Jerry H. Benally, age 52, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Washington. He was born November 8, 1959 in Seattle, Washington to Jerome and Irene Marie (Bailey) Benally.

Jerry grew up in Tacoma, Seattle, and Lynnwood and attended Mountlake Terrace High School and later served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a hotshot firefighter battling forest fires and worked in construction helping construct the Everett Navy Base and the Skagit Casino. He also worked at Lowe’s in Burlington and later for the Tulalip and Skagit Casino’s as a keno attendant and cashier.

Jerry was a member of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, was half Navajo, and a member of the Longhouse. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, Navajo culture, and he was known as a friendly person to all he met.

He is survived by his 2 daughters, Latosha and Amanda Benally of Burlington, 2 sons, Adam Sam of Sedro-Woolley and Rickey Emmsley of Tulalip. A grandson, Jayden Benally of Burlington. His father, Jerome Benally of Lynnwood and brothers and sister, Gary Benally of Lynnwood, Nancy Whitson and her husband Ben of Mill Creek, Jeffrey Benally of Lynnwood, and Mark Benally and his wife Casandra of Mukilteo. Numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Petty Benally in 1995 and his grandparents, Myrtle and William Bailey and Mabel and Wallace Benally and Carl Curtis.

Prayer Services will be held Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 7:00PM with a Funeral Service to follow on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:00AM at the Swinomish Social Services Building with Father Pat Twohy officiating. Interment will follow at the Swinomish Indian Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.