Ricky Blackburn Sr.
January 7, 1965 – February 11, 2026
Ricky Blackburn, Sr. passed away at his home on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. A Vigil service with a Rosary will be recited on Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Stephen’s Keel Gym. A wake will follow at 940 Rendezvous Road. The funeral service will be 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Keel Gym followed by interment at Arapaho Catholic Cemetery.
Ricky Blackburn Sr. was born and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation and in Riverton, Wyoming. He was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith and also practiced traditional Northern Arapaho ceremonies. Ricky walked proudly in both his religious and cultural ways throughout his life.
Ricky attended elementary school in Arapahoe and St. Stephens, graduated from Riverton High School, and continued his education at Haskell Indian Nations University.
Ricky dedicated his life to serving his community in many capacities. He coached basketball for over 30 years, mentoring and inspiring generations of youth. He worked as a bus driver at St. Stephen’s Indian School and as a janitor at St. Stephen’s Mission. For more than 20 years, Ricky served as an elected official and was currently a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribal Committee. He was a strong advocate for youth and helped establish the Wind River Cares Youth Center.
Coaching was one of Ricky’s greatest joys. He loved the game of basketball and cherished every opportunity to coach young athletes. He especially loved watching his grandchildren play sports. Ricky was known for his contagious humor, his funny stories, and his ability to spread joy and happiness wherever he went. He had a big heart and loved deeply. He didn’t just call his nephews and nieces family — he truly took them in as his own.
He is survived by his father, Wendell Ghostbear Sr.; sons: Ricky Blackburn Jr. (Jessie), Ace Roman, Gerald Gambler, Charlie “C-Boy” Lambert (Carmella), Yonez C’Hair (Mia), Derrick Williams (Alannah), Ryan “Buster” Gambler Jr., Phillip Whiteplume (Candace), Chester Moss, Wambli Burnette, Norman Willow Jr. (Emeryl), Jay W. Brown, Doug Brown, Shane Brown (Jocelyn), and Alphonso Carrillo; daughters: Jamay Blackburn, Jori Lamebear (Norman), Courtney Blackburn, Josslyn Mills, Nikkita Shakespeare, Leann Brown, LaShayla Roman, Carmella Lambert, Sacheen Brown (Shawn), Tiffany Roman, Danelle Roman, Nicollette Brown, Joann Jenkins, Billie Blackburn, and Michelle Oldman; brothers: Donald Don Brown (Charlene), Travis Shakespeare, Bernard Friday, Bill Ghostbear, Wade Ghostbear, Weston Ghostbear, Marvette Oldman, Dallas Littleshield, Mike Jenkins, Cy Lee, Stephen Seminole, Matt McDuff (Janna), Dominic Littleshield, Brian Littleshield, Fergie Littleshield, Toni Hult, Pat Ibach, Glenn Blackburn, Martin Blackburn Sr., Ronnie Kane, Kenneth Blackburn Jr., Weldon Blackburn, Michael Dale, Alfred Wall, Orrin Wing, and Jamey Johnson; sisters: Betty Jo Blackburn, Melissa Carillo, Christina, Sherry Blackburn, Geraldine Blackburn, Ann Shakespeare (Delmont), JoAnn Moss, Mona Blackburn, Lupe Blackburn, Sandra Littlewhiteman, Jane Dewey, Lisa Wall, Juanita Wall, and Brenda Hubbard Blackburn; grandchildren: Paisely Blackburn, Malaya Blackburn, Kerriana Blackburn, Kailer Blackburn, Dresden Goodman, Isaian Goodman, Zyrin Washington, Zadaya Washington, Janisa Whiteplume, Tyson Whiteplume, Alyss Whiteplume, Ava Horton and Zarie Washington; Aunt: Anna Mill; and Sundance grandsons: Ambrose Brown, Emerson Blind, Pat Wallowingbull, Nolan Wallowingbull, and Dustin Friday.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Ann “Peggy” Blackburn; adopted mother, Aggie Brown and adopted father, Daniel Brown; spouse, Salome Jean Gambler; grandparents, Amos Ghostbear, Mary Brown, and Basil Blackburn; brothers, Steven Blackburn, Lester Dewey, Dean Dewey, Perry Blackburn, Stephen Headley Sr., Larry Blackburn, PJ Blackburn, Elton Whiteplume, Gary Blackburn, Lloyd Brown, Douglas Wall, Serenus Wall, and Alwyn Wall; sisters, Sarah Willow, Melody Blackburn, Yvette Blackburn, Francine Gambler-Lonebear, Laurenne Lo Brown, and Levinia Dee Brown; nephew: Donovan “Bonez” Blackburn; and son: Kayle Washington;
If we unintentionally left anyone out, please forgive us. Our dad knew a lot of people and had connections everywhere he went. We did our best to recognize everyone, but his circle was wide and his impact was even wider.
Online condolences may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.