Obituaries for Oct. 26, 2017

Wee Jean Begay

TUBA CITY — Life celebration for Wee Jean Begay, 90, was held Oct. 15 at the First Baptist Church in Tuba City. Burial followed at the Tuba City community cemetery.

Wee Jean was born July 5, 1927, near Preston Mesa, northwest of Tuba City, into the Naasht’ézhí dine’é Tábąąhá (Zuni-Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tł’ízí Łání (Many Goats Clan). Her father was Sid Collins of Kaibeto (Tł’ízí Łání and Tódích’íi’nii — Bitter Water), and her mom passed shortly after her birth. She went home to meet her Savior on Oct. 9, 2017, in Tuba City, surrounded by her family and friends.

Wee Jean was raised by her grandparents, Betsy Jean and Navajo Jean Sr. She worked and supported her large family in many unique ways. During World War II, she worked at the Belmont Army Depot before starting her family. She had no formal schooling so she resorted to making and selling Navajo rugs, traditional outfits, jewelry, and many other arts and crafts.

Nothing she did was more important than sharing her testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. She became a Christian in 1961, after which she continually supported people in her church, and shared the word of God to anyone who would listen. She witnessed every weekend to people in jail and in the hospital. She continued with her strong faith in God to her passing, and was greeted by Father God saying, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23.

Wee Jean is survived by her sons, William George (wife Eunice) and Sonny Howard; daughters, Lena Webster, Helen Webster (Emmett Kerley), Dr. Nonita Begay Adair, Bertha Begay Tomlinson (husband Joseph), Unis Walker, Phyllis Begay and Corrina Pope; and 28 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Wee Jean is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents; daughter-in-law, Deanna Howard; sons-in-law, Greg Adair, Gregory Pope, Silas Walker and Tom Webster; granddaughter, Stephanie Howard; and many brothers and sisters in Christ.

The family of Wee Jean Begay wishes to acknowledge the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to them during this time of bereavement. May God bless you and embrace you.

Wee Jean believed in love and prayer. Her favorite Bible verse was: “Pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Arrangements were by Valley Ridge Mortuary.

Kirby Tye Pete

PENDLETON, Ore. — Traditional services for Kirby Tye Pete, 52, were held Oct. 17 at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton in Pendleton, Oregon, followed by dinner at the Mission Longhouse.

Kirby was born April 5, 1965, to Lillie Yazzie Pete and Gilbert Pete, in Arizona. He passed away Oct. 17, 2017, in Pendleton.

Kirby was raised in Low Mountain, Arizona, by his Chei Pete and Maasani’ Alice Bedonie, whom he loved dearly.

Kirby graduated from Many Farms High School in Many Farms, Arizona, and attended Haskell Indian University in Lawrence, Kansas, and Kicking Horse Job Corp in Ronan, Montana. He later received electrician training, obtaining his license as a manufacturing plant electrician.

Kirby was a member of the Navajo Nation in Arizona, and lived in Arizona for much of his early life. He married and had a son Kyle Tye.

In 1988, Kirby came to Oregon to participate in the Tygh Valley All Indian Rodeo and never looked back.

Kirby met and married Celeste Reves and moved to Pilot Rock, Oregon, and had three more children, Tyera Alice, Taylor Alaine and a baby boy whom died at birth. Many years later he also had another young child, Talen Allyn.

Kirby worked for Louisiana Pacific Lumber Mill in Pilot Rock for many years. He continued to work as the head manufacturing plant electrician when the company changed hands to Kinzua Resources and later Boise Cascade.

Kirby love to rodeo and could always be found with a rope in his hand, roping whatever moved, whether it be the kids, the dogs or on the back of a bucking bronc. He passed his love for rodeo on to his beautiful daughters.

Kirby is survived by his children, Kyle Tye Pete of Dennehotso, Arizona; Tyera Alice Pete of Pablo, Montana; Taylor Alaine Pete of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Talen Allyn Pete of Pilot Rock; wife, Celeste Reves; mother, Lillie Pete of Arizona; sisters, Felipita Quinones of North Carolina, Joanne Deschenie of Arizona, and Ardith Pete of Arizona; brothers, Clendon Pete of Arizona, Vernell Keams of Nevada, Darryl Thomas of Arizona, and Edison Yazzie of Warm Springs, Oregon.

Kirby is preceded in death by his infant son; father, Gilbert Pete; and grandparents, Pete and Alice Bedonie.

Disposition will be by cremation and remains will be taken back to Arizona to be spread by his daughters at a later date.

Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.

Friends and relatives may sign the online condolence book at www.burnsmortuary.com.

Caroline Kathy Bemore

St. MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Caroline Kathy Bemore, 71, will be held today, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Michaels Parrish in St. Michaels, Arizona, with viewing one hour prior to mass at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Black Mesa, Arizona.

Caroline was born June 27, 1946, in Black Mesa, into the Tó’áhaní (Near the Water Clan), born for Áshiihí (Salt People Clan). She died Oct. 21, 2017, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Caroline was vice president at Black Mesa Chapter House and vice president on the Chinle Health Board.

Caroline is survived by Olin Peterson, Doyle Peterson, Nizhoni Bemore-Pete, Ruby Bemore-Uriostegui and Paul Bemore Jr.

Pallbearers will be Armando Uriostegui, Ryan Pete, Paul Bemore Jr., Kevin Cleveland, Marcus Cleveland and Bryan Nelson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Louise Esther Brown

CHINLE — Funeral services for Louise Esther Brown, 91, of Chinle, will be held Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. at the Chinle LDS Church. Burial will follow at the family plot in Chinle.

Louise was born Sept. 20, 1926, in Chinle, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She died Oct. 21, 2017, in Winslow, Arizona.

Louise was a beautiful woman who loved weaving, sewing, cooking and being of service to many relatives, friends and neighbors. She enjoyed her wonderful life through her faith in God and Jesus Christ.

Louise completely appreciated, adored and cherished all she was blessed with as a mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She stressed to all her loved ones to attain a formal education; education that she never had the opportunity to have. Her loved ones and friends knew her for her natural humbleness and kindness.

Louise is survived by her only child and daughter, Sarah Louis; brother, Carl Peter Begay of Chinle; sisters, Pauline Dawes of Chinle, Gladys Brown of Whiteriver, Arizona, and Selena Jewett of Payson, Arizona; and five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Nanabah and John Taylor Begay.

Pallbearers will be Shane Baldwin Louis, Hondo Baldwin Louis, Kumen Baldwin Louis, Aanor Baldwin Louis, Hawke Baldwin Louis, Granite Baldwin Louis, Samuel MacArthur Canyon and Quois Baldwin Louis Canyon.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Peter Begay, LeRoy Alan Dawes, Raymond Tsosie, Kenneth Bia, James Begay, Larry Tallwood, Bryan Tsosie, Kenneth Brown and David Jewett.

A reception will take place at the Chinle LDS Church following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Doc Maize Scott

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Doc Maize Scott was held Oct. 11 at the First Baptist Church in Tuba City, with Pastor Harold Noble officiating. Burial took place at the Tacheeni Clan-Family Cemetery in Middle Mesa, Arizona, followed by a celebratory dinner at the First Baptist Church Brush Arbor in Tuba City, with grandson Kevin Begay presiding.

Doc was born circa July 10, 1921, some three miles southwest of White Mesa, Arizona, into the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). He passed away Oct. 7, 2017, in Tuba City.

Doc and two siblings, older brother Leonard and younger sister Sally became motherless while adolescents so they were raised by maternal aunts and maternal grandmother in the Wildcat Peak area, between Tonalea and Kaibeto, Arizona.

As Doc became a little older he was physically not big enough to herd sheep so his grandmother put him in the Tuba City Boarding School, which essentially operated in a military-fashion.

As a 6-year-old, Doc was the smallest student so a campus-bully grabbed Doc by his ankles and started to whirl him about. As he was being abused in front of the bully’s girlfriend the back of Doc’s head was slammed into a stone pillar. He was left to die in a two-bed tuberculosis infirmary, as there was no hospital in Tuba City in the 1920s. Somehow Doc maintained his health in spite of his major skull-fracturing injury.

After a year of convalescence, Doc was encouraged to re-enroll in the boarding school. He was asked for his name so he said, “Ta’neszhani Yashi Ye Biyeh.” He was told he needed a name, which can be typed on a typewriter. As he was being interrogated the circuit-riding TB doctor showed up and said, “His name is Doc and he can use my last name Scott.”

As a teenager, two of Doc’s maternal uncles who were both medicine men trained Doc to be a medicine man. At age 17, Doc became a full-fledged medicine man and conducted sings in the early and mid 1940s. He was trained by the CCC, Stewart Indian School in Carson City, Nevada, and learned how to drive heavy equipment.

Doc married Leora Mary George, of Middle Mesa, in 1943 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California, from 1943 to 1946 and was trained as a Marine Navajo Code Talker. He received an honorable discharge as private first class on July 17, 1946, after the surrender of the Japanese in World War II.

Leora and Doc became followers of Jesus Christ in 1947 and 1950, respectively, and took active parts in the establishment of the Flagstaff Mission to the Navajos in 1947 and helped establish a church next to Richardson Trading Post at Indian Villages, Navajo Ordinance Depot in Bellemont, Arizona, and latter established eight home-churches on the reservation during the 1950s.

Doc worked as a heavy equipment operator for the U.S. Army at NOD/Navajo Army Depot from 1945 to 1988 in Bellemont. After his retirement, he returned to the Tuba City/Middle Mesa area. In the mid 1980s, he was elected president of Tuba City Chapter.

Doc and Leora have four children, Orville Tacheeni Scott (1944 to present), Ernestine Maize Begay (1945 to present), Roddy Doc Scott (1948-2005) and Stephen Allen Scott (1962 to present).

In addition, Doc and Leora have 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, including one who is one-fourth Dineh, one-fourth Scot and half Korean.

Pallbearers were Bronson A. Scott, Kevin M. Begay, Brandon Kinlicheeney, Kyle M. Begay, JaeQon Peterson, Stephen A. Scott, Franklyn Swimmer and Kieran J. Francis.

Honorary pallbearers were Tacheeni Scott, Dave Tacheeni Kesonnie, Roy Manygoats and Phillip Yazzie.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Fred John Begay

GANADO, Ariz. — Funeral services for Fred John Begay, 83, of Steamboat, Arizona, were held Oct. 25 at the All Saints Catholic Church in Ganado, Arizona, with Brother Paul O’Brien officiating. Interment followed in Steamboat.

Fred was born May 7, 1934, in Steamboat, into the Tsénjíkiní (Honey Combed Rock People Clan), born for Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan). He died Oct. 20, 2017, in Chinle.

Fred attended BIA boarding schools in Oklahoma and Kansas, and was employed as a carpenter. He enjoyed horsemanship and herding sheep.

Fred is survived by his son, Fredlin Begay; daughters, Emily Tsosie, Ermaly Begay, Linda Hood and Ella Mae Hood; brother, Wallace Begay; and 26 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Begay; son, Fritz Hood; mother, Helen Mae Begay; and father, Hosteen Begay.

Pallbearers were Donovan Begay, Anslem Tahy, Ambrose Tahy, Jake Todachenie, Eric Daniels and Ben Yazzie.

Honorary pallbearers were Fredlin Begay, Brandon Begay, Calvert Tsosie Sr., Gilbert Tsosie and Luis Garza.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Christine K. Watson

TSE BONITO, N.M. — Funeral services for Christine K. Watson, 48, of Fort Defiance, were held Oct. 21 at the Silver Creek Mortuary in Tse Bonito, New Mexico. Interment followed in Rabbit Brush, New Mexico.

Christine was born Jan. 6, 1969, in Fort Defiance, into the Hualapai Nation, born for Yé’ii dine’é Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She died Oct. 14, 2017, in Billings, Montana.

Christine graduated from Window Rock High School in 1987 and enjoyed making jewelry and homemade pies, listening to music and basketball.

Christine is survived by her mother, Karen Watson; and sisters, Elaine Watson and Doreen Coochyouma.

Christine is preceded in death by her father, Robert L. Watson; and grandparents, Margaret and Thomas Watson Sr., and Charlotte and Dell Wellington.

Pallbearers were Ryne Coochyouma, Nicholas Watson, Aaron Williams, Andy Morris, Amos Holian and Wendell Birch.

Honorary pallbearers were Doak Wellington, Curt Wellington, Lawrence Merchant, Duane Quintana, Robert Quintana, Eugene Watson, Lawrence Watson and Tom Watson Jr.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Paul H. Yazzie

GALLUP — Funeral services for Paul H. Yazzie, 70, were held Oct. 23 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Interment followed at Sunset Memorial.

Paul was born Nov. 5, 1946, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). His nali is Áshiihí (Salt People); chei is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). He died Oct. 19, 2017, at China Springs Loop in Gallup.

Paul was a loving father, husband, grandfather and uncle who was well loved by his entire family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and cheering on his favorite football team, the Seattle Seahawks.

Paul is survived by his sisters, Ella Chee and Elsie Plummer.

Pallbearers were Nelson Kinsel, Monte Chee, Darnell Johnson, Ernie Wilson, Ryan Begay and Shawn Martin.

Honorary pallbearer was Robyn Sandoval.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Terry Lee Upshaw

LUPTON, Ariz. — Gravesite service for Terry Lee Upshaw, 58, of Lupton, Arizona, were held Oct. 21 at the family plot at Linda Cleveland’s residence in Lupton, with Pastor Ron Yazzie officiating.

Terry was born July 22, 1959, in Rigby, Idaho, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He died Oct. 16, 2017, in Lupton.

Terry attended Valley High School in Sanders, Arizona, and was a self-employed laborer. He enjoyed reading and watching the Broncos play football.

Terry is survived by his mother, Ann Maria Curley; brothers, Lee Upshaw and Andy Watch Jr.; and sisters, Gi Gi Bischoff, Marilyn Mark, Tonya Curley and Sheila Watkins.

Terry is preceded in death by his brothers, Wayne Curley and Wydell Curley; and grandparents, Bah and Tom Upshaw and Mae Reeder Smith and Charlie Smith.

Pallbearers were Gary Lee, Vital Charley, Herman Charley, David Smith Jr., Kevin Charley and Brandon Mark.

Honorary pallbearers were Andy Watch Jr., Hamilton Charley and Wesley Curley.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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