GRAYDEN BEAR, 75, White Shield, died Sunday in a Bismarck hospital. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4th, 2015 in Ralph Wells Jr. Memorial Complex, White Shield. Wake on Thursday at 5 p.m. Thursday at Ralph Wells Jr. Memorial Complex in White Shield.

Grayden O. Bear Sr. (Standing Soldier), peacefully left this world on November 1st, 2015 at Sanford Health in Bismarck, ND at the age of 75. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 11:00 am at the Ralph Wells Jr. Memorial Complex in White Shield. Burial will be at the Old Scouts Cemetery in rural White Shield.

Grayden was born on September 7th, 1940 to Robert and Dora (Hopkins) Bear Sr. on the Bear family ranch located near the 6 mile creek in the Elbowoods/Nishu area of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Grayden was an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes and was especially proud of his Arikara heritage.

Growing up Grayden attended school in White Shield, ND and would go on to graduate in 1960. While in school he excelled in basketball. Shortly after graduating from high school, Grayden joined the United States Army and was stationed throughout Germany. After serving in the Army and being discharged, Grayden went on to pursue saddle bronc riding for a few years.

He met Mable Charging and in 1965 were united in marriage and from this union they had their only daughter Leah and son the late Grayden (J.R.). The last years of his life he spent traveling to many great places with his special friend, the late Bonnie Yellow Bear. He worked various jobs while living in San Jose, CA, Cleveland, OH, Mandan, ND but after moving back home to White Shield, ND he worked for the road garage and also as a porter for the casino.

Grayden was a caring, funny and courageous man throughout his life. He was a proud member of the Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear American Legion Post #253 and participated in as many events as he could and was honored a couple of years ago for his service. One of his favorite pastimes was going down to his favorite hangout to play cards and bingo. He also enjoyed sitting back in his chair, watching war and western movies, wrestling and football. Grayden was known to many for his great sense of humor and he could always be found joking around with someone or telling stories. He enjoyed being a grandpa, especially a great grandpa to his little buddy Brody Dean. He loved to tell his grandchildren stories of when he was in Germany, his high school basketball days and his shenanigans with his brothers and cousins. Those stories will be greatly missed.

Honored to have shared this life with him are his daughter Leah (Calvin) Black Hawk Bismarck, ND; Grandchildren Dean Bear New Town, ND, Deborah (Andrew) Black Hawk Bismarck, ND, Stacey Bear Watford City, ND and Amera (Mitchell) Brinson Watford City, ND and his great grandchildren; Brother Robert Bear Jr. White Shield, ND; Sisters Loretta Meredith White Shield, ND and Roberta Bear White Shield, ND; His many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends.

Grayden will be reunited with his parents Robert and Dora (Hopkins) Bear Sr.; Brothers Samuel Bear, Elmer Bear, Duane Bear, Richard Bear and Winston Bear; Sisters Pauline White Bear and Delma Bear White Calf; Son Grayden Bear Jr.; Nieces Elaine White Bear and Loie White Bear; Grandson Roy Azure and his special friend Bonnie Yellow Bear.