Maurice Fritz Harris

Our son, brother, uncle, cousin, father and friend, Maurice Loring “Fritz” Elk Harris, 57, passed away on October 27, 2020 in Billings, Montana due to complications caused from COVID-19.

He was born on February 2, 1963 to Gerald Duane Love Joy, Sr. and Pauline Looking Horse Elk, in Fort Yates, North Dakota. He grew up on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Fort Yates and belonged to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. In his early youth, he loved to ride horses and play basketball.

Maurice joined the Lemmon family in 1977 when he was 14 years old, through the Indian Placement Program with the LDS Church. He was considered an official member of our family from that time forward.

Fritz, as he was known by his family and friends, was always on the go. He never sat around doing nothing. He loved to be outside where he could be found playing with his siblings and cousins. He loved sports and was involved in Boxing and playing church ball. He graduated from Highland High School in 1981 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was also an umpire for softball, loved to play golf, and was a true Washington Redskins fan.

Fritz found his true love of life which was the Rodeo. He first was a Bull Rider and then became a professional Bull Fighter. Fritz did that for many years then after several injuries, including a broken neck, he retired from Bull Fighting and became a professional Rodeo Clown. His natural ability to interact with people and make them laugh was a true gift and talent, and he did it well. He was happiest when he was entertaining a crowd with his beloved dog, Rodeo, by his side. Fritz was a barrel man at several tour rodeos from 2006 to 2020, receiving many awards. He traveled to Canada doing rodeos there, he was NBIRA finals entertainer for 2019, INFR in Vegas for 2011, 2019 and was hired for 2020. He did clowning/barrel man for all these different rodeos but the BIG year end INFR finals, to be held in Vegas in October 2020, was his dream come true; he would have been barrel man for that event. Unfortunately, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disappointed is an understatement but he set his sights on next year. We all know he will be there in spirit.
During the school year when he wasn’t clowning, he was a substitute teacher in Pocatello and most recently in Billings.

Fritz loved people and they loved him. Everyone was his brother and sister. He did not know a stranger and had the ability to make people feel comfortable and at ease. Fritz loved telling jokes and was the best storyteller making you laugh until you cried. There was never a dull moment with Fritz around. Where there was Fritz, there was laughter.

Family meant everything to Fritz. He loved his family with his whole heart and was always in constant contact with them. He treasured the time he spent with them at gatherings and playing games. Liars Dice will never be the same without him. He was always so happy, positive, thoughtful, and caring, he always made the best of every situation and was never down for long. Fritz loved life and was truly a joy to be around. To know him, was to love him. Fritz embraced his Native heritage and was proud of who he was and the man he had become.

Fritz is survived by his children, KreeAnna Miller, Cade Miller, Maurice Elk, Jr. and family, Ashley Elk and family, and Chauncey Elk and family, all of Montana; Joey Elk and family of South Dakota, and Jesse Elk (deceased); his siblings, Burl Elk, Pat Elk, Marla Elk, and Janna Elk and their families. Maurice is also survived by his Lemmon family, parents, Dave and Anna Lemmon; siblings, David (Aude) Lemmon, Glen (Julia) Lemmon, JoEllen (Richard) Hyde, Alisa (Chris) Burtenshaw, and Jerry (Katherine) Lemmon; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Fritz is also survived by his other brothers and sisters, the Hearts-Kermit, Hubert, Royce, Corrine, Eskie and Maelee; the Comeaus-TC, Troy, Sara and family; Shawn and Gemma Mount and family; Shane Haggard; Bracken Gittens and kids; Jonah Redcherries and family; Kermit and Michelle Spang and family; Tescha Ann Hawley and family; Kenny Greycloud; Wiley Peterson; Brandon Lincoln and family; TJ, Gail, Riata Johnson and Sharlee Kenowski and family; and many, many more rodeo families… brothers, sisters and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Pauline; sister, Margaret Elk; and a grandchild, Jessica Bad Wound.

Fritz wasn’t much for formal funerals but instead wanted everyone to celebrate his life with a party, full of laughter, love, stories, and good memories.

Inurnment will take place first on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at 11:30 am at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Avenue Pocatello, ID. His Celebration of Life will follow, starting at 1 pm, at the Ross Park Pavilion, 2901 S. 2nd Avenue (next to the swimming pool on the right side) in Pocatello, Idaho. Everyone is invited! Please join us for pizza, soda, cookies, memories, and stories as we honor and celebrate a wonderful life.

Fritz left a lasting impression on everyone. His character, his genuine happiness and his love for people and life will never be forgotten. We will love him, honor his memory, and miss him every day of our lives.
As Fritz always said, “God is Good.”