Obituary for James “Jim” Watters James Martin “Jim” Watters, “Inyan Luta” was born on March 21, 1954, in Rapid City, SD to James and Bernice (Shangreau) Watters. On Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Pine Ridge, Jim began his journey to the Spirit World. Jim spent his early years in Interior, SD, learning to hunt and fish with his younger siblings and Apple, Shangreau, Tapio, Cottier, and Conroy cousins.
Jim then attended Oglala Community School (OCS) for high school in Pine Ridge, graduating in 1972. After high school, Jim briefly attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, before returning to Pine Ridge to enter the workforce. Here is where he and Cora Janis began their family.
Jim worked at various Oglala Sioux Tribal programs before joining what would become a second family of his—the Community Health Representatives (CHR) program—in 1988. Since 1997, Jim has been the Director of the CHR program where he took pride in his service to the Lakota Oyate. A loving father, uncle, and grandfather, and a man of many talents, Jim made sure all of his children, nieces, and nephews were able to enjoy their favorite activities while he was able to spend time with them.
Jim spent many days out on the boat or at the river with his son, he’d spent hours reminiscing and laughing with his oldest daughter Kelli, and with Veronica he enjoyed road trips and trivia games. Known as “Bumpa” to his grandchildren, and recently his great-granddaughter, he always found a way to make them laugh. In recent years, Jim’s favorite activity was to go mudbogging with Monte “Misun” Tibbits and the Lone Kid Racing crew.
Jim is survived by his children, Kelli Watters and Todd Watters both of Pine Ridge, SD, Veronica Watters of Washington D.C., Casey James Means, Joel Pourier, and Steve Shangreau, Jr. all of Pine Ridge, SD; significant other, Cora Janis of Pine Ridge, SD; siblings, Thomas “Slim” (Candi Good Voice Flute) Watters of Pine Ridge, SD, Larry (Melody) Watters of Burns, WY, and Patty (Leo) Eagle Bull of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Shyann O’Rourke, Quincy James Means, Sarita Spider, Samuel O’Rourke, Jr., Liyah Adams, and Martina Watters; great granddaughter, Avanni Yellow Horse; aunts, Babe Mayer of Lodi, TX, Lenora Watters of Pine Ridge, SD, Ann (Tom) Conroy of Batesland, SD, and Marlene Wilson of #4 Community; sister-in-laws, Veronica Janis, Emerald Janis, Francine Janis, and Eileen Janis all of Pine Ridge, SD, and Terri Janis of Toppenish, WA; brother-in-laws, Patrick (Angela) Janis, Leon “Chuckles” (Linda) Janis, and Ival (Simone) Janis all of Pine Ridge, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice Watters; brother, Robert Watters, Sr.; uncles, Calvin Shangreau, Francis Watters, and John “Jack” Watters; and aunts, Flora Brafford, Mildred Apple, Shirley Tapio, and Cecelia Cottier. Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 3:00 PM, Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD with Rosary services starting at 7:00 PM at the hall.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD. Officiating: Deacon John Apple Burial Services: St. Stephen’s Catholic Cemetery, Kyle, SD Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD Order Flowers Obituaries & Tributes Immediate Need Pre-Arrange Your Funeral Contact Us Site Search Text Sizing Order Flowers Sioux Funeral Home Funeral Planning Grief & Healing Help & Guidance James Martin “Jim” Watters 1954 – 2018 Click above to light a memorial candle. Plant a Tree In Memory of Your Loved One Click Here Menu Family Log-In Click Here Subscribe to Updates Click Here Obituary for James “Jim” Watters James Martin “Jim” Watters, “Inyan Luta” was born on March 21, 1954, in Rapid City, SD to James and Bernice (Shangreau) Watters.
On Sunday, August 19, 2018, in Pine Ridge, Jim began his journey to the Spirit World. Jim spent his early years in Interior, SD, learning to hunt and fish with his younger siblings and Apple, Shangreau, Tapio, Cottier, and Conroy cousins. Jim then attended Oglala Community School (OCS) for high school in Pine Ridge, graduating in 1972.
After high school, Jim briefly attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, before returning to Pine Ridge to enter the workforce. Here is where he and Cora Janis began their family. Jim worked at various Oglala Sioux Tribal programs before joining what would become a second family of his—the Community Health Representatives (CHR) program—in 1988.
Since 1997, Jim has been the Director of the CHR program where he took pride in his service to the Lakota Oyate. A loving father, uncle, and grandfather, and a man of many talents, Jim made sure all of his children, nieces, and nephews were able to enjoy their favorite activities while he was able to spend time with them. Jim spent many days out on the boat or at the river with his son, he’d spent hours reminiscing and laughing with his oldest daughter Kelli, and with Veronica he enjoyed road trips and trivia games.
Known as “Bumpa” to his grandchildren, and recently his great-granddaughter, he always found a way to make them laugh. In recent years, Jim’s favorite activity was to go mudbogging with Monte “Misun” Tibbits and the Lone Kid Racing crew. Jim is survived by his children, Kelli Watters and Todd Watters both of Pine Ridge, SD, Veronica Watters of Washington D.C., Casey James Means, Joel Pourier, and Steve Shangreau, Jr. all of Pine Ridge, SD; significant other, Cora Janis of Pine Ridge, SD; siblings, Thomas “Slim” (Candi Good Voice Flute) Watters of Pine Ridge, SD, Larry (Melody) Watters of Burns, WY, and Patty (Leo) Eagle Bull of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren, Shyann O’Rourke, Quincy James Means, Sarita Spider, Samuel O’Rourke, Jr., Liyah Adams, and Martina Watters; great granddaughter, Avanni Yellow Horse; aunts, Babe Mayer of Lodi, TX, Lenora Watters of Pine Ridge, SD, Ann (Tom) Conroy of Batesland, SD, and Marlene Wilson of #4 Community; sister-in-laws, Veronica Janis, Emerald Janis, Francine Janis, and Eileen Janis all of Pine Ridge, SD, and Terri Janis of Toppenish, WA; brother-in-laws, Patrick (Angela) Janis, Leon “Chuckles” (Linda) Janis, and Ival (Simone) Janis all of Pine Ridge, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews.
James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Bernice Watters; brother, Robert Watters, Sr.; uncles, Calvin Shangreau, Francis Watters, and John “Jack” Watters; and aunts, Flora Brafford, Mildred Apple, Shirley Tapio, and Cecelia Cottier. Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 3:00 PM, Thursday, August 23, 2018 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD with Rosary services starting at 7:00 PM at the hall. Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Friday, August 24, 2018 at the Billy Mills Hall in Pine Ridge, SD.
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