Lawrence “Larry” Ray Brewer was born on April 11, 1944 in Rapid City, SD to Arthur Brewer and Lula (Mills) Brewer. Larry made his journey peacefully to the Spirit World at his home on November 26, 2024.
The family moved back to Rapid City from Pine Ridge Reservation following the blizzard of 1949. Larry graduated high school from Immaculate Conception in Stephan, SD and attended Bellarmine College in Louisville, KY. He worked several years for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, WA before moving to Phoenix, AZ where he lived for 50 years. Larry returned to Rapid City in 2017 after retiring as a special education assistant for Phoenix Union High School District.
Early in his sobriety, he discovered a knack for Native American Beadwork and Regalia. Pow-wows became his livelihood; within his community he fostered encouragement and support for numerous takojas (grandchildren) and other dancers by providing beadwork for their outfits and wisdom with an emphasis on humility and adherence to tradition.
In his later years, Larry could be found along Rapid Creek trout fishing and harvesting diamond willow for his signature canes and lamps or in Pine Ridge hunting for agates.
Larry is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Brewer of Phoenix, AZ; son, Ryan Brewer of Portland, OR; granddaughter, Elizabeth Camacho of Chicago, IL, grandson, Jacob Camacho of Phoenix, AZ; sister, Patricia Twiss of Manderson, SD; brother, Randy of Petoskey, MI; hunka brother, Darrel “Woody” Prairie Chicken of Rapid City, SD, and many nieces, nephews, and takojas.
Pallbearers will be Loren LaDeaux, Sr., Loren LaDeaux, Jr., Delane LaDeaux, Joe Rich, Dylan Brewer, Patrick Martinez, Brandon Bad Wound, and Jeremy Claymore.
Honorary pallbearers will be Corbin Conroy, Ira Colhoff, John DuBray, Fred Stands, Bob Red Elk, Greg Red Elk, Bryan Brewer, Crazy Horse Singers, Sons of Oglala, and All Friends & Relatives.
Visitation Services: Visitation services will be held from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Thursday, December 5, 2024 at the Mother Butler Center in Rapid City, SD with evening services starting at 6:00 PM.
Officiating: Pastor Jonathan Old Horse
Burial Services: Cremation to follow services with interment to be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 12, 2024 at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City, SD.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD