February 17, 1970 – June 1, 2021
Royce Clown, 51, of Dupree entered the spirit world, Monday, June 1, 2021, at Monument Health in Rapid City with family by his side.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at Pioneer Hall in Dupree. Burial followed in the St. Peter Episcopal Cemetery at Thunder Butte.
Royce Jeffrey Clown was born February 17, 1970 to Arnold K. Clown, Sr. and Eldora (Black Eagle) Clown at Eagle Butte. In his early childhood, Royce spent a lot of time with extended family and for a while lived with his Grandma Amy and Lala Ed Clown.
When he was three, Royce walked downtown by himself, and when asked what he was doing and why he was downtown, he replied, “just going to buy cigarettes.”
Royce was an altar boy at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Dupree when his Lala Ed was a lay reader.
He liked to go fishing, ice skating, or take a hike.
Royce received his GED after he turned 18 years old. He enrolled at Mitchell Vo-Tech where he received his journeyman apprenticeship and began working for Bolt Electric. This allowed him to travel the upper Midwest states for several years.
Royce later obtained his commercial driver’s license. He signed on as a driver for Ludikee Trucking in Rapid City, traveling cross country hauling goods.
Royce returned home to Dupree and worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in different positions, including director of the sanitary landfill for a short time and in Cheyenne River Housing Authority renovation.
Throughout his life, Royce never forgot his family and friends and no one forgot Royce. He always remained close to those he grew up with. His special family include Carol Mann, and Ken and Mollie Wold and family.
Royce is survived by his mother, Eldora Black Eagle of Dupree; brothers Ken Clown and family of Dupree, Arnold Clown Jr. and family of Thunder Butte, Derek Bianas and family of LaPlant, and Narcisse Bruguier of Eagle Butte; sisters Sarah Clown and family of Pierre and Tina Red Bird and family of Eagle Butte; daughter Mandylynn Clown of Rapid City; son Whitney Clown Marrowbone of Rapid City; and his god children, Tristan and Noah Little Wounded of Dupree.
He is preceded in death by his father, Arnold Clown Sr; brothers Ronald “Deetz” Clown and Vincent Cloud Eagle; special niece Kaylynn “Kaykay” Clown; paternal grandparents Raymond and Sarah Clown; and maternal grandparents Luke and Lizzie Loves War Black Eagle.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.