Clifford Demery

Clifford Demery, 72 of Cottonwood Creek, passed away Friday, October 02, 2015 at his home.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. MDT, Monday, October 12, 2015 at the Cherry Creek Gym, Cherry Creek, SD with Pastor Mike Pretty Enemy presiding. Burial followed in the Big Cottonwood Family Cemetery, Cherry Creek. Wake services were held at 7:00 p.m., MDT, Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Cherry Creek Gym with a procession from the family’s home at 4:00 p.m. 

Clifford Duane Demery, Sr., was born April 15, 1943 to Elizabeth Haul Demery and Ervin Demery Black Cloud at Belcourt, ND. When he was 3 months old he lost his mother, so Olive One Skunk Black and Jim Black adopted and raised him in Cherry Creek, SD. Clifford’s father Ervin, later died.

Clifford attended Cherry Creek Day School and later Old Agency Boarding School where he played football. Clifford has two daughters with Pauline Eagle Chasing, Dee Ann Marsha Demery and Delema Demery; granddaughter, Nichole and great granddaughter of Cherry Creek; grandson, Kurt and grandchildren of Eagle Butte.

Clifford met and married Madonna Swan. Together they had four children: Bernice and grandsons, Lalo, Raul, Sonny and Rico and great grandchildren of Orem, UT; Mina (Richardo) and granddaughters, Rainey and Brittney and great grandkids all of Am. Fork, UT; Desiree and grandkids of Provo, UT and Clifford Jr. (Norma) and grandkids of Seattle, Washington.

In 1976 Clifford was united in marriage to Arlene Waloke and had three children: Patrichia (Dave) and grandsons, Chubs, Dave Jr., Dallen, Kyson, Kalzin and Zody of Cherry Creek; Willard (Angelic) and Family of Big Cottonwood Creek; Frenchy (Kirstyn) and family of Big Cottonwood Creek; adopted sons: Lynus N. Hayes and granddaughters, Brazy and Emmy; Clifford also gained five step grandchildren: LaVay Hayes, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Cherry Creek; Sharon Hayes and grandsons of Cherry Creek; Darla Hayes, Vanessa Hayes and sons of Pierre; Daniel Hayes and family of Cottonwood and Hunka (Cindy) Smith and family of Sturgis. 

Clifford attended the Police Academy in Pierre and achieved his GED and became an officer for the Cheyenne River Law Enforcement for 20 years. He also worked as Chief of Police for the City of Eagle Butte and retired then after. Clifford and Arlene moved back to Cherry Creek in 1980 and opened a pool hall to keep children from illegal activities. All proceeds from the pool hall went to honoring the elders of CRST, the Akicita Military and all graduates in the education system. Unfortunately the pool hall burned to the ground in 1994 and the honoring stopped.

Clifford also worded with the tribe and the TWEP program and created a job site called the Cherry Creek Wood Project. They cut, chopped and hauled wood to all who heated their homes with firewood on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Clifford has been given a day of honoring from the CRST on November 5 in recognition for his humble acts in helping others young and old. He was made a good example to many who knew him.

Clifford and Arlene moved to Big Cottonwood 7 ½ NE miles of Cherry Creek in 1998 where they made their home. Clifford enjoyed the company of all his grandchildren whom he treated all equally. He was very thankful for all his kids and grandkids. He loved to tease them and make them laugh. Clifford loved the country, cowboy life at Big Cottonwood, where he dreamed big and everyone played a part in making it happen.

Thank you for Clifford. You are deeply missed and forever in our thoughts and prayers. “Forever in our hearts”

Clifford was preceded in death by his paternal parents: Ervin Demery Black Cloud and Elizabeth Haul Demery; his adopted parents: Olive One Skunk Black and Jim Black; brothers: Tex One Skunk and Levi Runs After; sisters: Hazel Marrow Bone and Belva Romero; daughters: DeeAnn Demery and Delema Demery Eagle Chasing; grandsons: Dave Crow Ghost Jr. and Chastyn Demery.

Clifford is joined in heaven with all our Tiospaye.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Clifford’s arrangements.