Obituaries for October 8, 2026
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Bud Harrison (Oct. 2, 1937 – Sept. 14, 2026)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Bud Harrison was an only child, born to Richard “Dick” Harrison and Lee Harrison, in Keefton, Oklahoma, Oct. 2, 1937.
Bud Harrison, Oct. 2, 1937 – Sept. 14, 2026
Bud, 88, passed peacefully while surrounded by the love of family on Sept. 14, 2026, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Bud, by profession, was an educator and coach for nearly 40 years. He started his teaching career at a K-12 school in Encino, New Mexico, and finished at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces. He was a Social Studies and American History teacher, and primarily coached football and wrestling throughout his career. He was tough but fair and affected students and athletes alike in a positive manner.
Bud went to high school in Bristow, Oklahoma, where he played football, against the will of his mother, Lee. His passion for football only grew from there. He went on to attend junior college at Coffeyville, Kansas, and continued his football career while there. He then finished his education and football career at Northeastern Oklahoma, in Tahlequah, where he graduated with an education degree, and met his future wife Mary Ann Weiss.
Bud and Mary Ann married in1960 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They then moved to Encino, where in 1961 had their first of three sons, Bryan. Son Brad came a short time later in 1963. Bud and family then moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where he continued his career as a teacher, and began his coaching career. A few years later, youngest son, Scott, was born in 1967.
Bud had his first opportunity to be a head football coach and moved his family to Zuni, New Mexico, where he took a winless program to eventually an undefeated season a few short years later. He then went on to teach and coach in Window Rock, as part of a staff that took a struggling program to great heights of success.
This trend continued wherever Bud coached. The following opportunities again took struggling programs to seasons of great success. These schools included Gallup High School, Deming High School, and eventually finishing his teaching and coaching career at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces.
Bud is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Ann Weiss-Harrison; sons Bryan (Sandra) Harrison and Brad (Beth) Harrison; and Anita, the former wife of his late son Scott.
Bud is also survived by his grandchildren, Cassie, Tyler, Jess, Zoey, Casey, and Abbie; great-grandsons, Jaiden, Lux and Lilo; and best friends, Jerry Clark, Mike McCraw, Don Eskins and Gary Rich.
Bud’s last years were spent as a man of faith and family delving into his Bible on a daily basis. His family and friends are at peace knowing that Bud, dad, grandpa/papa, and great-granddad is in the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Bud was always a coach and educator at heart. His positive influence on family, friends, former students, and athletes will never be forgotten.
Bud’s Celebration of Life was filled with family, close friends, love, and great memories Sept. 19, 2026, in Las Cruces.
Aidyn D. Nez
ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Aidyn Dawn Nez were held Sept. 25 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in St. Michaels, Arizona.
Aidyn Dawn Nez, April 17, 2009 – Sept. 22, 2026
Aidyn was born April 17, 2009, in Phoenix, the daughter of Lewana Priscilla Nez and Delwin Lewis. Her surrogate father, Duane King, raised her. Her clan is Tótsohnii (Big Water), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle). Her maternal grandfather is Kinłichíí’nii (Red House) and her paternal grandfather is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People). She passed away Sept. 22, 2026.
Aidyn began school at Blanding Elementary School and transferred to Ganado and other schools on the Navajo Nation. She enjoyed working with her hands and cooking.
Aidyn had grit, mental toughness and ambition. Sadly, her dreams were cut short after an automobile crash on Highway 191 between Burnside and Chinle.
Aidyn leaves behind her three sisters, D’Lila, Erin and Raven; and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, maternal grandparents and paternal grandparents.
Charlie James
ST. MICHAELS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Charlie James, 90, of Fort Defiance, were held Oct. 2 at the St. Michaels Mission in St. Michaels, Arizona, with Pastor Solomon officiating. Interment followed in Kin Dah Łichí’í, Arizona.
Charlie James, Feb. 6, 1936 – Sept. 26, 2026
Charlie was born Feb. 6, 1936, in Gallup, into the Mą’ii Deeshgiizhnii (Coyote Pass-Jemez Clan). He passed away Sept. 26, 2026, in Fort Defiance.
Charlie completed high school and worked as a journey lineman at Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. He also worked as a truck driver with Steer Tank Lines.
Charlie enjoyed telling stories, doing yard work, team roping, and bareback riding. He also loved to ride, raise, and work with horses and cows.
Charlie is survived by his daughters, Carla James, Carol James and Francine James; sister, Marie Raymond; and grandchildren, Wyatt James, Jamie Smith, Rueben James and Cameron Smith.
Charlie is preceded in death by his wife, Florence James; daughter, Cheryl James; sons, Bradford James and Travis James; and grandson, Ryan James.
Pallbearers were Wyatt James, Robby Trujillo, Donovan Begay, Cameron Smith, Matthew Nez and Ray Silver.
Honorary pallbearers were Rueben James, Raelyn Silver, Carla James, Francine James, Carol James, Marie Raymond, Bennie James and Jamie Smith.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Evelyn R. Nez
LUPTON, Ariz. – Funeral services for Evelyn Rose Nez, 74, of Allentown, Arizona, will be held Friday, Oct. 9, at 9:45 a.m., at the Tse Si Ani Baptist Church in Lupton, Arizona, with Pastor Reagan Hawthorne officiating.
Evelyn was born May 25, 1952, in Fort Defiance, into the Honágháahnii (One-walks-around Clan), born for Dibé Łizhiní (Black Sheep Clan). She passed away Sept. 28, 2026, in Glendale, Arizona.
Evelyn graduated from high school and studied fire science at Northland Pioneer College. She worked as a firefighter for Puerco Valley Fire Department and BIA Wildland.
Evelyn enjoyed beading, solving puzzles, traveling, spending time with her family, reading to her grandchildren, exploring, hiking, joking and laughing.
Evelyn is survived by her husband, Irvin Y. Nez; son, Erwin Nez; Erwin Nez; daughters, Damaris Toddy, Carrisse Nez and Valerie Nez; sisters, Bessie Poolheco and Susie White-James; grandchildren, Rhyan Toddy, Ethan Toddy, Taliya Toddy, Alyson Toddy, Amaris Toddy, Ian Sanchez, Kimora Nez-Bodie, Shania Nez, Saharra Nez, Shantoria Nez, Shanquia Nez, Ivan Nez, Elias Nez and Evan Nez; and great-grandchildren, Damien S. Toddy and Rhiannon M. Toddy.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her father, John Smith; mother, Minnie White Smith; brother, Chester White; sisters, Helen Smith, Alice Poolheco, Betty Yazzie and Nora Gruber; and great-granddaughters, Celestial Ata Ximena Bei Toddy and Amara Notah.
Pallbearers will be Ethan Toddy, Ian Sanchez, Keith Toddy, Rhyan Toddy, Antony Notah and Michael Montoya.
Honorary pallbearers will be Irvin Nez, Valerie Nez, Erwin Nez, Robert Gray Jr., Ronnie Gray and Frankie Robertson.
A reception will take place at the Joshua Generation for Jesus in Gallup, following services.
Green Meadows Funeral Home oversaw arrangements.
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