George Drapeaux, 92, of Pierre

George died Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Pierre. Funeral services are 10 AM, Monday at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Marty. Burial is in the Greenwood Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Greenwood. Wake services will be 7 PM, Sunday at the Community Center in Marty. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.



George Schaeffer Drapeaux was born in Greenwood, South Dakota on May 29, 1916, the son of Frank and Susan (LeClair) Drapeaux.

George was born and raised on the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. He attended St. Paul's Indian Mission at Marty (now the Marty Indian School) until he was 16, when he was sent to Genoa Industrial School in Nebraska. George attended High School in Colome, South Dakota and graduated in Gregory, South Dakota.

George joined the US Coast Guard and served many years during WW II. From 1940-1945 he was aboard the USS Wakefield and USS Saranac IV.

George married Carol Ballou in Winner on March 29, 1946.

George lived in Greenwood from 1916-1932, St. Frances from 1946-1948, Winner from 1949-1970, Lake Andes from 1970-1990, Martin from 1990-2007, Pierre from 2007-2008.

George served as Vice Chairman of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, Director of Headstart, President of the Marty Indian School Board, Chairman of the Gray-eagle Society, and was a member of many tribal boards. He was self-employed as a painter and interior design and worked as a land surveyor in his early years. George was a member of the VFW, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, President and boxing coach of the Winner Boxing Team for 25 years, baseball coach for the Winner Teen's for many years. He was very interested in helping young people.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Carol Drapeaux of Pierre; 7 children: Daniel L. (Jane) Drapeaux of Cedar Rapids, IA and their children: Jennifer and Bruce Drapeaux; George (Rosemary) Drapeaux of Yankton and their children: George M., Bradley, Christine, Justin and Richard Drapeaux; Roger (Heather) Drapeaux of Juneau, AK and their children: Jeannie and Kyle Drapeaux; Suzanne Blue Star Boy of Washington, DC and Molly Smith; Monica Drapeaux (Darryl Misher) of Silver Springs, MD, and their son Ian Evans; Brian J. (Casey) Drapeaux of Pierre and their children: Brian Jr., Bryce and Jordan Drapeaux; Jason Drapeaux and Jennifer Takes War Bonnett of Martin and their children: Brittany Poor Bear, Jason Drapeaux, Wakinyan Drapeaux, Kay Takes War Bonnett and Miya Garnet; 18 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren and many relatives and friends.

George was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters.