Poksapiikoan was raised by Rough Hair and Cloth Woman, who lovingly guided him in the ways of our Blackfoot ceremonies, cultural teachings, traditional healing, and land-based learning. From a young age, he embraced these teachings with great respect, carrying these memories of Rough Hair and Cloth Woman with him throughout his life. He and his brother Joe Bear lived their best life with the old folks. When Dad was born Rough Hair gave him his Blackfoot name “Poksapiikoan” meaning ‘Little white man’, due to being very fair at birth.

Poksapiikoan was very knowledgeable of our Niipaitapissini (our way of life). One of his cherished memories was assisting his family with the annual Aakoka’tsin (Circle Camp) and he looked forward to the camp each year in his youth. Poksapiikoan lived a life rooted in connection — to culture, to land, to horses and most importantly, to family.

Dad spent his teens at his grandparents Dick and Beth Soop’s ranch in Bullhorn. Waking up before the sun, pulling his weight no matter his age, and knowing that horses, cattle and land relied on his care—those kinds of experiences built a quiet discipline and sense of responsibility that did not fade. He likely learned the importance of consistency, of doing the job right the first time, and of pitching in without needing to be asked. Ranch life doesn’t offer shortcuts, and neither did he.

Dad was never without a rope in his hand, he learned to rope at an early age mentored by his dad John Fox and his uncle Eddy Soop. When he was checking cattle in the field he would rope the calves and he shared “That’s where I learned to be fast in dismounting in calf roping otherwise the mother of the calf would charge me as soon as she knew I was messing with her calf, I would also get in trouble from the old man too”. He laughed when he shared these stories. “We didn’t have an arena in the early 1950s so I had to practice in the middle of the prairie, I was determined, where there is a will there is a way”. One year he was driving the tractor and he decided to sneak off to Taber Pro Rodeo. He entered the calf roping and won some money. His grandparents assumed he was farming and while listening to the radio that evening they had heard dad had placed in the calf roping. They didn’t know whether or not to be upset that he wasn’t driving the tractor or happy that he won.

As a young boy he enjoyed his time with his mom Margaret Manyfingers and his siblings. He enjoyed playing in the dirt with his brother Herbert, playing with his younger brothers/sisters and riding horses from sun up to sun down. During summer and on weekends he spent his youth visiting his dad John Fox and looked forward to spending time with his brothers and sisters. He brought his rope and was mentored by his dad John who was a veteran calf roper and competed at the Calgary Stampede When he and his siblings had families of their own they enjoyed branding at one another’s place every year as well as having numerous bar-b-ques rounding out the evening with a competitive game of softball. Our Fox family did not believe in a leisurely game, we were all competitive.

Dad met and married the love of his life Geraldine at a rodeo and together they built the foundation of their home on their love for one another, their children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews who came for extended visits. When he married Mom he gained another Dad (Adam Solway), he valued the spiritual and family traditions that Adam shared. Dad and Mom shared his love of rodeo with their kids where dad ensured they were on horseback before they learned to walk. A rodeo champion in his own right several times over, Dad embedded the importance of horsemanship and practice to his kids. He not only ensured his kids had the skills and knowledge to create winning runs in the arena he also had an eye for a great horse when he went horse shopping. He studied barrel racing and asked questions at rodeo schools. He did not gate-keep any skills, he returned home and shared what he learned with local barrel racers at his arena which assisted them with a winning edge. His focus and coaching in this sport led his daughters and granddaughter to be barrel racing and breakaway roping champions as well as strong competitors in rodeo. When Dad’s team ropers were born (his grandsons) they were mentored by Dad, in a matter of time they joined the family legacy of winning championships in team roping, tie down and breakaway roping. Dad’s coaching paid off with his children and grandchildren qualifying for the INFR in San Carlos, AZ and Las Vegas, NV for several years.

Dad had an impressive rodeo resume since he began competing in the early 1950’s internationally. He had taken a break in the 80’sand came back in 2002 with a vengeance in the Canadian Sr. Pro Rodeo association to win the breakaway, and become a 3x Canadian Team Roping Heading champion and secured his seat to the National Sr. Pro Rodeo in Reno, NV. He also dominated the Southern Alberta Riding and Roping Association in team roping. Every year rodeo contestants compete at Tsuu T’ina INFR rodeo for a chance to win big and wear the highly sought after buckle. Dad added this buckle to his collection upon his comeback.

Rodeo offered the competitiveness and the adrenaline that Dad craved however it also was another opportunity to spend time with his brothers, sisters and in-laws. He traveled internationally and to northern Alberta with his brother Pat and his traditionally adopted son James Plain Eagle and brother-in-law Evans Daychief. James shares “Your dad and a few of us never left a rodeo without a pay cheque in hand, we may not have won every rodeo but we were consistent for 2nd and 3rd place always. But the wins were nice too, leaving with nice hardware and cash”.

Dad’s stellar employment resume included leadership positions as a Feedlot Manager, Treatment Center Director, BTA Head of Security, Band Ranch Foreman, and he retired as a Bus Driver. Dad was given the honor of organizing the security escort in 1977 for King Charles (then Prince Charles) when he visited the Blood Tribe at Aakoka’tsin. Dad was in the military helicopter riding with Prince Charles when he arrived on the reserve. Dad also served on the Blood Tribe Lands committee until 2018 and he looked forward to the meetings. He often shared stories of his adventures when he went to Washington in his early years to pick apples. When he retired he drove his grandkids to school every day, when other kids had a snow day Dad’s grandkids arrived at school. Dad was a strong advocate of ensuring his children and their children attended school and that they had a plan for post-secondary education after high school. His push and guidance paid off as his children have all completed post-secondary Masters and Degree programs. His grandchildren are working toward completing their post-secondary programs in the next few years.

Education was important to Dad as he was politically influenced by his late Father-in law Chief Adam Solway and his close rodeo family friend the late Cecil Currie from Maskwacis, AB. They emphasized the importance of maintaining our Treaty Rights now and in the future. Dad wanted to ensure that his children and their children were equipped with education and knowledge to challenge the system in the future for what is rightfully ours.

Travel and vacations were an important part of Dad’s life. He organized family vacations to BC, Washington, Disneyworld and Disneyland, Florida, California, Nevada, Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, the state of New York and Nashville, Tennessee to tour Graceland and Loretta Lynn’s Ranch. He left no stone unturned in exploring God’s green earth. Dad together with mom sent their children overseas to Europe as part of an educational learning program in high school as he knew that traveling offered more life experience than just the traditional classroom setting.

Stampede Wrestling, WWE and the Rodeo channel were his favorite TV channels. He loved listening to gospel music, old country to name a few while completing leather-work such as belts and wallets. Dad made things happen, if his children or grandkids wanted something he helped them in working toward getting them the results they needed however sometimes he stepped in and provided the help they needed.

Dad was always there throughout his life for his legacy, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was only fitting that his children and grandchildren flooded his schedule with running errands for him, rodeo, haircuts, eating at Humptys, enjoying the grandkids, and great grandkids youth rodeos, hockey games & basketball, listening to his grandkids in the school choir, and visiting on the phone several times a day.

One can only hope to experience some of the highlights that Dad accomplished like marrying his bride, the smell of baby’s breath for the first time all his children and great-grandkids were born. The excitement of a major rodeo win, breaking a colt, opening the door for the first time to his forever home, the breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, walking on the beach celebrating his and mom’s 25th wedding anniversary, walking his daughter down the aisle for marriage, celebrating his children’s wins, traveling, watching his kids walk the graduation stage and most importantly taking his last breath surrounded by his entire family. He wanted to use all the gifts and talents that he was blessed with so that when he meets his Maker and asks “Did you use all the gifts I sent with you?” He said he could respond with “Dam rights I did!”

Enjoy the reunion, celebration and the fresh pen of steers that await you. Your entry fees are paid Cowboy.

The family would like to thank the following for the care provided to our dad. The Cardston Health Center nurses, Native liaison staff, Dr. Leavitt, Dr. Sue Christianson; the nurses and staff at the Kainai Continuing Center Long Term Care; The Blood Tribe Paramedics and emergency staff. Blood Tribe Wellness Department, Kainai Women’s Wellness Lodge, Blood Tribe Administration, BT Social Development, all those who have made personal financial contributions, those that send flowers and prayers.The family apologizes for anyone we may have missed. Poksapiikoan is survived by his children: Suzanne Soop, Shannon (Joe) YOW, his baby girl Kleora Cory Soop; Cole (Taren), Adam (Harmony), Cheyenne (Calem), Ashleigh, Avery, Buck, Jarrett, Joshua (Talia), Quindy (Nisk).

He was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Kyle, Abel, Romy, Scotland, Ezikiel, Lane, Asilas, Isaiah, Jake, Noda, and Malcom.

Survived by his Paternal Fox Family: Rosaline Crowshoe, Joyce First Rider, Dolly Creighton, Audrey White Quills, Rose Fox, Larry Fox (Donna), Rose Fox; Maternal Many Fingers Family: Mildred Melting Tallow, Clara (Mike) Sigadur, Sylvia Tailfeathers, Burton (Virna) Manyfingers, Marie (Don) Shade; Survived by Maternal Healy (Soop) Family; Les Healy, Nora Eagle Bear, sister-in-law Nora Healy. Nephews and nieces too numerous to mention.

Survived by Maternal Aunt; Mable (Richard) Fox; Paternal Aunts & Uncles; Charlie Fox, Lambert Fox, Marge Small Face, Gerald Fox, Dan Fox, Anne Fox, and Mike Fox In-laws; Eugene Creighton; Margaret Good Eagle, Adrian (Cheryl) Solway, Franklin (Vivian) Solway, Alvin Solway, Steve (Elenor) Solway, Rosemarie (Darrel) Breaker, Marlene Solway, Anabelle Solway, Georgina Solway, Gordo Horn.

Extended family in Montana, The Ground and Kicking Woman families. Wilfred was brother, dad, uncle and papa to all our extended family and he would often mention his sister/cousins close relationships throughout life; Wilma (Soop) Clearsky, Deborah Pace, and (predeceased) Delores ‘PeeWee’ Day Chief and Lois (Harley) Frank.

Predeceased by his beautiful wife Geraldine, parents; Rough Hair and Cloth Woman, his father John Fox, Mother Margaret ManyFingers, and Gwen Healy. His son Garth (Karen) Solway, traditional adopted daughter Kari-lyn Tweety Soop. His brothers; Jonas Fox, Pat Fox, Albert Many Fingers, Gordon(Loretta) Manyfingers, Herbert (MaryRose) Manyfingers, Dave (Shirley) Healy, Richard Healy, Fred and Merle Healy. Sisters; Arabella (Jiggs)Creighton, Phyllis (Tom) Holysinger, Josie Pakes, Roseanna Manyfingers, Evelyn Healy, Dorothy (Oliver) Ward. In-laws; Chief Adam and Rosie Solway, Mervin Crowshoe, Randy First Rider, Roderick White Quills, Leslie Tailfeathers, Gordon Heavy Shield, Alphonse EagleBear; Gloria Mcmaster, Lily Solway, Melvin ‘Sonny’ Solway, Andrew ‘Curly’ Solway, Nieces and nephews too numerous to mention; Maternal Aunts and Uncles; Arthur Soop, Beatrice Good Striker, Eddie Soop, Mary Pace, Tommy Soop, Jean Healy, Clarence Soop.

A Wake will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Service will be held at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS – WEST STAKE CENTRE, 846 – 1 Avenue West, Cardston, AB, on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Jacqui Durand officiating.

Following the Funeral Service, Wilfred will be laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cemetery.