Arnold Jackson Ahkeah

Arnie Ahkeah passed peacefully away on a beautiful sunny day on Friday, May 3, 2024 surrounded by his family and friends at St Marys Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.  He has been a long time resident of Grand Junction, Colorado.  He was born on February 24, 1947 to Willie and Eula Akheah in Rico, Colorado.  He was a member of the Dine Navajo Nation.   He first clan was Nihoobaanii (Gray Steaked Ends Clan); born for Todich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan); Maternal clan, Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People Clan), and his paternal clan, Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water Clan).

Arnie served in the military, he was an aircraft mechanic. He was a member of the Airforce for eight years.  Served in the Vietnam War. Stationed at Colorado Springs, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico and London, England.  He graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango.  Pursued a career with the State of Colorado for over 30 years and retired from the state.  He worked as an Employment Specialist and loved helping others.  He loved attending various music festivals such as Country Jam, hunting, making great chili and barbequing. He was a member of the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. He loved his extended family very much, he maintained close contact with his nieces and nephews, he loved them as if they were his children. He loved his pets, they will all miss him dearly. He was also an avid fan of the Denver Broncos.  He will be remembered for his kindness by everyone.

Arnie is survived by his sons, William Ahkeah and Calvin Ahkeah, both of Grand Junction, Colorado.   Wife, Shirley Burns of Clifton, Colorado for the last 25 years.  Ex-wife and mother of his children, Rosalie Ahkeah of Grand Junction. Arnie and Rosalie were married for 32 years.  Honorary daughters:  Raine “Bonnie” Cooper (Chris) of Grand Junction; Doreen Harvey (Erik) of Grand Junction; Taysia Burns Ereon (Cody) and their children Calliope and Atreus of Clifton; and Tamara Burns (Chris Hodges) and their daughter Katherine Hodges of Grand Junction.

Surviving siblings include Roger Ahkeah of Shiprock, New Mexico and Arlene Lee of Shiprock, New Mexico.

Arnie is preceded in death by his parents Willie and Eula Ahkeah; sisters Mary Ann Yazzie and Rita Cornfield; brothers, David Scott, Donald Ahkeah, Curtis Scott, Wallace Ahkeah and Sammie Ahkeah.

Services will be held on Monday, May 20th at 10am at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3133 F (Patterson) Road, Grand Jct, CO 81504.  Interment will be held at 1pm at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Pkwy, Grand Jct.  Reception will be held at 2pm at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation for the immediate families of Arnie.