Maurice Charles “Buggy” Bighorn Sr. was born in Poplar, Montana, on December 13, 1941 to Alpheus and Josephine Juneau Bighorn. Following a short unexpected illness, Papa Buggy passed away peacefully on July 15, 2020 in Salt Lake City Hospital.
He had a larger than life personality; known, respected, and loved by everyone who knew him. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He never strayed from a good argument, as many of us can attest to. Buggy was born third of four siblings, following the twins, Alpheus “Sonny” Bighorn Jr. and Alva Bighorn. Younger sister, Alice came along 9 years later. He was so proud of his new baby sister; he took his entire class home to show her off.
Maurice 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. Playing alongside cousins, Leonard Crow Belt and Ernest Bighorn Jr., Buggy and the Brockton Warriors finished with an excellent 22-5 record. Buggy’s talent gained the attention of several colleges who offered scholarships for both basketball and football.
Maurice attended Cook Christian Training School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he met Francile LaMere. They were married in 1961 in Francile’s hometown, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. 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, California where Maurice earned his welding certificate. While there, Buggy’s 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 for a short while 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. Maurice 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, Maurice and his brother, Sonny, and many cousins and friends played together in independent basketball tournaments, and they often took home championship jackets. Buggy 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, whom he considered a brother. He helped Grandma “Bee” Nygard with yardwork and any project she wanted done. He was currently a driver for the Fort Peck Transit System. His co-worker and close friend, Darryl Joe, was a teammate in his later years. They were both avid basketball fans attending many area games together.
He enjoyed going to bingo with his sister, Alva and friend, Ethelene White Hawk. But, as many who knew him, his life centered around basketball. Buggy 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. Family and friends were always blessed with one of his countless stories, even if they’d heard it many times before.
Preceding Maurice in death are his parents, wife Francile, daughter Paula, and grandson Noah Bighorn.
He is survived by daughters, Joleen (Roy) Emerson and Pam Bighorn of Brockton, Maureen Bighorn of Lake Delton, Wisconsin, and Janice Bighorn of Minnesota; sons, Barry (Estelle) Bighorn of Fort Kipp, and Maurice (Nicolle) Bighorn Jr. and James Burshia Bighorn of Brockton; brother Alpheus; sisters, Alva and Alice (Gary) Melbourne, all of Brockton. Papa Buggy is survived by his beloved grandchildren: Sekoya Bighorn, Callan Bighorn, Vania Bighorn, Roy Emerson Jr., Nicholas Bighorn, Barry Bighorn Jr., Tyler Emerson, Tawnya Bighorn, Ethan Bighorn, Kellie Emerson, Alicia Fast Horse, Benoni Bighorn, Josy Fanning, Colette Fanning, Leda Bighorn, Isaiah Bighorn, Maurice Bighorn III, Justin Grayhawk Jr., Landyn Burshia and Jessa Bighorn; and cherished great-grandchildren Kale, Kenyon, Miley, Clint, Josiah, Jalissa, Jacoby, Kenna, Roman, Collin, Lincoln, Ezra, Franiah, Canyon, Noah, Harlow and numerous nieces and nephews.
Public viewing will take place on Thursday, July 23, from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., at the Brockton Cultural Center. It will be conducted according to COVID prevention guidelines and restrictions. Masks will be required for all. One will be provided if you don’t have one. No children under 16 are allowed. No outside food will be allowed, so the family is providing a boxed lunch. Family graveside services will take place on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton. A video of the service will be provided by the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel on their facebook page.
To our Dad and Papa Buggy and Brother – We love you, we’ll miss you, but we are comforted by the knowledge that we will see you again one day.