Funeral services for 72-year old Reginald “Larry” Buckman are Sat, October 21, 2023 at 1:00 at the Manderson Community Church in Manderson, SD, with Pastor Jeremy Mouw officiating and traditional Lakota services by Delane “Canku” Has No Horse and Alvin Iron Cloud
A private family burial will be announced after the services.
A one-night wake starts Friday, Oct 20, at 1:30 at the Manderson Community Church in Manderson
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Reginald Jimmy “Larry” Buckman was born May 15, 1951 in Pine Ridge, SD Owen Clifford and Verna Buckman. Reginald made his journey to the Spirit World on October 7, 2023 at his home near Wounded Knee, SD
Larry was an AIMster, a father, a leksi, and a grandfather. Larry, his kola Russell Means, and other AIMsters occupied Wounded Knee in defense of these ways in 1973, and it was because of Larry, and warriors like him, that Lakota people are no longer prevented from practicing the old ways in the open.
Larry and his fellow AIMsters were instrumental in the passage of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, and his legacy is that Indians all over Turtle Island can no longer be prosecuted for taking part in ceremonies.
Larry was old school; he learned Lakota before English from his grandparents in Wounded Knee, SD, where he spent much of his childhood.
He lived many lives throughout his time here on Turtle Island; he was in the army during Vietnam, he was an advocate for American Indian rights, he was a plumber and he helped many people through his work at the Ponca center.
To those who knew him well, Larry had the gift of gab. He could talk to anyone, about anything. He was a deeply spiritual man; like all people, he was not perfect, but he took these ways seriously, and would do anything necessary to defend them.
Larry was a humble man, and he helped people from all over this earth. He did battle with evil, and prevailed, many times . When people did not know where else to turn, they would call Larry, and he would help them.
Larry was a sundance leader at Ironwood Hilltop for many years, and was very close with the late, great Leonard Crow Dog, who was one of his gurus and taught him many things about these ways.
In the tradition of the Lakota, Larry imparted these lessons to his younger family members, and he could always make you laugh, no matter how low you were feeling and no matter what you were going through.
Larry always knew how to make things better, and he was someone you could count on for help, no matter what, even if you had nothing to give or trade.
His family loves him and misses him already. He truly was a great man, and it was an honor to walk by his side. Toksa ake, Larry, we love you.
Reginald is survived by his sister Wanda Buckman; brothers Will Buckman and Rick Buckman; children Tommy Buckman, Tammy Buckman, Chad Buckman, Jimmy Buckman, Katherine Buckman, Donovan Buckman, and Dustin Buckman; uncles Wilbur Buckman and Cleveland Buckman; nieces & nephews Merna Center, Mika Winters, Arlen Richards, Keith Buchanan, Anthony Buchanan, Michael Richards, Akia Winters, Jonathan Center, Farron Center, Jonathan “JT” Twiss, and Louis Whalen; 22 grandkids; and 3 great-grandkids.
Reginald was preceded in death by his parents Owen Clifford and Verna Buckman; sister Judith Buckman-Herman; maternal grandparents Lottie Big Wolf and Benjamin Buckman; great-grandfather James Brings Plenty; nieces Joni Twiss, Mandy Twiss, and Jessica Twiss; and brother-In-Law, Jonathan “JT” Twiss.
These men have the honor of carrying their leksi for the last time to his resting place: Tommy Buckman, Chad Buckman, Akia “Hoax” Winters, Farron Center, Jonathan “JT” Twiss, and Jeremy Frazier.
Larry kola’s are Randy Murphy, Alvin Iron Cloud, Joe Bat Richards, Orville Milk, Curtis Milk, Jeffery Whalen, Art Ruff, Richard “Dick” Marshall, Alex White Plume, Louis “Boy” Winters, Milo Yellow Hair, Warfield Moose, Donald “Cuny Dog” Cuny, Garrett Little Bear, Leon Grass, Justin “Rooster” Bradford, Kenny Lone Elk, Earl Tall, Antonio Larvie, John Steele, Thomas Harvey, Glen Richards, Timothy “Teeterman” Little Dog, Gilly Running, Charlotte Black Elk, Darla Black, Joann Tall, Shirley Bradford, Blossom Johnson, Bell Little Bear, Francine Janis, Saunie K Wilson, and Julie Shot To Pieces.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD