TAKINI, SD – Preston T. “Ty” Jeffries, 37, of Takini, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Monument Health in Rapid City. Through his final act of generosity as an organ donor, Ty was able to help save and improve the lives of seven others.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the CRST Bingo Hall in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. Burial will follow at Eagle Butte Cemetery. Wake services will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the bingo hall, with a procession from the 4-Mile at 4:00 p.m.
Preston “Ty” Jeffries was born on April 29, 1989, at the IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, to Florence Bald Eagle and Mahlon Jeffries.
Ty was one of nine siblings: Kyle, Mahlon, Layton, Alex, Kalen, Mathias, Evan, and Byron. He attended school in Red Scaffold and Takini, later attending Riggs High School and Kicking Horse Job Corps, where he earned degrees in culinary arts and mechanics in 2009.
Ty’s proudest moment in life was becoming a father to Frank Thomas Jeffries on October 17, 2019. Frank was Ty’s right-hand man, his whole world, and his pride and joy. Ty loved taking Frank to new places and teaching him about heavy equipment, machinery, dinosaurs, animals, and music.
Ty was a devoted family man who always looked forward to family gatherings. One of his favorite pastimes was attending horseshoe tournaments. He was an excellent mechanic and enjoyed fishing, hiking, driving, playing guitar, and listening to all kinds of music. Ty truly was the “king of all trades.”
Throughout the years, Ty held various jobs, including janitor at Takini School and mechanic at the Dupree Cenex Shop and the EB Coop Shop. His final position was with the CRST Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator. He took great pride in his work and was especially proud when he was hired into a permanent full-time position.
Ty met Kaitlyn in 2023, and together they built a life filled with love and adventure. They enjoyed taking Frank, Ares, and Olive on new adventures and making memories together. Ty and Kaitlyn were married on January 24, 2025.
Ty was an amazing father, son, husband, nephew, cousin, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ty is survived by his mother, Florence Bald Eagle; son, Frank Thomas Jeffries; wife, Kaitlyn Little Wounded; step-children: Ares Carlson and Olive Cochran; siblings: Mahlon, Layton, and Alex Jefffries, Kalen, Mathias, and Evan Bald Eagle, and Byron Waloke; paternal aunts: Catherine Jeffries, Karen Jeffries (Ken Birkeland), Debra Jeffries, Delora Jeffries, Della Jeffries Martinmaas (Cyril Martinmaas), Lonnie Jeffries (Mike Ball), Raylene Marshall; uncle, Waylon Jeffries; maternal grandma, Josee Bald Eagle; maternal aunts; Phyllis Bald Eagle, Eve Bald Eagle Vavra, Inez Bald Eagle White, Sandra Bald Eagle Flying Horse, Roberta Bald Eagle, Nita Bald Eagle, maternal uncles: David Bald Eagle Jr., Floyd Hart, Remi Bald Eagle, Kili Bald Eagle, Wapila Bald Eagle, Hilary Dubray Family.
Ty is preceded in death by his father, Mahlon Jeffries; brother, Kyle Jeffries; uncle: Milton Jeffries; paternal great grandparents, Oscar and Esther Ward White Weasel, Frank and Corrine White Weasel Jeffries; maternal grandparents: Dave Bald Eagle and Clarinda Little Crow; uncles, Llyod Bald Eagle, Sylvan “Scooter” Bald Eagle; maternal aunt, Lily “Marlene” Bald Eagle; cousins, Wade Jeffries, Quintin LeCompte, Kelly Clown, Leo and Latoya Coleman, Jonni Briggs, Tara Morrison; niece, Sahela Sangrait; and numerous relatives from the Anukasun Hopa Tiospaye.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ty’s arrangements.
