Bo Buffalo
June 4, 1973 ~ February 6, 2025
Bo Buffalo, 51, passed away Thursday, February 6, 2025. It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Bo, at his home in Bridger, SD, due to health complications. He was surrounded by his beloved dogs, Jerry Lee and Pepper.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Pioneer Hall, Dupree. Burial will follow in the Congregational Cemetery, Bridger. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2025, at Pioneer Hall with a procession from the 2-Mile east of town at 4:00 p.m.
Bo was born June 4, 1973, in Eagle Butte SD to Warren Buffalo and Sissy Janis-Erickson. He was affectionately called “Hobo” by his Grandpa Ted Buffalo, because his parents moved several times. The name was abbreviated to “Bo”, and he always went by it.
He attended elementary school in Bridger, SD and Rapid City, SD. At the age of 10, Bo gave his heart to Jesus. He moved in 1987 with his mother and siblings to New England, ND and graduated high school in 1992. While in high school, he participated in high school rodeo, team roping with Tate Schatz as well as football, baseball and basketball. After high school he moved to Rapid City, SD where he became an electrical apprentice. He attended further education in Minnesota to gain his licensure as an electrician. Bo worked hard to get ahead working extra jobs at Scheels, and drywall installation.
Bo met his future wife Amy Millage in 1999, and they married in October 2001. It was the happiest day of his life. His kidney failed in 2000, and he went on dialysis. Later in 2003, they found out Amy was a match, and she gave Bo a kidney, a life-giving gift. Bo didn’t have children, but he had several dogs that he loved and spoiled like they were his children. He raised bird dogs and coon hounds, and they went everywhere Bo did. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, trapper and horseman.
In 2008, Bo went to Iraq to work. He became more personally aware of our military, and he had great respect for them. He returned home and continued working in Rapid City. His bronc riding days ended when he broke his femur during a saddle bronc competition at Rosebud rodeo in 2009. The drawing of big money because of the oil boom brought him back to New England ND. He worked for large electrical corporation based out of Utah that was contracted to work on St Alexius Hospital. While he was working, his kidney began to fail but his work ethic led him to complete the contract. He returned to SD to be closer to dialysis and began working for CRST as the Tribal Electrician. He refused to receive disability because of his condition, as he felt his skills could still be utilized. Bo fought courageously through dialysis and other health issues.
Bo helped with the Youth Horse program in Bridger. He loved teaching kids about horsemanship, hunting, fishing and the importance of pursuing a dream and a career for their future. Bo had a John Wayne kind of presence and demeanor. He told you the truth blatantly, no sugar coating what he had to say. It was out of love, you either understood him or you didn’t. He loved God, family, country, his career, and life. Bo never shied away from speaking his mind and he voiced his fiercely held patriotic values with the utmost conviction. He was a straight shooter (no pun intended) a rugged individual who stood for courage, freedom and lived by a personal code of honesty and integrity. He believed in giving a hand up, not a handout and was kind to those in need without judgement. Bo loved movies, good jokes, and talking about recipes. He was a great cook and loved feeding people the food he prepared. His talents and presence will be greatly missed by many.
Bo is survived by his parents, Sissy (Mark) Erickson, New England, ND, auntie/mom, Mary Buffalo, Belvidere, SD, Warren Buffalo, Sioux Falls, SD; siblings: Contessa Gonzales, Dickinson, ND, Cody Buffalo, New England, ND, Jonni Lamptey, Dickinson, ND, Honorae Erickson, Fargo, ND, Charity Erickson, New England, ND, Ashley (Brandon) Duncan, Dickinson, ND, Jesse (Erika) Erickson, New England, ND, beloved considered like a brother, Dusty (Ranee) Burgess, Blackhawk, SD; and many aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins too numerous to name.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ted and Delores Buffalo; maternal grandparents, James and Merrietta Janis; cousins; Jonni Briggs-Petersen, Amber Buffalo, Shane Fallis, Dakota Fallis, and Candice Brokenrope.
A special thank you to the Dialysis Unit of Eagle Butte and the Ambulance crew of Cheyenne River for their special care of our Bo.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Bo’s arrangements.
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Sincere Condolences to family, relatives and our co-worker and friend. It's a difficult time knowing you will not be walking thru the door to greet us on a daily basis. You will be missed here at CRST Property & Supply. On the 7th Joe and I was leaving Eagle Butte and saw a beautiful eagle fly off of a fence post, from my heart all I could say was fly high Bo, Joe said yep! RIP my friend and thanks for asking about me after my surgery, meant the world to me!
I wish I had a chance to meet you uncle Bo!
My condolences to the family. When losing a loved one it can be unbearable. In the Bible book of Isaiah 25:8 Jehovah God promises soon to "swallow up death forever." He also promises to bring back those who have fallen asleep in death (Acts 24:15). In a little while longer this kind of pain will be a thing of the past (Revelations 21:4). May these scriptures bring you comfort in this difficult time (jw.org)
Listen to the Signs
The first time I saw Beau was on a scorching morning at the Bald Eagle Ranch, in the far west of the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Summer was ending, but the heat didn’t care. Inside, a fan hummed while the weather forecast promised more of the same. Then Beau knocked.
He entered like he belonged there (which he did) and shook my hand firmly. His eyes cut through me, as if he had known me forever—or perhaps because he hadn’t. Beau was Minneconjou Lakota, a man of the prairie. His humor was as dry as the wind over the plains, his wisdom rooted deep in the land.
Beau passed away this week. We were not close friends, but seven years after our last meeting, I still think of him.
I remember those endless afternoons on the prairie, where time dissolved, and yesterday and today lost meaning. Fears, sorrows, and that vague sense of futility that has followed me my whole life seemed to fade on the ranch. Some days, nothing happened—just picking wild plums by the Cheyenne River. Other days, everything happened—like on September 22, 2017, when I went hunting with Beau.
Beau was the best hunter in this part of the reservation. But by nightfall, he hadn’t shot anything. We sat in his truck, exhausted, as his small black dachshund whined excitedly.
"That’s the buck I’ve been chasing all day!" he suddenly shouted.
The dog howled.
"Shut up!" Beau snapped.
Between my legs were two loaded rifles. He turned off the headlights and drove slowly over the rolling prairie, a landscape once covered by an inland sea.
"Quiet now," he whispered.
He killed the engine, rolled down the window.
"Hand me the rifle."
It was my first time holding a loaded gun. Carefully, I passed it to him. The warm wind rushed in.
Bang. Bang.
"I got him, motherfucker!" he yelled.
The antelope lay on the ground, still breathing. Beau finished the job up close, and the dachshund leapt onto the warm body. It was a raw ritual, but one passed down from father to son—a small act of resistance in a vanishing world.
Afterward, Beau held the steaming liver under my nose.
"Like in the movie, Tigs," he grinned. "Take a bite, thank the gods."
He knew I hesitated.
"Just joking. Ask Josee to cook it—it’s good for you."
He was testing me. Maybe I would have earned his respect if I had taken that bite. Now that he’s gone, I think of that liver—and the doubt I felt.
Less doubt. That’s my resolution today.
"Listen to the signs," Beau used to say.
And maybe, just maybe, we should.
What strong man, knowledgeable and kind man. He came to change out lights in the office one day. A tad grouchy but we got acquainted and he softened. He spoke of his illness and driving from Bridger to work everyday. He knew every day was precious and to make the most of it. He was a worker and accountable, a great loss. May he fly high on Eagles wings 🙏🏽🙏🏽
My family and I met Bo about 10 years ago when we were in Bridger for mission trips with our church. Having several high schoolers and college aged young adults, Bo always came by to visit, enjoy a meal but mostly for the young people to enjoy some of the experiences of the area. From horseback riding, fishing, four wheeling or just looking for fossils by the river. He helped pass the time when the days work was completed. Bo and I would talk about every six to eight weeks, he would always ask how we were first to make sure we were ok. Then he would share his experiences with the doctor appointments, news of the community and of mutual friends. He was always there to lend a hand or give advice when we had any issue. Toni would keep me informed on how he was doing, I knew he was going downhill, but he would never say anything about him being sick. I can easily say I have a lot of acquaintances, but call only a few people I call a true friend. Bo was a true friend and will be missed.
Bo has been a friend for a long time. He will be missed.
May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face.
He was a good friend. He will be missed abundantly.
Our condolences and love to his family. We met Bo on a mission trip to Bridget in 1984. He was only 11, but so mature and responsible. We became good friends with his family, and Bo spent part of a summer with us in California. We first knew Bo as Warren, but the family called him Bo. When he stayed with us, he was wanting his name on a belt. He was trying to decide if he should spell it Beau, Beaux or Bo. We regret that we did not reconnect with him after we finally became SD residents. It warms my heart to know he grew into a kind, hardworking man, in spite of his health struggles. We thank God for Bo’s life, and pray his legacy will be passed on.
Many hugs and prayers to my dear friend contessa and her family. I didn't know him but in away feel like I do with all the memories contessa has shared with me and by his obituary. And to her mom . Loosing a child has to be the hardest thing to go through. Many hugs and prayers to all of you .
My heart goes out to you contessa. I'm so sorry for your loss
So long friend! Until we meet again.