Funeral Service for Samuel V. Crawford Jr., Wakan Hinape "Appears Sacred", 50 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday November 30, 2024, at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center at Agency Village at 11:00 A.M. Officiating will be CRE Gerald Heminger Jr, JC Crawford, and Pastor Milton Owen. Traditional Services Louie Johnson .Drum Group will be Big Fire and all Singers with Organist Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Koy Crawford, Zade Crawford, Derrick McCauley, Garrett Keoke, Jerrad Max, James "Jim" Crawford, Moses Rodlund, Herm Lincoln, Alvah Quinn Jr., Curtis Bissonette, Eric Jens Sr., James German, Jeremiah Johnson, Sid Wanna, Eric Shepherd, and Dusty Kirk.  Honorary Pallbearers will be SWC Girls Basketball players, All the Players he coached, all players he played ball and horseshoes with, Class of 1994 TZ Seniors, all his nephews, nieces, and grandchildren, Kenny Seaboy Sr, all Singers, Jim Bill Ross, Brain Rodlund Sr and Jr, Jason Hannasch, Hunka family-Looking Elk, Big Hornn Zephiers, Gerald German Jr Family, Kojak Heminger, Jack Thompson, Steve Shepherd, Francis Crawford, Jason Lafontaine, JB Western, Vanessa and Will Mlkie, Eugene Bissonette, Deutsch Family, the MN Chipps, SWST Teams, Muffdivers, and "Dakota Stars" Girl Basketball. All Night Wake Services will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, at the SWOTCC at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be at the Goodwill Presbyterian Cemetery, Agency Village, SD. Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Samuel V. Crawford Jr. was born on October 3, 1974 at Sisseton, SD to Samuel V. Crawford Sr. and Alberta Crawford.  He was joined by three older sisters, Nona, Hopa, Nettie and later younger brother Leon.  He was baptized at Goodwill Presbyterian Church and later on becoming a member.  He was taught early in life to pray, and he would say many prayers for others.

He loved sports at an early age, playing baseball, softball, basketball, and horse shoes.   He was recruited in 1993 by the Pittsburgh baseball team.  He played many games, won MVP's, All Tourney, and all his sports accomplishments.  He would later coach the youth, teaching the games to his nephews and grandsons.  He played softball with SWST, Muffdivers, MN Chipps, and basketball with many teams.  He always had a story.  He was inducted into the United Tribes softball team. His love for fishing, hunting, and golf.  He attended school at Peever where he made lifelong friends, Sisseton and TZ graduating class of 1994 and was Homecoming 1994 Chieftain.  He played high school basketball with some of the greats; agency gym was packed on game night.  His love for TZTS he was Wambdi 4 life and still supporting games and coaching.

His love for his community showed in his work with fishing and hunting rights.  He loved his Walleye from Mud Lake when he cooked, never knew what kind of animal it was. He would become a proud father to his first daughter Samantha Jo, later Marley Mae-he had his first grandson Koy.  He was also a Grandpa to many- earning the nickname- Grandpa Jackass.  His love for his nephews; teaching them and guiding them in life.

He was a true Mama's boy and was protected by his older sisters. There is so much more about him that cannot all be written. Sam passed away on November 25, 2024 at his home.

He leaves to mourn his two daughters Samantha Jo and Marleymae Crawford; sisters, Nettie Kirk and Jodeen Crawford; brothers Floyd Crawford and Joseph Decoteau; aunt and uncle, Sweet and Buddy  Decoteau; grandchildren, TyAnne, Tyleeya, Tayden, Ziah, Aycia, Zade, Zaylee, Koy, and Josiah; numerous family and friends.

He was a direct decedent of Chief Little Crow; maternal grandparents Norman H. Decoteau and Rena Heminger Decoteau; paternal grandparents; Edward J. Crawford Sr. and Jeanette Kitto Crawford; grandma Bessie Little Head and Montana Grandma's; parents, Samuel V. Crawford Sr. and Alberta Decoteau Crawford; sisters, Nona Bobtail Bear and Hopa Crawford; niece Christine Bobtail Bear, nephew Marley Kirk; brother in laws, Perry Bobtail Bear and Fidel Kirk; Brian Grey Bull and Butch Kirke.