July 31, 1972 – January 15, 2025
Randy “Boones” Swimmer, 52, of Eagle Butte passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services were held Monday, January 27, 2025, at C-EB Auditorium in Eagle Butte. Burial was in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at LaPlant.
Randy Merle Swimmer aka “Boones” was born on July 31, 1972, in Eagle Butte to Jennie (Shaving) LeBeau and the late Timothy Swimmer Jr.
Randy started his life out in Swift Bird where he attended Head Start through 3rd grade. His family then relocated to Eagle Butte where Randy graduated from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School in 1992. During his high school years, Boones played football, lettering all four years. During the summers you could find him hanging out, playing ball with his friends or volunteering his time at the swimming pool. He taught many to swim as well as swim safely.
At 18 years old, Randy started his employment with the CRST Police Department as a jailer.
When they relocated to the new CRST Walter Miner Law Enforcement Center, Boones was sent to training in Artesia, NM for 16 weeks, where he graduated and became a certified Detention Officer. After he returned home, Boones went to work at the Juvenile Detention Center. He went on to become the Juvenile Administrator, then transport officer.
Throughout the years of working at CRST Walter Miner Law Enforcement Center, Boones created many lifetime friendships and memories.
In October 2020 Boones had an accident and fell, and at the hospital a spot on his lung was discovered. Soon after, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. In December of 2020 he started cancer treatments and in June 2021, he beat it. In 2023 the cancer returned, this time on his liver. He started treatment again and went into remission in early 2024.
After 30 years of service, he retired from the Walter Miner Law Enforcement Center, on June 18, 2024.
Boones was a very caring man, always helping wherever he could. He made a huge impact on many lives, especially troubled teens.
Boones loved to drive around and attend concerts with his friends; music was always a huge part of his life.
In November 2024, the cancer returned for the third time. On January 6, 2025, Boones was scheduled to start his treatments in Bismarck, ND but had become ill that morning and was life flighted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
On January 15, 2025, surrounded by his family, Boones made his journey to heaven, where his family and friends who left before him welcomed him home.
Boones is survived by his mother Jennie (Shaving) LeBeau; brothers Mark Shaving, Jacob Swimmer Sr. and Gilreth Dog Eagle; hunka brothers Jacob, Davey and Duane West and Claymore LeBeau; sisters Kym Ree Swimmer, Darla Lawrence, Melora (Charles “Chops”) Gabe, and Imogene Swimmer; hunka sister Jamie (Kendrow) Eagle Chasing; uncles Mike Shaving, Bob (Kathy) Walters, Richard (Jeannie) Walters, Leland (Melissa) LeBeau, Thomas (Reba) Three Legs, and Richard Red Elk; aunts Rita Shaving, Sonya Shaving, Norma Shaving, Leatrice Scott, Juanita Zephier, Carrie and Carla Blue Coat, and Ina Traversie; grandmother Margie Clown; uncles Daryl, Curtis and Larry LeBeau and family; aunts Florence Halfred, Clara LeBeau, Ina LeBeau, Brenda Scott and their families; and many other relatives.
Randy “Boones” was preceded in death by his father Timothy Swimmer Jr.; step-father Archie LeBeau; maternal grandparents Paul and Grace (Useful Heart) Shaving; grandmother Lillian LeBeau; paternal grandparents Timothy Swimmer Sr. and Imogene (Red Crow) Swimmer; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg is in charge of arrangements.