Appreciation Tribute to Edison
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Dear Family and Friends,
It is with heartache that I write to share the death of my uncle, Edison Joseph Begay on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. In paying tribute to the life of Ed, my family and I are asking for your assistance in meeting the expenses associated with his funeral. Your financial contribution will go directly to paying for mortuary costs and a gravesite service at our family plot in Birdsprings, Arizona. Our fundraising goal is $4,500.00.
I called my uncle, Ed, but many elders and extended family knew him as Edison. My uncle referred to himself as “High Rollin’ Ed”, which actually was a moniker that best described his exuberant larger than life character. He had an easy deep laugh and an engaging smile that he shared with those he felt most comfortable around.
Throughout his life Ed could be very animated and often had an attitude of fun and adventure. His sister, Rosita, often told this story: Ed always wanted a skateboard. Growing up in the 1960s in ‘Indian City’ in Winslow, Arizona there wasn’t always enough money for such an extravagance. ‘Sita as her family called her, had saved money to buy herself a pair of rollerskates. Ed snuck away the rollerskates from his sister, cut the leather boot from the sole, and hammered the skates to a board to make himself a skateboard. LOL. Sita was furious with her brother, and years later often joked with her nieces that she still had not forgiven him.
Ed loved to dance and was hired to entertain tourists through local dance groups performing the Eagle dance and Fancy Feather contemporary war dance. He was an artist in dance as he was an artist in sketching and traditional beadwork. His love of dance also extended to a love of music including many different genres from pow wow and traditional songs to disco and old school hip hop.
He was athletic throughout his life and held many championship titles for a variety of sports like handball and softball. He also was both a champion poker and billiards player. The cue sport of Snooker appealed to his sense of intelligent play and was a favored game. He loved western and action films, with his favorites being Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme movies.
His intelligence allowed for him to teach himself to both read and write in Navajo. After which he always encouraged people to teach themselves, the language was there for them. He would correct the grammar of his grandkids because he was an exceptional writer and a fastidious speller. Writing also lent to loving to read with Louis L’Amour being his favorite author.
His love of family was a testament to his genuine disposition of goodwill. He looked to protect his family and those he loved to the best of his ability. His sister, Anita, said of him, “he loved everybody, he never asked for anything, he always was thrilled and excited to hear about each of his grandkids.”
My uncle did live a long life of struggle, his life was never an easy one. He acknowledged his problems he had with alcohol addiction and lived in a prayerful manner to walk a road of sobriety. As his family we knew the sincerity he put into walking in beauty and it is with that sincere respect that we celebrate his life.
My uncle Edison was born to Carol Begay and Eddie C. Belin Sr. on May 13, 1955. He grew up in both Birdsprings and Winslow, Arizona. Shortly after his birth he was adopted by his grandmother, Ruthie Curley Slick who raised him as her son along with her husband, Aaron Long Slick Sr., both of Birdsprings. He was proceeded in death by his only child, his son, Dewayne Carlos Henderson of Fort Defiance, Arizona. Edison is survived by his sister, Anita Ryan of Flagstaff, Az and his brother, Aaron Long of Cottonwood, Arizona in addition to many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was taken from us unexpectedly when his heart suddenly gave out. He was gone very quickly and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Our family is comforted by the thought that his body knew it was his time to go from this life. It is our hope that his prayers are realized and that he is once again among family and will be eternally blessed in the company of the Creator and Great Spirit to whom he looked for guidance throughout his life.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, mask wearing and social distancing will be observed at the gravesite services.
Please contact Danita “Cookie” Ryan if you would like to contribute through Zelle at [phone redacted].
If you have any questions regarding the services honoring the life of Edison please call Danita.
With peace, love, and light I sincerely thank you for honoring the life of my Uncle Ed. He was always fun and laughed easily with those he loved dearly.
Thank you,
Danita
It is with heartache that I write to share the death of my uncle, Edison Joseph Begay on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. In paying tribute to the life of Ed, my family and I are asking for your assistance in meeting the expenses associated with his funeral. Your financial contribution will go directly to paying for mortuary costs and a gravesite service at our family plot in Birdsprings, Arizona. Our fundraising goal is $4,500.00.
I called my uncle, Ed, but many elders and extended family knew him as Edison. My uncle referred to himself as “High Rollin’ Ed”, which actually was a moniker that best described his exuberant larger than life character. He had an easy deep laugh and an engaging smile that he shared with those he felt most comfortable around.
Throughout his life Ed could be very animated and often had an attitude of fun and adventure. His sister, Rosita, often told this story: Ed always wanted a skateboard. Growing up in the 1960s in ‘Indian City’ in Winslow, Arizona there wasn’t always enough money for such an extravagance. ‘Sita as her family called her, had saved money to buy herself a pair of rollerskates. Ed snuck away the rollerskates from his sister, cut the leather boot from the sole, and hammered the skates to a board to make himself a skateboard. LOL. Sita was furious with her brother, and years later often joked with her nieces that she still had not forgiven him.
Ed loved to dance and was hired to entertain tourists through local dance groups performing the Eagle dance and Fancy Feather contemporary war dance. He was an artist in dance as he was an artist in sketching and traditional beadwork. His love of dance also extended to a love of music including many different genres from pow wow and traditional songs to disco and old school hip hop.
He was athletic throughout his life and held many championship titles for a variety of sports like handball and softball. He also was both a champion poker and billiards player. The cue sport of Snooker appealed to his sense of intelligent play and was a favored game. He loved western and action films, with his favorites being Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme movies.
His intelligence allowed for him to teach himself to both read and write in Navajo. After which he always encouraged people to teach themselves, the language was there for them. He would correct the grammar of his grandkids because he was an exceptional writer and a fastidious speller. Writing also lent to loving to read with Louis L’Amour being his favorite author.
His love of family was a testament to his genuine disposition of goodwill. He looked to protect his family and those he loved to the best of his ability. His sister, Anita, said of him, “he loved everybody, he never asked for anything, he always was thrilled and excited to hear about each of his grandkids.”
My uncle did live a long life of struggle, his life was never an easy one. He acknowledged his problems he had with alcohol addiction and lived in a prayerful manner to walk a road of sobriety. As his family we knew the sincerity he put into walking in beauty and it is with that sincere respect that we celebrate his life.
My uncle Edison was born to Carol Begay and Eddie C. Belin Sr. on May 13, 1955. He grew up in both Birdsprings and Winslow, Arizona. Shortly after his birth he was adopted by his grandmother, Ruthie Curley Slick who raised him as her son along with her husband, Aaron Long Slick Sr., both of Birdsprings. He was proceeded in death by his only child, his son, Dewayne Carlos Henderson of Fort Defiance, Arizona. Edison is survived by his sister, Anita Ryan of Flagstaff, Az and his brother, Aaron Long of Cottonwood, Arizona in addition to many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was taken from us unexpectedly when his heart suddenly gave out. He was gone very quickly and all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Our family is comforted by the thought that his body knew it was his time to go from this life. It is our hope that his prayers are realized and that he is once again among family and will be eternally blessed in the company of the Creator and Great Spirit to whom he looked for guidance throughout his life.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, mask wearing and social distancing will be observed at the gravesite services.
Please contact Danita “Cookie” Ryan if you would like to contribute through Zelle at [phone redacted].
If you have any questions regarding the services honoring the life of Edison please call Danita.
With peace, love, and light I sincerely thank you for honoring the life of my Uncle Ed. He was always fun and laughed easily with those he loved dearly.
Thank you,
Danita
Organizer
Danita Ryan
Organizer
Flagstaff, AZ