Obituaries for April 9, 2015

Keith Joseph Tuttle

PHOENIX — Funeral services for Keith Joseph Tuttle, 36, will be held Friday, April 10, at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church (3920 N. 44th Place) in Phoenix, with his brother-in-law, Bishop Tom Young, officiating. Viewing will take place one hour prior to service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in north Phoenix (23029 N. Cave Creek Rd.).

Keith was born Oct. 31, 1978, in Gallup. He was the eldest child, and only son, of Ken and Betty Tuttle of Phoenix. He died unexpectedly in the early morning hours of April 3, 2015, in Phoenix.

Keith lived and grew up in the school district teachers’ housing of Fort Defiance, located on the Navajo Nation, where he enjoyed life as one in a circle of best friends who would all become brothers, and who all remain in constant communication to this day, largely because of Keith.

Keith was a 1997 graduate of Rehoboth Christian High School in Gallup, where he was a two-sport athlete. He graduated with his degree from Arizona State University in 2005 and was the biggest Sun Devils fan that anyone knew.

Keith was a fanatical sports and music enthusiast who loved tattoos, the outdoors, physical exercise, and travel — he once circumnavigated the entire continental U.S. and drove the Alaskan coast in a single trip in his always sticker-laden Nissan Maxima. He had an infectious laugh, a radiant and sensitive personality, and a truly memorable sense of humor.

Keith served in the United States Navy from 2006 — 2010 where he lived and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. His most recent place of employment was Silicon Valley Bank, where he had worked since 2013.

Keith was an extremely loving, dedicated husband and father, an intensely devoted son and brother, and the most loyal and most giving friend a person could ever have.

Keith is survived by his wife, Elissa Keith-Tuttle; children, Ryne, Scarlett, Kaya, Kyle, Victoria, Christian, and Caleb; parents, Ken and Betty Tuttle; sister, Ellen Tuttle-Young; brother-in-law, Bishop Tom Young; and nephews, Zachary, Caleb, Levi, and Samuel.

Keith is also survived by his circle of Fort Defiance brothers, Kahlil Gearon, Jason Franklin, Walter Mayher, Chad Farr, and Derrick Burbank, and all of their spouses, children, parents, countless other friends, relatives, and people who had the pleasure to encounter him. He will continually be loved and missed.

Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home in Phoenix.

Johnny J. Kellywood

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Johnny J. Kellywood, 44, will be held today, April 9, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Thoreau, N.M., with Pastor Ernest Largo officiating. Burial will follow at the Thoreau community cemetery.
Johnny was born Oct. 13, 1970, in Gallup, into the çshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for T— baazhni’‡zhi (Two Who Came to Water Clan). His nali is Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House); chei is T‡chii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). He died April 2, 2015, in Thoreau.

Johnny attended Thoreau Elementary School and Thoreau High School. He loved restoring and rebuilding classic cars, listening to music, and reading. He enjoyed visiting his nephews, cousins and teaching them his mechanic skills. He was employed with Nielsons, Inc. and Chance Construction as a diesel mechanic helper.

Johnny is survived by his stepfather, Cecil Henio of Thoreau; brothers, Jimmy Morgan of Crownpoint, Eugene Morgan of Gallup, Jonathan Kellywood of Houston, Texas, Thomas Kellywood of Lukachukai, Ariz., Jeffery Kellywood of Albuquerque, and Johnny B. Kellywood of Albuquerque; and sisters, Shirlee Gibson Lee of Thoreau, Elizabeth Kellywood of Church Rock, N.M., and Michelle R. Kellywood of Gallup.

Johnny is preceded in death by his mother, Bernice L. Henio; father, Johnny B. Kellywood; grandmothers, Mary Lee and Elizabeth Kellywood; grandfather, Thomas Kellywood; and sister, Jacqueline Kellywood.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Morgan, Victor Yazzie Jr., Jeremy Lee, Neil Gibson, Jeffery Kellywood, Dexter Morgan, Christian Yazzie, Calven Morgan, Melvin Morgan, and Sher-Ron Johnson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Bessie Lee John

GALLUP — Funeral services for Bessie Lee John, 80, were held April 6 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at the Gallup City Cemetery.

Bessie was born Aug. 15, 1934, in Red Rock, N.M., into the Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), born for çshiihi (Salt People Clan). She died March 29, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Bessie was a very active member of the Red Rock community. She never missed an election or an opportunity to help others. She loved her family dearly and will be greatly missed.

Bessie is survived by her children, Jasper K. John, Ella K. Martinez, and Virginia K. Billie; and 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Bessie is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Kee John; and grandson, Glenio S. Billie Jr.

Pallbearers were Lance Billie, Glenndah Billie, Glennecole Billie, Dale Sombrero, Juwan Quay, and Cory Charley.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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