Obituaries for Oct. 22, 2015

Manuel Eugene Clark

GALLUP — Manuel Eugene Clark, 75, passed on Oct. 6, 2015, in Gallup, after a relatively short but fierce battle with lung cancer.

Manuel was born Feb. 27, 1940, in Des Arc, Ark., to Thelma Louise and Charlie Manuel Clark.

Manuel is originally of the Choctaw and Cherokee Nations, born for German, but was adopted into the Navajo Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People) and Tábaahá (Water’s Edge) clans.

Manuel is survived by his wife Angelina; stepsons, Ahren, Quinn, Kellen, and James; sons, Keith, Paul and Greg Clark, all of Arkansas; daughter, Melissa Burgess of Arkansas; brother, Malvin Clark of Georgia; sister, Marlys of Des Arc; adopted children, Barbara, Joshua and Daniel Clark of Grants, N.M.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren will miss him.

Manuel is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Marlin and Victor Clark.

A memorial luncheon was held Oct. 15 at the Gallup Community Center. Burial took place in southern Arizona.

Phillip Anthony Lee Jr.

SANDERS, Ariz. — A memorial service for Phillip Anthony Lee Jr., 50, will be held today, Oct. 22, at 1 p.m. at Sanders Valley Baptist Church in Sanders, Ariz.

Phillip was born Feb. 14, 1965. He passed away Oct. 14, 2015.

Phillip attended Harker Academy and Southwestern Academy in California, and Sanders-Valley High School for a time. He traveled throughout Europe and Egypt. He loved animals and raised chickens, turkeys, goats, rabbits, and sheep. He is remembered for his kindness and generosity.

Phillip is survived by his mother, Veronica Lee (Rigby); and sisters, Sheryl Begaye, Robin Smith and Clara Lee Pratte.

Phillip is preceded in death by his father, Phillip Arvis Lee.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Esther L. Largo

SHIPROCK — Funeral services for Esther L. Largo, 93, of Red Valley, Ariz., were held Oct. 17 at the Dineh Christian Church in Shiprock, with Pastor David Nakai officiating. As a Gold Star Mother, services included military escort and honors. Interment followed at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Farmington, where Esther was buried next to her son Calvin. A reception took place at the Christ the King Catholic Church Hall in Shiprock, following services.

Born on March 18, 1922, Esther was sixth in a family of nine children, born to Evelyn and Slim Benally. Her clans are Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People) and Naakai Dine’é (Mexican). She passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Oct. 11, 2015, in Shiprock, surrounded by family and friends.

Esther was educated in the Red Valley, Toadlena, and Shiprock schools. From 1939 to 1944, she taught Sunday school and worked as an interpreter for missionaries in Window Rock. In 1945, she married John Largo, from Thoreau, N.M. She and John had three children together: Calvin Largo, Sharon Waahila, and Linda Lou Martin. Calvin died in Vietnam in 1969. Linda Lou married and raised two daughters with her husband Torchy before succumbing to cancer in 2001. Sharon also married, moved to Hawaii where she still lives with her husband Jarvis, and raised three sons and one daughter.

From 1950 to 1952, Esther worked as a nurse’s aide at a tuberculosis sanitarium in Boulder, Colo. After marrying Sam Frazier from Cove, Ariz., she gave birth to two more daughters: Selena Carl (mother of two daughters and one son), and Alberta Frazier who, with her husband Alvin Belin, raised two sons and two daughters. Esther also has two adopted sons, Timothy H. Benally Sr., of Red Valley, and Roger McCord, of South Bend, Ind.

In 1953, Esther began working for the BIA schools, first as a night aide. She was soon promoted to dormitory attendant, and then to a supervisory position. In 1960 she began working as an instructional aide at Chinle Boarding School, later transferring to Chuska Boarding School and then to Teec Nos Pos Boarding School. From 1977 to 1988 she worked as an educational aide at Cove Day School. She retired in 1989.

Esther was loving and strong. She raised children who share her strengths.

Esther is survived by her three daughters and two adopted sons, 23 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, her eldest sister, all three brothers, her son Calvin, and her daughter Linda Lou.

Kevin Rae Saunders

THOREAU, N.M. — Funeral services for Kevin Rae Saunders, 30, will be held Friday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. at Thoreau Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Thoreau community cemetery.

Kevin was born Feb. 27, 1985, in Gallup, into the Tó baazhni’ázhi (Two Who Came to the Water Clan). He died Oct. 18, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Kevin enjoyed being with family, watching TV and DVDs, riding in his car, listening to music, and watching his favorite team, the Green Bay Packers.

Kevin is survived by his mother, Katherine Etsitty; sister, Adrianna Todachine; and brother, Adrian Saunders Jr.

Kevin is preceded in death by his father, Adrian Saunders Sr.; brothers, Aaron J. Saunders and Micheal Saunders; sister, Krystie Saunders; grandfather, Joe Wilson Etcitty Sr.; and uncle, Joey W. Etcitty.

Pallbearers will be Adrian Saunders Jr., Shawn Platero, Shane Platero, Vernon Lee Jr., Alvin Long, and Travor Jim.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Lewis Lee John Sr.

ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Lewis Lee John Sr., 78, of St. Michaels, Ariz., were held Oct. 15 at the Catholic Church in St. Michaels, with Father Patrick officiating. Interment followed in St. Michaels.

Lewis was born March 31, 1937, in Shonto, Ariz., into the çshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Lók’aa’ dine’é (Reed People Clan). He died Oct. 11, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Lewis attended high school at Sherman Institute in Riverside, Calif. He was employed with Navajo Nation Rangers, Window Rock School District and retired from P&M Coal Mine. He enjoyed fishing, sports and spending time with family.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Annie John; sons, Larry John, Terry John and Lewis John Jr.; daughters, Louisia John and Louann Marquez; brother, David John; sisters, Nellie Tom, Polly Nelson, Violet Bryant, Betty Begay, Dorothy Watson, and Louise Begay; and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Lewis is preceded in death by his parents, Billie and Chloe John; brother, Albert John; and Nicholas Lee John.

Pallbearers were Zachary Marquez, Jarett Billy, Kyle John, Billie John, Tyrone Tom, Angel Gonzales, Myron Bryant, and Donald Tom.

Honorary pallbearers were Larry John, Terry John, Lewis John Jr., David John, Charles Yazzie, and Jonas Yazzie.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Leon S. Tsosie

CHINLE — Funeral services for Leon S. Tsosie, 41, of Chinle, were held Oct. 17 at the Potter’s House Church in Chinle, with Pastor Artie Aragon officiating. Interment followed at the Chinle community cemetery.

Leon was born April 30, 1974, in Gallup, into the Tl’izilani (Many Goats Clan), born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Oct. 9, 2015, in Flagstaff.

Leon attended Chinle High School and Phoenix Job Corps for culinary arts. He was employed with Chinle Valley School, Chinle High School and The View Hotel Restaurant in Monument Valley, Utah.

Leon was a very humorous man and a musical artist with Tribal Renegades Ent. He also was an artist of various media from drawing portraits, carving intricate designs and beaded beautiful pieces for people he cared about. He constantly joked about his loving children and family. He was proud of and loved all of his children and family very much.

Leon is survived by his wife, Geliliah Tsinnajinnie; sons, Joaquin Tsosie, Carlos Tsosie and D’Ontae Tsinnijinnie-Tsosie; daughters, T’Nika Tsosie, Tajimika Tsosie and LaiLoni Tsinnijinnie-Tsose; father, James Tsosie of Chinle; mother, Ella Lee of Salina Springs, Ariz.; and sisters, Alta White, Janelle Lee and Teresa Hastings.

Leon is preceded in death by his brothers, Jimmy Tsosie and Russell Tsosie; and sister, Veldeena Tsosie.

Pallbearers were Joaquin Tsosie, Stanson Yellowman, Cliles James, Stanton Yellowman, Lance Johnson, Arno Hicks, Peter Yazzie, Jameson Ben, Afonzo Bahe, and Derek Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers were Samantha Bahe, Sharon Begay, Carlos Tsosie, and Chris Lee.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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