Obituary of Ded Yellowhorse

September 19, 1979 – Calgary, Alberta
January 25, 2022 – Gleichen, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather, cousin and friend, Dedric, Siksikaohkitopi (Blackfoot Rider) on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at the age of 42 years. Dedric was born on September 19, 1979, at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, AB to proud and loving parents, Chuck and JoAnne Yellow Horse. 

Dedric was a quiet and private person, very caring, courageous and loving; with that came his strength and his sense of humor which he was known for. He attended various schools in Siksika, Gleichen and Strathmore; he learned at a young age how to do parging and worked as a contractor for Siksika Housing. He continued this type of work into his adult life and eventually moved to Calgary where he worked with various construction companies throughout the city. He was talented with working on granite tops, during his early thirties he worked for Empire Stone Granite Marble Quartz Countertop Fabrication Co., where he learned his expertise. In 2016 Dedric was invited to Billings, MT to work in construction, he took the opportunity, moved and in the midst of his journey to the states he started travelling with his boss and co-workers to various job sites which gave him quite a bit of experience. During his time in the U.S he travelled to multiple places, met new people and befriended them with whom he calls his brothers now. In the midst of his journey in the U.S he managed to squeeze in a trip to a festival in California where he got to see his favorite bands, in particular Slayer, that became one of his main highlights. Dedric developed good work ethics, which was instilled in him by his father Chuck, who also taught him the value of hard work. 

Those who knew Dedric, knew that he loved his loud music and had a lot of pride of showing so; he was very talented at playing the drums and was also a gifted guitar bass player. He passed his love of music onto his baby girl Dominique who became a guitar player as well. In his late teens and early twenties Dedric was a part of a band which consisted of a couple of his close friends - Jason Stimson and BJ Ayoungman. Another friend of his who happened to be in another band as well invited him to play with his group at the old Sundance Hotel back in the late ‘90s. His cousin Karleen had a gig as a DJ for a weekend there, and while there was a break in between her stuff, they would play their tunes to the delight of those there listening. No matter what Dedric always took chances, and with that being said he always found a way to be infatuated with music. Dedric was notorious for teasing his friends and family, he always teased his sister Lindsey saying, “You owe me for sneaking you into the bar”. He managed to sneak Lindsey and her friends into the bar during her sixteenth birthday and played a few songs for them. He always went above and beyond for his loved ones. 

Dedric was an avid sportsman and was involved in various sports and activities; he played with the Winnipeg family slo-pitch team and for the Siksika Minor Hockey teams. He was part of the Siksika Sharks Bantam team which brought home the Gold from the Alberta Native Provincials. While Dedric was growing up he enjoyed trying different activities and everyone noticed his passion, along those years his late cousin Zennon Manyshots talked him into trying his hand in Rodeo. Dedric, Wendell CR, John YS, late Zennon, and late Lyndsey YS, went to various rodeos together. He tried it out for one year, but decided it wasn’t for him, and that he would rather stick to hockey and baseball. Those who knew Dedric knew his love for the Calgary Flames and the Las Vegas Raiders and proudly wore their jersey’s. 

We are saddened at the sudden loss of our dear son, brother, father, cousin, uncle, nephew, and friend. He is in Gods arms and will forever rest peacefully. 

Left to mourn his passing are his children, Lexie, Madison, Kaitlynn, and Dominique, granddaughter Meilani; his lifelong partner and best friend, the mother of his children, Tracy; grandmother to his children, Elizabeth Turning Robe; his mother JoAnne, sister Athena; brother-in-law, Dion, father to his niece, Kylee and nephew, Ephraim; his traditional siblings, Lisa, Wendell, and Kendell; and traditional mother, Daisy Smith. 

Dedric had a large extended family which includes aunts and uncles; Regina (Leroy), Joyce, Derek, Fabian, Bernadine, Lennie, Cecile, Tylan (Vince), Shelly, Aaron, Tyson, Keenan, Norbert, Rosie, Elnora, Donna, Verna (Harley), Stephanie, Joe (Girlene), Eldon, Cecile (Horton), Delores (Mitch), Joanne, Carolla, Carma and Lena, Debbie P.,Tony, Gabriella (Duane), Jack, Terry, Trudy, Caroline (Randy), Larry (Marvine), Rufus (Roberta), Sharon (Nelson), Delia, Chandra, Spike (Leslie), Danny, Regina R.C, Kanakii, Mona (Paul), Alden (Young-Hwa), Becky (Doug), Carole, Hector (Rhonda), Harry, Jacqueline, Ethel (Miles), Wanda C.R. and Sherrie (Eldon); his grandmothers; Roslyn Many Guns, Jessie Buller, Donna Raweater; god-parents, Rex and Rennie Many Guns; great-aunts; Harvina (Rudy), Jaylene (Randy), Ann Marie (Leonard), Elsie, and Eve; great-uncles; Smokey (Trina), Clayton (Joan), Duncan (Ruth) and Vincent (Vicki). 

Dedric was predeceased by his father Chuck, sister Lindsey; aunts; Kimberlyn, Doralee, and Debra and traditional aunt Melinda Winnipeg; sister-in-law Kimberly Yellow Sun; uncles, Ronald, Alfred, Amos, Donald and Stan, uncle-in-law, Lindsey Yellow Sun; maternal grandparents, Annie Fox, Wilton Raweater, Adolphus (Alice) Weasel Child, and Phil (Ada); Many Guns’ maternal great-aunts and uncles, Mary Bullbear, Theresa Scalplock, Louise Rabbit Carrier, Angeline Cutmane, Elizabeth Big Tobacco, Rosaria Red Gun, and Tom Many Guns; his paternal grandparents, Gabriel and Rosie Yellow Horse; paternal great-uncles, Campbell Winnipeg, Peter (Noella) Winnipeg and Hector Winnipeg Sr.; Dedric’s extended family, Many Guns, Bull bear, Big Tobacco, Rabbit Carrier, Cutmane, Scalplock, Red Gun, Raw Eater, Winnipeg, Mayfield, Red Crow, Turning Robe, Pretty Young Man, McDougall, Powder Face, Hunter, Water Chief, Yellow Old Woman, Eagle Rib Clan, High Eagle Clan, Calf, Weasel Heads, Iron Shield, Running Crane, Axe, and Bear Chief; as well as numerous relations in Kainai, Morley, Piikani, Browning and Heart Butte; paternal great-great-grandfather, Chief Yellow Horse, maternal great-grandparents, James and Mary Many Guns. The family apologizes to any family members we may have missed.

Wake Services will be held at his family home in the community of Suzy Slough for family from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., then at the Piiksapii Arbor for the public from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Piiksapi Memorial Arbor at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 4, 2022. Graveside Service to follow at Little Chicago Cemetery. Siksika Health Services Covid protocols will be mandatory and to be followed on both days. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dedric Yellowhorse, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.