Thomas Louis Lion Shows, Sr.

Thomas Louis Lion Shows, Sr., 80, of Lodge Grass, MT, went to the other side of camp on August 14, 2025. Thomas was born on August 7, 1945, to James and Nayola Agnes (Gardner) Lion Shows in Crow Agency, MT. Thomas resided in Pryor, MT, in his early life before the family relocated to Lodge Grass. Owl Creek became the home to Thomas for many years. 

Thomas belonged to the Big Lodge Clan and was a child of the Whistling Water. Like his siblings, Thomas was very proud of his Crow lineage, a descendant of Chief Plenty Coups, a cousin of Mountain Lion that Shows, his great-grandfather. Thomas’ other great-grandfathers were Three Four Top, White Arm, Not Afraid, Gros Ventre, Plain Bull, Goes Ahead, and Gardner. 

In June 1976, he married the love of his life, Alice Marie Young, in Lodge Grass, MT, at the First Crow Indian Baptist Church. Thomas cherished and adored Alice very much. Thomas and Alice were inseparable; they loved going to the movies and driving around to check on their sons and grandchildren. Thomas and Alice had two sons, Thomas (Louie) & Frank (Tomie), who they both loved dearly. 

Thomas worked for the Crow Tribal Housing Authority as a Supervisor for many years and worked on construction in earlier years. Thomas was very knowledgeable about building homes. Many people would call on Thomas when they needed his help with their furnace and plumbing and he never hesitated to lend a hand. Thomas made sure he passed his skills and techniques onto his boys. Thomas was also very knowledgeable and active in his traditional lifestyle, a lifestyle his sons and their children carry on today.  He was proud of them all. 

Thomas loved spending time with his family and cherished his many grandchildren. His grandchildren affectionately knew him as “Papa Lion.” 

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; parents, James and Nayola; brothers, Chris and Miles Lion Shows; and sisters, Genevieve, Jeanette, and Birdie Lion Shows, and his son, Frank “Tomie” Lion Shows. 

Survivors include his son, Thomas (Emma) Lion Shows, and his sister, Lanille Lion Shows; grandchildren Sae’Lee, James, Alice Lion Shows, Nayola, Frank "Bugz", K'lyn, Durell, Dreyah, Marty, Maurice, Tati, Gabrielle, and Noelia Lion Shows, Leviah Yellowmule, William, and Marissa Springfield, Albert and Mia Medicine Horse; nieces and nephews Destiny, John, Robin, Lion Shows, Michael Lee (Misty) Rodriguez. 

The extended family includes Wallace, Old Dwarf, Goes Ahead, Plain Bull, Rock Above, Gardner, Bends, Grey Bull, Plain Feather, Howe, Mullenburg, Davis, Red Wolf, Other Medicine, Big Day, and the Yellowmule family and Pretty on Top Family.

If we have forgotten anyone during our time of grief, we sincerely apologize. 

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