Cedric Wayne Ellenwood Jr. Pah- Ka- Tam- Kei- Kiit

On Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, our beloved dad, brother, grandson, uncle and nephew returned to our creator in the early morning holy hours at 5:18 a.m. at the Auburn Medical Center in Auburn, Wash.

Cedric Wayne Ellenwood Jr., aka “Buss,” 38 years old, enrolled Nez Perce, his Nimiipuu name “Pah-Ka-Tam-Kei-Kiit,” was born Jan. 14, 1988, in Seattle to Cedric Ellenwood Sr. and Sheila Roberts. As an infant Cedric was raised by his Ah’la Chloe Halfmoon and his auntie Charlotte Ellenwood at the family home.

Cedric became a lifelong Wildcat while he attended Lapwai Schools. He participated in basketball, football and baseball. He graduated from Lapwai High School in 2006. Cedric developed the love of golfing through his father and grandfather at the age of 5 years old.

Growing up, Cedric utilized his treaty rights by hunting, fishing and gathering with his father and uncles. As a preteen he got his first kill with his father. He fished in his tribal areas from Rapid River, Ashsaka and the Big River — the Columbia.

Cedric attended Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Mont., majoring in general studies. He worked various positions throughout the years and after relocating to the Auburn area, he continued to pursue his education in film.

Cedric’s energy was infectious; he had a rare gift for finding common ground with everyone he met. In May 2021, he and his fiancé, Charlynn Jim-Miller moved to their new apartment as a family in Auburn along with their “Boss Girl” Arika. He lived a deeply connected life, enriched by a family and a friendship circle that meant everything to him.

Cedric is survived by his daughter Arika; paternal grandfather, Delbert Ellenwood; maternal grandmother, Ruth Moore; maternal grandfather Casey Roberts; mother, Sheila Roberts; brothers, Theo, Apollo, Manuel, Tayvon; sisters, Latonia, Naomi, Felicia, Hattie, Lyla, Mikailah, Chloe, Leah, Lena, Terri Jo; nephews, AJ, Kurtis, Rashawn, Kincade, Jeremiah, Joseph, Ridge; nieces, Kiara, Suntoniyah, Alora, Elianna. He was preceded by his Ah’la Chloe Halfmoon; father, Cedric Ellenwood Sr.; sister, Sunny Jo Ellenwood and an unborn child.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, and funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, all at the Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center, 504 Main St., Lapwai. Burial to follow at the Nez Perce Tribal Cemetery. Dinner will follow burial at Pi-Nee-Waus Community Center. Rebecca Miles will serve as head cook. Coty Reuben will serve as head grave digger.