Obituaries for Dec. 3, 2015

Danny T. Begaye

NEWTON, Kan. – Funeral services for Danny T. Begaye, 67, of Chinle, were held Dec. 2 at the Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, Kan. Interment followed at the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Danny was born Feb. 28, 1947, to Tony and Isabel Begay, in Cottonwood, Ariz. He died Nov. 26, 2015, in Newton.

In February of 1974 he met his wife Lillian Shirley Carr, and they had a daughter, Celestine.

Danny worked for the Navajo Police as an officer, and was promoted to sergeant, criminal investigator and became special operation sergeant. He was with the department for 17 years. He spent four years in Tempe, Ariz., as a police detective on the Pima Reservation before resigning and submitting to a calling he felt laid heavy on his heart, ministry. He earned a degree in pastoral ministry from Hesston College in May of 1994, and then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in bible and religion from Bethel College in Newton.

In 2003, Danny and his wife moved back to Cottonwood. There he and his wife founded a church, The Alpha and The Omega Church in 2004.

In November of 2007, he started an outreach called “Feed the Hungry Outreach”, which is still operating today. Danny and Lillian pastored there for 11 years.

Danny loved to read the word of God and Christian books, shop, travel, and enjoyed football, especially his favorite team, the Arizona Cardinals. He loved to help people, and was positive, caring, patient, and a good listener. He was a loving faithful husband and a good father. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Danny is survived by his wife, Lillian Carr-Begaye; daughter, Celestine and husband Adrian Bustillos; son, Trevor and wife Ashley Carr; brothers, Donovan Begay and Darly Begay; sisters, Elizabeth Jones, Marlene Jones, Lorraine Burbank, Marilyn Burbank, and Maybelle Grayhat; and four grandchildren.

Danny is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Isabell Begay; brother, Dennison Begay; sisters, Helen Begay and Irene Begay.

A memorial fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank (account routing No. 122105278 account 6637263648).

Petersen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Mitchell T. Baker

IGNACIO, Colo. — Funeral services for Mitchell T. Baker, 55, of Durango, Colo., were held Dec. 2 at the multi-purpose building in Ignacio, Colo.

Mitchell was born Dec. 2, 1959, to Clem E. Baker and Mercedes Rock. Mitch, as he was known, passed away at his home Nov. 24, 2015, just eight days shy of his 56th birthday.

Mitch grew up on the Southern Ute Reservation in Ignacio, where he attended and graduated from Ignacio High School. He worked alongside his dad building fences for the Southern Ute Tribe. He also worked for the Colorado Department of Transportation for nine years. He then worked for Custom Farm for a period of time and eventually started his own company Lance Contracting where he was subcontractor with the Red Willow Operations in Ignacio, and after a period of time Mitch retired.

Mitch loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and his beloved Rottweiler dogs. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and never missed a game at home or in person. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family. He had a true talent as an artist. He could draw many things, including anime, portraits and sculpted animals from clay. He really could get lost in his music and had an extensive collection of rock and roll vinyl records, which he took pride in.

Mitch had a good sense of humor and could make you laugh at anything. You could always find him in the kitchen cooking for his family. He will be missed by many.

Mitch is survived by his wife, Ellen M. Baker; son, Alex Baker of Durango; daughter, April Baker of Durango; sisters, Melanie and Maya Baker of Ignacio; nephews, Ryan Cook and Arden Baker, both of Ignacio; nieces, Tanya Baker and Catherine baker, both of Ignacio; three grandchildren; and numerous cousins.

Mitch is preceded in death by his father, Clem E Baker; mother, Mercedes Rock; and brother, Matthew Lance Baker.

Kenneth J. Begay

COTTONWOOD, Ariz. P Funeral services for Kenneth J. Begay, 61, of Cottonwood, Ariz., were held Dec. 1 at the Black Mountain Mission Church in Cottonwood, with Daniel Smiley officiating. Interment followed at the family plot at Waterless Mountain.

Kenneth was born in Ganado, Ariz., into the T ł ‘ááshchí’í   (Red Bottom People Clan), born for Yoo’ó dine’é (Bead People Clan). He died Nov. 24, 2015, in Chinle.

Kenneth attended Many Farms High School and was self-employed as an auto mechanic and heavy equipment operator. He enjoyed working outside and playing with his children and nephews.

Kenneth is survived by his sons, Truman and Kendrick Begay of Twin Lakes, N.M., and Kenneth J. Begay Jr. of Lukachukai, Ariz.; daughters, Jennifer and Kendy Begay of Twin Lakes, and Kendra and Kenya Begay of Lukachukai; brothers, Melvin J. Bee Sr., Calvin J. Begay Sr., Alvin R. Begay Sr., and Thomas H. Begay Jr. of Cottonwood; and sisters, Marlene Begay, Priscilla Charley and Darlene Sorenson, all of Cottonwood.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his daughter, Velma Begay; and parents, Thomas H. Begay Sr. and Dolly Chee Begay.

Honorary pallbearers were Melvin J. Bee Sr., Calvin J. Begay Sr., Alvin R. Begay Sr., Thomas H. Begay Jr., and Joseph Coochyumptewa.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Henry Herman Brown

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Henry Herman Brown, 44, of St. Michaels, Ariz., were held Nov. 25 at Mary Mother of Mankind Church in St. Michaels, with Father Patrick officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Blue Canyon, Ariz.

Henry was born Oct. 28, 1971, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). He died Nov. 20, 2015, in Navajo, N.M.

Henry graduated from Window Rock High School in 1990 and attended electrician school in Albuquerque. He was very creative and artistic in making sand paintings and homemade gifts for loved ones. He enjoyed selling snow cones and attending his nephew and nieces’ events to support them.

Henry is survived by his nephews, Eddie Brown, Nakia Brown and Lance Stark-Nunez; nieces, Desdine’ Brown and Jessica Cordero; brothers, Hilary H. Brown and Bert H. Brown; and sister-in-law, Kristine K. Brown.

Henry is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley M. Brown; father, Eddie H. Brown; maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Wesley; maternal grandfather, Elliot Milford; paternal grandmother, Mary Brown; and paternal grandfather, Tsosie Brown.

Pallbearers were Eddie Brown, Bert Brown, Jared Brown, Frendale Segay, Dion Descheeny, Walter Harvey, Vernelle Begay, and Darren Bryant.

Honorary pallbearers were Hilary Brown, Norman Brown, Bobby Brown, Edsel Brown, Nathaniel Brown, and Freddie Brown.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

---