Roger Big Leggins

Roger Dean Big Leggins, 66, died Sept. 3 or 4, 2023, in Poplar.

He was born March 16, 1957, in Poplar to Sonya Lee Buckles and Garrett J. Big Leggins Sr., the second son of that marriage. He was raised in Poplar and Denver, Colo. 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 and excelled at building lawn ornaments and Indian-design wall shelving, which he gave away as gifts to friends and relatives or sold to help support himself.

Later, he joined the Blaze Construction crew, who specialized in home construction projects on Indian reservations. He traveled with Blaze Construction to reservations in states including 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. 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.

He was a happy person and ready to laugh about everything. He was an “Uncle Buck” kind of person who could be counted on when babysitting the house when you were away traveling or fixing a vehicle was needed. He enjoyed visiting his family and going to dinners or barbecues. He liked to watch football with his brother Garrett on Sundays.

He is survived by his daughter, Reannon Taylor Black Dog Bear; one grandson; brothers, Garrett I. Big Leggins, Jay Goldhammer, “Little Gary” Big Leggins and Robert Big Leggins; and sisters, Sara Keiser, Tanya Big Leggins, Lori Big Leggins and Vickie Big Leggins.

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 15, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with the arrangements.