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.