Maurice Bighorn Sr.

Maurice Charles “Buggy” Bighorn Sr., 78, of Brockton, died July 15, 2020, in Salt Lake City Hospital.

He was born in Poplar on Dec. 13, 1941, to Alpheus and Josephine Juneau Bighorn, the third of four siblings, following the twins Alpheus “Sonny” Bighorn Jr. and Alva Bighorn. Younger sister Alice came along nine years later.

He attended school in Brockton, graduating in 1959. He was a noted athlete in football, basketball and track. He was a prolific scorer throughout his basketball career and averaged 30.5 points per game his senior year. He and the Brockton Warriors finished with an excellent 22-5 record. His talent gained the attention of several colleges who offered scholarships for both basketball and football.

He attended Cook Christian Training School in Phoenix, Ariz., where he met Francile LaMere. They were married in 1961 in Francile’s hometown, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. They made their first home of many in Phoenix, where daughters Joleen and Maureen were born. When the family returned to Montana, son Barry and daughter Paula were born. They lived in San Jose, Calif., where he earned his welding certificate. While there, his claim to fame was “starring” as an extra paid to fall off a horse in the movie Blood on the Arrow.

They returned to Phoenix and their daughter Pam was born. Daughter Janice and son Maurice Jr. were born in Poplar. Son James Burshia Bighorn became part of the family shortly after his birth on Christmas Day in 1979.

He and Francile attended the University of Montana in Missoula from 1971-1975. After a year and a half in Wisconsin, they made their home in Brockton for their final years.

Throughout the years, he and his brother Sonny and many cousins and friends played together in independent basketball tournaments and often took home championship jackets. He was a member of the Brockton Chiefs who won the Fort Hall tournament several years, making his final trip to Idaho just a year before his illness. He was known for being a quick player, an excellent shooter, 3-point bank shots and his patented left-handed hook shot.

He worked as the registrar with the Fort Peck Community College, served on the Fort Peck Election Committee and held several construction jobs. He worked for many years for Nygard Farms with Sammy Nygard. He was currently a driver for the Fort Peck Transit System.

He enjoyed going to bingo, but his life centered around basketball. He was an inspiration to the younger generations because of his longevity in continuing to compete at his advanced age. He ran city league for several years at the Brockton Culture Center. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s games, following them with pride throughout their high school and college careers.

He enjoyed the large Bighorn family gatherings, where he would compete in rounds of Lightning against his children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Francile; daughter, Paula; and grandson, Noah Bighorn.

He is survived by children, Joleen Emerson and Pam Bighorn of Brockton, Maureen Bighorn of Lake Delton, Wis., Janice Bighorn of Minnesota Barry Bighorn of Fort Kipp and Maurice Bighorn Jr. and James Burshia Bighorn of Brockton; siblings, Alpheus and Alva and Alice Melbourne; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A family graveside service was held Friday, July 24, at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton under the direction of Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel.