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Thom Curleyhair, age 65, of Fountain Hills, AZ, passed away February 2, 2022 surrounded by his family in Scottsdale, AZ due to complications of COVID.
Thom was born October 10, 1956 in Ganado, AZ to Kitseelie Curleyhair and Mary Ann Etsitty. He was the 4th of 7 children. He attended grades K through 6 at the Indian Boarding School in Kayenta, AZ. From 1969 to 1971, he participated in the LDS Indian Student Placement Program where he lived with the Newel K and Pauline Palmer family of Mesa, AZ. It was within this home that his testimony of Jesus Christ was fortified and grew. There he attended 8th & 9th grade at Carson Jr High School. He spent his senior year back in Kayenta attending Monument Valley High School where he met the love of his life and future bride, Sheila Bostwick.
After high school Thom joined the Marine Corps where he served for four years as an Amphibious Vehicle Crewman. After being honorably discharged he returned home to Kayenta where he married Sheila and began working for Peabody Coal Company. It was at the coal mine where Thom began running heavy equipment and building roads. His passion for machinery and moving dirt grew and developed into a desire to one day have his own construction company.
In 1986 Thom and Sheila moved from Kayenta to Mesa, AZ where they would raise their six children. In 1992 they incorporated their small construction company, Arrow Indian Contractors, Inc (Arrow). Success did not come overnight, and the company experienced many ups and downs but eventually it grew and has become a robust general contracting company with many wonderful employees. Many of the roads built and much of the work performed by Arrow has been on the Navajo Nation, the homeland where Thom felt a strong connection to the land. In 2019 he accepted a position with the Dine’ Chamber of Commerce as vice chair where he hoped to help his fellow native Navajo people with their desires to prosper in their own businesses.
Thom had a generous heart and was often helping others. He also touched many lives as he shared his testimony and love for his Savior Jesus Christ. His strong faith is what saw him through his battle with nasopharyngeal cancer and sepsis in 2021 and what gave him courage as he faced his battle with COVID.
Thom is survived by his wife; children Tawnya (Kolby) Collard of Mesa, Kristin (Ryan) McPhie of Mesa, Tara (Andrew) Taylor of Mesa, Ethan (Lauren) of Fort Defiance, Elijah (Lexie) of Gilbert, and Shane of Fort Defiance; 14 grandchildren; sisters Anna Gray, Grace Curleyhair, and brothers Anthony, and Robert (Monica).
Thom is preceded in death by his parents Kitseelie and Mary Ann, an older sister Gesi’ and younger sister Lucy.
Services will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022 at the LDS chapel in Fountain Hills, 15507 E Bainbridge Ave. Viewing at 9:00 a.m. and funeral at 10:00 a.m. Internment at the City of Mesa Cemetery following the funeral.
Funeral Service will be Live Streamed at: https://youtu.be/Yc-tkk-RjBw
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
Peace and blessings to Thom and family. Thank you for the most productive years you contributed to the Dineh Chamber of Commerce. Your advice and dedication is heard by many of your fellow business friends that has helped Dineh Chamber become visible in Navajoland. I still see you in my memory talking business and prosperity for the younger generation. You are inspiration to behold.
Our prayers and condolences to all families
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Sending hugs and prayers. May God’s love bring you and your family comfort during these times. Love you my friend!
Darlene and I join you and the family in this tremendous loss. Thom offered his sincere thoughts and dedication to his family and the Navajo business community. We will miss him. May the Great Spirit God, and his Son Jesus Christ, grant you comfort and sympathy as he continues his journey to stand guard for the Holy People and as you carry on with the family dream.
Sending our deepest condolences during this very difficult time. Sending prayers for the family. May God comfort you all during this time.
Although I only met Thom about two years ago at a Dineh Chamber of Commerce Board meeting, Thom impressed me as a man of character and authenticity. Since then, it’s always been a joy to feel his presence wherein he shared his wisdom. My condolences to his wife, his children, and grandchildren. May God bless him, warmly.
Thom was my Sunday school teacher when I was about 13. I loved going to his class. I could tell that he loved the Lord and loved us. He was more than a teacher. He was a friend. Thom is a great man!
Our sincere condolences to Thom’’s wife Sheila and his children (young adults), brothers and sister Grace. A part our history passes with Thom, but we will remember him as a kind gentle person. He touched many lives through his life. People he met in school, the military, work, and while serving our father here on earth. Thom will be remembered. Rest In Peace.
Thom was always a respected friend to anyone he ever had a conversation with. His love and bubbly personality will be missed !