Raymond Perkins, 75, passed away on March 25, 2026, at Sanford Health, Bismarck, ND.

Wake Services will begin at 5:00 PM on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Ralph Wells Community Center with a Time of Sharing beginning at 7:00 PM. Procession will leave Thompson Funeral Home at 4:00 PM to the Ralph Wells Community Center.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Ralph Wells Community Center in White Shield, ND. Burial to follow at the Sundance Grounds, rural White Shield, ND.

Raymond was many things to a many people. To some he was known as: River Rat Ray; Raising Ray; The Scraven; Unks; Brother; but to us he was just our dad. An enigma…simple in his expression of words, yet complex in thought. You could never tell what he was thinking or if he even could hear you. He was a fair man. A good man. Even in-temperament, but most importantly loving. He displayed unconditional love to those around him and accepted you just as you were. He was generous with his time, knowledge, and even his money.

I can honestly say, I never heard my father speak ill of anyone. If he thought it. My ears didn’t hear it.

A Proud Arikara, many eagles (ne’etAhkas tiraaNIhu’uU) was born on October 25, 1950, in Elbowoods, North Dakota. He had two siblings, Glenn and Eva Perkins. Their parents were Sybert Yellowbear and Marcelline Yellowface. After his mother died. Sybert married again, this time, Ramona Plenty Chief where the youngest of the four siblings was born, Paula Rae Yellowbear.

His early education was spent between boarding school in Wakpala, SD and White Shield. He excelled academically, and as a result, was given an opportunity to finish the remainder of his education anywhere he wished, within the United States. His only requirement was that the school be located where it did not snow. That decision brought the young 16-year-old to Yale University in the summer of 1966. Ultimately, completing his high school education at the prestigious Colorado Academy located in Englewood, CO.

While there, he played Lacrosse, football, basketball, ran track, enjoyed woodworking, macramé, was a member of the bridge club and an avid reader, which lasted throughout his life, taking a special liking to Louis L’Amour. During his time there, his Russian teacher took to him fondly and would pick him up each Saturday to bring him to the Russian district within Denver. All interactions were spoken solely in Russian. There were only a few mementos he held onto throughout his life, one of which was a single postcard written from her entirely in Russian. On June 5, 1968, he graduated from Colorado Academy. It was only then, he learned a private benefactor whom wanted to remain nameless was willing to pay his college tuition anywhere of his choosing. His dream was to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to be a research mathematician or statistician. He ultimately decided to attend North Dakota State University and graduated in social work in 1978.

The decision to finish his education in state was based on the fact, he created a family with his then wife of eight years, which resulted in the birth of his two daughters: Dusty Lynn Perkins and Whitefishwoman. They made their home in Harwood, ND. Times were lean and in order to provide he worked three jobs and college full-time: He worked the morning shift at Mr. Donut, The bowler at night, and the Fargo Forum on the weekends. He often took his daughters to work with him and was able to complete his four-year degree in two. Upon graduating, the family moved to Jamestown, ND. Where he was employed at the State Hospital for ten years. He worked with young adolescence who were deemed “problematic” and “severely disturbed”.

Heading into forties, divorced, and health issues related to stress. He decided to move back home to White Shield so he could be closer to family and learn his cultural ways. Many may remember the Ravens Nest, located in the old Ralph Wells community building. The Raven’s Nest was created as a drop-in-center, arcade, and pool hall for the youth in White Shield. It was also a way to keep tabs on his daughter, and impressionable nieces and nephews. To say he enjoyed playing pool is an understatement. He not only created a pool league at the Raven’s nest with his daughter, niece, and nephews, but also participated weekly on two other leagues. He was well known on the pool circuit and in tournaments.

He would later find love and companionship again in 1997, when he met Barbara Young bird from New Town, ND. They remained together until her passing in 2020. Although they never married or had children together. He openly welcomed her children and treated them as his own: Stacy Driver, Carolyn Spotted Horse, Janie Bird bear, and Richard Finley “RJ”. He was a loving and supportive dad to them and enjoyed filling the role as grandpa to the many grandchildren and now great grandchildren attending the many birthdays, graduations, and celebrations.

Rays spiritual teachings, originated from his best friend, brother, and mentor Glenn Perkins. Their bond was undeniable, they supported each other’s spiritual paths through ceremony, sweat, and sundance until his brother’s untimely death in 2002. Raymond continued his spiritual path finding connection with the sundance circle, known as “Jackson Hole” in Fort Totten ND; led by spiritual leader Richard Street. He was also very close with his hunka brother Charlie Lantendre from Edmonton, Canada, another spiritual leader, whom he respected. Through this hunka family, Ray took Petey Alexis as a nephew but treated him as a son. Petey continually came back to North Dakota for the past twelve years to spend time with his uncle. Serving as his gambling partner, poker buddy, Uber driver and travel companion.

Beyond shooting pool, he enjoyed darts, playing poker and hitting the casino multiple times a week! He regularly went to the casino which he referred to it as the land of “OZ”. In the absence of Petey his granddaughter Sweet Cedar would pick him up weekly. A novice gambler he initially nicked named her the “apprentice”. Due to dad’s forgetfulness her name quickly turned into the “accomplice”! Ray had many friends and fellow gambling buddies at the casino-poker room, smoker’s lounge, and the slots.

He was someone worth knowing. A kind of person that you would share stories about to complete strangers. His displays of love and teachings of how to be will continue on beyond his physical life. You are loved…

He is preceded in death by his father: Sybert Yellowbear (Perkins), Marcelline Yellowface, Glen Perkins, Eva Perkins, Rebecca Olslund, Barbara Young bird.