Da Marion Acton Jr

David Marion Acton Jr. was born on March 14, 2006, to Naomi Thunder Horse of Rapid City, South Dakota, and David Marion Acton Sr. of Jemison, Alabama, in Rapid City, South Dakota.

His father dreamed of having a son who looked like him, with his mother’s black, curly hair and eyes that shined like the sun—and that’s exactly what God gave them. A beautiful boy whose features were so perfect that he looked like a doll.

At two years old, his curly hair and adorable cheeks were met with smiles and hellos from nearly every person who walked by. You could find him looking at interesting rocks and bugs, or sitting quietly, taking in every scene from the movie Cars. If music was playing, he would be dancing. You could always expect him to tell you a joke or quote movie lines to random strangers, like, “Take a bath, you dirty hippie!”

David loved being a big brother and loved teaching his younger brothers how to skateboard and ride a bike.

David got his first skateboard at six years old. At seven, he courageously took on the skate park, headphones in and determination in his eyes. From then on, he rode a skateboard more than he walked. He could often be seen riding all over town, learning new tricks in parking lots and bombing hills. If you lived in Rapid City, you probably saw him once or twice weaving in and out of traffic.

As David grew up, he became a self-taught musician, learning the piano, guitar, and trumpet. He learned how to freestyle rap, and his clever lyrics could always make you laugh. He was talented at nearly anything he tried musically.

He was a jokester, and it wasn’t uncommon to find him breakdancing in the middle of Walmart wearing a hot dog costume, or teasing his brothers and sisters. He loved going on hikes and sitting in serene places.

As David got older he became a deep thinker and a philosopher who wore his heart on his sleeve. If David saw anyone who needed help, he would stop whatever he was doing and help them without judgment. He defended bullied kids and homeless people, and he loved fiercely.

Even through David’s struggles, he could still muster a smile or a joke and make you laugh. He could talk for hours about life and had a spiritual awareness that most people will never have.

David was a hard worker and tried hard at everything he did. David had such a big heart, and that heart was too kind for this world. His family believes that he has finally found peace.

David will be remembered for his sense of humor, his skateboarding skills, his passionate emotions, and his beautiful black, curly hair—but most of all, he will be remembered for his heart of gold.

You will never again meet someone quite like him.

He was loved by many people and will be deeply missed.

Family

David was preceded in death by his father, David Acton Sr.; his uncle, Michael Acton; and his grandfather, David Randall Acton, all of Jemison, Alabama; his grandfather, Charles Roland Thunder Horse of Lake Andes, South Dakota; his grandmothers Darlene Abraham and Marlene Christensen; and his beloved uncle, Reno Briones, of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Waiting to reunite with him someday are his mother, Naomi Thunder Horse; stepfathers Shannon Meehan and Ronald Edwards; sisters Morning Star Thunder Horse, Alexis Pacecca, and Tia Gease; and brothers Shannon Meehan, Seamus Meehan, and Tate Gease, all of Rapid City, South Dakota.

He is also survived by his aunt, “Nonnie” Anna Brought Plenty; grandmothers Dorothy Acton of Jemison, Alabama and Unci Isabelle Guerue of Rapid City, South Dakota; grandfathers Brian Abraham and Joseph Niederost of Rapid City; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, family friends, brothers from other mothers, and lifelong childhood friends.

Honorary Pallbearers

Sam Groethe

Mato Scheutzow

Justuss Dennis

Dessman Dennis

Antonio Pacecca

Shannon Connor Meehan