My Final Goodbye


Johnson Yazzie Sr

GANADO — Services are pending for Johnson Yazzie Sr., 91.

Yazzie died Monday, May 3, 2010, in Gallup. He was born Sept. 18, 1918, in Ganado, into the Zuni Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Klizilani People Clan.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

From the Independent

Thank you Grandpa for telling me to stay with my daughter. Thank you for telling me she needed me, and thank you for letting me know that you understood why I couldn't be there to say goodbye. I wanted to be there, but with Sadie being young she wouldn't understand why Mommy was gone for even a few days. She is too young to understand death.

I miss the times we spent together when I was younger. You spoiling me, like any grandfather would do for their grandkids. You made me understand what a true grandfather really is.

Updated May 15, 2010

GANADO — Services for Johnson Yazzie Sr., 92, were 10 a.m. today, May 6, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Klagetoh. The Rev. Cormac Antram, OFM officiated. Burial were in Klagetoh. A rosary was recited 6 p.m., May 5, at All Saints Catholic Church, Ganado.

Yazzie died May 3, 2010, in Gallup. He was born Sept. 30, 1918, in Ganado, into the Zuni Red Running Into the Water People Clan for the Many Goats People Clan.

Yazzie attended BIA Boarding School, Fort Defiance, Ganado Mission High School, Northern Arizona University and College of Ganado. He was Ganado Chapter Councilman from 1972-1977, advocate for adolescent substance abuse prevention, traditional counselor, mentor and scholar.

Survivors include his sons, Ronald of Sacramento, Calif., Jon of Albuquerque, Marwin of Flagstaff, Michael of Phoenix; daughters, Gloria Cox of Gallup, Lynda Yazzie of Ganado, Marilyn Yazzie of Ganado; brother, Richard Yazzie of Ganado; sisters, Elizabeth Hubbard, Adele Yazzie of Ganado; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.
Yazzie was preceded in death by his wife, Blanche; brothers, Billy, Benson, Charles Yazzie; parents, Marie Pahe, Bert Yazzie.

Pallbearers were Michael Yazzie, Marwin Yazzie, James Cox, John Cox, Jonathan Yazzie, Waylon Benally, Joshua Yazzie-McLane.

The family received relatives and friends at Klagetoh Chapter, following services.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.