Obituaries for Jan. 29, 2015

Flemen Bryan Nave

TSAILE/WHEATFIELDS, Ariz. – Flemen Bryan Nave, 74, passed away Jan. 22.

Flemen was born April 28, 1941, to Ethel and Noah Nave. He was born in a little white house on the corner of Main Street and Old Lake Road in Hominy, Okla. His mother died in a tragic automobile accident when he was in high school and he grew up as an only child surrounded by the love and support of his extended Morgan, Prater, and Taylor families.

After graduating from Hominy High School in 1959, Flemen first attended East Central College in Edmond, Okla., where he worked part time as an elevator operator. After transferring to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., Flemen received his bachelor’s degree in education. His father, Noah, beamed with pride and often shared the story of how his son was recruited right out of college to teach on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Navajo, N.M.

Flemen began his teaching career working for the first public school in Navajo. He immediately became active in his community, including serving as Cub Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America. It is also here where he met the Litson Kiiyaaani girls who attended the school. Their eldest sister caught his eye and after a modest courtship, Flemen and Lettie married June 5, 1965, at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Navajo. Flemen and Lettie were proudly married for 49.5 years. They raised three daughters Kay, Becky and Vi, and one son Seymour in Fort Defiance, as well as Canyon de Chelly, Ariz.

Flemen began teaching for the Window Rock Unified School District in 1969. Along with being an educator, Nave was a coach, Indian Club Sponsor, Lion’s Club member, and, along with his best friend, the late Joe Droll, organized a youth flag football league and wresting program for the community, which still exist today.

Flemen believed in supporting the rights and equal pay for teachers, which led to his involvement in the Arizona Education Association, of which he was highlighted in the February 1988 monthly magazine, NEA Today.

Flemen retired from teaching in 2000. He spent his time in Canyon de Chelly, travelling, visiting friends and family, and trying to hit the big jackpot at the various casinos throughout Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Most notably in his retirement, Flemen was an active member of the Tsaile/Wheatfields Senior Center. He organized fundraisers, was their regular bingo caller, and assisted in clearing the tables after lunch and doing dishes, which earned him the nicknamed “No. 1 In-Law.”

In 2005, Flemen discovered he had a half-sister, Gail Harnage Ward. He was proud to meet his younger sister, an accomplished barrel racer and Oklahoma cowgirl. Every chance he could, he spent time with her and her husband Rick.

Flemen is survived by his wife Lettie; children, Kay (Cletis) Mark, Rebecca (Ricardo) Cling, and Viola (Darwin) St. Clair; and 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Nick Dimitriou

GALLUP — Funeral services for Nick Dimitriou, a longtime Window Rock business owner and former purchasing director for the Navajo Nation, will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church (1800 Redrock Drive) in Gallup. A graveside service will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Gallup.

Nick was born Nicholas Nicholson Dimitriou in Toronto, Ontario, to Chris and Olga Dimitriou, immigrants from Macedonia and Bulgaria. He passed away peacefully in his family home in Prewitt, N.M., on Jan. 27, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 82 years old.

Nick graduated from Jarvis Collegiate High School at the age of 16. He later went on to work for one of Canada’s largest corporations, Canadian Tire, where he became vice president.

Originally from Canada, Nick met the former Flora Martinez in California in 1967, and they were married in a traditional Navajo wedding in the presence of Flora’s family in Prewitt one year later. He even followed tradition by riding to the ceremony on a horseÑthe first horseback ride of his life.

After corporate jobs in Oakland, Calif., Nick moved the family in 1972 to Window Rock to be closer to Flora’s Navajo roots, and began working for the Navajo Nation, eventually becoming the tribe’s purchasing director. In subsequent years, Nick worked for the large Gulf Oil uranium mine near Grants, N.M., as their director of purchasing.

Around 1976, Nick began construction on a large, modern, three-bedroom hogan in Prewitt that would become the family home, and the namesake for Hogan Tso Enterprises, an award-winning building and equipment supply company that the Dimitrious opened in Window Rock in 1982. The business later evolved into HTE Realty, which today continues to manage commercial office space in Window Rock.

Befitting a man of his intelligence and worldly knowledge, Nick spoke seven languages, including Macedonian, Bulgarian, French and English, and some Russian and Latin. He rarely let on, but those close to Nick knew that he also understood almost everything spoken in Navajo, and could speak it fairly well, too.

Friends and colleagues will remember Nick as a determined and intense man who approached every obstacle not as a difficulty, but rather as an opportunity.

Nick is survived by his wife Flora; daughters, Patty and Christina; son, David; and sister, Lencha.

Arrangements by Cope Memorial Chapel of Gallup.

Althea Rose Yazzie

SANDERS, Ariz. – Funeral services for Althea Rose Yazzie, 68, will be held Friday, Jan. 30, at 11 a.m. at the Living Waters Baptist Church in Sanders, Ariz. Visitation will be held prior to service at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the McCarrell Cemetery in Chambers, Ariz.

Althea was born April 18, 1946, in Ganado, Ariz., to Guy Morgan Hubbard Sr. and Ruth Cecilia Becenti Hubbard.?? She died Jan. 24, 2015, at the Flagstaff Medical Center in Flagstaff.

Althea was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to everyone she knew and met. She especially loved her grandchildren and would do anything for them to see that they were happy. Her favorite thing was to travel to Hawaii to see her grandchildren that live there.

Althea is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bennie Yazzie; children, Floyd (Teela) Yazzie, Cheryl Yazzie and Bennie Yazzie Jr.; brothers, Wilford Hubbard and Cecil Hubbard; sister, Gloria Balentine; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Althea is preceded in death by her parents, a son and a brother.

Services are handled by Owens Livingston Mortuary-Holbrook.

For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign the online guest book, visit www.owenslivingstonmortuary.

Leon Mihio Grant

CHINLE — Funeral services for Leon Mihio Grant, 90, were held Jan. 24 at the Chinle Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at the family land in Chinle.

Leon was born May 10, 1924, into the Tapa (Deer) Nation, born for Omaha Indian Nation. He passed away in Decatur, Neb.

Leon graduated from Phoenix College in 1956 and was inducted into the Phoenix College Hall of Fame in 2013. As founder of the Phoenix Indian Center he received the Distinguished Achievement Award. He was also the founding father of the All Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Leon is survived by his son, Mark G. Grant; daughters, Joy G. Manus, Gloria Grant, Ruth (Edison) Bitsui, and Louise Goldtooth Grant; brother, Alden Grant; and sister, Vera Sheridan.

Leon is preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia G. Grant; parents, Harry and Suzie Grant; and sisters, Hermine Blackbird, Beulah G. Saunsoci and Mary Grant.

Pallbearers were Mihio Manus, Isaac Grant, Jeremiah Bitsui, Tatanka Means, Nataanii Nez Means, and Bosco Sheridan.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Marvin Paul Clark

CHURCH ROCK, N.M. – Graveside service for Marvin Paul Clark, 65, a resident of Church Rock, N.M., will be held Friday, Jan. 30, at 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Marvin, formerly of Crystal, N.M., was born Aug. 1, 1949, to Frank and Pauline (Parker) Clark. He passed away Jan. 18, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Daniels Family Funeral Services-Alameda Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Tillie Selago Begay

TUBA CITY — Funeral services for Tillie Selago Begay, 96, of Tuba City, will be held today, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Tuba City, with Cheryl Singer officiating. Burial will follow at the Coalmine Mesa Cemetery.

Tillie was born in Forest Lake, Ariz., into the Dzilt’aadi (Near the Mountain Clan), born for Tl’izi lani (Many Goats Clan). She died Jan. 24, 2015, in Flagstaff.

Tillie was employed under the Comprehensive Employment Training Act Program at Coalmine Mesa Chapter House from 1979 to 1980. She was also a homemaker and foster grandparent at Kinlichee School. She enjoyed weaving Navajo rugs and was skilled at weaving ceremonial baskets and pottery.

Tillie is survived by her sons, Henry George Begay of Page, Ariz., Harry James Begay of Steamboat, Ariz., Hoskie Begay of Steamboat, Jeremiah LaMesa of Flagstaff, Leander Begay of Flagstaff, and Phillip Begay of Fort Defiance; daughters, Debbie Yazzie of Tuba City, Helen M. Yazzie of Page, and Selena B. Curley of Ganado, Ariz.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tillie is preceded in death by her husband, Sagane Begay; daughters, Bessie Keyonnie and Anne Begay; and sons, Jack Begay and Leonard Begay.

Pallbearers will be Tillie’s grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers will be Henry George Begay, Harry James Begay, Hoskie Begay, Jeremiah LaMesa, Leander Begay, Phillip Begay, and Troy A. Yazzie.

A reception will take place at the First Baptist Church following services.

Valley Ridge Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Gregory Paul Money

GALLUP — Funeral services for Gregory Paul Money, 56, will be held Friday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m. at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup.

Gregory was born Oct. 30, 1958, in Gallup. He died Jan. 25, 2015, in Albuquerque.

Gregory graduated from Gallup High School and attended Northern Arizona University.

Gregory is survived by his wife, Nellie A. Money; children, Sheena Money, Teena Jones, Shantel Money, Tenneca Money, and Jurnye Money; and grandchildren, Evyn Money, Eyv Money and Willis Richard Jones Jr.

Gregory is preceded in death by Eric Arviso, Ethel Patterson, Alex Money, and Leon Jameson.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Jack Tsosie

CHINLE — Funeral services for Jack Tsosie, 83, of Chinle, will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. at the Black Mountain Mission Church with Daniel Smiley officiating.

Jack was born July 1, 1931, in Chinle, into the Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Tsénjikini (Honey Combed Rock People Clan). He died Jan. 25, 2015, in Salina Springs, Ariz.

Jack’s education was self-taught. He retired as a railroad worker and enjoyed ranching and carpentry.

Jack is survived by his brother, Jimmie Tsosie; and sisters, Marlene T. Martinez and Joan R. Tsosie.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Chischilly and Ason Tullie Tsosie.

A reception will take place at Cottonwood Chapter House following services.

Silver Creek Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Neva B. Yazzie

GREASEWOOD SPRINGS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Neva B. Yazzie, 94, of Greasewood, Ariz., were held Jan. 23 at Our Lady of the Rosary in Greasewood Springs, Ariz., with Brother Paul officiating. Interment and a reception followed in Greasewood Springs.

Neva was born March 24, 1920, in Whitecone, Ariz., into the Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). She died Jan. 20, 2015, in Show Low, Ariz.

Neva attended a placement program for school in the 1930s in Valentine, Ariz. She was a Navajo rug weaver, waitress, cashier, and babysitter for friends and relatives. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, bible study, storytelling, spending time with family, reading books, and weaving rugs.

Neva is survived by her brothers, Joe David and Johnny Waggoner.

Neva is preceded in death by her father, John Wagon; and sisters, Mae King and Alice Chee Singer.

Pallbearers were Julius Curtis, John Begay, Johnavan Wagoner, Malcolm Begay, Manuel Baca, and Robby David.

Honorary pallbearers were Nathan David and Tyler Chavez.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.