A Committal service with military honors for 53-year old Alan Roy will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 10:00 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD
Alan Lee Roy “Tusweca Maza” was born in Las Gatos, CA, on March 4, 1969, to Imogene M Brave Eagle-Roy of Kyle, SD, and Gerald D Roy, Sr of Cloquet, MN. He passed May 14, 2022 in Aschaffenburg, Germany
Born behind older brother Terrance Roy, Alan began his life’s journey to Chicago, IL, and then moved with the family to the Pine Ridge Reservation.
He resided near grandmother Jessie Janis and extended family while his younger brother Gerald A Roy Jr was born. Then after moving to Badland National Park, Alan’s younger sister Lonee’ J Roy was born, completing the immediate family.
Alan’s elementary school years began in Lower Brule, SD. He became enthusiastically involved with cultural activities and infatuated with the outdoors. This carried onto San Carlos, AZ, where he attended a parochial school and grew into sports, horsemanship, and moreover, the gift of developing friendships he would continue throughout years to come.
Alan relocated to Shawano, WI, and familiarized himself with diverse surroundings. Eventually, he found a second family to include a stepmother Joyce Oliver-Roy and a third brother, Christopher Roy.
Alan later returned to Kyle where he made stronger bounds. Alan was proud of being an Oglala and shared it with all revolving around him. He possessed a personal bond with the land and respected all her inhabitants, always practicing conservation efforts.
Alan participated in most extra-curricular activities in high school including athletics, student council and the Upward Bound Programs of the University of Colorado.
Excelling in all aspects of high school, Alan practiced Lakota virtues to always serve, protect and represent others that could not do it for themselves. He decided to graduate early from Little Wound School and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.
Adamant about the military while desiring a higher education, Alan immediately joined the Army ROTC program where he completed subsequent training that allowed him to join the Army’s 82nd Airborne, stationed at Ft. Benning, GA.
His first engagement as part of the 82nd was in Panama, where they subdued military forces projecting dangers threatening the US. His deployments to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm followed. Alan experienced multiple engagements and earned combat decorations.
Unfortunately, his losses in the desert along with the burning Kuwaiti oil fields caused health issues he later experienced extensively. Alan however, still maintained contact with friends and cultivated new relationships – never succumbing to the excruciating threat attempting to overshadow his wellbeing.
Stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, Alan married Martina Eva Ramos. Although not having children of his own, he grew fond of Martina’s daughters and embraced the grandchildren as his own.
Because of health considerations and an unrelenting commitment to family, Alan departed his beloved military and remained in Germany – occasionally visiting home. He enjoyed his final years there. pursuing an international career while suffering from multiple ailments that eventually rendered him disabled.
The strength Alan demonstrated was equivalent to the love and commitment he had in life. Moreover, his lessons of dignity and morality can instill our lives today as we ponder tomorrow.
Alan’s mortality ended on May 14th, 2022, when the cancers finally overwhelmed his body. Although brief, his life was honorable and accomplished with no complaints except that of missing all that he appreciated and rarely took for granted.
Confident in joining those who passed before him, and ready to embrace those over the horizon, Alan Roy proudly exclaims to all, “Toksa Ake!”
Alan is survived by his mother, Imogene M. Roy; his wife, Martina Eva Ramos-Roy; siblings, Terrance D. Roy, Gerald A. Roy, Jr., Lonee J. Roy, Christopher Roy, Dana Brave Eagle, Dawn Brave Eagle, Julie Oliver, and April Oliver; grandchildren, Lacy Roy, Chelsea Shangreaux, and Scott Roy; great grandchildren, Lakolya Roy, Buzz DuBray, Demaryius Shangreaux, and Damita Shangreaux; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Alan was preceded in death by his father, Gerald D. Roy, Sr.; grandparents, Jessie Janis and Isaac Brave Eagle; aunts, Jessie Brave Eagle, Dorothy Brave Eagle, Matilda Montileaux, and Lorna Apple; uncles, Bernard Roy and Birgil Kills Straight; and stepbrothers, Cooper Oliver and Alan Oliver.
Pallbearers will be Desmond Richards, Duane Garnette, Kirby Kills Straight, Stan Young, Winfried Alessi-Narr, Gerald A. Roy, Jr., and Lynette Kills Back.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Little Wound School Class of 1986, Brigham University Alumni, Lakota Veterans, Medicine Root Tiospaye, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD