Obituary of Curtis Big Plume

July 4, 1968 – Calgary, Alberta

September 22, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness and heartbreak that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, cousin, and uncle. He leaves behind his loving wife of 27 years, Lisa Big Crow, and their children, Latesha, Chelsea, Kirsty (Warren), CoryJohn, Marissa (Dennis), Dominic, Curtis Jr. (Tyrell), Talia, and his baby Marcell; as well as father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alvin and Liz Big Crow. They shared 24 grandchildren and one great-grandson, whom he loved and cherished. Also left to mourn his passing are his siblings, Dean, Terry, Wanda, his baby brother Dallas, Sophia, Sharon, Missy (Wayne), Karen, Karleen, Tia, Kim Wildman, and Kimberley Big Crow.

Curtis was born July 4, 1968, in Calgary, AB, and was raised on the Tsuut’ina Reserve. He attended St. Matthew, St. Benedict, Fairview Junior High, and St. Stephen schools.

Growing up, Curtis enjoyed riding peddle bikes, horses, and motorbikes. He also participated in rodeo and played hockey with the Sarcee 7 Chiefs senior team.

Curtis was a very humble person and a hard worker. He started planting trees, building fences, and working as a laborer for many in Tsuut’ina.

In 1991, he started working with “Wolf’s Flat Ordnance Disposal”, then from 1996 to 2002, he did the range assessment for the Panamanian Government.

In 1998, Curtis went to England for certification and spent a few months in the jungles of Panama in 2000. He also loved working in road construction. He worked in Calgary where he helped build Shaganappi Trail and the new Airport Trail.

In 2006, he built his own company, “Big Plume Enterprises Inc.” where he started building new driveways for Tsuut’ina Nation and did roadwork when needed.

He also worked with the Tsuut’ina Maintenance Roads Department and was acting manager for a few months. In April 2013 he received recognition for Excellence in Entrepreneurship from Indian Business Corporation in Calgary.

Curtis is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, and uncles, from the Jacobs, Simon, Dodginghorse, Crowchild, Big Plume, Big Crow, and Wadsworth families, whom he cherished.

He was predeceased by his father Carl Big Plume, mother Arlene Jacobs, uncles, Nelson Jacobs, Billy Jacobs, and Barri Big Plume; aunties, Connie Jacobs and Barbara Otter; grandfathers, Stanley Big Plume and Dave Jacobs; grandmothers, Louise Big Plume and Elsie Jacobs; children, Austin, Kaylee, and baby Brian; nephews who he took as his boys, Pavel, Ace, Adam Simon, and Theo; nieces, Louise Big Plume and Eileen Otter; brothers, Peter, Chiefy, Dicky Dodginghorse, William, Wade, Tony, Barry, Dale, Clayton, and Trevor; his baby sister Sherry, and sisters, Iris Otter and Lisa Big Plume; and son-in-law William Crowchild. We sincerely apologize if we missed anyone.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on Unit 83 at Rockyview General Hospital for their exceptional care of Curtis.

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Curtis and Lisa Big Plume, Tsuut’ina Nation, AB, on September 26 and 27, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at Bullhead Community Hall (114 Bullhead Road, Tsuut’ina, AB) on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at The Big Plume Cemetery (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB). Traditional Feast will be held at the Bullhead Community Hall (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) immediately following the graveside.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Curtis’ family here.

In living memory of Curtis Big Plume, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.