On June 21st, 2020 at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Deal breathed his last breath.
Johnson Deal Begay Jr. was the current Cocopah Vice-Chairman of the tribe, going on his third term which ranged from 2014 – present. The Cocopah Tribe will greatly miss his leadership and loyalty as their Vice President.
He is survived by his wife, Verene Begay, and two sons, Jesse-Manuel Canedo Begay and D’Coby Elias Begay. Also survived by his mother, Barbara Begay and 8 siblings: Sandra Silversmith, Violet Begay, Samuel Begay, Verlie Swanigan, Benji Begay, Terry Begay, Robert Begay and Leitha Foster.
Services will be Tuesday, July 14th, 2020 at Johnson Mortuary & Desert Lawn Memorial Park at 1415 S. First Ave. Yuma, AZ. 85364. The viewing for anyone who wants to pay their respects will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. From 3:00 to 4:30 pm will be the service for family and friends only due to the Covid-19 restrictions. After the service we will have a procession to visit all the entities and reservations the Cocopah Indian Tribe own for one last farewell for my father, the Vice-Chairman of the Cocopah Indian Tribe. We’ll end it at the West Cocopah Indian Tribe Reservation, 14540 S. Veterans Dr. Yuma, AZ. 85350 for the Traditional portion of the service.
