Irving Pokibro

Obituary Irving Cruz Pokibro, 82
Irving Cruz Pokibro, 82, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho. He was an enrolled Shoshone-Bannock Tribal member and was a lifelong resident of Fort Hall.
Irving was born September 16, 1943, at the Fort Hall Hospital, to Josephine Sandy and Russell Pokibro. He was raised in Gibson, in a Bannock and Shoshone-speaking home.
When he was young, he had special memories of his Aunt Ida, and they traveled on foot and by horse or wagon. He had crazy stories of his upbringing, like being bounced around in the middle of hides that his aunt and siblings were stretching. He attended Fort Hall Elementary, where he learned to speak English, and he also went to Blackfoot schools. Later, he went to heavy equipment school in Salem, Oregon.
Irving was a heavy equipment operator, range rider, and also worked as a buffalo caretaker. He enjoyed going into the mountains, camping, fishing, working with leather, drawing, playing cards, going to rodeos, watching construction videos on YouTube, documentaries, and driving around in Lincoln Creek. He was very creative, making his own brain puzzles and crafts, and he especially liked decorating and celebrating Christmas. He was quick-witted, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed teasing and making himself and other people laugh.
His sidekick was his great-grandson Nathan Shawn Pokibro, who was very close to him. Other special people included Chase Davis, Forrest Broncho, and Vidal LaVatta.
Irving was a member of the Native American Church and a strong believer in traditional ceremonies. He was a Sundancer, participated in sweats, and sang traditional Sundance and other traditional songs. He was a trilingual speaker, fluent in Bannock, Shoshone, and English. He enjoyed traveling, attending powwows, watching baseball, and taking part in cultural gatherings.
He is survived by his daughter Lanelle Pokibro, sister Zelphia Pokibro Towersap; grandchildren Darryl Lynne (Mel) Timbana, Kiana Pokibro, Marissa Pokibro (Chase Davis), KayLynn Pokibro, Steven Pokibro; and great-grandchildren, Nathan Shawn Pokibro, Paisley Pokibro, Raylee-Anne Pokibro. He also had numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Pokibro and Josephine Sandy Pokibro; his aunt Idaho "Ida" Horsehead; his siblings Merceline "Bel" Boyer, Ezra Pokibro, and McNivens "Kay" Pokibro; his sons Lionel Kay "Hootie" Pokibro and Shawn Russell Pokibro; and his nephews Robert Sloss, Vincent Boyer, and Garth Towersap.
He was a descendant of Captain Jim on his mother's side, with his grandfather Isaac Sandy and grandmother Belle Venus. On his father's side, his grandfather was AC Pokibro and his grandmother was Pooyah Pokibro.
He will be taken to his family home on Sunday at 11 am for traditional viewing. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 5 pm at the Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot, after which he will be taken to the Pokibro home on Pokibro Road. Sunrise Service will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at sunrise. Traditional burial services will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025, at 1 pm with burial at the Gibson Cemetery.