Benjamin Harry Cruye

BLACKWATER - Benjamin Harry Cruye, 37, died Sept. 5, 2008 at his home in Blackwater on the Gila River Indian Community.


The wake will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday at the District 1 Service Center. The graveside service will be in Blackwater West Cemetery at 7 a.m. Friday.

Mr. Cruye was born at Phoenix Indian Hospital. He was the last valedictorian to graduate at Phoenix Indian High School before it was closed. In addition to his academic achievements, he was a star athlete in baseball and cross country. He earned a scholarship to Northern Arizona University, which he attended for two years.

He lived life to the fullest, including bungee jumping, quad riding, rafting down the Rouge River and deep sea fishing off the coast of San Diego. He traveled to Washington, D.C., New York, Disneyworld and the American Indian Exposition in Anadarko, Okla. He most recently went to the redwood forests and San Francisco with his father. His love of baseball led him to coach the Blackwater baseball team, and he was a pitcher with the San Tan Chiefs men's baseball team. He was a horse packer for tourists at Supai.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Ann Cruye; a daughter, Tanisha Putesoy; and two brothers, Franklin and Anthony Cruye. Survivors include his wife, Ingrid; two sons, Benton and Tayron Cruye; two daughters, Merrissa and Caitlyn Cruye; his father, Harry Cruye Jr.; and a sister, Shirley Miller.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.