Jasper Littletree

Jasper Littletree, Kinyaa'áanii nili, Ta'neeszahnii yashchiin, Táchii'nii bicheii, Tódich'ii'nii binalí, passed from this earth on Monday October 16, 2023, at the home he built with his family in Kirtland, NM. He will be remembered for his creativity, sense of humor, and his love for family.

Born and raised in the area of Tiis Tsoh Sikaad (Burnham, NM), his exact birth date was unknown. His family celebrated his birthday on April 25, but officially, he picked January 25, 1938, for his birth certificate.

He attended Shiprock Boarding School and graduated from Rehoboth Mission High School in 1961. Jasper was drafted into the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1964. Jasper married Carol "Pigeon" Posey from the Eastern Shoshone tribe on April 29, 1966, in Redwood City, CA. After living in California, Utah and Wyoming, Jasper and Carol eventually settled in Kirtland, New Mexico in the mid-1970s where they raised their family. Jasper changed his last name from Yazzie to Littletree in 1972 in order to honor his nali (paternal grandfather), Hastiin T'iis Yazhi.

Jasper worked as an electrician and retired from the Four Corners Power Plant in 2001. He spent his retired years creating art, taking care of family, reading nonfiction books, tending to his animals, taking classes at San Juan College, and building his home. He was an active participant of the Bonnie Dallas Senior Center in Farmington, NM.

Jasper is preceded in death by his parents Louie Dix Yazzie and Matilda Yazzie, and siblings Sampson T. Yazzie, Rachel Stevenson, Wilford T. Yazzie, and Frankie T. Yazzie. He is survived by his wife Carol Littletree and children Karen Romancito, Kenny Littletree, Shawn Littletree, Wendy Littletree, and Sandy Littletree. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law Yolanda Benally and Leona Littletree, and sons-in-law Aaron Pino and Joe Seymour, Jr. Jasper Littletree was a loving grandfather to Kyle Aaron Hoskins, Chyna Karessa Quintana, Amber Shundiin Toddy, Sonny Smith, Curtis Ryan Littletree, Dustin Phillip Littletree, Evan Jacob Littletree, Arian Littletree Pino, Sage Eva Pino, M'iitra James Pino, Kimiko Dezbah Littletree, Kori Josiah Littletree, and Yseñia Bahozho Littletree.

A viewing will be held on Friday October 20, 2023, from 3-5pm at the Farmington Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 21, 2023, at 10am at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Kirtland, NM, with a reception to follow.

The family would like to thank Basin Hospice for caring for Jasper Littletree since June 2023.