Jay Morago,

SACATON - Jay Morago Jr., 90, of Sacaton, a former governor of the Gila River Indian Community, died May 14, 2008 in Phoenix.


Gov. Morago will lie in state from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the tribal Governance Center, and visitation will continue there until 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 6 a.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony Catholic Mission in Sacaton. Burial will be in St. Anne Cemetery in Santan.

He was born June 17, 1917 in Sacaton and was a son of Jay R. and Florence Morago. He served in the Army during World War II in the famed 158th Bushmasters Regiment of the Arizona National Guard and was a sergeant. He attended the future Arizona State University and was a federal water master before retirement.

He served as tribal governor and was a member of the Gila River Farm Board. He was a member of Ira Hayes American Legion Post in Sacaton and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Coolidge. He enjoyed his family and all sports.

Survivors include seven daughters, Rose, Doris and Susan Morago, all of Sacaton, Andrea Perkins, Michelle Leos, Vickie and Kimberly Blackwater, all of Blackwater; three sons, Paul Morago of Blackwater, Danny Morago of Santan and Titus Blackwater of Sacaton; two sisters, Edith Huckleby and Peggy Jackson of Sacaton; 19 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Catherine Morago.

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