Samuel Nachu

Samuel Nachu, of Cibecue, Navajo County, Arizona passed away on Monday April 23, 2012 at the Whiteriver Hospital in Whiteriver, Arizona. He was 84. Samuel was born on January 1, 1928 in North Fork, Navajo County, Arizona. A hard-working cowboy, he loved riding horses and taming them. As a rancher he learned the backlands of the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation and knew all the secret trails and springs located throughout the reservation. Because of his experience in ranching and horsemanship he learned to be an excellent bareback rider as well as a great bullrider. Samuel also enjoyed a great game of horseshoes and was quite good as anyone would tell you. He worked at various places that included FATCO in Cibecue, the elderly program in Cibecue, and the Reidhead Sawmill in Show Low but his greatest time spent working was on the ranch. Samuel loved to sing traditional songs and enjoyed teasing people. He loved his children and was especially close to his son, Timothy. Samuel and his late wife, Minnie, were chosen as Parents of the Year in Cibecue and he was elected Elder of the Year for the Fort Apache Heritage Celebration 2 years ago in Whiteriver. Although he will be dearly missed there is a happy reunion for him and his wife of 60 years, Minnie Nachu. Samuel is survived by 6 children: Serena Nachu of Phoenix, Arizona, Jolinda (Preston) Bourke of Cibecue, Arizona, Lavina (Ivan) Lee of Cibecue, Arizona, Magdelina Nachu of Whiteriver, Arizona, Timothy (Yvette) Nachu of Whiteriver, Arizona, Minda Nachu of Cibecue, Arizona; a daughter-in-law, Roxie Nachu of Whiteriver, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Pauline Gooday of Cibecue, Arizona; 18 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. A two night wake will begin 10:00AM Friday April 27, 2012 at the family home, 706 N. Cromwell Road, Cibecue, Arizona. Funeral services will be held 1:00PM Sunday April 29, 2012 at the Cibecue Cottonwood Gymnasium in Cibecue. Interment will follow in the Family Plot in the Cibecue Cemetery, Cibecue, Arizona.