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A Life of Love…..
January 3rd , 1932, Rev. Johnson D. Begay Sr., was born to Denet Deal & June Dez Nos Bah
Begay in WhiteRock New Mexico. As a child, he was taught farming, sheephearding, and
horsemanship. Johnson had fond memories of making mud toys while hearding his family
sheep. He loved horses! He became a skilled horseman that led him to bronc riding at a young
age. He remembers the beautiful prayers of blessing that his father performed every day at
dawn. This action inspired him that one day, he would be a medicine man.
Life changed at the young age of 16. Johnson went to work for the railroad along with his
father. He was introduced to alcohol at a very young age. This job took him too many
different parts of the country, including New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and South
Dakota. While in Wyoming, his father passed away and was buried there.
In the early 1950’s, Johnson met Dorothy Whitehawk, a Sioux Native of South Dakota. They
married and had eight children together. The eldest is Terry Begay, Raymond “Ben” Begay,
Verlie Swanigan, Leitha Foster, Bobby Begay, Randy Begay, Art Begay, and Anna Marie
Begay, the youngest. A total of 5 boys and 3 girls together. Sadly, Johnson & Dorothy’s
marriage ended. Johnson did abuse alcohol and it hurt the family. The abuse of alcohol has
plagued many natives across the land. Alcohol created more problems for the family and later
Johnson returned to the Southwest for work. He left his family of 9 behind and sought work in
Arizona and California. He became a migrant field worker and traveled between Arizona and
California for several years harvesting fruits and vegetables.
Johnson worked in the agriculture fields of Somerton and Yuma area and met his young bride
to be, Barbara Francis Wilson. Johnson was a slender cowboy that always worked and found
time to look his best in any attire. We all know that he like to look good. You might say; his
good looks and big cowboy hat caught Barbara’s attention. It was mentioned that he would
toss dirt clots at Barbara while they worked together on the fields. It didn’t take long but he
was determined to marry her.
In 1965, in the Cocopah Nazarene Church, at midnight, Johnson married Barbara Wilson. A
midnight reception was held and celebration was cruising down the small streets of Somerton,
Arizona. The family was yelling and honking their car horns causing commotion in the night.
They later had 4 children; J. Deal Begay Jr., Sandra Dee Silversmith, Violet Ann Flores, and
Samuel Lee Begay. Johnson was well on his way in working but was still battling alcoholism.
Like his first marriage the problems of alcoholism started to arise and Barbara knew she
needed to do something.
The early 1970’s, Barbara became a Christian. She attended the Cocopah Nazarene Church
under Pastor David Young. Barbara made several attempts to invite Johnson in going with her
to church. A couple of times, Johnson even threatened Pastor Young and even jerked and
slapped him in the face. Johnson had nothing to do with a white man’s religion.
One Sunday, with no money, no job, and no work, Johnson was desperate for whisky.
Alcoholism had taken control of his body leaving him with terrible body shakes and muscle
spasms. He was desperate and needed a drink to ease the hangover. Barbara was also
desperate and wanted to help her husband. She offered to buy him a bottle of whiskey if he
promised to attend church with her that day. She had been praying weeks before for help. The
Lord answered her prayer and Johnson was dressed that Sunday and sat in church. His
intentions were to only get what was promised to him. He made it clear that he went only to
satisfy the inner craving of alcohol. Little did he know, that would be the last day he ever
would drink alcohol.
He remembered his promise of alcohol. While sitting in the pew all he wished was for his
alcohol. The time came for the alter call. He went up and knelt but didn’t pray. Later at the
store, he got his money from Barbara. He went right up to the liquor counter but the
conviction of God fell upon him. With shakey hands and a trembling body, Johnson reached for
a bottle of Orange Juice. The awesome hand of God was upon him, he felt the peace and with
each drink his shakiness & trembling stopped. He never did buy his bottle of liquor, instead he
chose to serve God over a bottle of orange juice. Since that day, he was a changed man. He
never became the medicine man his family wanted but became a powerful minister. His
sermons will never be forgotten. His ultimate goal was for salvation and to preach the
wonderful word of Jesus Christ. His great mission had begun.
In 1972, Johnson & Barbara packed up the family and moved to Albuquerque, NM to attend
the Nazarene Indian Bible College. The Cocopah’s thought he’d lost his mind, his mother in
law called him a “crazy Navajo man.” He didn’t care what others thought of him. He proved
them wrong and graduated in 1976 along with Barbara and they both received their Minister’s
License and Ministerial Degree.
The following years brought much happier days in serving Jesus Christ. Both Barbara &
Johnson took the pastoral jobs of several churches including Kaibeto Nazarene, Window Rock
Nazarene, Navajo Station Nazarene, Poston Nazarene, and Lehi Nazarene. He was
dedicated to serving God with all his might.
For the past 20 years, Johnson & Barbara have been working with the Salt River Pima
Maricopa Indians in Scottsdale. They have established the Community Bible Church in the
Bunnyville area. This was his greatest love and dedication for God and for the people. He did
his best till the end. His legacy of love will never end. His legacy of salvation carries on with
the teaching we have learned. He was a great man that came from a humble home with
nothing to give but his all.
Rev. Johnson Sr. left us at dusk, Thursday, Oct. 8th, 2009. It was a sad sunset but a glorious
sunrise over in Glory Land! We will miss him dearly! We will see him again in Heaven. Rev.
Johnson D. Begay Sr. lived a life of love!
Written with Love,
J.Deal & Deana Begay 10/16/09
| NATIVE PRAISE |
Family Ties Won't be broken.