Hundreds mourn passing of Navajo statesman Marshall Plummer

The family of the late Navajo Nation Vice President Marshall Plummer thanked everyone "for the outpouring of public support and sentiment since his passing" in a prepared statement Wednesday.

More than 1,000 people attended the funeral held Tuesday for Plummer, who died March 25 at the age of 62.

The funeral was held at Rehoboth Christian School, about five miles east of Gallup.

More than 300 people attended a memorial service for Plummer at the Farmington Civic Center on Monday.

The Plummer family stated that members were "overwhelmed with the display of public affection" and that words could not express the gratitude they have for the hundreds of kindhearted condolences they've received.

They asked that people remember their father, husband and brother by the way he lived.

"He lived by the traditional concept of k'é, the Navajo word for kinship which also embodies human values such as compassion, respect, honor, generosity, and humility," they said. "He wanted the people to revisit and reflect on traditional k'é teachings and what it means to the Navajo people and to ensure that these valuable teachings be shared with the next generation."

The funeral service was held in Rehoboth Mission Church and, at the family's request, those outside of the family and dignitaries watched it on video from the nearby school gymnasium.

Rev. Phillip Nez of the Diné New Covenant Church officiated.

Plummer's wife, Pauline, and his three adult children, Nathaniel Shawn Plummer of Mertzon, Texas, Marsha Hagisbah Shorty of Albuquerque, and Aurleta Michelle Jackson of Norman, Okla., were seated in the front pew.

Among the dignitaries were Navajo Nation Vice President Ben Shelly, former Navajo Nation President Peterson Zah, Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan, former Vice Chairman Edward T. Begay, former Vice President Milton Bluehouse Sr., and New Mexico Indian Affairs Department Director Alvin H. Warren, who represented Gov. Bill Richardson. Clinton Jim, an aide to President Joe Shirley Jr., spoke on Shirley's behalf.

Jim presented a plaque of honor to Plummer for his courage, service and commitment to his people through public service as a council delegate, county commissioner, vice president and soldier in the Vietnam War.

Shelly, who did not speak at Plummer's funeral, stated in a press release Wednesday that Plummer "served to unite and heal our nation."

"During one of the most uncertain and challenging times in Navajo government history, Vice President Plummer went into office with President Peterson Zah to bring progress and harmony to the Navajo Nation," Shelly stated.

Shelly remembered that Plummer, as vice president, was appointed chairman of the National Association of Counties subcommittee on intergovernmental affairs for tribal relations, that he might help counties better understand tribal sovereignty.

Shelly quoted from an address that Plummer, as vice president, made to more than a hundred reservation school board members in 1991. Plummer served as Zah's vice president from 1991-95.

"Our children have wonderful imaginations and wonderful minds and they're very eager to learn," Plummer said. "It's up to us to help them."

Shelly noted that Plummer also testified on the need for better BIA schools during a 1991 U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing.

He noted that during the Zah-Plummer administration a Navajo Energy Policy was developed for the framework of the Navajo Transmission Project, an electric transmission corridor planned in the Eastern Navajo Agency.

Shelly recalled that Plummer addressed the council during its 1991 spring session and said, "Rather than standing by and watching, we should take action and own, control and build projects that use Navajo resources and land. The benefits of this project will stay with us for years to come."

Begay recalled Plummer's efforts to improve housing for Navajo families, as part of his focus on social justice, economic development, and education.

"Through his experience as former housing commissioner, a lot of housing was constructed because of his strong support and advocacy for vulnerable Navajo families," Begay said.

At the time of his death, Plummer was the human resources director and tribal liaison for the Four Corners Power Plant.

Funeral services for Plummer began promptly at 10 a.m. and ended about noon.

About 60 motorcycle riders escorted his body from the Desert View Funeral Home in Shiprock to Rehoboth and later, the short distance to the Rehoboth Mission Cemetery.   At his request, he was laid to rest next to his parents, Ned Sr. and Bekisbah, and older brother, Abraham.

Plummer was buried with full military honors. An Army veteran, he served as commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2182 in San Juan County.

Besides his wife and children, survivors include his brothers, Richard Plummer and Herman Plummer; and sisters, Alice Barber, Pearl Begay and Rita Yazzie.

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