Obituaries
John Harris Yazzie Jr.

Funeral services for John Harris Yazzie, Jr., 62, who passed away Nov. 11 at Winslow Campus of Care, were held Nov. 16 at the Kayenta Bible Church followed by interment at Flagstaff Citizen Cemetery.

John was born in Tuba City on Jan. 23, 1943. His Maternal Clan was the Water Reed Clan, and his Paternal Clan was Tacheeni. He lived in Kayenta and was a retired lawyer who was an Indian Law Consultant specializing in Navajo law from 1968 to 1973.

He served in DNA Legal Aid Services and was an advocate who worked with Louis Denetsosie on an adoption case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning wrongful termination of parental rights involving the Laguna Tribal Courts.

He had three marriages, to Annie Walker from Sand Springs. He had two kids from the marriage, Vincent Yazzie and John Yazzie.

He divorce and married June Birdsong, and had one natural son from this marriage, Malcolm Yazzie, and two stepsons, Brian Tagaban, and Keith Tagaban.

Later he divorced June and married Lula Babbitt. He had two natural sons, Vernall Yazzie, Trevor Yazzie and a stepdaughter Meryl Yazzie. Meryl Yazzie has two grandkids, John Yazzie's only grandkids. He lived for his kids.

His natural father is deceased John Yazzie (a Navajo Codetalker) from Red Lake, N.M. His stepfather is Ned Benally from Kayenta. His mother is Lois Benally from Kayenta. His brothers are Ned Benally Jr, Lawson Benally, Tommy Benally, Mavis Benally, and Yvonne Benally, all of Kayenta.

Those wishing to make contributions can visit www.keyahhozhonitours.com/johnyazziefuneral.html

Desert Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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