Death

Benjamin Tom

TO'HAJIILEE — Funeral services for Benjamin Tom, 49 will be at 9 a.m., Thursday, February 2, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup. Very Rev. Lawrence J. O'Keefe will officiate. Burial will be at the St. Michael's community cemetary in St. Michaels. Visitation will be today from 6 to 9 p.m. A rosary will be at Cope Memorial Chapel.

Tom died on Jan. 26 in To'hajiilee. He was born January 10, 1957 in Rehoboth into the One Who Walks Around Clan for the Bitterwater People Clan. Tom attended school at Washington Elementary, Gallup Jr. High and graduated from Gallup High School in 1976. He also graduated from Arizona Auto Institute in 1977. In 1980, Tom decided to enter the Navajo Police Academy, he dedicated his years to the Navajo Nation Police Department for 26 years. He enjoyed playing basketball, volleyball, softball, playing cards, target shooting, drawing, and telling jokes.

Survivors include his wife Irene Castillo of To'hajiilee; sons, Mark Tom of Laguna, Brandon Lee of Gallup, Derek Lee of To'hajiilee and Michael Charles Tom of Washington DC; daughters, Melissa R. Tom and Briana R. Tom, both of To'hajiilee, Josephine Todachine of Gallup; mother Bernice C. Pinto; sisters, Marie Morgan of Gallup, Betty Rohrer, Christine Tom, Darlene Tom all of Albuquerque, and Nancy Martin of Houck, Ariz.; four grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his father Robert Wallace Tom; brother, Michael C. Tom; sister, Sylvia Tom; grandparents, Joe and Bertha Chester.

Pallbearers will be Sgt. Henry Moore, Raymie Hurley, James Dan Jr., Cecil Abeyta, Leland Tom, Chief Francis E. Bradley Sr., and the Hualapai Nation.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the Utility Hall in St. Michaels.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.