Justus Ryne Benally

Justus Ryne Benally was born in Casa Grande, Arizona, on July 4, 1994, to Philson Kee Benally Jr. and Tonya Quintana Grizzle. He passed peacefully on May 19, 2026. He was a gifted contemporary artist, printmaker, and commercial plumber with a steadfast dedication to his craft. In his daily life, he carried the spirit of a warrior. He was a proud member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

He attended Maricopa High School and later graduated from Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Studio Arts degree. He was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society and was named a Top Student Artist SITE Santa Fe Scholar. His art is included in coursework at New York’s Vassar College.

He enjoyed travel and adventure, deer hunting, skateboarding, trains, Star Wars, vinyl music, and sustainable gardening. He believed in advocating for what was right. He was kind, thoughtful, and carried wisdom beyond his years. He was connected to his beliefs and his Apache roots.

Beneath his infectious laugh and offbeat sense of humor was a compassionate soul with the best of intentions. He wished for peace with those he cared about.

He cherished his children, nieces, and nephews dearly. If there are words of wisdom to impart, they would be his own:

“In order to understand what you do not know or comprehend, you must become it.”

— Justus Benally

He will be remembered for his artistic vision, the lives he influenced and the legacy of his American Indigenous spirit.

He is survived by his son, Eiza Manuel Benally; daughter, Eliza Rayne Benally; mother, Tonya Quintana Grizzle; stepfather, Harry Grizzle III; stepmother, Rosie Benally; grandfather, Manuel Quintana; brothers, Emmanuel Q. Benally ( Alyssa) Philson Kee Benally III, Harry Grizzle IV (Chelsea) and Isaiah Wesley; sisters, Brianna Grizzle Smith ( Steven) and Tylee Benally; Sandiin Mitchell (Ryan) and Aunties: Ashley Tyrner-Dolce ( Jim), Tara Quintana, Teres Quintana and many loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his adoring father, Philson Kee Benally Jr.; grandfathers, Philson Kee Benally Sr. and Harry Eldon Grizzle Jr.; grandmothers, Faith Quintana and Geraldine Talgo; great-grandfather, Kee Benally; great-grandmothers, Rosalie Talgo and Loretta Benally; aunt Donna Benally; and brother/best friend, Kevin Domingo:sister Nicole Preston.

“My work is not about painting Indians with headdresses or Indians on horseback. I am viewing the truth of history as it continues to have an impact on the communities I come from.”

— Justus Benally

“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

— Psalm 121:

A visitation will be held at J. Warren Funeral Services Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, 525 N. Peart Rd., Casa Grande, AZ 85122, US, on June 5, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by a religious ceremony at the same location on June 5, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.