John C Begay was born on October 16, 1941, in Coppermine, Az to Cecil and Susie Begay. He was the 7th of 11 children with 6 sisters and 3 brothers. He was raised in the Coppermine area with a summer home at Willow Springs near Tuba City junction. John spent his childhood working with livestock and working in the fields. He often traveled with his family to work in the fields of Utah and Arizona as a migrant worker.
John did not go to school until he was 12 years old. He was enrolled in the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Ut. In one of John’s classes were three John Begay’s. To avoid the confusion, the teacher said, “Ok, you are John A. You are John B. And you, John C!” The name stuck and he was known from that time forward as John C. He attended school for 6 years before finishing his education in a vocational program.
Upon completion of school, John C moved to Window Rock, Az to work for the Navajo Tribe as an accounting clerk. 8 months later, he transferred to the Welfare Section where he could earn more money. While working there, he had the opportunity to drive big trucks. His love of driving big trucks blossomed.
In 1966, his family arranged a wedding for him with a young lady from the same community, Ilene Touchin. John C’s dad bartered with Ilene’s dad and a dowery was agreed upon and a wedding date set for 5 days later. They were married in a traditional Navajo wedding on August 19, 1966. They were later sealed in the Mesa Az Temple.
John C returned to his love of driving big rigs and spent the next 25 years as a construction truck driver. He worked in construction of many of the roads and bridges in Arizona and New Mexico.
John C had 4 children: Tammy, Sarina, Justin, and Matthew. Sarina married Francisco Otero in 2007 and have 3 children: Sara, Kenneth, and Susanna. Justin married Shandiin Ridpath in 2000. They have 4 children: Kimball, Mikaye, Rigdon, and Cannon.
John C lived a life of much service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had the following callings: Stake High Councilor, Branch President, Bishop, Counselor in the stake presidency, Ward Mission Leader, Sunday school teacher, Counselor in the Arizona Phoenix Mission, Sealer in the St George Temple.
John C died the evening of November 19, one month after turning 80. His services were held in Page on November 24. He was laid to rest in the Page Cemetery. John C is survived by his siblings Pearl Benally (Lechee, AZ), Susie Gilbert (Seba Dalkai, AZ) and Joe Begay (Castle Dale, UT).
Funeral services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary of Kanab.