Gifford A. Standing

Gifford Aaron Standing, Big Screaming Eagle (Wamni Tanga Yozhanana), left to be with Creator Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Wolf Point, Montana. He was born on November 24, 1977 to Lowell and Irene Standing. Gifford was known to long-time friends and family as “Buttons,” a nickname his grandfather, Gifford Standing, gave him at the hospital when he was born because of his “button” nose. Like his grandpa Gifford, you could always find him in a crowd by his big, loud, laugh. Gifford loved big and had a big heart, only hating clowns. His true gentle nature was seen when working with youth, and he loved all kids, especially his son Dylan Connor, and daughter, Ivoree Standing. Last year, Gifford found the love of his life and was engaged to Andrea Jackson. They were set to get married on March 13, 2025. 

Gifford loved sports, fishing, farming, music, and people. He especially loved the New York Mets, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Pistons, and would yell “THE U” if you were talking about his Miami Hurricanes. By far, his favorite sport was baseball. As a kid, his dad taught him how to bat with a broomstick and ping pong ball, and he became very good at baseball. He played baseball throughout his childhood and high school years, and coached for many years, even after hanging up his cleats. A highlight in his coaching career was being the coach for Dylan’s little league baseball team. 

Gifford lived life to the fullest with his fishing adventures, heavy metal concerts, and extravagant shoes and baseball hats. He would tell you he was just a simple guy. However, his collections of expensive shoes, hats, and concert memorabilia would say otherwise. His bougie taste even spilled over to his special blends of coffee and bathroom soap that could only be ordered online. And don’t be fooled by his love for heavy metal music, he did admit to liking the Dave Matthews Band.

Gifford was always the life of the party. His love for life led him to many adventures and transgressions. During a stint in jail he found his connection with the Creator through his traditional roots. His journey led him to seek treatment in Rosebud, South Dakota. He ended up finding a group of people he called family there. He worked at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Methamphetamine Rehabilitation Program from 2017-2020. During his time in Rosebud he helped many people in all stages of recovery. He was a great friend to anyone he encountered and was always there if anyone needed help. A few special friends that he made along the way are Joni Medearis, Janice Dillon, Shane Schmitz, Jesse Pease, Sinte Gleska University Human Services Department, Grandma Marion and countless others. It was in South Dakota where he found his calling as a Licensed Addiction Counselor. He graduated from Fort Peck Community College in 2021 with an Associate’s degree in Chemical Addiction Studies. 

Gifford was very loved and had a positive impact on everyone he met. He is survived by his son, Dylan Connor, daughter, Ivoree Standing, and fiancé Andrea Jackson. He is also survived by his parents, Lowell and Irene Standing, sisters Danette Standing and Denean Standing-Ojo (Robinson), niece (Aimee Ojo), nephews (Alex and Axton Ojo), aunts JoEllen Grandchamp (Dale) and Jane Twitchell (Ortie), uncle LeRoy Wiseman (Vickie), special niece Savannah Grandchamp and grandson Stetson, sister Heather Granbois (Kate), and grandmas Marietta Four Bear and Rae Jean Belgarde. Gifford had a large extended family as he called many mom, auntie, uncle, brother, sister, nephew, and niece that are too numerous to mention. However, he was very close with his brother, Eldon Porras (Ashley), sisters Twila Szymanski (JT) and Tara Porras, and his second mom, aunt Brenda Porras (Eldon). He was preceded in death by grandparents, Gifford and Shirley Standing, Arlene Standing, and Lawrence Wiseman; aunts Jean Smetana and Sheila Standing; uncles Bernard Standing and Curt Standing; and cousins TJ Payne and Gladys Grandchamp.

We apologize for those we did not include; the list would be too long! Gifford’s love for everyone he encountered was BIG and there’s no way to know the full extent of his reach. You all mattered to him.