John Knight Wing Jr.

John Wing Jr., 79, of Towaoc, died October 20, 2017 at the Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez. He was born October 9, 1938. He is Survived by his children, Glynis and Norman Wall, Jana Mills, David Wing and Charlene Benally; and by his sister Carol Jean Wing. John was a burnot ranger for the Ute Mountain Tribe. He was appointed first special force officer for the Towaoc area. He served as a chief of police and a council member for the Ute Mountain Tribe. John was a Security officer for the Ute Mountain Tribe where he served for many years and retired. He grew up in the Mancos Creek area as a rancher. He enjoyed riding horses and tending to his cattle. He attended boarding school in Ignacio Boarding School with siblings and friends where he played football. John spent all of his life in the Towaoc area where he participated in culture and traditional activities, such as a beardance chief and sundance. He was a member of the Native American Church as a roadman. John was surrounded by many family and friends. He loved being a grandfather to many who knew him as John Bear He will be greatly missed by those who he touched, laughed with, and taught.