John Red Hawk, 71, Mandan, died on Tuesday, September 2, 2020 at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck. In consideration of CDC, North Dakota, and Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation COVID-19 guidelines, family and friends may pay their respects from 11 to 12 on Friday September 4, 2020, at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison. Social distancing guidelines will be observed; masks are encouraged.) The procession to the Old Scout Cemetery west of White Shield will leave the funeral home at approximately Noon. Please observe social distancing guidelines at the cemetery.

John T. Red Hawk, born April 1, 1949 to Ward and Jeanette (Richards) Red Hawk of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. John attended school in Pine Ridge, S.D. and Mission, S.D. After high school, John enlisted in the Unites States Army in 1967. He served under the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Vietnam in 1967 to 1968. John received a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam for wounds received in combat. After the military, John wanted to gain higher education at United Tribes Technical College and then attended Mary College in Bismarck, North Dakota to receive his degree in Business Management. During this time in college, he met Beatrice Fox (aka…Jean). They married in 1971 and have been married for 49 years. He was employed with Mandan Oil Refinery where he retired after 20 years of service.
During his life, he was an active member of Young Hawk – Bear Post 253 of White Shield, North Dakota. He traveled to participate in many of Young Hawk – Bear Post 253 activities, especially the reenactment of Little Big Horn in Montana and the Ira Haze Parade in Arizona. He was a Flag Bearer for the White Shield Pow Wow in 2018 and assisted in many Veterans activities around White Shield. Jean and John were an inseparable pair when they participated and enjoyed being part of the White Shield Elders organization. His hobbies included Native American arts & crafts, going to Pow Wows, and hunting & fishing. He enjoyed being with family, especially Jean, but his heart was for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.