Jerome O’Brien Sr.

Jerome Louis O’Brien Sr. “Tatanga Chande Nagi,” Tatanka Chante Nagi,” “Buffalo Heart Spirit,” died Friday, May 6, 2022.

He was born Aug. 30, 1981, in Williston, N.D., the middle son of Shannon O’Brien Murphy.

He 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.

He 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 them. 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 also loved his sisters, Hilary, Emily (Maggie) and Amanda and always wished he could spend more time with them.

From the time, he 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, he wanted to be a part of it.

He 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 high school, he 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, he could do it and do it well. He favorite position was always on defense. 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 they could often be found on the school basketball court across from where he grew up in Dixon. In the summer after his graduation in 2000, he was selected to participate in the All – West Native American Basketball Tournament in Denver, Colo., representing the Salish and Kootenai Reservation.

He is survived by his children, Alliana and Jerome “JJ” (Jr.) O’Brien, Dylan Moore of Poplar and Nevina O’Brien and Christine “Keke” Tenas of Big Arm; mother, Shannon O’Brien Murphy of Poplar; brother, Michael O’Brien (Anny and Bubba and Mickey) of Sheridan, Wyo.; and sisters, Emily Gourneau of Billings, Hilary Gourneau of Poplar and Amanda Gourneau of Wolf Point.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ryan O’Brien.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 13, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Cremation has taken place. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.