Don Edd Obituary

Surrounded by family, Don Juan Edd, beloved husband, and father, passed away on March 16, 2022. Don, the second oldest of five children, was a kind and loving son of Joe and Evelyn Edd, born on January 23, 1971 in Winslow, Arizona. He grew up in Farmington, New Mexico where he graduated high school. He lived briefly in Salt Lake City before completing his Associate's degree in two- and three-dimensional art from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Don was an artist all his life and he loved talking to people about his artwork. He was well-known for his sculptures, but he was also a painter and jewelry maker. While in Santa Fe, he met Esther Belin, and in 1994, they married in Los Angeles, California. In 1997, they moved to Durango so Don could attend Fort Lewis College. Durango became the place they made their home and raised their four daughters.

Don was a member of the Navajo Nation and is remembered for his engaging storytelling, practicing cultural traditions, and participating in the Native community. His clans were: Kin?ichii'nii (Red House), T?'ízí ?ání (Many Goats), Hasht?'ishnii (Mud clan), and Tódich'ii'nii (Bitterwater). He is predeceased by his father, Joe Edd. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Esther, and their four children Ruthie, Sierra, Chamisa, and Santana; his mother, Evelyn, and his siblings: June (Chloe and Zhoni), Nolan (Mitchell and Marshall), Duane (Joseph and Ruben), and Lionel. He will be dearly missed by his friends at the River Church, his extended family and

colleagues.

People were drawn to Don's liveliness and sense of humor, and he picked up friends everywhere he went. He had a strong sense of generosity and responsibility for one's family and community. One summer he and his brothers built a hogan for their mother on their family's mountain land. One of his love languages was acts of service, and he gave 150% of himself, even to small tasks. He loved to cook for people and enjoyed large gatherings with friends and family. He loved to learn new skills and was passionate about doing things well. Don was an excellent swimmer and loved working part-time as a lifeguard at the Sun Ute Community Center. From the west coast seas to Rocky's steps in Philadelphia, he liked to travel and explore new places. In 2018 he visited the east coast for the first time, where he enjoyed seeing Lady Liberty and reenacting 'the Butch' scene from Lady and the Tramp while eating spaghetti and a giant meatball at an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn.

His family members share his appreciation for the outdoors. Some of his favorite areas to hike were Dibé Nstaa, Chuska Mountains, the Colorado Trail, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Some of his joys were visiting Pagosa Hot Springs, eating chile stew and bread at Pueblo feast days, and learning about other cultures.

Our family would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to all his doctors and nurses who cared for him at Mercy Hospital.

A Celebration of Life will take place later this year.