'He lives through us': Navajo family remembers Tempe man killed in Tacoma, Washington crash
The family of one of six Arizonans who died in a car crash Sunday in Tacoma, Washington, is finding solace in the words he left behind as they gather resources to bring his remains home to the Navajo Nation.
Felix Y. Begay, 25, was traveling with his lifelong friend and fellow Navajo Nation member, Erick Tsosie, 25, when the two Tempe residents were killed. The men and other victims – Cerra Corner, Calsie Sockyma, Lisa Gordon and Javan Runnels – were reportedly heading to dinner after attending an entrepreneurship convention when the crash happened.
Begay’s grief-stricken family discovered his tattered navy blue spiral notebook in their truck’s glove compartment while driving from Tempe to their hometown of Kayenta.
They recall often seeing him writing in the well-worn notebook between breaks during work as a carpenter. Now, amid the tears, they are seeing how the notebook stored his thoughts, ideas and goals.
“My brother’s not gone. He's here. He lives through us and these are his words,” said Begay’s older sister, Phillisa Begay, 31, of Tempe. She added, “Because I read this every day, it gives me the strength to keep moving forward for my family.”
Previously: 6 Arizonans were killed in Washington car crash. Here’s what we know
Future plans
Felix Begay had started a 100-item to-do list in the notebook but only reached number 27. The family remembers Begay as humble and selfless and regularly holding an encouraging word for others. The list he had etched out included helping his parents and grandparents to retire and aiding in finding the passion of the children he hoped to one day father.
"I value family, friends, resilience, communication, empathy, respect, unconditional love, honesty, peace, happiness & a beautiful life," read an entry Felix wrote in his notebook.
After completing a year of college, Felix joined their sister, Shanisa, 29, and their father, Felix A. Begay, 53, in a contracting business. He had assured their mother he would return to school but said he enjoyed the work and helping his siblings with rent, utilities, food and other expenses.
“He put his family first,” Phillisa said. “He gave everything to his last cent to family.”
Tsosie and Felix knew each other since childhood, graduating from Kayenta’s Monument Valley High School. The two were part of the vocation-focused Distributive Education Clubs of America student organization. They had traveled to New York and Seattle through the organization.
Tsosie joined the U.S. Marines and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. The friends stayed in touch during Tsosie’s deployment, talking over the phone at all hours and had planned on eventually taking a trip together to that country.
The men yearned for a future of business-building in their community. They wanted to better living conditions there by securing jobs for its residents and creating opportunities for its youth, Phillisa said.
“They both had big plans to make a difference here” in Kayenta, Phillisa said.
GoFundMe to help
Little is known by the family about the trip Felix and Tsosie were taking other than they were joining a group of peers at the convention.
The family has not heard from law enforcement about any criminal charges in the crash, Phillisa said. Their biggest concern currently is to bring Felix to the Navajo Nation. Phillisa said authorities had told her the family would know on Monday about when that could happen.
“We just want to bring my brother back so we can lay him to rest here in this community that he loved,” Phillisa said.
A GoFundMe has been set up by the family to pay for that end.
The news over Felix’s death, his sister said, came on their father’s birthday. Felix had called his father the day before, two hours before the crash that took his life.
“I love you, take care of my siblings for me, and I’ll see you on your birthday,” Felix told their father.
Reach breaking news reporter Jose R. Gonzalez at jose.gonzalez@gannett.com or on Twitter @jrgzztx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Family remembers Tempe man killed in Washington crash
