YAZZIE, Sgt. Clifton (Smurf) (Tigger)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/31/2006 Sgt. Clifton "Smurf" Yazzie, 23, of Fruitland, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, while serving his second tour of duty with the 327th Infantry 101st Airborne in Iraq. Clifton was born Feb. 20, 1982, in Farmington, to Clifford "C.Y." and Jeanette Yazzie of Fruitland. He was a member of the Mud Clan and was born for the Zuni Clan. His maternal grandfather was of the Red Running into the Water and his paternal grandfather was of the Salt Clan. He was a 2001 graduate of Kirtland Central High School and participated on the 2001 Boys Basketball State Championship team. Clifton enlisted into the military in Nov. 2001, and completed basic training in April 2002, at Fort Benning, Ga. He re-enlisted in July 2005, and was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., before being deployed to Iraq on his second tour in September 2005. Clifton was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jay Yazzie Sr.; maternal grandparents, Charles and Rena Bekis; grandfather, Jones Johnson; aunt, Lorene C. Lee; uncles, SP4 Chee Bedonie Jr. and SP5 Johnny Arthur; and cousins, Beau and Blayne Bekise. Clifton is survived by wife, Michelle; daughter, Chynitta and son, Cayden all of Hogback; parents, Clifford "C.Y." and Jeanette Yazzie of Fruitland; brothers, Clinton Yazzie of Fruitland, Rawn Arthur and wife, Michelle, of Shiprock, and Shannon Bedonie of Phoenix; sisters, Rhea Bedonie of Fruitland, and Angelita and Kelly Clark of Shiprock; niece, Jaelyn Clichee; nephews, Brayden Arthur, Jakob Clichee and Justin Lane Yazzie; great-grandmother, Alice Barber; grandmother, Jessie Johnson; godparents, Gary and Angie Clark; in-laws, Craig and Marlene Peterson; grandmother-in-law, Irene Foutz Tso; and numerous other uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Farmington Civic Center. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery with full military honors. A special account has been set up at Four Corners Credit Union in Kirtland under the name of Clifton "Tigger" Yazzie. Arrangements for Clifton are with Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, (505) 325-8688; www.brewerleelarkin.com.