Obituaries

[pbrower2a]

One of the last Navajo code talkers of WWII -- and at the time of his death, almost certainly one of the last active GI politicians at any level of government. The Navajo language was in practice one of the hardest military codes to crack...



 John Pinto (December 15, 1924 – May 24, 2019)[1][2] was an American politician.[3][4] He served as a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate from 1977 to his death in 2019, making him the longest-serving member in the Senate. Pinto represented the 3rd District, which includes the Four Corners area and spans much of western San Juan County, as well as a portion of western McKinley County. Much of the district is made up of the Navajo Nation; it includes the towns of Shiprock, Sheep Springs, and most if not all of Gallup.

Pinto was born in Lupton, Arizona, in the Navajo Nation.[4] Pinto served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was a Navajo code talker. He was a teacher and organizer for the National Educational Association.[4] He died in Gallup, New Mexico, on May 24, 2019.[5][6]

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pinto



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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ✔ @GovMLG
 
Through relationships he built & respect he earned, he was able to secure innumerable crucial investments for New Mexicans, in particular Native communities. His record of service is unblemished, & his unwavering commitment to his people will forever serve as a shining example.


Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ✔ @GovMLG
[url=https://twitter.com/GovMLG]
Senator John Pinto was a New Mexico icon and an American hero. I will miss his good humor, as will everyone at the Capitol, and I offer my deepest condolences to his loved ones, his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/oAectRmWQi






Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered all state flags to fly at half-staff.

https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/sen...2024944522