Obituaries for March 17, 2022

Richard Beyal Jr.

Richard Beyal Jr., 94, of Church Rock, New Mexico, died peacefully on March 5, 2022, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. He was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Lake Valley, New Mexico.

He was Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Honágáahnii (One-Walks-Around Clan).

His grandfather was Hosteen Beyal, from whom he got his last name, who was a famous medicine man of the Eastern Agency. True to his origins, Richard was a fluent Diné speaker and could sing all night at Ni’daa’s.

His father was Dick Beyal Sr., a two-term Navajo Nation Council delegate for Nageezi Chapter. His mother was Bizdibah Jim (aka Louise Jim) of Lake Valley Chapter.

He met our mother, the late Elizabeth Beyal, at Fort Wingate Boarding School. Her maiden name was Benally and she was from Fort Defiance, Arizona. They were shy kids and were forced to pair off to dance at a school event. They married in 1952 in Phoenix.

They had their first son, Dominic, in 1952 in Fort Defiance. They relocated to Los Angeles where they had their second son, Duane, in 1956. They moved to Church Rock Village east of Gallup and had their daughters Diane and Debra. Then they had a third son, Daryl.

All his life he was an athlete and a pretty good one. Starting with the Shush, he played football and basketball and ran track. He was a boxer and often pummeled speed bags with practiced skill. He was a good basketball player with the famed Window Rock Lodgers and a proud fan of Gallup High Bengals sports teams.

Up until his advanced years, he competed in long distance races in the over-50 category. He always won a ribbon, medal or trophy at these running events held throughout the Arizona, New Mexico and Navajo Nation region.

Using his excellent Diné language skills, for many years he was a radio announcer for KGAK and later KYVA, both in Gallup.

As a young man and until he was halfway through his life, he struggled with alcohol. However, in 1995, he decided to quit and never touched it again.

Our family lived in Church Rock since the early days when our father served as manager. Through the years, he was also a coach for the girls’ softball teams and for Little League, Babe Ruth and Connie Mack youth baseball teams.

Often, we bounced and jostled along with him as he drove the long dirt roads of the Eastern Agency. He knew all the roads and all the hogans along the way. Each time we stopped, to be introduced to an uncle, aunt or other elderly relative, we had to eat. The families we visited always insisted we stay awhile and eat, so we did. Those roads were long and twisting and led to far off vistas and hills and canyons. Along the way, he sometimes sang in the old way of horse riders singing along the trail.

Because of his problems and issues earlier in life, as an elder he possessed a peacefulness and contentment. The way his life went, instead of being bitter or angry, he was warm and outgoing. He could get along with anyone. He showed this at the end, in the hospital, when he was flown to Albuquerque at the end of February from Gallup Indian Medical Center. From his hospital bed, he talked, joked and laughed with the doctors and nurses. Everyone liked him. He spent a week until March 5 in bed at the hospital.

He waited to leave us until we all had the chance to say our goodbyes. When the last of us, Daryl, said his last words to Dad, he seemed to say, OK, this has lasted long enough. He simply stopped breathing, and his spirit soared above us into the mists of time and remembrance.

He is survived by his sons, Dominic, Duane and Daryl Beyal; daughters Diana and Debra Beyal; brothers Andy and Andrew Beyale; sister Magdaline Beyale; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

The Beyal family thanks all relatives and friends who expressed condolences during this time.

Sanford Towne

MANY FARMS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Sanford “Jai” Towne, 56, of Many Farms, Arizona, will be held today, March 17, at 10 a.m., at The Church of Christ in Many Farms, with Benjamin Begay officiating. Burial will follow at the Chinle community cemetery.

Sanford was born Dec. 1, 1965, in Fort Defiance, into the Tł’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away March 13, 2022, in Many Farms.

Sanford attended Navajo Technical University and Tucson Trade School for carpentry. He was employed as a carpenter laborer and enjoyed fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Sanford is survived by his wife, Rose Ann Harvey Yazzie of Many Farms; brothers, Joseph Thomas, Ronald Thomas, Randy Nez, Elton Arthur, Holbrook Towne, and Leroy Towne Jr.; and sisters, Erline Holtsoi, Christina Arthur and Royetta Towne.

Sanford is preceded in death by his mother, Grace H. Towne; father, Leroy Towne Sr.; sister, Jodell Thomas-Haskie; maternal grandparents, John Foley Sr. and Mary Slivers Foley; and paternal grandparents, Hosteen Tah Begay and Bessie Begay.

A reception will take place at Grace Towne’s residence (one-fourth mile east of Many Farms), following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Jerrold B. Yazzie

FORT DEFIANCE — Graveside service for Jerrold Bennett Yazzie, 50, of Sawmill, Arizona, was held March 15 at the Fort Defiance cemetery.

Jerrold was born May 27, 1970, in Fort Defiance, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away March 9, 2022, in Sawmill.

Jerrold attended the Crownpoint Institute of Technology and was a seasoned farmer for Navajo Agricultural Products Industry.

Jerrold is survived by his mother, Amy R. Yazzie; brother, Jasper N. Yazzie; and sister, Mavis M. Yazzie.

Jerrold is preceded in death by his father, Jerrie N. Yazzie; and grandparents, Don Kee and Julia Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearer was Jasper N. Yazzie.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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