Three Apache County Residents Remembered in Recent Funeral Services

Funeral and memorial services this week honored three longtime members of the local community, providing opportunities for family and neighbors to gather, grieve, and remember their lives.

Patrick Ray Platero, age 49, of St. Michaels passed away Dec. 17, 2025 in Fort Defiance. Funeral services were held Dec. 23 at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with interment at Sunset Memorial Park. Born May 11, 1976 in Crownpoint, Patrick was born into the Kiyaa’áanii Towering House Clan and was born for Mescalero Apache. He graduated from Crownpoint High School and worked as a laborer and groundskeeper for the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. Family members said he enjoyed listening to Wu Tang, watching the Cleveland Browns, traveling and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife Winifred Watson, sons Antonio Platero, Dominick Platero, Kevin Tsosie and Nathan Tsosie, stepdaughter Tenae Yazzie, mother Ethelyn Negale, father Jeffrey Platero and sister Cynthia Neswood. He was preceded in death by his son Matthew Platero and grandparents Harding and Glinny Negale. Pallbearers included Antonio Platero, Dominick Platero, Jeffrey Platero, Marco Neswood, Jethro Brown and Cordell Teller, with honorary pallbearers R. Kenny, Lance Carroll and Kevin Tsosie.

Vivian G. Woody, age 67, of Cameron died Dec. 15, 2025. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Flagstaff Tabernacle, 1201 W. Kaibab Lane, with a reception following at the Tabernacle. Born Dec. 16, 1957, she was born into the Kinyaa’áanii Towering House Clan and born for Tódích’íi’nii Bitter Water Clan. Vivian retired as a medical dispatcher and enjoyed sewing and traveling. Survivors include children Alimah Damgaard, Oceanna, Jordon Woody and Rebekah Woody, siblings Violette Pavatea, Vicky Klain, Larry Gordy and Vernon Gordy, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She was preceded by parents Lawrence and Louise Gordy and siblings Lorraine and Leonard. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers have been named by the family.

Victor Davis, age 66, of Chinle passed away Dec. 19, 2025. Graveside services were held Dec. 24 in Chinle with Denny Watchman officiating. Victor was born Dec. 1, 1959, into the Tł’ááshchí’í Red Bottom People Clan and was born for Honágháahnii One walks around Clan. He is survived by his wife Colleen Watchman, son Donovan Davis, daughters Margaret Davis and Amanda Davis, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Genevieve Davis, father John Ben and sisters Kathy and Vicky Davis. Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.

These services reinforce the close family networks and community institutions that shape life in Apache County, from tribal utility work to medical dispatch and local mortuary support. Obituaries are published free of charge as a public service. To submit an obituary use the online submission form provided by this newsroom.