Thomas Ellard Beaks “Girrabi Co-ish” was born on October 5, 1957, to Owen Beaks and Eva (Young Bear) Beaks. He was a member of the Water Buster Clan and a child of the Knife Clan. He participated in the placement program through the Latter-Day Saint Church (aka the Mormon Church) in Kaysville, Idaho. He returned home attended high school in Mandaree, ND, where he was active in all kinds of sports, including cross-country and basketball. After graduating from Mandaree High School, Tom attended 2 years at Haskell Indian Junior College in Lawrence, Kansas.
After years of academic pursuits, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On January 26, 1978 and served until April 26, 1981. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. While enlisted in the military, he was sent to Cuba, where he was assigned the prestigious honor of being a General’s personal driver. After the military, Tom completed 4 years of sun dancing in Green Grass, South Dakota.
Tom spent his middle-aged years traveling to places such as Washington, Idaho, Denver, Las Vegas, Nevada, Texas and Canada. He enjoyed watching cheering for his all-time favorite team the Green Bay Packers. He spent many years fishing, hunting, camping, playing pool, and playing hours of horseshoes both competitively and for recreation. He loved living the simple life, as he worked as a laborer for many years. He cherished spending time with his sons and grandchildren.
In 2016, Tom was a resident at Beulah nursing home and later moved to Sunset Prosperity Home in Mandan, ND. Thomas Beaks passed away on October 14, 2021 at Sanford Hospital. Lean Bull was surrounded by family who loved and stayed by his side until his very last breath.
Tom is survived by sons, Melvin Beaks of Twin Buttes, ND, Elijah Beaks of Mandaree, ND, and seven grandchildren; Sisters Avallon Knight of Bismarck, ND, Ramona Guimont of New Town, ND, Fayette Young Bear of New Town, ND, Debbie Joseph of Washington, Holly Windy Boy of Arizona; brothers Patrick Dubois, Leland Dubois, Maynard Young Bear and Monte Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his parents Owen Beaks and Eva (Young Bear) Beaks, brothers Clark Andrew Beaks, Alphonsus Jerome Beaks, Anthony Beaks, Christopher Beaks and son TJ Beaks.