Funeral, burial services to be held Wednesday for Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel Sr.
Navajo Times | Donovan Quintero
Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel Sr., middle, gets help with his pins from Tse Hootsoi Twin Warriors Society members Henry Watchman, left, and Daniel Yazza on a Wednesday morning on Navajo Code Talkers Day in Window Rock in this file photo.
WINDOW ROCK
Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel Sr., one of the last three remaining code talkers, will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
The Navajo Hopi Honor Riders will stage at 7:15 a.m. at the Green Meadows Funeral Home in St. Michaels. The funeral escort will begin at 8 a.m. to the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Chinle. Burial services will be at Lukachukai Community Cemetery in Lukachukai, Arizona.
Born in the heart of Lukachukai, Kinsel dedicated his life to his family and his heritage. He built a home for his loved ones in the very land where he grew up, embodying the values of resilience and commitment to family that are central to Navajo culture. Remarkably, he never left his hometown, becoming a steadfast figure in the community.
Unbreakable code, building a home in Lók’a’ch’égai
From 1942 to 1946, Kinsel, who was Kinłichíi’nii and born for Tábąąhá, served as a code talker, using his knowledge of the Navajo language to create an unbreakable code that played a crucial role in securing victory for U.S. forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His courage and dedication helped save countless lives and contributed significantly to the military’s efforts during one of history’s darkest periods.
When he returned home, he built a home for his family and raised them in Lukachukai. He spoke Navajo all his life, his community loved him.
He started his education at the age of 6 at Ft. Defiance Boarding School. Arriving without knowledge of English, Kinsel was given the name John Williams but later reclaimed his grandfather’s surname, Harvey. Shortly after his departure, the school was transformed into a trachoma hospital, reflecting the grim realities faced by many Native American children in boarding schools. He graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in Santa Fe.
Bravery, cultural pride
His son, Ronald Kinsel, shared the news of his father’s passing early Saturday morning, noting that his father died peacefully in his sleep. According to Ron, the howling wind seemed to signal the arrival of their ancestors, as they came to escort his father in the early dawn hours.
In recent years, John Kinsel was celebrated as a symbol of bravery and cultural pride. He attended numerous events and ceremonies honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, inspiring many with his enduring spirit and wisdom. His passing marks the end of an era, as he was one of the last remaining code talkers, leaving behind a profound legacy of service, sacrifice, and love for his homeland.
Born in 1917 in Cove, Arizona, Kinsel’s early life was marked by hardship.
Lukachukai remained Kinsel’s cherished home, situated close to the picturesque red sandstone cliffs of the Ch’óshgai Mountains, embodying a lifetime of memories and legacy.
Navajo Code Talker Thomas Begay and Marine Corps veteran Peter MacDonald Sr., who attended the combat communication school that molded and shaped young Navajo Marines into future Navajo Code Talkers, remain.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow