Jonathan Jay Big Medicine

Jonathan Jay Big Medicine, 57 of Dunmore passed away on September 27, 2024, in the arms of his forever wife.

Jonathan was born July 7, 1967, in Crow Agency, Montana to Walter Merle Big Medicine and Phyllis Falls Down. Jon was a Bad War Deed and child of the Whistling Water. His Indian name is Owns Outstanding Racehorse, given to him by Jack Old Horn. He attended Hardin Public School from elementary, graduating from Hardin High School in 1985. He participated in cross country, track and was an outstanding basketball player, he played alongside his older brother Darin.

He married his forever, Tracy Sapiel on December 11, 1992, in Hardin, MT.  They raised Leslie, Dana, Ramiko, Nevada, Darin III, Letti and Kota.

Jonathan worked as a Wildland Firefighter and Helitech, right out of high school, which he loved. He then started his career as a custodian with the Hardin High School in 1998, then he transferred to the Intermediate School as Head Custodian which he loved very much. He enjoyed his job because the children made his job more enjoyable and kept the school clean and tidy. He loved his job so much that while he was sick, he was still working until he physically couldn't do so on December 1, 2023. He made many friends throughout his employment and they would come to check on him throughout his illness.

Jonathan was a horseman and he and his wife Tracy trained and raced quarter horses during Native Days and Crow Fair. He got his training skills from his father, the late Merle. He had a love of horses from a very young age until his passing.

Jonathan is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Darin, Sr., Franklin Big Medicine. His niece True Ann Old Horn-Danforth. Grandparents Edward and Florida House Big Medicine, Raymond and Elsie Other Medicine - Falls Down.

Jon is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, cause they lived together for one. Tracy and their loving children, sisters; Merlene (Donnie) Harjo, Dorian Big Medicine, Alta (Delano) White Clay, Loretta (Mike) Good Luck; adopted brothers Mark Humphrey, David Humphrey, George Pretty Weasel, Gerald "Rackey" Wagner, Clyde Pretty Paint, Thomas Ten Bear, Ty Ten Bear and Kevin (Carrie) Old Coyote, grandchildren; Leslie’s children Kiylah and Kaylah, Dana’s children; Kaydance, Quinn, Lyrix, Evelyn and Lycyn and Ramiro’s child Audrick, nephews; Darin, Jr., Frank Stewart, Justin, Maverick & Nadan White Clay, nieces; Shandi, Shandre, Shaylin Harjo, Shania White Clay, aunts and uncles: Agatha & Bruce House, Raymond House, Laura Real Bird, Deneen Other Medicine, Fannie Plenty, Mary Iron, Lori Madill, Mary Kay Rogers, Corky, Dale and Jack Old Horn.

Extended families; Other Medicine, Falls Down, Big Medicine, House, Old Horn, Crooked Arm, Plain Bull, Medicine Crow, Shane, Pretty Weasel, Takes Enemy, Bad Bear, Ten Bear, Goes Ahead, Big Hail, Doyle, Mary Walks Laforge Family, Walks Over Ice, Pretty Paint, Morrison, High Hawk, Old Elk, Plenty Hoops, Bull Horse, Black Hawk, Spotted Horse, Iron Horse and Alwyn, Linda, Natalie, Emily and Allison York.
The Family would like to extend a special Thank You to the Staff of Hardin Intermediate and Hardin High School, Genie Thornberg, Kandi Luther, Reiko Knudsen, Stillwater Hospice Nurses, Mason, Lexie, Miss Jody, Courtney, Jessica and Skye.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Jonathan Jay Big Medicine, please visit our Tree Store.