Obituaries for Oct. 18, 2018

Kent Warren Lyons

MESA, Ariz. — Funeral services for Kent Warren Lyons, 36, of Mesa, Arizona, will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Citrus Heights Stake (2549 N. 32nd St.) in Mesa, with Bishop Morin officiating.

Burial will follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery (1212 N. Center St.).

Kent was born Oct. 17, 1981, in Gallup, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan). He passed away Oct. 4, 2018, from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in Mesa.

Kent’s first job was bagging groceries at Ellis Tanner’s Trading Post. He attended school in Gallup through 8th grade and graduated from high school in Mesa. Kent attended Arizona State University and Brigham Young University, where he graduated with a degree in foreign relations. He served a two-year mission for the LDS Church in Belgium, France, and Switzerland, and was fluent in French.

Kent worked for U.S. Sen. Bennet’s campaign and the Bennet Group in Salt Lake City, Utah, returning to Mesa to work with the family business. He also worked for State Sen. Bob Worsley’s re-election campaign in Mesa.

After which his passion for development soon took over and he found himself at the heart of re-vitalizing downtown Mesa. Kent was a beloved son, brother, friend, and colleague.

Most importantly, he was the best father and cherished each moment with his daughter. She was his absolute joy and the light of his life. Kent will be dearly missed as he touched the lives of everyone around him. He was everybody’s best friend.

Kent is survived by his precious daughter, Olive; parents, Verna and Warren Lyons; brothers, Chad of Glendale, Arizona, Trevor of Mesa, and Garrett of Mesa; and sister, Amber of Queen Creek, Arizona. For service information, visit https://www.bunkerfuneral.com/obituaries/kent-warren-lyons/

Bunker’s Garden Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Leo Shirley

DALY CITY, Calif. — Funeral services for Leo Shirley, 79, of Deer Springs/Sawmill, Arizona, and San Francisco, California, were held Oct. 12 at Duggan’s Serra Mortuary in Daly City, California, with Johnson Bordy officiating. Interment followed at the Holly Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.

Leo was born July 24, 1939, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass-Jemez Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away Oct. 2, 2018, in San Francisco. Leo attended Stewart Indian School and Phoenix Indian School, leaving the Navajo Nation in 1955 to attend school.

He was a warehouse worker for Dean’s Distributor’s and Macy’s. Leo was a regular parishioner at Mission Delores Church and enjoyed spending time with family, powwows, casinos, cookouts, and traveling to Alaska and Arizona.

His favorite football team was the San Francisco 49ers and other Bay Area teams. After retirement, he took care of family and touched many people in the community with his kindness and generosity. Leo is survived by his wife, Katherine Hotch Shirley; sons, Randy Shirley and Julius Shanchez, both of San Francisco; daughters, Darlene Navarro of Daly City, Tricia Shirley of Daly City, and Lynn Truong of San Francisco; and three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Leo is preceded in death by his son, Leo Roy Shirley; parents, Juan and Mary Morgan Shirley; brothers, Kee Chee Morgan, Ben Shirley, and Paul Shirley Sr.; sisters, Nellie Big House Begay and Hazel Day Shirley-Foster; and grandparents, Denetsosie and Yanabah Shirley.

Pallbearers were Victor Shirley, Adrian Navarro, Kayeil Tak, and Choeun Tak. Honorary pallbearers were family members. Duggan’s Serra Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Venson Kee Yazzie

CHINLE — Funeral services for Venson Kee Yazzie, 43, of Chinle, were held Oct. 15 at the Chinle Potter’s House with Artie Aragon officiating. Interment followed at the Chinle cemetery.

Venson was born Dec. 24, 1974, in Fort Defiance, into the Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan). He passed away Oct. 5, 2018, in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.

Venson was an artist who enjoyed drawing and loved to laugh.

Venson is survived by his sons, Tyrone Yazzie and Harleyquint Yazzie; daughters, Cornelia Yazzie and Vanessa Yazzie; mother, Louise Thomas; father, Raymond Yazzie; brothers, Samuel Thomas, Calvin Thomas, and Leon Thomas; and sisters, Grace Hamblen and Phyllis Thomas.

Venson is preceded in death by Ben and Zonnie John, Samony Thomas, Chuck Thomas, Julius Thomas, and Benson Benally. Pallbearers were Samuel Thomas, Calvin Thomas, and Leon Thomas.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Carmelita Harker

GALLUP — Funeral services for Carmelita Harker, 63, were held Oct. 13 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup.

Carmelita was born March 13, 1955, in Fort Defiance, into the Tó’aheedlíinii (The Water Flow Together Clan), born for Zuni.

She passed away Oct. 9, 2018, in Oakland, California. Carmelita attended Gallup schools and graduated in Oakland, attending Laney College in Oakland. She worked various data entry jobs and was currently working as a technician for Medical Transplant Services in San Francisco. Carmelita was the most caring, thoughtful, unselfish person that lived each day committed to work, family, pets, and living life with her lifelong companion, Joe Yanez.

She took extra time from work and life activities to provide loving care to her 93-year-old mother for two years.

Carmelita loved horse races, casinos, and had a gift for rescuing stray animals and reviving sick plants. She loved the city life yet always took the time to enjoy visits to see family and spent time with her prized possession — her daughter Michelle and grandchildren, Khesean and Jordan.

Carmelita also loved sports and played softball as a star pitcher for 25 years. She had a sense of humor that could bring a smile to anyone’s face in any situation. She will forever be in our hearts and thoughts until we all one day meet again.

Carmelita is survived by her daughter, Michelle Lonjose; mother, Estelle Harker; sisters, Norma Halona and Marcella Harker-Jones; and brother, Jerry Harker. Carmelita is preceded in death by her father, Larry Harker Sr.; and brother, Larry Harker Jr. Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas Charley Jr.

CHINLE — Funeral services for Thomas Charley Jr., 50, of Cottonwood, Arizona, were held Oct. 13 at the Chinle Potter’s House with Artie Aragon officiating. Interment followed at the Black Mountain Cemetery.

Thomas was born Dec. 22, 1967, in Ganado, Arizona, into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away Oct. 9, 2018, in Chinle.

Thomas received his high school diploma and attended various vocational/technical schools. He worked with various construction companies and enjoyed drawing and watching football. Thomas is survived by his mother, Mary C. Charley; brothers, Virgil Charley, Matthew Charley, and Marcus Charley; and sister, Coranda Whitesheep. Thomas is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Charley Sr.; and grandparents, Zonnie and Tom Charley.

Pallbearers were Tim Dedman, Tony Dedman, Bruce Charley, Brent Charley, Jerry Chee Lee, and Delbert Tso. Honorary pallbearers were Bennie Charley, Don Charley Sr., Henry Charlie, Nelson Charley Sr., Danny Hosteen, and James Charley.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Rayven Joe

LUPTON, Ariz. — Funeral services for Rayven Joe, 25, were held Oct. 13 at the Tse Si Ani Baptist Church in Lupton, Arizona. Interment followed at the Ashley Family Plot on Allentown Road.

Rayven was born Jan. 13, 1993, at the Gallup Indian Medical Center, into the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). His nali is Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People); chei is Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House). He passed away Oct. 6, 2018, in Mesa, Arizona.

Rayven graduated from Window Rock High School in 2012.

Rayven is survived by his father, Ray Joe; mother, Carol Joe; brothers, Rueben Joe, Rayfurt Joe, and Rayson Joe; and sisters, Raenita Joe and Raquel Joe. Pallbearers were Rayson Joe, Ruekwon Joe, Dominique Lynch, Marc Hillis, Raygil Wauneka, and Ernest Sam Jr. Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Anthony Clifford Wesley Sr.

INDIAN WELLS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Anthony Clifford Wesley Sr., 47, of Indian Wells, Arizona, were held Oct. 12 at the Broken Arrow Chapel in Indian Wells, with Cecil Haskie officiating. Interment followed at the family plot in Indian Wells.

Anthony was born April 26, 1971, in Phoenix, into the Tl’ízí lání (Many Goats Clan), born for Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan). He passed away Oct. 7, 2018, in Phoenix. Anthony graduated from Holbrook High School and worked in construction.

He enjoyed automotive and fishing. Anthony is survived by his son, Anthony Clifford Wesley Jr.; daughter, Braelyn Wesley; father, Cecil Haskie; brother, Christopher Nez Jr.; and sisters, Irin Nolazco, Bernadette Cayer, Kim Thomas, Shannon Thomas, Roxanne Haskie, and Cecelia Light.

Anthony is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Leota Begay and John C. Helpp; and paternal grandparents, Jack and Grace Haskie. Pallbearers were Angel Colmenero, Luis Mentes, Saul Nolazco Rodriguez, Cecil Begay, Darrin Cook, and Leland Williams. Honorary pallbearers were Larry Edd, Ernest Clark, Leslie Clark, Leander Cook, Anthony Wesley Jr., and Carlton Cook.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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