Funds to help the Dean Yazzie family with bills.

UPDATE:

********Thank you friends, coworkers & family for your donations and support for my dear husband, Dean. We truly miss him and will cherish his memories forever. We Love You Honey, Always & forever! ******

Posted Wednesday, June 14th, 2023

Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2023

HELLO FRIENDS OF DEAN YAZZIE.

DEAN PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING AT 11:08 AM SURROUNDED BY HIS WIFE AND FAMILY AND EXTENDED FAMILY. DEAN IS NOW WITH HIS ANCESTORS AND IN NO MORE PAIN. HE FOUGHT A GALANT FIGHT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE CANCER.

Please make a donation to Dean’s family by going to the GOFUNDME.COM site and enter Dean Yazzie in the search button, or by using the ZELLE APP that most banks use. The telephone number to use is [phone redacted]. Or call this number that his wife monitors if you wish to donate in person or send a check or card. The mailing address is Thyrza Yazzie, 13220 S. 48th Street, Apt. 1055 Phoenix, Az. 85044

Please post your name, especially if you make a donation. Thank you and please keep the DEAN YAZZIE family in your prayers.

You may TEXT Dean's wife, Thyrza at [phone redacted] or me at [phone redacted] if you need further information. Please text.

Shared from Loren Tapahe, February 13, 2023

Hello family and relatives. Loren Tapahe here, writing to you from the family home of Dean Yazzie, my dear friend and yours.

Dean has been living in Phoenix for the past 26 years with his wife, Thyrza and their daughter, Demetria and son, Deshawn.

Dean has been through two life-threatening conditions. Two years ago, Dean underwent immediate surgery for a stroke. He began to improve soon after the surgery but doctors found cancer during his recovery period in a routine follow-up exam.

Dean has been battling the cancer for the past 20 months. Presently, he is homebound, unable to walk. He sleeps in a hospital bed and his wife and son tend to his needs. Occasionally, he is able to go on short trips to extended family birthdays.

Dean is not giving up. He has a positive attitude that he will walk again.

Early in life, Dean would go to Rock Point and Sweetwater during the summers to help herd sheep and tend to the cattle, many times barefoot. He remembers those times well, he says, because grandpa would always scold him for wearing no shoes. “There’s a lot of cactus out there, so wear your shoes,” his grandpa would say.

Dean grew up in the Window Rock area and graduated from Window Rock High School in 1982. He is an avid Scout fan and follows their football and basketball games. He watched on TV the 3A North Conference Tournament. Dean was also in the band in high school and played the guitar.

Dean learned to play the guitar at an early age, 9 years old. Dean used to sneak into his brother’s room and fiddle with his guitar. From that time forward, Dean fell in love with guitar playing and it has been a major part in his life.

He was a member of the band with his friends in high school, called “Spade” and they played hard rock music. Two of the original songs from that band, “Rock Me, Love Me,” and “Searching for Love,” both songs can be found on YouTube. Dean is a hard rock music star.

After high school, Dean attended Al Collins Graphic Design School and graduated with an Associate Degree in Applied Arts in 2000. He had a 3.83 grade point average, while working full time supporting his growing family.

Soon after graduation from Al Collins, he found work at Arizona State University as a technical analyst at the university technology office. A job he held for 22 years until his cancer condition prevented him from working.

In the past twenty years while living in the Phoenix area, Dean has played hundreds of times for community events or groups and many times his pay was dinner or gas money. He didn’t worry about pay, because he loves to play.

Dean has played with the valley iconic band Clan/Destine at times when they needed a fill-in guitar player. Dean was always ready to play. He would carry one or two guitars in his car waiting for the next gig.

In the past 16 years, Dean played with his close friend Randy Kemp under the name, Artificial Red. The duo would play often at ASU Native events and at the annual Christmas event held in Mesa, an event that I would organize for the Native community.

Writing this story about Dean, is for me to give back to Dean and his family for his guitar playing, not only at my event but at the, literally hundreds of times he played for the community for free.

Those who have had similar experiences with a family member battling cancer, know that finances are hit hard. Not only is Dean’s income affected but his wife's as well. She left her job to stay with her loving husband to tend to his needs.

I ask you that it’s time we remember individuals such as Dean who unselfishly gave his heart and soul to his community through his music.

Dean and his family appreciate those that have come to his aid and to his bedside to pray for him. Additionally, the family will appreciate those that can give whatever amount to help.

You can also make a donation to Dean’s family by using the ZELLE app that most banks use. The telephone number is [phone redacted].

Please post your name, especially if you make a donation. I thank you and the Dean Yazzie family thanks you. Please keep Dean in your prayers.

***We like to thank Reyes Mori $100, Tony Kahn $50, Mark (MLB)$500 & Mark Graham $20. For your Donations! *****