Rev. Patrick Stands Over Bull,

Rev. Patrick Stands Over Bull, Sr., Pastor of Arrow Creek Christian Center and former Chief for the Crow Nation, has fought the good fight of faith and has passed on to reap his eternal rewards in heaven on April 2, 2015. His Crow name is Deaxkaash Alawach Cheleleesh (Eagle Looking for a Place Land). He is a member of the Big Lodge Clan, and was born in Lodge Grass, Montana on March 14, 1941 to Elkin and Goldie (Dust) Stands Over Bull. Patrick attended Edgar High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from Montana State University-Billings. He married his sweetheart Sharon Iron in 1961, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2011. Patrick was a fearless leader and true visionary. In 1972 he was elected to the office of Vice Secretary for the Crow Nation, and to two consecutive terms (1974 & 1976) to the office of Chairman (Chief). He met with US Presidents and other national leaders. As chairman, Patrick led the tribe in developing their coal resources, resulting in the first strip mine in the state of Montana (Sarpy Creek Mine). He successfully challenged the legal right of the state to impose an excessive severance tax on coal production revenue, ending in a US Supreme Court decision recognizing the tribe's exclusive right to tax Crow coal. This source of revenue continues to sustain the Crow Tribal Administration. In addition, he was responsible for the long-standing Tribal resolution that all coal royalties be distributed to all members of the Crow Tribe in per capita payments each April 10th, August 10th, and December 10th annually. Pat leaves a legacy that insures every tribal member benefits from the development of Crow Tribal coal resources. He always enjoyed the fruits of his labor when he observed, three times a year, tribal members, young and old, enjoying their share of the profits from the mine while shopping in Billings. He strongly advocated for tribal employee preference at the mine, and was proud that some of those employees could end their careers with retirement. He modeled his life after President John F. Kennedy's words; “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” After serving in public office Patrick was employed as an educator at Plenty Coup High School in Pryor, Montana where he taught history, Crow language, and social studies. He retired from Plenty Coup High School in 2003. Concurrent with his career in education, he obeyed the divine call on his life to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in 1978, and founded Arrow Creek Christian Center (formerly known as Souls Harbor Church) in Pryor. In a community with over 50% unemployment, together with his wife, they led the construction of the building facilities for the church, spending countless years laboring to ensure the community had a place of worship of their own. The building facilities were constructed debt free with contributions received from members of the Crow Christian community. He served as pastor from 1978 until his passing. During his ministry, he founded Crow Jubilee Camp meeting in 1983 as an outreach event during Crow Fair to serve the community and unify the regional Christian leadership in working toward a common goal. Countless numbers of hurting people have been touched by this event that has established a tradition of service for over 30 years. This event has attained a nationwide recognition. Pastor Stands Over Bull held evangelistic campaigns on Indian reservations throughout the region, utilizing large gospel tents to conduct revivals. He built a legacy of serving his fellow man, bringing hope to the hopeless, light to the darkness, and healing to the hurting. Patrick had a strong work ethic and commitment to the ministry, his teaching career, and family life. He always emphasized that “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children”, something he has accomplished. As a driven visionary, he was still challenging himself and his congregation to persevere in the achievement of God given dreams and pursuit of divine destinies just days prior to his passing. The nation has truly lost a great leader. Patrick enjoyed spending time with his family, enjoying the natural beauty of his Crow homeland. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping in the Pryor and Big Horn Mountains, boating on the Yellowtail Lake, and fishing the Big Horn River and the many streams of the Crow Reservation. He was an avid student of Church and world history, commonly including this knowledge in his sermons. Reverend Stands Over Bull is survived by his beloved wife Sharon, his children Dr. Russell and Donna, Jonathan and Lana, Majel Russell and Ervin Carlson, adopted sons and daughters, Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne, Rev. Tim Storey, I'noli Hall, Rev. Barry Palser, Cynthia Taylor and Melissa Falls Down. He was preceded in death by: His mother and father; children Patrick, Jr., Patricia and Jerry Taylor; and grandchildren Quannah & Willy Bird, and Robert Stands Over Bull. Grand children include Jeremy, Bethany & Goldie Stands Over Bull; Sharon Rose and Jeremiah Stewart; Ivy Bird and Nicolas Whitford; Zannon, Joah, Malia, Samson, and Kevin Stands Over Bull; Chad Bad Bear, Carrie, Patrick III, Isaiah, Solomon, and Holly Stands Over Bull; John and Delton Hill, and Shanna La Compte. He is also survived by numerous great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Additional surviving family includes sisters Linda Little Owl and Juanita Stands Over Bull, and brothers Lawrence Stands, Eymard Left Hand, Benjamin Stands Over Bull, and Wayne Laforge. He was preceded in death by sisters Rose Rock Above, Ana Jean Left Hand, and brother Moses Stands Over Bull. Patrick's extended family include the Dust, Red Star, Roods, Rondeaux, Bad Bear, Caplett, Schaeffer, Rich Bear, Horse, Plenty Hawk, Hunts The Arrow, Passes, Bull Tail, and Stands Over Bull families. Viewing will be held Sunday from 4 pm – 6 pm with a Remembrance Service to follow beginning at 6 pm, both at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Service will be held at 11 am on Monday at Plenty Coups High School in Pryor, MT with burial to follow in Pryor Cemetery.