Funeral services for Gavin A. Thigh, 20, of Lower Brule, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Lower Brule, SD.  Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Lower Brule and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave from funeral home on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

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Gavin Adam Thigh, 20, of Lower Brule, SD journeyed to the spirit world on July 24th, 2025. Gavin was born at Chamberlain, SD to Laura LaRoche and Russell Thigh on August 20th, 2004. Gavin grew up in Lower Brule, SD.

Gavin lost his mom at a young age, he then resided with his grandma Connie Bad Horse and auntie Lacey LaRoche, he later made a home with his uncle/aunt, Brian and Desiree LaRoche and family.

Gavin attended St. Joseph's Indian School from 2012-2016, then attended Lower Brule Schools and graduated from high school in May of 2023. He went onto college and attended a semester at Bismarck State College where he played basketball.

Gavin excelled in a lot of sports. He had a passion for basketball, football, softball, track & cross country. Gavin made a name for himself through sports. He was a competitor and an even better teammate. He was on the basketball team that competed at the state tournament in 2021, 2022 & 2023. He played a huge part in the team and they were State Class B Runner Up in 2022 & 2023. Gavin earned numerous awards at the state level and local level in basketball. Gavin also competed at the 2019 Class B State Cross Country Meet & he was an alternate for the 2020 Class B State Track Relay team. Gavin also played a huge part on the football team. He was a part of the All Nations inaugural season runner up team. He later was a team captain on the All Nations Championship team in 2022.  He helped South Creek Relay when they called on him. Gavin also loved to fish and loved to be around family and friends.

Gavin, Elliot & baby Brian had their own lawn care business in his younger life. Throughout Gavin's life, he worked for the Lower Brule Schools doing maintenance and later worked as a paraprofessional/substitute teacher for the Lower Brule Elementary School. He became a self-proclaimed barber and enjoyed cutting hair.

Gavin leaves behind his sister, Laurissa LaRoche, Lower Brule; brother, Elliot LaRoche, Fargo, ND; maternal grandma Connie Bad Horse, Lower Brule, SD; paternal grandma Carol Thigh, Lower Brule, SD; & special friend Jodene Big Crow-Hunter; and friends and family too numerous to mention but you all know who you are and how you played a role in his life.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Laura L. LaRoche and Russell Thigh; maternal grandpa Sylvester LaRoche, Jr., paternal grandpa Sam Thigh.

Gavin was a natural competitor and was very passionate at everything he did. He showed the world what he was about. If you messed around with him or anyone he loved, Gav would make sure to let you know his presence was known. He was the softest and kindest and most caring person in the world. He loved his family and friends dearly.