1935
Melvin Tony
2024
Melvin Tony
March 17, 1935 — May 26, 2024
Crownpoint, New Mexico
Melvin Tony, 89, of Crownpoint, NM, passed from this life on Sunday, May 26, 2024, in Gallup, New Mexico. Melvin was born on March 17, 1935, in Lake Valley, NM. He was of the Tse Nahabilnii clan, and born for the Kinyaa'aanii Clan.
In 1955, Melvin completed the Special Navajo Program developed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Intermountain High School in Brigham City, Utah. He then carried out a decades-long career as a cook/foreman at the Crownpoint Boarding School and also worked for the Navajo Nation after he retired from government service. He maintained cattle on his grazing permit in Lake Valley, NM. For a time, he was a Native American Church roadman, primarily conducting ceremony for his family.
Melvin Tony is survived by his spouse Frances P. Tony; stepchildren Tina Deschenie (Michael Thompson) and Valerie Vicenti; sisters Mary Curley and Elizabeth Yazzie; brothers Ben Willie Yazzie (Rita) and Ben Chee Yazzie (Melinda). He has numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents Dan and Bessie Yazzie, brother Chee Yazzie; and sister Ruby Tsinnaginnie.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 1:00pm. at Cope Memorial Chapel at 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington, NM 87401, interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6917 E Main St. Farmington, NM.
Melvin is in the care of Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington, New Mexico.
In 1955, Melvin completed the Special Navajo Program developed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Intermountain High School in Brigham City, Utah. He then carried out a decades-long career as a cook/foreman at the Crownpoint Boarding School and also worked for the Navajo Nation after he retired from government service. He maintained cattle on his grazing permit in Lake Valley, NM. For a time, he was a Native American Church roadman, primarily conducting ceremony for his family.
Melvin Tony is survived by his spouse Frances P. Tony; stepchildren Tina Deschenie (Michael Thompson) and Valerie Vicenti; sisters Mary Curley and Elizabeth Yazzie; brothers Ben Willie Yazzie (Rita) and Ben Chee Yazzie (Melinda). He has numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Melvin is preceded in death by his parents Dan and Bessie Yazzie, brother Chee Yazzie; and sister Ruby Tsinnaginnie.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 1:00pm. at Cope Memorial Chapel at 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington, NM 87401, interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 6917 E Main St. Farmington, NM.
Melvin is in the care of Cope Memorial Chapel in Farmington, New Mexico.
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