McKinley County, Navajo Nation Mourn Death of Rex Lee Jim

Rex Lee Jim, a naat’áanii, educator, poet and hataałii who represented Rock Point for nearly a decade, died on February 24, 2026. The Navajo Nation announced his death and tribal and regional outlets carried the news; Jim was 63. His family will host a gathering to honor his memory at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Rock Point Chapter House in Rock Point, Arizona, and Diné College said monetary donations may be sent via Zelle to 928-245-7002.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council offered formal condolences. “On behalf of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of former Vice President Rex Lee Jim,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley. “Among his great achievements, he leaves behind a legacy of strengthening Navajo education and furthering diplomacy for Indigenous Nations internationally. We pray that his family takes comfort in knowing that he is now with our Creator.”

Diné College, where Jim worked in several roles and continued to mentor students, called him “a respected traditional knowledge holder and a former Vice President of the Navajo Nation (2011 – 2015), dedicating his life to serving his people.” The college added, “A fierce advocate for Navajo sovereignty and a pillar of education, Mr. Jim dedicated his life to serving his people.” Diné College also noted that at the time of his passing Jim was in the final stages of his Social Justice PhD program at Arizona State University and listed his roles there and beyond, including Education Specialist, Instructional Specialist, Executive Director of the Navajo Sovereignty Institute, Executive Director at La Casa Roja, Inc., CEO of Global Indigenous Solutions, LLC (2015), and Director at Navajo Community Health Outreach / Community Outreach and Patient Empowerment / Partners in Health (2014–2019).

Thomas Cody, Executive Director of the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services, framed Jim’s work in child- and family-centered terms. “The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services extends sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former Navajo Nation Vice President Rex Lee Jim. He was a naat’áanii, an author, amedicine man, and an educator. We at the Division knew him to be a strong advocate for our children, our families, our culture and our language. His service to our people was exemplary and visionary. We reflect on the wisdom and teachings he imparted on us and strive to continue his work to preserve and strengthen our culture.”

Jim’s political record includes service on the Navajo Nation Council from January 14, 2003, to January 11, 2011, and as the 8th Vice President of the Navajo Nation from January 11, 2011, to May 12, 2015, serving under President Ben Shelly. While on the Council he represented Rock Point and served on the Public Safety Committee; later, as vice president, he championed health initiatives and in 2014 was noted as being elected chair of a national health committee.

A writer and cultural leader, Jim authored Áhí Ni’ Nikisheehiish (1989) and Saad (1995). Tribal profiles list his clans as the Red House People (Kin Łichíi’nii) and born for the Red Streak Running into Water People (Táchii’nii), with a maternal grandfather of the Towering House People (Kin Yaa’áanii) and a paternal grandfather of the Mexican People (Naakaii Diné’é). Diné College noted that he was fluent and literate in Navajo, English and Spanish and that he remained connected to home, continuing to live in Rock Point and to bring Diné Bizaad and traditional teachings into public life.

Tribal press releases and institutional statements provided funeral logistics and remembrance plans but did not specify a place of death; a separately maintained online biography lists Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the place of death. Journalists and community members seeking confirmation of location or additional family details are advised to check with the Rock Point Chapter House or Navajo Nation communications for updates.