Adlai Falls Down,

Adlai Paul Falls Down Sr. was born March 17, 1951 to the late Frank and Frances (Big Man) Falls Down. His Indian Name was, "One who will be Boss," given to him by his clan uncle, Frank Plain Bull. Adlai went home to be with the Lord on Sunday December 6, 2020. Adlai hitchhiked to Pryor at 17 years of age to Pryor and married Norma (Rock Above) Falls Down in August 1968. They made their home in Pryor, MT. They have two children, Lydia Falls Down and Adlai "Champ" (Vonna) Falls Down Jr. They have four grandchildren: Kylie (Isaiah) Dust, Shaylei, Keslyn, and Kaelor Falls Down. Their great grandchildren are Azaylea Rayne, Rylee Kaidon Layne, and Kimzey Teal Dust. He loved and cared for his family dearly. He achieved his goal which was for his children and grandchildren to have their own homes on his land. Adlai retired from Indian Health Service as a Tribal Program Specialist in March 2007 after 37 years of service. He graduated from Hardin High School in 1969, and later received his Associates Degree in 1977 in Business Administration from Central Arizona State College. In high school, he participated in cross country, track, and basketball. He was proud of holding a freshman record in cross country while attending St Labre. He had a passion for basketball whether it was as a player, coach or an avid fan. He became head coach for the Boy's Basketball team for three years at Plenty Coups High School. One of his proudest moments was coaching his son, Champ, his Senior year at PCHS and leading the Warriors to the Class C State Basketball tournament. He was awarded the 2000-2001 District "6C" Coach of the Year for Boy's Basketball. After coaching, he was still a fan as he followed his granddaughter Kylie as she played for the Billings Central Rams. His love for basketball continued as he formed and sponsored many men's teams. Participated in the Billings City league and were city champs multiple times. He took his teams throughout Indian country, including the Indian National Basketball Finals in Phoenix, AZ and Tulalip, WA. Later his son joined his basketball team which he sponsored. Adlai loved to play in the Annual Basketball tournament in Fort Hall, ID, He would participate in the 40 & over, 50 & over, and also the 60 & over. He was known for his deadly 3-point shot. He was a member of the Piegan Clan and a child of the Big Lodge clan. He participated and attended cultural activities with his children and grandchildren. He threw arrows for Pryor in his younger years, played handgames and was often a guesser, and a singer with the singing groups Plenty Coups Singers and Arrow Creek Singers. In 1983, he was elected as the Crow Fair General Manager for the Annual Crow Fair celebration. He often took part in the parade at the Annual Crow Fair, but his joy was helping and watching his children and grandchildren to participate in the Annual Crow Fair either with dancing or parading. He was also proud and privileged that he was asked to give Indian names to his Clan Children, and always remembered to pray for them as well. In 1974, Adlai learned the art of training thoroughbreds from his father-in-law, Lee Rock Above, and from there his love of racing horses began. He owned and trained thoroughbreds for 36 years and had 100+ winning pictures. He raced at the race tracks of Yellowstone Downs (Billings), Charles Russell Downs (Great Falls), Helena, Missoula, Miles City, Play Fair (Spokane, WA), Yakima, WA, Idaho Falls, ID, and Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Of his many horses he owned, a few that he favored were Mickey's Hot Sauce, Brit, Northern Master, and Chevron Fleet. From 1980-1984 and 1997-1999, he was an elected board member of the Horseman's Benevolent Protective Association (HBPA). He was a member of the Arrow Creek Christian Center, as he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Adlai made numerous friends throughout the years during his travels for his passions. In the basketball circuit, horseracing, his employment at IHS and the many tribes he worked with, and most especially the YMCA, which was his hangout after his retirement. Friends include Dave Wheeler of Rexburg, ID, Val Brickerhoff of Filmore, UT, Gary Jo Real Bird, Vickie & Tom Leatherbarry, just to name a few from the racing circuit. Adlai is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also culturally adopted Holman Bronc Real Bird and Tricia Little Light. His brothers: Larry, Dexter (Roxanne), William (Donna) Falls Down, Art Alden, Curtis (Samantha) Rides Horse, Myron (Victoria) Falls Down, Wesley (Melissa) Falls Down, Greg (Dorcella) Half, Jerome (Kathy) Dancing Bull, Zig and Royce Jackson, Scott Satermo and Kenny Nicholson. His Sisters: Leda Falls Down, Tana Olyette, Colleen, Gail and Roxanne WellKnown, Jackie Morsette, Bonnie Blake, Beatrice Fettig, Clarine DeGroot, and Iris Jackson. Aunts: Carol (John) Bullinsight, and Neva Satermo of North Dakota. Brothers-in-law: Cornelius Little Light, Ben Stands, Delon (Melissa) Rock Above, Lance Rock Above, and Harry (Maggie) Rock Above. His sisters-in-law Sandra Rock Above, Janet Stewart, Maureen Rock Above, Elizabeth Birdinground, and also his numerous nieces and nephews. His family includes the Falls Down, Big Man, Spotted Tail, Williamson, Old Elk, Morning, Ten Bear, Dancing Bull, Jackson, and Meyers, If we have forgotten anyone, please accept our apologies as our family is many. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Max and Cordelia (spotted Tail) Big Man, Louis and Leda (Williamson) FallsDown, brothers: Donald Passes, Carl Big Man, Dean and Frank Falls Down, Jr., sister: Teatta FallsDown-Not Afraid. Gravesite services will be on Thursday December 10, 2020 at 11:00 AM in Pryor, MT behind Adlai's residence and officiated by Pastor Dr. Russell StandsOverBull.