Obituaries for April 19, 2018

Rodney B. Lewis

SACATON, Ariz. – Rodney B. Lewis passed away April 10 at the age of 77. Known simply as “Rod” to the Gila River Indian Community, Lewis was the first Native American attorney to be admitted to the State Bar of Arizona and the first Native attorney to argue and win a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.

“My father lived to serve our people in every way possible,” said Stephen Roe Lewis. “He spent 30 years of his life working on the Gila River water rights settlement, finally bringing that landmark agreement to fruition in 2004.”

He served as an Army Ranger and was appointed last year by Gov. Doug Ducey to the Central Arizona Water Conservation District Board.

Lewis joined the U.S. Army in 1962. He received an honorable discharge in 1965, and was Airborne- and Ranger-qualified and was a first lieutenant. Throughout his life, Lewis was motivated to live by the Ranger creed: “Rangers Lead the Way.”

In 1962, Lewis earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He received his master’s in history from Arizona State University in 1969. In 1972, he received his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1972, Lewis became a go-to attorney for tribal clients across Arizona and nationally. He specialized in Indian law, tribal gaming compacts, water and energy law, and public policy.

In 1980, Lewis successfully argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, Central Machinery v. the Arizona State Tax Commission, resulting in a 5-4 vote in favor of the Gila River Indian Community.

Lewis served as the general counsel to Gila River for 30 years, beginning in 1978. He led negotiations with the federal government, the state of Arizona, and more than 30 non-Indian parties, which led to the Arizona Water Rights Settlements Act of 2004.

In private practice, Mr. Lewis served as a consultant to a Washington, D.C. law firm, federal water rights settlements on behalf of the Crow Tribe of Montana and the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in California, among others.

A lifelong basketball and Phoenix Suns fan, Lewis was born to Sally and Roe Lewis in 1940.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Willardene Pratt Lewis, and by three adult children – Stephen Roe, governor of the Gila River Indian Community, John Blaine and Katherine Elizabeth – his brother, John, and six grandchildren. Mr. Lewis was preceded in death by his brother, Robert “Bob” Lewis.

Marie Skeets

GALLUP — Funeral services for Marie Skeets, 67, will be held Friday, April 20, at 10 a.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Skeets family plot.

Marie was born April 14, 1950, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). Her nali is Áshiihí (Salt People); chei is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). She died April 11, 2018.

Marie attended Gallup High School and worked as a housekeeper for El Hopi Motel for 10 years, Southwest Indian Foundation and Running Bear. She enjoyed bringing happiness and cooking for everyone.

Marie is survived by Adam Skeets of Gallup, Adrienne Skeets of Albuquerque, Rosemary Joe of Gallup, Gracie Gatewood of Albuquerque, Christine John of Gallup, and Gloria Skeets of Gallup.

Marie is preceded in death by her mother, Denise Skeets; father, Charlie Skeets; sisters, Nina Skeets and Susie Skeets; and brothers, Benny Skeets and Roger Skeets.

Pallbearers will be Adam Skeets, Daniel John, Brandon Murphy, Jack Joe, J.R. Gatewood and Dominic Gatewood.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Joe Sr.

GALLUP — Funeral services for Cecil Joe Sr., 80, will be held Friday, April 20, at 2 p.m. at the Rollie Palm Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot in China Springs, New Mexico.

Cecil was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Rehoboth, New Mexico. He died April 16, 2018, at the McKinley Manor in Gallup.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Theresa Joe; sister, Jessie Joe; and brothers, Tom Joe, John Joe and Sam Joe.

Pallbearers will be Cecil Joe Jr., Richard Garcia, Lambert Joe, Kelsey K. James, Gerald Franciso and Ty Francisco.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Leroy Morgan Yazzie Sr.

TEESTO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Leroy Morgan Yazzie Sr., 72, of Teesto, Arizona, were held April 17 at the Teesto Nazarene Church with Pastor Henry Chase officiating. Interment followed in Teesto.

Leroy was born Oct. 23, 1945, in Teesto, into the Red Cheeks Clan, born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). He died April 13, 2018, in Teesto.

Leroy completed vocational education in heavy equipment operation/maintenance, working for Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway and Navajo Nation Environmental. He enjoyed ranching and socializing at various events.

Leroy is survived by his sons, Alfred Yazzie, Leroy Yazzie Jr. and Lorenzo Yazzie; daughters, Trina Nez and Sophina Yazzie; sisters, Polly Todicheeney, Eleanora Curley, Chevonne Jennings, Susie Chee and Nita Yazzie; and 12 grandchildren.

Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, Roxanne Mitchell Yazzie and Charley Yazzie Jr.; sister, Stella Yazzie; and brothers, David Yazzie, Jake Yazzie and Wayne Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Edmund Chee, Marvin Chee, Julius George, William Nez Jr., Peyton Yazzie and Nabahitachiini Nez.

Honorary pallbearers were Alfred Yazzie, Leroy Yazzie Jr., Lorenzo Yazzie, William Nez Sr., Trina Nez and Sophina Yazzie.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Phil Chischilly Jr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Phil Chischilly Jr., 26, of Chinle, were held April 16 at the Chinle Trinity Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at the Del Muerto community cemetery in Del Muerto, Arizona.

Phil was born June 13, 1991, in Chinle, into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died April 9, 2018, in Flagstaff.

Phil attended Northern Arizona University and the International Academy of Design and Technology.

Phil is survived by his parents, Nancy Wilson and Phillip Chischilly; sisters, Natasha Yazzie, Tamara Chischilly and Philicia Chischilly; and grandparents, Mary and Kee Chee Wilson.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Carolyn Curley Hubbard

St. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Carolyn Curley Hubbard, 60, were held April 14 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in St. Michaels, Arizona. Interment followed at the Ganado community cemetery in Ganado, Arizona.

Carolyn was born Dec. 8, 1957, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Biter Water Clan), born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). Her nali is Tábaahá (Water’s Edge); chei is Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People). She died April 9, 2018.

Carolyn was a homemaker and beloved mother, sister and aunt. She loved to spoil her grandchildren.

Carolyn is survived by her mother, Sadie C. Hubbard; sisters, Carol C. Curley and Cheryl A. Nez; brother, Harold W. Nez; daughters, Colleen Hubbard, Colinda Hubbard and Crystal Hubbard; sons, Brandon B. Hubbard and Bronson B. Hubbard; and five grandchildren.

Carolyn is preceded in death by her husband, Burnell L. Hubbard Jr.; father, Bennie Yazzie; and Mary and Charley Curley.

Pallbearers were Harold W. Nez, Vernon Keams, Michael Salazar, Brian Curley-Chambers, Marquis Chambers and Shureese Keams.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Lorene M. Dick

Lorene M. Dick passed away on April 11, 2018. She was born on Oct. 31, 1928, in Denver, Colorado, the eldest daughter of Bertha Schwieder and Oscar Boge. She graduated from Northern Colorado University, in Greeley, Colorado, in 1950 with a degree in biological science. During her senior year there while on a ski bus trip to Estes Park, Colorado, she met Kenneth V. Dick. They were married on Dec. 23, 1949.

Following her graduation, Lorene and Kenneth began teaching at the high school in Snyder, Colorado. In the summer of 1951, when they returned to Greeley so Kenneth could complete his master’s degree in education, Lorene and Kenneth met a school counselor who was recruiting teachers for the Intermountain Indian School, which had opened in 1949 in Brigham City, Utah. It was a meeting that changed their lives.

In 1951, the young couple moved to Brigham City, Utah, where Lorene began a new and challenging job as a teacher at the recently opened Navajo Indian boarding school. It was at a time when the students had little or no formal education. She had a Navajo interpreter in her classroom. As the students progressed in Intermountain’s high school program, Lorene taught algebra. Their first daughter was born while the couple still lived on the Intermountain Indian School campus.

Lorene took a break from teaching when the couple moved into their new home, built as a class project by the Intermountain students. Two more daughters followed and in 1962 the couple bought a new home in Perry, Utah. Lorene returned to teaching at Intermountain working until her retirement in 1980. The school closed in 1984.

Lorene is survived by her husband, Kenneth; her sister Winifred Herbert (Clifford), Reno, Nevada; her daughters, Carolyn K. Dick, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Lorna M. Dick, Layton, Utah; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Orville Boge and Walter Boge, and daughter, Gillian Dickensen.

A memorial service was held for Lorene at the Community Presbyterian Church in Brigham City, Utah, on April 17, 2018. Lorene donated her body to the University of Utah’s body donor program.

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