Joey Clayton Garnette

Joey Clayton Garnette II was born on December 29, 1976 in Gordon, NE to Joey, Sr. and Shirley (Glade) Garnette. Joey II made his journey to the Spirit World on March 17, 2024 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.

Clay was the first born of Joey and Shirley’s two sons. In his early years, he spent his childhood moving between Pine Ridge, SD, Rapid City, SD, Sioux Falls, SD, and Phoenix, AZ. His favorite pastime was playing baseball as a child, but he found his true passion for sports while playing basketball at North Middle School. His natural ability as an athlete carried him through high school, where he was an integral player, helping his team earn the State A Championship in 1995. This accomplishment allowed Clay to finish high school on a high note, as he graduated from Red Cloud High School in the same year.

Clay followed the path his parents set and pursued a higher education in teaching. Enrolling at Oglala Lakota College, he completed nearly 100 credit hours for a teaching certificate when life had other plans for him. On July 31, 1998 he welcomed his firstborn son, Jordan A.D. Shott. A few years later, Clay was blessed with two more children, his second son, Joey “Chance” Garnette III, on January 5, 2001, and the joy of his life, his baby girl, Precious “Grace” Garnette, on April 8, 2006.

Later in life, Clay held many long-term positions at various businesses in the Rapid City community. He made close friendships with those lucky enough to work with him here. However, Clay was most known for his love for sports, his mind was like an encyclopedia for sports history, and he kept up-to-date on current events in the sports world ranging from high school, college, and of course, professional teams and players. One of his closest friends best described him as the “walking ESPN channel.” Clay was definitely not someone you wanted to be going up against in yearly fantasy football teams.

Clay is survived by his father, Joey C. Garnette, Sr. of Rapid City, SD; brother, Joel “Shawn” Garnette (Tada) of Denver, CO; his three children, Jordan A.D. Shott, Joey “Chance” Garnette III, and Precious “Grace” Garnette all of Rapid City, SD; and many loved nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Clay was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley R. (Glade) Garnette; older brother, Albert White; numerous aunts and uncles; maternal grandparents, Arthur and Alvina (Means) Glade; and paternal grandparents, Henry “Frosty” and Grace (Giago) Garnette.

Clay will forever be cherished and missed by those who were blessed with his presence, love, wisdom, and guidance. Find peace with our ancestors, Joey “Clay” Garnette; you will be forever missed by all who knew you.

Pallbearers will be Steve Yellow Hawk, Joe Tyon, Tim Walton, TD Garnette, Ray Moore, Sr., and Tanner A. Garnette.

Honorary pallbearers will be Red Cloud High School Class of 95, Red Cloud High School 1995 State A Championship team, and All family and friends.

Visitation Services: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2024 at the On Common Ground Church in Rapid City, SD

Funeral Services: 1:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2024 at the On Common Ground Church in Rapid City, SD

Officiating: Pastor Alton Yellow Boy

Traditional Lakota Services: To Be Announced

Burial Services: 2:15 PM, Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Rapid City, SD with fellowship to follow at On Common Ground Church in Rapid City, SD.

Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, South Dakota