Bruce Spotted Bear,

Bruce (JR) Damon Spotted Bear Jr., Deaxkaashdaake (Eagle Child), went to the other side of camp on April 17, 2020. He was born on May 24, 1967 to Bruce Spotted Bear Sr. and the late Myrna (Horn) Spotted Bear. He was a member of the Whistling Water Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. He attended St. Charles Mission, Billings Central High School, North West College in Powell WY as well as Montana State University- Bozeman where he studied Agriculture. Bruce worked as a teachers aide at St. Charles Mission for ten years, as well as at Moran Elementary School before his current employment with Shipton's Big R, where most folks could find him because he was a hard worker who was always working. He enjoyed going to the mountains with his nieces, nephews, cousins, and with his special cousin friend, Veronica Kay, to harvest wild berries, wild turnips, bear root, tipi stakes, tipi poles, and to gather sweat wood. JR once said he would always live where he could see the mountains and continued to live in his childhood home where his father still resides in Pryor, Montana. He was also raised by his grandmother, the late Emma Coffey-Smells, who taught him traditional ways. He had a beautiful talent for beading and sewing; he made a lot of items for his family and friends such as elk tooth dresses, belts, moccasins, and leggings. The late Betty Caufield took him as her son and he made a Crow woman's blanket for her that her granddaughters still parade with. JR enjoyed camping at Crow Fair every year and always made sure to set up camp the Sunday before it began and could cook meals for the family with recipes given to him by his mother. JR also had the right to build a sweat lodge and prayed for his family and friends as often as he could. Bruce, Jr. also made the yearly Advent and Christmas wreaths for the St. Charles Mission church, of which he was a member. He was also a believer of traditional ways and would often be found helping out at Sundances, medicine bundle openings, and attending handgames. Anyone that knew him, knew him to be a kind person. The following preceded him in death: Great Grandparents- Mabel Bradley, One Feather, Weasel Woman, Spotted Bear and Knot Woman. Grandparents- Emma Coffey-Smells, Theodore Spotted Bear, Gilbert Horn Sr., Ruth Elizabeth Bradley, Rita Bradley, Joanne Bradley, Georgie Bradley, Herbie Bradley, Gilbert Bradley. Mother- Myrna Horn Spotted Bear. Uncle- Sylvester Spotted Bear, Vernon Hawley. Aunts- Donna Hein, Darlene Rogers, Julia Round Face. Brothers: Marty Round Face, Print Spotted Bear, & Deano Hein. Sisters: Marva Windy Boy, Carrie McCabe, Jubie Round Face & Janadele Baker. Nephew: Wes Spotted Bear. He is survived by his father Bruce Spotted Bear Sr., his uncles: Max (Dorothy) Spotted Bear Sr., Jerry (Peggy) Spotted Bear. Aunts: Jeanette Richardson, Rosemary Round Face, Sharon Smells, Patrice Not Afraid, Darlene Shambo, Karen (Wayne) Jones, & Flo Spotted Bear. Brothers: Bradley (Lisa) Hawley, Max, Jr. (Walla), Luke (Missy), & Taten Spotted Bear, Howard, Daniel (Paula), Johnny, Justin, Cletus Round Face, Tom (Cheryl), Butch, Bruce (Delores) Nagel, Ace (Shelly), Patrick (Christine) & Flarin (Nancy) Big Lake, Owen (Emma), Raymond (Diane) Richardson, Colan Snow, Little Crow Baker, Gilbert “Buddie” (Nedra), Donald “Duck” (Fluff), Kermit, Curtis (Mona), Walter (Lisa), & Charlie Horn, John Bear Cub, Lonnie “Wayne” (Linda) Herschel. Sisters: Kimberly (Tafuna) Tusi, Sr., Renee Hawley, Geri (Greg) Main, Monica Nagel-Henry, Velvet (Jesse) Hein, Veronica Kay (William Big Day) Spotted Bear, Georgia (Calvin) Buckingham, Delia, Janel, Island, & Emma Salley, Tyrale, Tenina & Cedar Spotted Bear, Glenda Richardson, Greta & Roberta Round Face and Dorothy White Plume. Nephews: Tafuna, Setu (Brook), and Taumata Tusi, Tusi Ah-Mai, Christopher (Sierra) Hayes. Nieces: Sonya (Julian) Goes Ahead, & Tausilia (Jesse) Wheeler. Grandkids: Menima Tusi, Carolyn and Sivale Wheeler, Karma, Tinei, and Rizen Ah-Mai. Extended families include White Clays, Gones, ND Spotted Bears, Coffeys, Rogers, Beartails, and Lincolns. Burial will be in the Spotted Bear Cemetery at a later date.