Kayenta is located on the Navajo Nation in the northeastern part of Arizona and is typically described as a rural, American Indian community, home to over 5,000 residents, mostly Diné. Childhood friends of mine, Amanda Thomas and Michele Thomas- Landovazo, grew up in this community. As sisters, they were raised by their parents LaVon and Beverly Thomas. Over the years, they welcomed siblings, Dawn Begay, Andrea Thomas-Fuller, Matthew Thomas and also grandchildren to this home. 
There were some indelible truths that I admired about LaVon...I loved his jovial nature, his ever smiling presence, his taste of music, his love for the game of pool, and the latest that I discovered...his love for the Packers! I also understood that LaVon was a Veteran of the US Army. Mr.Thomas suffered a hearing disability after a tour in Vietnam but not once was that a deterent in his life.
On March 13th, 2015, I learned of some tragic news, a bludgeon to this family. The Thomas family lost the patriarch of the family, LaVon, to a house fire.
By the grace of the divine, their mother, Beverly's life was sparred. She escaped the fire with just the clothes on her back.
But can you imagine losing a loved one and a home filled with a lifetime of memories on the same night? I can't. This is why my heart aches. All that I can think to do is call on anyone who is kind-hearted or displays reverence for the Thomas family and ask that they give some part of themselves...monetarily. The family is seeking donations to help with funeral expenses and to help the Thomas family rebuild on this now arduous journey in their lives.
The family has established a memorial fund with Wells Fargo Bank: The LeVon Thomas Memorial Fund #3325582793
Services for Mr. LaVon Thomas will be held March 20, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the morning at Christ's Church 3475 E. Soliere in Flagstaff, AZ. Burial will occur at Citizen's Cemetary (Veteran's section); reception will follow at Christ's Church.
There were some indelible truths that I admired about LaVon...I loved his jovial nature, his ever smiling presence, his taste of music, his love for the game of pool, and the latest that I discovered...his love for the Packers! I also understood that LaVon was a Veteran of the US Army. Mr.Thomas suffered a hearing disability after a tour in Vietnam but not once was that a deterent in his life.
On March 13th, 2015, I learned of some tragic news, a bludgeon to this family. The Thomas family lost the patriarch of the family, LaVon, to a house fire.
By the grace of the divine, their mother, Beverly's life was sparred. She escaped the fire with just the clothes on her back.
But can you imagine losing a loved one and a home filled with a lifetime of memories on the same night? I can't. This is why my heart aches. All that I can think to do is call on anyone who is kind-hearted or displays reverence for the Thomas family and ask that they give some part of themselves...monetarily. The family is seeking donations to help with funeral expenses and to help the Thomas family rebuild on this now arduous journey in their lives.
The family has established a memorial fund with Wells Fargo Bank: The LeVon Thomas Memorial Fund #3325582793
Services for Mr. LaVon Thomas will be held March 20, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the morning at Christ's Church 3475 E. Soliere in Flagstaff, AZ. Burial will occur at Citizen's Cemetary (Veteran's section); reception will follow at Christ's Church.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amanda Thomas
Beneficiary