Honoxease (Meadowlark) took his final motorcycle ride Wednesday night on the way from an AA meeting. He was born October 11, 1958 in Terry, MT to Charles Rapos and Rose Kinzel. He grew up in Fallon, MT where he attended up to high school. He then went to St Labre when his family moved back home to Lame Deer, MT. He later attended Chief Dull Knife College, obtaining his associates degree as a certified drug and alcohol counselor. He loved riding his four-wheeler, motorcycle, and horses. He enjoyed going to basketball games and was often thought to be Clayton Small’s assistant coach.
Don enjoyed construction, working for Northern Cheyenne Housing Authority for many years, where his co-workers were like family. He facilitated many youth events and participated and respected his traditional ways. Don struggled with addiction in his earlier years and became sober on July 2, 1988. AA and sobriety were his life. He was a mentor to many and could relate to all because he had been there, never passing judgement. His most recent accomplishment was completing the course “Called to Be Men”, held at the Morning Star Baptist Church. Don was known for his unashamed, unfiltered life, but most of all for his sense of humor. Don, Don Juan, Dynamite Don, Bones, Dad, Uncle, Brother, or Grampa, however you knew him, he will be greatly missed.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Charles Rapos, sister Virginia, grandparents, Jerry Kinzel, and much-loved Grandmother Alice Harris Kinzel, Sadie and Samuel Rapos. He is survived by his two daughters both from Colorado Springs, Dustie Rose One Bear and her children: Jaelyn Rose, Jethro (Bubba), Jasmine Olivia, Hope Matea, Grace Ali, twin sons Julien O’Neil and Darius Ryan, younger daughter Avery One Bear-Rios and her husband Jose.
He is survived by, his sister Diane Rapos from Lame Deer and brother John (Craig) from St. Paul, MN.
his uncle Oscar Kinzel and wife Gloria, Aunt Shirley Elfring and husband Robert. Butch and Lena Sooktis adopted Don and were very special to him.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF DON RAPOS AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
Carrie n Ross says
Don Rapos. It was good to know you. Thanks for making us laugh. U will be missed.
Theda New Breast says
Don Rapos, you made sobriety fun. Remember we had a GONA IN Billings and was winter time the parking lot at the Billings Hotel was frozen solid with ice. You gave all the out of town people free speed and spin like a donut rides. Miss you sober brother
Karen AR Stone says
Don my friend, thanks for all the fun times we had in sobriety, and for listening to my complaints and such…remember your funny comments and the tears we all shared when times were tough. Most of all, we are going to miss your big bear hugs that you gave everyone, and all the laughter. You made it friend to that big meeting with the creator, Maheo!, Until we meet again…God bless you and your family during this time of mourning. Karen
Kathleen Beartusk says
Don. Thank you for playing a positive part in my life. I will see you again.
Tamera Pamela Jennifer ktistin sooktis says
To Our brother…..you will be missed. Thanks for everything you’ve done for us girls. Tell ma (Lena) we said hi. I’m sure your both happy to see each other again. Till we meet again……..Tamera Pamela Jennifer ktistin
Going to miss your silliness, your smile and hugs. You was a blessing to our family.
Tamera Sooktis-Mann says
To my brother don…….thanks for helping and for all the support you have me, when decisions needed to made in my life. Thanks for all the laughs and hugs when needed. You was a blessing to me and my girls. I will miss you dearly. I sit here and think about all the fun times we had, especially when mom (Lena) was here. Many crazy stories to be told. There was Never a dull moment with you. Thanks for everything. Best story I can tell: when you had 4 chickens. And you wanted to paint their bodies brown and you named them four chickens: Tamera Pamela Jennifer and Kristin. Ugh. Tears…..thanks for always thinking of us girls. We loved you dearly. But now your with mom. Watching over us like you both did when you both here. Lucky fool….give her a big hug for us. Tears……till we meet again….journey well….brother.
Tionne Carlson says
if you type in “biggest fan” on google i’m sure dons name would pop up, at least for me anyway.. i couldn’t ever remember a single time in my high school basketball career that he was not there, he was always just seats away from the bench i swear ,it was always good to know that someone would travel near or far just to watch me play, i will never forget the encouraging words and the excitement don would share with me before and after games…. i could tell countless stories about how he would hype us up and tell us to kick some ass!!! me and my sisters will never forget all the times he supported us on our games… i remember telling him , your the biggest fan i have ever known i want you to wear my shirt i said lol he kinda laughed and said i wouldn’t miss it for the world , you really leave your heart out there he told me , i remember telling him that words will never be able to amount to how thankful i am for having someone so supportive the way he was and i told him oh don just remember i play for you man thanks for the support .. because you see we don’t always get these type of people with beautiful souls or positive vibes , he always had something good to say wether you won or lost … i will never forget the times he got kicked out of mile city 😏🙃always had us kids is back!!! heck it saddens me that this EAGLE gained his wings!!!! blue & gold all the way!!!! 💙💛💙💛 rest easy bud!!!!! #BusbyStrong
Bonnie Bigback says
Diane and all,
So terribly sorry to learn of Don passing. It seemed only just last week I saw him riding through Lame Deer. My deepest condolences to all of the family.
Keith Birdchief says
Rest easy friend. Gonna miss training your horse’s, riding horse’s together.
Rosaline Begay says
I will always love you and miss you. You are now in the NBC arms of God. No fear, just peace.
Addie Baker says
Diane I am so sorry for the loss of your brother Don. My deepest condolences. I am sorry I can’t be there for you, but know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Addie Baker
Andrita Harris says
Diane and Family
So sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy and condolences to all. Prayers
Eugene Blackbear says
Don told me; where’d you come from?? I told him Oklahoma!! We made friends while Gourd dancing, at the Northern Cheyenne CHR’s Benefit dance, 1980’s. Safe Journey Don!!
Nancy Pasha says
So sorry for the loss of a special person. I met Don through basketball at Rosebud. My prayers for his family and friends. God Bless them.
Cathy Sackman says
Diane,
I am so sorry for your loss of Don. I loved watching the video of Don. It brought back many special memories of you and your family.You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love
Cathy Sackman
LilDorothy Seminole-Whitedirt says
well i cant believe your REALLY gone! i remember when you took us kids from muddy cluster and we went on a skiing trip t o Red Lodge, i think it was called the drug elimination program when me and Ethel Tara Essence Jarvis we all about 10 years old….. got good words of wisedom on that trip…..i am sure Gilbert and Randy are going to miss you dearly also….fly high god gained another angel </3
Carolyn n Vernon May says
Diane and the rest of the family, So sorry to hear about Donnie. He is resting in the arms of his Lord and Savior. May God comfort you at this time.
Grace Larson says
I am so saddened over Don’s passing. Far too young and so much to offer but sadly his time came. Don was an anchor for those feeling their way into Sobriety. I am thankful that I knew him.
VALDA HAIDLE JONES says
Diane and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Valda Haidle Jones
Tysha Glenmore says
Uncle Don! 💔 you were goofy as ever I’ma miss your random appearances! You were such a blessing to us thanks for being an awesome uncle/son/brother to my mom and aunties I’m sure you and grandma Lena are being crazy as ever and watching down on us all give her my love and hugs 🤗 watch over our dad The Old Goat ♥️
Jeff Scheid says
Don’s family,
Don and were very good friends during school in Terry before he moved back to Lame Deer. While watching the tribute video it put a smile on my face because I could see his youthful spirit that I remembered.
Jim and Rita Alderman says
I am in total shock. Don was and will continue to be a great force for sobriety, but not just that. He showed that laughter was the key to relaxing and enjoying the life, he sobriety was fun. He helped so many people and I am totally grateful to him for helping me when I returned home from treatment. God bless him and his friends and family we will mourn the loss but hold on to the many memories and lessons learned, thank you Don
Laura Doyle says
Larry knew Don and we stopped and visited when we could.Larry held Don in high esteem.He enjoyed their visits immensely. Don was a very kind person .
Travis Kennedy says
My heart is with you all. I will always remember the jokes and the laughs.
We will miss you Uncle Don. Until we meet again at the other camp.
Dee Mobley says
Diane….
Praying for His Peace for you. Miss you and Hugs…………