Maurice Daniel Mountain Sheep, Jr.

Maurice Daniel Mountainsheep Jr., 68, of rural Lodge Grass, Sandcreek area, began his journey to the other side camp on July 4, 2026, surrounded by his close and beloved family after a courageous battle with cancer.  

“Prays to the Morning Star” a name given to him by Billy Backbone, was born August 16, 1957, in Crow Agency, MT to Maurice Mountainsheep Sr. and Genevieve Old Bull (Wayne) Smells and later adopted by Glen and Alta Birdinground Sr. He was a member of the Piegan and Child of the Whistling water clans, a member of the First Crow Indian Baptist Church, was also an active participant in the Native American Church, as well as countless Sundances and Sweatlodges.  

In his early years, he grew up and received his education in Lodge Grass, later earning his Associates in Applied Science for Addiction and Substance Abuse Counseling from Little Big Horn College, graduating with his sister Dara. While attending Little Big Horn College, he participated in basketball and had the honor of being on the team that won the 1982 National AIHEC Championship tournament in Rapid City, SD. Although injured by the opposing team, he helped his teammate and friend David Yarlott Jr. score the winning point, a victory that was well deserved and celebrated.   

In his early years, he married Ivey Gray, and from this marriage his eldest son, Terry Mountainsheep, was born. After some time, they divorced. He later married Danielle Walks, and from this union Kelly, Lila, Marion, John, and Taylon Mountainsheep were born. After some time, this marriage also dissolved. Maurice later remarried Nathania Covers Up, whom he shared many of his last years with.  

Maurice’s employment boasts a diverse work history throughout his life with jobs such as a Wildland Firefighter, Landscaper for Field of Dreams in Billings, Crow Tribal Security, Crow Tribal Multipurpose Building Event Coordinator, and a Ranch hand for several Lodge Grass area ranchers, most recently working as a laundry attendant and maintenance man until his declining health forced him to step away.  

Maurice is preceded in death by his parents, adopted parents, and grandparents; sisters Maurisa Mountainsheep, Dara Mountainsheep-Lovato, Doren Old Bull, Katie, Karen and Raynette Bear Below, Joel Rae Ferguson; brothers Donald Jr. and Harold Old Bull, Leston Bear Below, Richard Cummins Sr., Tyrone Bravo and Dennis Mountain Sheep; uncles Floyd, Emmett Sr. And Donald Old Bull Sr.; aunts Rose Mountainsheep-Alden, Joyce Bear Below, Billie Jean Old Bull; children Marion and Taylon Mountainsheep Sr.; grandchildren Kymoni, Aliaune and Deyonte Mountainsheep, Ignatius Lovato, Jazmine Old Bull; nephews Floyd and Clinton Old Bull; nieces Charlotte Old Bull, Molly JoVi Smells, and grandparents Daniel and Nellie Old Bull Sr., Lorenzo and Aurora Mountain Sheep Jr. 

Survivors include his wife Nathania Covers Up; children Terry, John (Whitney) and Lila Mountainsheep, Kelly (Tyler) Nelson Sr., Richie Shane; adopted mother Julia Wolfe; his beloved dog Dexter and his cat Pretty; adopted children Nova, Maranda, Jenny Rose and Marcus Covers Up; brothers Tilton (Sarah) Old Bull Sr., John (Sherrie) Smells Sr., Joseph Lovato, Emmett Jr. and Scott Old Bull Sr, Lorenzo (Teri) Mountainsheep III , Marcus (Alicia) Mountainsheep, Aaron Mountainsheep, Larry (Nicole) Alden, Joey (Jeryl) Pretty on Top, Dean (Sonya) Don’t Mix, Shobe Little Light, Buster Gardner Sr., Glen (Charelle) Birdinground Jr., Terry Big Hair; adopted brothers Mike Brown, Jeremiah (Teresa) Scott, Byron (Maria) Bad Bear, Jonathan Bear Tusk, Pat (Becky) Goldson. Samuel Blade Mottern, Sylvan Covers Up, David Old Bear, Solon (Tanya) Moccasin; sisters Carol and Kimberly Bear Below, Glenette (Orrin) Alden, Tina (Jon) Kohn, Prudence (Jeff) Yellow Owl, Roanne Hill, Jolynn Lovato, Olive (Bill) Smells, Cheryl Jefferson, Sarah Don’t Mix, Mandy Plainfeather, Michelle and Judy Mocassin, Reva and Tina Gardner; adopted sisters Mariam Bear Tusk, Joanne Dayson, Ellie Rides Horse, Mary Louise LaForge; aunts Lana Burlison, Serena Bishop, Loretta and Lana Mocassin; nieces Nellie (John) Dwarf, Nina (Jomiah Black Eagle) Smells , who is also his goddaughter, Karla Bishop, Rhiannon Cummins, Alberta (Lance) Tobacco, Tessa, Joyce and Christina Wilson, Becky (John) Five, Gabriella Mocassin; nephews Tilton Jr., and Daniel Old Bull, JC (Taneisha), John Jr, Owen and John Wayne Smells, Gordon Bishop, Jeremiah Goldson, Benjamin Bulltail Jr., Norman McAdams, John, James Jr., and Shawn Wilson, Ty Mocassin, Richard Jr., Chance and William Cummins; grandsons Aundre DeCrane, Tyral, Kalob, Daniel, Tonto, Taylon Jr, Tayjon, Alecio, Antonio, Preston Mountainsheep, Tyler Jr., and Austin Nelson, Evan Hoops, Isaiah and Jerome Lion Shows, Tennison, Nathan  and Preston Little Light, Sammy and Martha Old Crow, Dominic Gardner Jr., Kylo and Josue Lovato; granddaughters Feather, Heaven, Genevieve, Leilani, Lyllian Mountainsheep, Shalamar Petry, Jasmine Stearns, Ashtyn Snell, Aaliyah and Talisa Stevens, Brody, Melody, Kaya Jo, Ariana, Reva, Danelle Lion Shows, Makayla and Caleb Covers Up, Toni and Baby Nina Reed, MJ and Gina Killsnight; as well as many great grand children.

Extended Family: Old Bull, Plays, Bright Wings, Little Light, Froze, White Fox, Bends, Deputee, Mocassin, Old Elk, Pretty Paint, Old Crow, Beaumont, Plainfeather, Stray Calf, Crooked Arm Bird Hat, Dawes, Lincoln, Takes Enemy, Hugs, Pretty on Top, Stops, Yellowtail, Red Star, Old Bear, Medicine Horse, Takes Gun, Brien, White Hip, Roundface, Smells, Dust, House, Not Afraid, Big Man, Greybull, Hunts the Arrow, Fire Bear families. And all his Peyote friends and family across the states. 

If, in our time of grief, we mistakenly omitted any friends' or family members' names, please accept our apologies; it was not our intent.  

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