Rodney LeRoy was born December 31, 1935 to Reuban Lee and Rachel Pearl (Voice) Head in Old Fort Thompson, SD.  His early years were spent in Lower Brul with his paternal aunt Lacey (Head) Swift Eagle.  He attended Fort Thompson Day School up to the sixth grade.  He later received his GED in Pierre in the 1970’s.  During the summer of 1958 Rodney met the love of his life Onalee June LaRoche, after a whirlwind courtship.  They were married on October 2, 1958 and remained married until Onalee passed on September 4, 2019.

They welcomed their oldest son Roger Leon Head in June of 1959, in March of 1963 Rodney and Onlaee fostered later adopted Melody Faith Head, Donna Lee Head was born in July 1977, and Rodney Head Jr. in April of 1984.

Over the years mom and dad were foster parents to Irene Picotte, Norman and Berlinda Provencial, Edie LaRoche, Josephine Crazy Bull, and Myron and Darrell Touche.

Rodney was a hardworking man. He worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for the BIA, a bus driver for the Crow Creek Tribal Schools and his last job was transport driver for IHS.  Rodney served one term as a council member of 1984.

Rodney had many interests. He attended bible school in Cass Lake, MN and later became a pastor of Christian Missionary Alliance Church.   In the mid 70’s, he became interested in the Lakota dancing-pow wows.  He made Myron a fancy dance outfit and also made Melody traditional fancy dancer outfit.

Rodney attended college at Mary College in Bismarck, ND and a few years before his death he was enrolled at Lower Brule Community College in Lower Brule, SD.

In his 80’s, he never slowed down.  He loved watching westerns, football (his team was the Kansas City Chiefs), loved listening to Gospel music and pow wow.  He also loved riding his lawnmower.  Rodney was proud to be a grandpa.  He has 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson on the way.  Dad had a strong faith in God and was a humble man throughout his life.

Rodney is survived by his son’s Roger and Jr. Head, Donna (Sheridan) Banks, Melody (Randy) his Law, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, hunka daughter Jaymi S. and son MJ, and many other family and friends.

Rodney’s sunset was June 3, 2022 at St. Mary’s Heathcare in Pierre, SD at the age of 86 years.  Waiting for him in Heaven are his wife of 61 years Onalee, one beloved daughter-in-law Lori Head, sisters Donna, Lavina, and Hermaline, his parents Lee and Pearl Head, his grandfather William Voice, aunt Lacey Swift Eagle, and numerous other family and friends.

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