Roger Dean Big Leggins passed away from unknown complications on September 3 or 4 of 2023 in Poplar, MT. An autopsy report is pending. Roger was born on March 16, 1957, in Poplar, MT., to Sonya Lee Buckles and Garrett J. Big Leggins, Sr. He was the second son of that marriage. His paternal grandparents were Daniel Big Leggins and Laura (Bearcub) Big Leggins. His maternal grandparents were David Buckles and Hazel (Boyd-Mail) Buckles.
Roger was raised in Poplar and Denver, Colorado. He graduated from high school in 1976 from Stephan Indian School in South Dakota where he began to develop an interest in all phases of building and home construction. As time went on he developed his carpentry skills and also became a very good handyman installing furnaces, water heaters, toilets, bathtubs/showers, windows/doors, etc. Roger also excelled at building lawn ornaments and Indian design wall shelving, which he gave away as gifts to friends and relatives or sold them to help support himself.
Later Roger joined the crew of Blaze Construction, who specialized in home construction projects on Indian Reservations. He traveled with Blaze Construction to reservations in states such as Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. He spent many years working on the Warm Springs reservation in Oregon for that Tribe’s Home Improvement Program (HIP). When he returned to his home reservation he was a skilled carpenter and many people called on him for things needed fixing in their homes.
Roger was a happy person and ready to laugh about everything. He was an “Uncle Buck” kind of person who you could count on when he was needed like babysitting the house when you were away traveling, fixing a car or pickup, or just hanging out. He enjoyed visiting his family and going to dinners or BBQs. He liked to watch football with his brother Garrett on Sundays.
Roger was 66 years old when he passed. He is survived by his daughter, Reannon (Liz) Taylor Black Dog Bear, and his grandson Gabriel Harlan, of Bismarck, ND who is attending the United Tribes Technical School. He was very proud of his daughter and grandson and spoke of them often to his family and friends. He is also survived by his brothers, Garrett I Big Leggins, Jay Goldhammer, “Little Gary” Big Leggins, Robert Big Leggins, and sisters, Denette Boyer, Carol Kleopher, Sara Keiser, Tanya Big Leggins, Lori Big Leggins, Vickie Big Leggins, and many nieces and nephews. Extended families include Big Leggins, Buckles, Walters, Kirns, Magnans, Bearcubs, Spotted Birds, Headdress, and many more too numerous to mention. We apologize if we failed to mention everyone.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family may be left by using the form below.
Donovan Menz sr and Family says
We all love and miss you Rodger. Till we all meet again. We love you my Brother Rodger.Amen. Thank you 🙏🏻 And God Bless you. And your family and friends.amen.
Richard White Owl III says
Fly high uncle 🦅, Love You.
Ernest J Lambert says
Fly High my friend … RIP
Robert Eder says
He was a good friend to me and sherry got things done
Jim BIGHORN says
RIP Roger, we all had some fun times back in the day.
Robert McAnally says
From Bob, Terry and Mickey: May Wakan Tanka bless Roger and family. He was an outstanding relative. Be happy at the “other side camp” Tahasi. Aho.
Joel n Marcella GB says
Fly high with the Angels our dear friend, Roger Dean..may you rest in Peace in God’s paradise..our Condolences to all your family and friends..thanks for everything you did for us..AHO
Roxann Smith says
Rest in peace Roger. It was good getting to know you.
Allen buckles says
R.I.P cuz it was a pleasure having u has a relitive, u will be missed 😢 tell Fred hi
Pastor Steve Smith says
My condolences to the family. Enjoyed working along side Rodger in construction and as an inspector. Rodger had a good heart and a friendly spirit. I really enjoyed our conversations about his travels. He spoke highly of his brother Garrett and was very proud of his accomplishments. He said he really enjoyed riding his motorcycle. We never did get to jam together with music. I would have enjoyed that.
Jonny BearCub says
Travel home in happiness knowing you will be greeted with great love. Many will miss you here but like they say – as long as someone says your name you live forever. Memories are the balm to a hurting heart.
Marian Clincher Montclair Johnson says
Geez, I am still in shock, from Roger Dean dying! And we don’t even know what day he decided to leave us, what kind of person does that? Only Roger Dean!! He’s probably laughing about it as we speak, he had a sense of humor that could go either way, his way or your way. One time we were “sipping” some beers and the vehicle we were in, the passenger side door was hard to open, i told him, push it hard, ram it with your chest, ho, Roger was laughing so hard when I said that, so every time we seen each other, we’d say “ram it with your chest” guess he rammed to many doors in his short lived life. Until we see you again, I will try and get my doors fixed, so I won’t ram it with my chest! May the Lord send his Holy Spirit to comfort Roger’s children, grandchild & his family. R.I.P., I no your not trying to rest, probably already have a “crew” ready & I bet Grandpa Si is on the crew too!! You were a good friend of the family and we forgive you for throwing us in the missouri river outside of Brockton, at least I forgave you, don’t no if my 3 sisters did? You will run into them in Heaven, tell them I said Hi and sure do miss them. Be Good now!
Iva Zimmerman says
CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY! REST IN PEACE!
Ann Perry says
RiP Uncle Roger.. give my mommy Mona a big hug. You will be missed. Your laugh was one of a kind.. love ya
Sioux Dawn says
Safe journey home & nice knowing u Roger Dean. U were always good to me from the day I met u till the end. Always sharing whatever it is u had, always smiles laughs n joking. U & Brandon took me to alot of cool spots in Oregon.
Condolences to the family at this time.
Prayers sent up.
Mike Crow says
Sorry for not attending your services old friend. I didn’t know until it was all over. We worked good together as partners in ‘Days of Blaze’ lol had a few beers after work at times and I always remembered your laugh or giggles to whatever was said. I remember you talking about following Blaze all over the country. You are a good man Roger and ‘all around’ ‘ can do’ ‘been there…done that’ ‘ Mr. Fixit’ etc rtc. Everytime we saw each other it would be a friendly and joking chat and you always seemed to have something going for yourself. I bet you already have something going up there! Lol Always remembered!