Irving “Bud” Robert Pond (“Uncle Bud, Pops”) was born on June 26th, 1934, in Pine Ridge, SD to Horace Jerome Pond and Arta Irving-Pond. Bud took his last breath peacefully on September 11, 2024, at the Gordon Countryside Care Nursing Home in Gordon, NE. Bud’s last days were filled with love, laughter, and companionship.
Bud graduated from Oglala Community High School in 1952 where he remained a proud member of the Alumni Association. After High School, he entered the United States Army as a Sergeant where he served as a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, for the next 3 years. In 1958, Bud married Alberta “Bobbie” Ruff and through this union, they had seven children, 6 boys and finally, 1 girl. Bud then worked for the Road Department, where he was an inspector and surveyor for the next 34 years. He owned and operated Color Mystique in Aberdeen South Dakota for the next ten years. Throughout his lifetime, Bud’s pride and joy was his ranch as a cattle owner. Bud was a hard-working cowboy and was well-known throughout rodeo country for his ability to rope and ride bareback horses.
Bud is survived by his sons, Leslie Luke Pond, Will (Randi) Pond, Ron “Popcorn” (Andrea) Pond, and Greg Pond and hunka Son Jake Yellow Horse; his baby girl, Tricia Lee Pond; Siblings, Joyce (Terry) Pourier, Wynema DeLong, Mike (Marilyn) Carlow, Phoebe Carlow, and John (Bill) Carlow; grandchildren, Samone Rosario, Ashley Brehmer, Phil Pond, RJ Pond, Jake Pond, Sis Pond, Marlena Pond, Samantha Pond, Aimee Pond, Jay Pond, Brooke Pond, Kimberly Richards, Leonee Richards, Aidan Pond, Kal Pond, Jonathon Pond, Romey Janis, Dakota Pond, Thelma Pond, Louise Pond, Tristan Pond, Buck Pond, Kolbe Steele, Shelly Steele, Andrew Catches, Cante Poor Bear, and Amanda Pond; and special great-grandchildren, Morning Star, Mateo, Nalia, Greggory, Kristine, Rylee, Annalee, Kamiyah, Kaliya, Freddie, Justice, Connor, Zeniya, Zereyah, Zo’Mya, Jordan and Francis
Bud was preceded in death by his children, Irving Pond, Jr. and Fred Pond; Parents, Horace Jerome Pond and Arta Irving Carlow; sisters, Lila Lee Pond, Nancy Akers, and Phyllis Gievel; brothers: Pat Carlow and Darwin “Bogie “Carlow; and special Aunts, Bernice Talbot and Ella Irving; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Greg Pond Jr, Baby Richards, and Precious Pond; best friend, PeeWee “Doc” Bourne; and special pup and best partner, Fawn Pond.
Pallbearers are Lee Pourier, Shane Talbot, Mike Akers, Louie Janis, RJ Pond, Jon Pond, Romey Janis, Jake Pond, Tristan Pond, and Buck Pond.
Honorary Pallbearers: Lynn Pourier, Lisa Carlow, Hot Shot Carlow, Dan Brehmer, Ron Roffers, Lacy Swan, Tibby Kocier, Lloyd Twiss, Flip Wilson, Doug Patton, Angel Talbot, Dennis Brewer & Family, Ducky Harris, Murray American Horse, Delane Provost, Melvin and Tudy Swallow & Family, Ron & Natalie, Brian “Super” Kindle, Pat Henry, Charlie Colwell, Charles Lee Colwell, Duane “Smitty” Smith & Family, Brendan Brehmer, Lynn Bourne, Patty Sue Bourne, Gary Brehmer, John Carpio, Mark Clifford, Tony, Lenora, and Toree Clifford and Family, Pete Bissonette, Nadine Linehan, Allie Bad Heart Bull, Harold Brewer, Vince Brewer, Joy Brewer, Leo Two Bulls, Rob Morrison, Bob Pillie, Bam Brewer, Tony Brewer, Travis Goings, Jason Schwarting, Dean Brewer, Basil Braveheart, Jesse Brown, Tom “Cheese” Cottier, Jr., Darcel Pourier, Lane Pourier, Mike Carlow, Jr. & Family, Patricia Carlow, Reena, Kayla, Bogie & Monte Carlow, Artie, Michelle, Amanda, and Michael D. Carlow, Mikki Baca, Charlie Richards, Gary Twiss, Cheryl Twiss, Richard O’Donnell, Eldon Lessert, Tim Lessert, Tom Conroy, Wade Bolden, Shawn Richards, Ann Pilcher, Steve Shangreaux Jr., Sam Shangreaux, Wes Shangreaux, Carly Shangreaux, Debbie Pomales, Dr. Beliel, Gilbert Janis & Family, Ike Bettelyoun, Phil Bettelyoun, Jason Bettelyoun, Jodee Bettelyoun, Monte Tibbitts and Family, Ken Carpio, Rosie Bean, Dean Steele, Lolly Steele, Darby Steele, Connie Twiss, Steve Wilson, Monte Whalen & Family, Dennis Brewer & Family, Willie White, Babe Bad Milk & Family, Irv Provost & Family, Toby Jean Carlow, Audie Eagle Bull, Bessie LeBeau, Eric Anduja, Margarette Vitalis, Mike Clifford, Bill Clifford, Mitch Brewer, Rhonda Akers & Family, Ted and Mona Pedregon & Family, Rob and Robin Bila & Family, Taylor, Tracy, Troy Lynn, and Tish Charging Crow, Regional West Medical Center, Gordon Countryside Care Nursing Home, Pine Ridge Emergency Room Staff, Chadron Hospice, Pine Ridge Dog Pound, OCHS Alumni Association, Waters Rodeo, Three Mile Creek Rodeo Company, Wilson Rodeo, Pine Ridge Village Rodeo Committee, Rushville Vet Clinic, Oelrich’s Last Round-Up Staff & Contestants, The First National Bank of Gordon, Pine Ridge Oil, Chadron Chiropractic, The Fav, Time Out/In, and all friends and relatives. To anyone we may have forgotten, we apologize as Bud had so many people who were special to him.
Wake Services and Mass of Christian Burial: One night wake service starting at 3:00 PM, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD with Mass of Christian Burial starting at 7:00 PM with Military Roll Call to follow.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Thursday, September 26, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: Mike Carlow, Jr.
Officiating: TBA
Burial Services: Ponderosa Family Cemetery, Old Dump Rd., Pine Ridge, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.