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April 13, 2010
Former Toughest Cowboy star Nelson Tsosie dies in fall
Segments courtesy Sunnie Redhouse, Navajo Times
Nelson Tsosie, the Navajo Nation's very own Toughest Cowboy, two-time Indian National Finals Rodeo bareback world champion, and International Indian Finals Rodeo world champion, died April 10 in Sanostee, N.M. He was 23.
Brenda Charley, Tsosie's older sister, said her brother slipped or fell from a mesa, falling about 100 feet to his death Saturday night.
As of Monday afternoon the incident was still under investigation by the FBI and Navajo Nation police.
Charley said Tsosie went into Farmington Friday morning to run errands but never returned home, and was said to have visited a friend in Sanostee on Saturday.
Charley said the family was shocked that Tsosie, the second oldest child, had suffered such a death at a young age.
“The family, we're holding up. My mom is taking it hard and my dad ... we're all hurting but we're just trying not to show it,” Charley said. “We just still can't believe it. He was just so young, his birthday was coming up on Saturday, the 17th, he was going to be 24. He will be missed; we'll always love him and we'll always remember him.”
Nelson was best known for being the first Native American and Navajo to participate in Toughest Cowboy. Tsosie was one of the original eight competitors in the 2007 inaugural season, making it to the championship tournament and eventually finishing fourth. Tsosie returned in 2008 and finished sixth overall. His 2005 Indian National Finals Bareback Riding championship (INFR) and International Indian Finals Rodeo (IIFR in Canada) Bareback Riding championship, along with his 2006 second place all-around finish at the INFR are what brought him to the attention of Toughest Cowboy.
Tsosie soon became a fan favorite with his exceptional bareback bronc riding and fun-loving nature. His great sense of humor and clowning around also fostered many friendships with his fellow Toughest Cowboy competitors.
Nelson grew up in Burnham, N.M., but attended Newcomb Middle School and Farmington High School where he graduated in 2005.
He started training horses when he was about 13 and continued until his death.
A funeral date has not been set. The family will continue to have open family meetings every day at 4 p.m. at the home of his grandmother, Eleanor Benally, in Burnham until funeral arrangements are made.
Tsosie is survived by his wife, Charmayne Jo Wilson-Tsosie; daughters, Anarie Rose, Shaundean Brenda and Lakeesha Morningstar; Grandmother, Eleanor Benally; mother, Rose Tsosie; father, Guy Tsosie; sisters, Brenda Charley and Colleen Tsosie; and brother, Guytin Tsosie.
Former Toughest Cowboy star Nelson Tsosie dies in fall
Segments courtesy Sunnie Redhouse, Navajo Times
Nelson Tsosie, the Navajo Nation's very own Toughest Cowboy, two-time Indian National Finals Rodeo bareback world champion, and International Indian Finals Rodeo world champion, died April 10 in Sanostee, N.M. He was 23.
Brenda Charley, Tsosie's older sister, said her brother slipped or fell from a mesa, falling about 100 feet to his death Saturday night.
As of Monday afternoon the incident was still under investigation by the FBI and Navajo Nation police.
Charley said Tsosie went into Farmington Friday morning to run errands but never returned home, and was said to have visited a friend in Sanostee on Saturday.
Charley said the family was shocked that Tsosie, the second oldest child, had suffered such a death at a young age.
“The family, we're holding up. My mom is taking it hard and my dad ... we're all hurting but we're just trying not to show it,” Charley said. “We just still can't believe it. He was just so young, his birthday was coming up on Saturday, the 17th, he was going to be 24. He will be missed; we'll always love him and we'll always remember him.”
Nelson was best known for being the first Native American and Navajo to participate in Toughest Cowboy. Tsosie was one of the original eight competitors in the 2007 inaugural season, making it to the championship tournament and eventually finishing fourth. Tsosie returned in 2008 and finished sixth overall. His 2005 Indian National Finals Bareback Riding championship (INFR) and International Indian Finals Rodeo (IIFR in Canada) Bareback Riding championship, along with his 2006 second place all-around finish at the INFR are what brought him to the attention of Toughest Cowboy.
Tsosie soon became a fan favorite with his exceptional bareback bronc riding and fun-loving nature. His great sense of humor and clowning around also fostered many friendships with his fellow Toughest Cowboy competitors.
Nelson grew up in Burnham, N.M., but attended Newcomb Middle School and Farmington High School where he graduated in 2005.
He started training horses when he was about 13 and continued until his death.
A funeral date has not been set. The family will continue to have open family meetings every day at 4 p.m. at the home of his grandmother, Eleanor Benally, in Burnham until funeral arrangements are made.
Tsosie is survived by his wife, Charmayne Jo Wilson-Tsosie; daughters, Anarie Rose, Shaundean Brenda and Lakeesha Morningstar; Grandmother, Eleanor Benally; mother, Rose Tsosie; father, Guy Tsosie; sisters, Brenda Charley and Colleen Tsosie; and brother, Guytin Tsosie.
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