Travis Lee Napton, [EXO]LeadBravo, Mahpiya Wakiyan Wicasa, Thunder Cloud Man, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.  Following Travis's wishes, family-arranged services will be held as follows: on Friday, September 22, 2023, an untraditional Native American service will be held at the Lakota Chapel in Pierre, SD.  Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 6:00 p.m. led by Pastor Cheryl Arguello.  A meal will immediately follow the service.  A second service will be held on Sunday, September 24th, 2023, at the Church of God Family Worship Center in Aberdeen, SD.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a service held at 2:00 p.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all funds be directed toward memorial donations for Nicole Johnson.

Travis was born in Pierre, SD to Darrel and Marilynn Napton on November 16, 1976.  Throughout his youth he lived in Blunt, Ft. Thompson, and Frederick, SD, as well as Spencer, IA.  He grew up in a large family and had 7 siblings.  It was during his youth that he acquired an affinity for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a favorite that he enjoyed into adulthood.

Travis played football and baseball in his younger years, and was a 1st baseman.  He also loved hanging out with his younger brother Ed (his ride or die, lifetime sidekick, and one of the original wonder twins).  He enjoyed watching wrestling matches with his Aunt Julie, a tradition that he continued with his children.

At an early age, Travis gained exceptional cooking skills and became a phenomenal chef, his specialty was pasta and prime rib.  He went on to work at La Minestra, in Pierre, helped start the Downtown Café in Aberdeen, and also worked at the Scoreboard in Mitchell, SD before becoming a stay-at-home dad for the last 6 years, during which he was proud of the "daddy school" he created with his children.  Travis loved playing Xbox, shooting guns, and especially spending time with his kids.  His children truly were the light of his life.

Travis is survived by his wife Nicole and 3 younger children, Olivia, Foster, and Lillian Napton; his five adult children, Hudson, Christian (Chloey), Justin (Destinee), and Trinity, and their mother, Michelle; and daughter Mariah Miller; his older siblings: Leah (Randy Olson) Rouse, Michael (Rumi) Rouse, Paul (Holly Dupris) Rouse, and Claressa "Cejae" Kopetsky; younger siblings Daniel "Ed" (Lacey) Napton, Joni Beth (Jesse Holmes) Napton, and Darlene Napton; his parents Darrel (Marjo) Napton and Marilynn Big Eagle; 38 nieces and nephews; and many family members and friends too numerous to count.

He is preceded in death by his older brother Paul Joseph; twin sisters Lynette and Janette; maternal grandparents John and Leona Big Eagle; paternal grandparents Leo and Adeline Napton; brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Shell; nephews Joseph Shell and Xavier Lai; uncles Terry, Duane, and Pat Big Eagle and Lincoln Napton; aunt Colleen Big Eagle; and many family members and friends.