Obituaries for March 17, 2017

Officer Houston James Largo

REHOBOTH, N.M. — Funeral services for Officer Houston James Largo, 27, will be held today, March 16, in Rehoboth. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Gallup.

Officer Largo was born July 28, 1989, in Gallup, into the Áshiihi (Salt People Clan), born for Kiyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan). His nali is Tl’ógi (Weaver-Zia); chei is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). He died March 12, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Officer Largo attended Thoreau High School and the University of New Mexico. He was employed with the Gallup Police Department and received City Officer of the Year in 2011. He was also employed with the Navajo Nation Police Department and received the Lifesaving Award and 2016 Indian Country Officer of the Year. He received many other distinguishable awards as a law enforcement officer.

Officer Largo is survived by his mother, Maggie Charley; father, Albert Largo; sister, Tamarra Largo; and brothers, Alvin Largo and Roland Largo.

Officer Largo is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Fannie C. Smith; nephew, Alvin Largo Jr.; paternal grandparents, Grace and Tony Vandever; and paternal grandfather, James Largo Sr.

Pallbearers will be Sgt. Custer Bryant, Christopher Sloan, Joel Lueppe, Rory Knight, Jeremy Shirley, Steven Peshlakai, Shane Bennett, and Elreno Henio.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Alex Lewis

FARMINGTON — A public viewing for Alex Lewis, 88, of Hogback, N.M., was held March 10 at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington, followed by a private family burial. A public memorial and reception took place March 11 at the Calvary Chapel in Farmington.

Alex was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Hogback, to Edith Lapahie and H.B. Lewis. He passed away March 3, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Alex graduated from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1949, qualified to be admitted as a pipefitter to the Southern California Pipe Trades and received an associate’s degree from Cerritos College in Norwalk, California.

In 1955, Alex married Amelia Charles and raised sons Keevin and Dan in Downey, California. Alex and Amelia supported several Native American Christian outreach ministries in southern California that touched so many different lives.

Alex continued his outreach by providing life lessons and Bible teachings to inmates of San Juan County Adult Detention Center in Farmington. From his personal ministry, Alex enabled many inmates with hope, peace, and encouragement to follow Jesus Christ and to lead better lives with their families and community.

Alex was known to always be active, enjoyed working on his farm, and traveling to visit family in Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

Alex is survived by his sons, Keevin and Dan; sister, Jane Lewis; and daughter-in-law, Jo Lynn Gentry; and granddaughter, Landry Alexis Lewis.

Alex is preceded in death by his wife, Amelia; and sister, Virginia Devore.

Donations may be made in memory of Alex Lewis to Chief Ministries at Chief, Inc., 1644 E. Campo Bello Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Alex’s care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home.

Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at serenityandcompany.com.

Jerry Williams

COALMINE CANYON, Ariz. — Graveside service for Jerry Williams, 58, of Tuba City, were held March 15 at the Coalmine community cemetery in Coalmine Canyon, Arizona, with Valley Ridge Mortuary officiating.

Jerry was born Jan. 30, 1959, in Tuba City, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tsé deeshgizhnii (Rock Gap Clan). He died March 3, 2017, in Black Mesa.

Jerry attended Tuba City High School and was self-employed. He was a self taught electrician, plumber, carpenter, ironworker, ranch hand, and maintenance at Linville’s Coin-Op Laundry in Kayenta. He made arts and crafts such as wood burn and baskets. He also enjoyed saddle bronc riding, bull riding, preparing ceremonial stirring sticks, and braiding.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Jason, Roedell and Thurstyn Williams; daughter, Latanya Williams; sisters, Anna Williams, Jean Horsen, Ella Wauneka, Diana Williams, LaDawn Yazzie, Selena Smith, Arlene Mitchell, and Caroline Morris; and three grandchildren.

Jerry is preceded in death by Harry Selaw Williams, Roger Williams, Jefferson Williams, and his parents, Grover and Zonnie Williams.

Valley Ridge Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Oscar E. Merrill

GALLUP — Funeral services for Oscar E. Merrill, 78, is scheduled Friday, March 17, at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. A rosary will be held today, March 16, at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 4:30 p.m. Burial will follow at the family plot on Skeets Road.

Oscar was born Feb. 19, 1939, in Two Wells, N.M., into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Tsenabahilnii (Sleep Rock People Clan). His nali is Dibélzhini (Black Sheep); chei is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House). He died March 13, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Oscar was an electrical contractor and owner of Merrill’s Electric. He dedicated his electrical services to the communities of the Navajo Nation and the Northern Pueblos. He shared knowledge of electrical wiring to his family and many became journeyman electricians. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and tending to his cows.

Oscar is survived by his wife, Maxine; children, Clarice Merrill, Cheryl Sanchez, Clorinda Merrill, Carol Persinger, and Oscar Merrill Jr.; sisters, Hasbah Benally, Helen Burbank, Mary Tomiche, Julia Haley, and Marilyn Towery; six stepsisters, three stepbrothers, 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Oscar is preceded in death by his father, Tom Chee Sr.; mother, Tanabah Benallie; stepmother, Marie Skeet; and brothers, Peter Chee and Jones Chee.

Pallbearers were Matt Blackmon, Richard Sanchez, Rudy Sanchez III, Ramon Sanchez, Renaissance Persinger, and Maurice Chee.

A reception will take place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Family Center following services.

Rollie Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Pat Smith

GALLUP — Funeral services for Pat Smith, 87, will be held today, March 16, at 10 a.m. at the Rollie Mortuary Chapel in Gallup. Burial will follow at the family plot at Charley’s residence in Lupton, Arizona.

Pat was born May 17, 1929, in Lupton, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Dibélzhini (Black Sheep Clan). Her nali is Naakai dine’é (Mexican); chei is Honágháahnii (One-walks-around). She died March 10, 2017, at the Gallup Indian Medical Center.

Pat is survived by his son, Benny Smith; and daughter, Patsy Myers.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Smith; and siblings, Roy Smith, Emma Smith, Leroy Smith, Mary Jane Charley, and Betty Smith Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Vitale Charley, Jeremy Crowe, Leonard Yazzie Jr., Perry Yazzie, Brian Charley, Skylar Yazzie, Frederick Yazzie, and Miguel Romero.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Laura Charles

RINCON MARQUIS, N.M. — Funeral services for Laura Charles, 82, of Whitehorse Lake, will be held Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at the Word of God Church in Rincon Marquis, with Cecil Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Rincon Marquis.

Laura was born Oct. 12, 1934, in Rincon Marquis, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle Clan). She died March 12, 2017, in Albuquerque.

Laura attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kansas, and was a nice down-to-earth caring person who believed in God.

Laura is survived by her son, Irvin Charley; daughter, Mae Chavez; brothers, Art and Johnny Chavez; sisters, Emma, Rena, Jennie, and Lina; and 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Laura is preceded in death by Ted Charley.

A reception will take place at the Word of God Church in Rincon, following services.

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

Mae Lucy Dennison

KLAGETOH, Ariz. — Funeral services for Mae Lucy Dennison, 84, of Klagetoh, were held March 14 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Klagetoh, with Brother Charles officiating. Interment followed at the Klagetoh community cemetery.

Mae was born July 22, 1933, in Klagetoh, into the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Tsénjikini (Cliff Dwellers People Clan). She died March 9, 2017, in Klagetoh.

Mae completed high school and received a college degree in education. She taught in Leupp, retiring in 1992. She enjoyed participating in song and dances.

Mae is survived by her husband, Lewis Dennison; sons, Jerome Dennison and Tyrone Dennison; brothers, Herman Tom and Albert Tom; sisters, Mary Yazzie, Carleta Tom and Lilly Redsteer; grandparents, Charlet Boyd and Astisan Tsezinmazi; and two grandchildren.

Mae is preceded in death by her father, Kee Tom; mother, Alkehasbah Tom; and brothers, Herbert Tom and Jonah Tom.

Pallbearer was Justin Dennison.

Silver Creek Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

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