Dean Byrnes 76, of Pierre South Dakota peacefully passed into the Spirit World January 22, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Surrounded by family at Mary House in Pierre.

Dean is a direct descendant of Chief Iron Nation and member of the Kul Wicasa Oyate, Sicangu Lakota, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, because of this we are honoring the Circle of Life Ceremony in a One Day on Friday at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule beginning at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:00 am at Messiah Episcopal Church in Iron Nation.

Delwyn "Dean" Byrnes was born in Lower Brule, South Dakota to Grace Byrnes and Russell Long Turkey.

He was later raised in Huron and Rosebud. Dean graduated from Todd County High School in 1959, where he played basketball alongside his older brothers. But his real passion in life was rock and roll music. He began playing guitar; drums and singing at the age of 12 for the Byrnes Brothers Band, the first all Native American Rock and Roll Band that set the Reservations and Dance Halls of South Dakota on fire during the 50's and 60's.

Moving with the band to California (IRA) Dean worked at IBM in San Jose California where the band continued to play as an opening act for the likes of Conway Twitty and Chet Atkins along with many others.

He moved with his (then) wife and son Dean, later his daughter Shara was born in California and it was there Dean and his brothers made their home along with Mother Grace Byrnes.

In 2001, Dean moved back to South Dakota after his brothers passed and he made his home in Pierre South Dakota where he worked at the State Capitol for ten years.

In 2009, he and The Byrnes Brothers Band was inducted into the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And In 2016, Dean was also inducted into the South Dakota Country and Western Legends Hall of Fame.

Dean is survived by Bonnie Byrnes; his son Dean Byrnes; his daughter Shara Byrnes; two grandchildren Dayne and Kiara Byrnes; siblings Merle Wilson, Tracy Wilson, Katherine McGhee, and Lawrence Thompson.

Preceding in death by Parents and Grand Parents: Russell and Hermine Long Turkey, James Byrnes, Jennie Standing Cloud. Brothers: Russell Byrnes; Percy Byrnes; and Frederick Byrnes.

Pallbearers: Mike Stroup; Dean Byrnes; Dayne Byrnes; Donald Long Soldier; Merle Wilson, Ceran Long Soldier

Honorary Bearers: All His Many Friends & Relatives