A Mass of Christian Burial for 85-year old Philip Puckett will be held Wed, May 31, 2023 at 11:00 at the Vinnie and Phil Puckett Ranch, 3 miles east of Sharps Corner, SD, with Fathers Brad Held and Peter Klink, SJ, and Deacon William “Bill” White officiating.
Burial Services is at the Puckett Family Cemetery in Sharp’s Corner
A one-night wake service begins Tues, May 30, at 7:00, also at the Vinnie and Phil Puckett Ranch east of Sharps Corner.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Philip G Puckett was born Feb 10, 1938, to Russell and Minnie Puckett at Canata Basin in the Badlands. He passed away in Bennington, NE on May 23, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Phil spent most of his life on his ranch east of Sharps Corner. In his younger years, he was well known for breaking horses and was called upon by ranchers in the area to settle their wild ones down. He attended Central High School in Rapid City where he participated in football.
As a young adult, he worked on ranches, delivered newspapers and delivered beer. Phil loved to watch Gunsmoke and other western movies. He was an avid Louis L’Amour reader and had a large collection of his books.
On Sept 23, 1957, Phil married the love of his life, Vinnie Janis. To this union were born 5 sons: Rusty, Randy, Philip Jr, Rick, and Richard.
Phil and Vinnie loved to travel the world and took every opportunity to visit different areas taking in the culture, food and sights.
Phil was a businessman most of his life; for many years he owned and operated Puckett Construction in Rapid City, SD, until his retirement in 2011. He also owned and ran a hunting lodge in Ten Sleep, WY.
Phil and his sons traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast and many places in between working on various construction projects and building housing developments, but his love for ranching was where his heart was.
Together with Vinnie, they began ranching in the Sharps Corner area in 1971, where the ranch continues today along with their sons and grandchildren. Phil enjoyed working with youth and saw potential in everyone.
He and Vinnie started a boxing club at Little Wound School many years ago where he trained young men from the Kyle area, taking them to boxing heats throughout the region.
Many of his boxers came home with championship titles and Phil was very proud of them. He always talked about his boxers and how much he enjoyed working with them.
Phil also loved rodeos and supported his grandchildren in their competitions, traveling to many areas and giving them support.
Phil believed in hard work and had instilled that in his sons and grandchildren; whatever you wanted in life, he believed you had to work hard for it. His legacy of hard work will live on for generations in his family.
Phil was well-known and liked by everyone who met him, he greeted everyone with a smile and a handshake. He had a genuine heart and cared for people in all walks of life.
He always made time to visit with friends, acquaintances and even strangers, he just loved to visit. He could sit for hours telling stories of growing up in the badlands, the different countries they traveled to, ranching, or how proud he was of his sons and grandchildren.
Phil is survived by Vinnie, his loving wife of 65 years; sons Rusty, Randy (Tammy), Philip (Lori) and Rick (Flora); 16 grandchildren: Shannon, Tess, Sadie, Lea and Chevelle Puckett; Derek and Sara Puckett, Shelby Quintin and Kasey Puckett and Cameron Lafferty; Roxanne and Chance Puckett, Cole, Kyle Puckett, Sarah and Cristina Red Owl; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Phil was preceded in death by his son Richard, grandson Little Richard, parents Russell and Minnie Puckett, 5 brothers; and one sister.
Pallbearers will be Rick Arnes, Donnie Vocu, Orren Provost, Ty Albers, Robin Janis, Louie Whirlwind Horse, Jim Whirlwind Horse, Larry Two Bulls, and alternates Arlo Provost, Marvin Provost, Ducky Harris, Rafael Mendoza, and Orrin Puckett.
Honorary pallbearers will be all friends and relatives that knew Phil throughout his life.
Phil will be greatly missed by his entire family
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD