Jerome Louis O’Brien, Sr. “Tatanga Chande Nagi” (Assiniboine), Tatanka Chante Nagi” (Dakota), “Buffalo Heart Spirit” (English) left this world to be with his creator, family, and friends on Friday, May 6, 2022. Jerome was born on August 30, 1981, in Williston, North Dakota, the middle son of Shannon O’Brien Murphy.
Jerome loved life but more than anything in this world he loved his children Alliana Marie, Jerome “JJ” Jr., and Nevina RayAnne O’Brien and Christine “KeKe” Tenas. He also had a very strong bond with his brothers Michael and Ryan O’Brien.
Jerome always had a strong love for his family, especially for his Papa Pat (Patrick James O’Brien) whom he always called “Dad” and for his Grandma Ann. His cousins were always considered his sisters and he loved the times that he spent with Mandy Jo Bighorn Berens (Scott, Craig, Cayleigh, and Caige), Adriann Buckles Ricker (Griffin, Kaniel, Grady, John, and Zael), Kaileen O’Brien Stovern (James, Emma, and Jameson), and Mattie McChesney (Josh and Ryker Keaton). He especially loved spending time with them on the farm where they had the freedom to roam the plains, ride the horses and four-wheelers, and go hunting and fishing. He loved his aunts Maureen and Colleen O’Brien and Patti Jo Black. He also loved his sisters, Hilary, Emily (Maggie), and Amanda and always wished he could spend more time with them. He had a special place in his heart for his Uncle Frank Gourneau, Jr., and Auntie Haven Gourneau. He loved to spend time with them and their family Mauri, Tessy, Rainey, Bosh, Connor, and Sydney, especially Bosh who traveled the state with Jerome’s Grandma and Grandpa to watch his cousin play football and basketball. He loved his brother Ryan’s children and was so very proud of their accomplishments, but always wished that he had more time with them.
From the time Jerome was little he loved the O’Brien Farm and Ranch, which is North of Poplar. He loved riding horses, raising cattle, and farming the land. Anything Papa could do, Jerome wanted to be a part of it. Jerome also loved his opportunities to hunt and fish on the land. This was Jerome’s home.
Jerome also excelled in sports from the time he was little. He played baseball for the Mount Sentinel and Mount Jumbo Baseball teams in Missoula and was considered one the best catchers in the league. In the Mount Sentinel league his coach always referred to him as, “Joe”. In high school Jerome participated in football, basketball, and track for the Charlo Vikings. He played in the MHSA football playoffs three years in a row and made it to the semi-finals all three years. He was known as the utility player because no matter what position the coach had him play, Jerome could do it and do it well. He favorite position was always on defense. He loved hitting and tackling anyone to the ground. He also loved basketball and played in the MHSA playoffs every year he was in high school and reached the semi – finals two years in a row. He loved playing basketball with the boys from the Rez and often they could be found on the school basketball court across from where Jerome grew up in Dixon, Montana. The court was lit and so they could play well into the night. Even though he had to play against many of them during his high school years, in the summer after his graduation in 2000, Jerome was selected to participate in the All – West Native American Basketball Tournament which was held in Denver, Colorado representing the Salish and Kootenai Reservation. The boys from the Rez were on the court together once again. Those friendships he made lasted his whole life.
Jerome loved the outdoors and more than anything he loved to hunt, and he would hunt anything. He first learned to hunt with the help of Uncle Kevin Buckles. Kevin would take Jerome, his brothers Ryan and Michael, and Cousin Adriann all over and TRY to teach them the basics of hunting. Many lessons, crazy stories, and great laughs have come from those adventures. Jerome also LOVED fishing. He could be found fishing any stream, river, or lake both in Eastern and Western Montana.
Jerome leaves behind his children Alliana and Jerome “JJ” (Jr.) O’Brien, Dylan Moore of Poplar, MT and Nevina O’Brien and Christine “Keke” Tenas of Big Arm, MT; his mother Shannon O’Brien Murphy of Poplar, his brother Michael O’Brien (Anny and Bubba and Mickey) of Sheridan, WY; and his brother’s Ryan’s wife Ashley Martinez and children, Jose, Kai and Valentina O’Brien of Saint Ignatius; Sisters Emily Gourneau and her child Maggie Gourneau of Billings, MT, Hilary Gourneau of Poplar, MT, and Amanda Gourneau of Wolf Point, MT; special cousins/sisters growing up: Mandy Jo Big Horn Berens (Scott and children Craig, Cailey and Caige) of Billings, MT; Adriann “Babes” Buckles Ricker (Griffin and children Kaniel, Grady, John John, and Zael Ricker of Poplar, MT; Kaileen “Kaybug” Stovern ( James Stovern and children Emma and Jameson Stovern) of Minot, ND; and Mattie McChesney (Josh Keaton and child Ryker Keaton) of Conrad, MT; Special aunties Maureen and Colleen O’Brien and Patti Jo O’Brien Black; special auntie and uncle Frank and Haven Gourneau, Jr. and their children Mauri, Tessy, Rainey, Bosh, Connor, and Sydney Gourneau. Numerous aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother Ryan O’Brien, Special Mentor Jim “Murf” Murphy; niece Novalee Gourneau, Grandparents Patrick and Adrianna (Ann) O’Brien, Grandfather Frank Gourneau, Sr.; Great-Grand parents Max and Gladys Jimeno and Amy and Raymond O’Brien.;
“There is no death. Only a change of worlds.” – Chief Seattle
“Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.”
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday May 13, 2022
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Poplar, Montana 59255
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Gay Pennington says
My deepest sympathy for your loss Shannon.. My prayers 🙏for you and your family 🙏🙏❤❤💐💐
Lucy says
Our sincere condolences to you all.
Sandi Knudsen says
Shannon and family, I am so sorry. Jerome always had a special place in my heart. Prayers of comfort and peace for all of you.
Vicki Hampson says
My heart is so broken for all of you. Please know you are all in my Prayers.
Vicki (Yasenosky) & Mike Hampson
Valerie G Boyd says
My sincere condolences Shannon in your time of loss. May God wrap you in His peace and comfort. Know I’m praying for you.
Gina E. Bearfighter says
Condolences to the family of Jerome O’Brien. Prayers for comfort to all.
Belle Jay Atkinson says
My condolences to the family, his mother and his children. I will be praying for you! RIP my friend give Ryan a huge and watch over your young ones. You were a wonderful person and the world will surly miss your presence . God called you home your job here was completed and new job with the Lord awaits you. Fly high!!
Pr. Chris Holler-Dinsmore says
Deepest condolences to all family and friends. May you be comforted by the promise of the resurrection and the great love of the Creator who embraces us all both in this world and the world we pass into after death.
Gerald & Jane Jimeno says
We send our sincere condolences. Sorry we are not able to attend. Uncle Gerald & Aunt Jane.
Marcia Thompson says
My sincere condolences Mattie Josh and Ryker in your time of loss. May god bless you all, thinking of you all at this time
Cindy Alpert says
Memories of those 3 little boys (Michael, Jerome and Ryan) and Adrianne are dear to my heart. They were the apple of Papa Pat and Grandma Ann’s eyes. The family has my sympathy and my love. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding.
Darlyn Grainger says
Shannon and families I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved son, brother, cousin. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this most difficult time. May God Bless you All
Traci LeVay-Holt says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hugs
Gerald & Jane Jimeno says
Our sincere condolences on your loss. Uncle Gerald and Aant Jane
Shawnda Lefthand says
I’m so sorry for the families loss! My name is Shawnda Lefthand. Jerome was like a brother to me both him and Ryan was really special to me and I can not believe they are both in heaven. I didn’t even no bout either of them passing before it was beyond too late. I’m honor to have known both of them. And will always keep them in my prayers.