November 26, 1976 – December 21, 2025_________________________________
Cleveland “CJ” Buckman Jr., 49, of Eagle Butte passed away December 21, 2025, at Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were held on January 8, 2026, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte. Burial followed in the Eagle Butte Cemetery.
Cleveland Jay “CJ” Buckman Jr. was born on November 26, 1976, in Eagle Butte to Patricia (Brings Plenty) Collier and Cleveland Buckman Sr. of Pine Ridge.
CJ spent most of his life at Cherry Creek, growing up with cousins and friends that became lifetime brothers. He enjoyed country life, riding horses and doing ranch work. He attended school in Dupree for a short time before he left for the Job Corps in Nemo, studying culinary arts and carpentry. He returned to CEB High School and graduated in 1996. In the early 2000’s he worked in maintenance at the IHS Hospital.
In 2003, he met Merrilee Holy and from that union their daughter, Makayla, was born. In 2005 he moved to Pierre with his family and worked at KFC as a cook.
CJ was an easy-going person who loved to visit friends and family. He enjoyed dancing and listening to country music. He joked and teased around with everyone. He was a very talented artist, sketching and drawing pictures of cartoon characters, horses, WWE models, cars, etc. CJ was kind, caring, helpful, and respectful. CJ had many friends, and a special bond with his Aunt Maxine’s dog, Shekira. He was a very hard worker. You could count on him to get the job done.
CJ is survived by his wife Brenda Houston; sisters Lakota Condon and Sara Buckman; brothers Valdon Collier Sr. and Jeremy Buckman; father Cleveland Buckman Sr.; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia (Brings Plenty) Collier; stepdad Michael Condon Sr.; sister Clevia Stands; brother Clinton Buckman; grandma Eunice (Eagle Horse) Creek; grandpa Leroy Brings Plenty; and many family members and friends.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.