Ducheneaux, Danny Lessert, Sharon Arpan LeCompte, Elaine Arpan LeBeau, Birdie Arpan Richards, Helen Arpan, DeAnne Dolphus, and youngest brother Junior Dolphus. They made their home at Rousseau Creek on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
His love for horses came early from his father, who was an Armstrong County rancher and race horse owner. Riding fast horses started at a young age with a ride out in the pasture on a horse named Rusty. It was not long before Stu’s skills in horsemanship and horse racing developed and shaped Stu’s career as a jockey. He got his first jockey license at the age of 16. His first win came on a horse named “Justice Brown” at the South Dakota Quarter Horse Pari-Mutuels.
Some of his accomplishments include 1980 Leading Jockey, Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Association at Val Verde Downs; All American Gold Cup; and multiple stakes winners. In his career he had earnings of $2 million.
Trady Kay Dolphus was his first-born daughter and 9 years later he married Paula (Jones) Gardner and his son, Jensen Dolphus, was born. After Stu finished racing in Texas he moved back to Eagle Butte, where he had his third child, Phoebe Dolphus.
Stu loved people and had many friends. Those he cherished most were: his late partner, Shawn LeBeau Lamb, and closest friends and relatives, Leland and Melissa LeBeau, Jeff Bowker, and Randee and Spike Guardipee.
Stu is survived by his children Trady Kay, Jensen (Rebekah) Dolphus of Bandera TX, Phoebe Dolphus of Eagle Butte; grandchild Naomi Dolphus; many siblings, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
He is preceded in death by his mothers, Geraldine and Marge, his father D.D., maternal and paternal grandparents, and siblings Vaughn, Danny, and Birdie; and half-sister Arlene Thompson.