Pastor Joe B. Yazzie, 73, of Kirtland, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 30, 2017, in Shiprock. He was born Dec. 18, 1943, in Burnham, N.M. to Bedonie and Alice B. Yazzie.
Joe attended Toadlena Boarding School in Toadlena, N.M. and Albuquerque Indian School in Albuquerque. Family was always important to him. After attending school in Albuquerque, he came back to Farmington and worked with his brother, Harry at a local trading post. At this time, he learned ranching and farming traits from his siblings. He met Nora in the late 1960's and later married in 1982, at the Desert View Indian Mission in Farmington. In October 1970, he started work for the Navajo Mine as a heavy equipment operator in Fruitland. At Navajo Mine, he learned welding and construction. He retired after 32 years with the mine. After retirement in 2002, he was able to spend more time with his wife, children, grandson and extended family. He also had the time to do handy work around the house and continue his hobby as welder. He was also able to fulfill the call on his life by God and move into full time ministry at Burnham Full Gospel Church, where his brothers had also been pastors. He was ordained by Jackson Yazzie at Burnham Full Gospel Church. His heart and passion came from teaching the Word of God. His testimony was based on Philippians 1. He encouraged all to forgive and love one another. He will be greatly missed by his congregation and community of Burnham.
Joe will always be remembered by his smile and words of encouragement. He was a great Man of God, Husband, Father, and Papa. He will truly be missed by family and friends that he positively influenced through his ministry, his time with the Burnham community, and his years at Navajo Mine. He will be especially missed by his nieces and nephews that knew him as Dad.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Bedonie and Alice B. Yazzie of Burnham, N.M.; his baby sister, Alice Yazzie of Burnham, N.M.; brothers, Archie, Thomas and Peter Yazzie of Burnham, N.M., Henry and Harry J. Yazzie of Farmington and Ray Yazzie Sr. of Fruitland. He is survived by his wife, Nora Yazzie of Kirtland; daughter, Shannon Yazzie and Grandson Jacob Chase of Kirtland; and son, Chris Yazzie of Kirtland.
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4 at the Desert View Funeral Home chapel, North U.S. Highway 491, in Shiprock. A home going celebration for Pastor Joe will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at Word of Life Christian Center, 1500 N. Fairview Ave. in Farmington. Interment will follow at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery, 59 Road 6575 in Kirtland. A reception will follow at Word of Life Christian Center.
Pallbearers are Duane Hoskie Sr., Patrick Yazzie, Marc Yazzie, Junior Yazzie, Melvyn Keeswood, Duane Hoskie Jr., Noah Lee and Aaron Begay. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Yazzie, Jacob Chase, Shannon Yazzie, Harold B. Yazzie, Rose Hoskie and Arnold Ellison.
Joe is in the care of Desert View Funeral Home, North U.S. Highway 491, in Shiprock, 505-368-4607.
Published in Farmington Daily Times from Aug. 1 to Aug. 13, 2017