Lawrence Burt Bidtah

Shiprock - After a hard-fought battle with cancer, Lawrence Burt Bidtah, age 60, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, February 15, 2024. "Larry" or "Bird" as he was called was born on January 19, 1964 and lived in Shiprock, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his maternal parents Jessie and Raymond Charleston of Shiprock, grandparents Phillip and Mary Lee of Red Valley, aunt Margaret Lee of Shiprock, uncle Frank Lee of Shiprock, and father in-law Eddie Mike of Sanostee, his sister Jaime Bidtah of Shiprock and his son Laurence Shane Bidtah of Shiprock.

He is survived by his son Christopher "Def-i" Mike-Bidtah of Albuquerque; his daughter Jody Mike-Bidtah and son Joshua Mike-Bidtah of Farmington; grandchildren Kamea, Zane, and Shannah Bidtah of Shiprock; mother Cecelia Bidtah of Shiprock; father Jimmie Bidtah Sr. of Shiprock; uncle Pastor William and Aunt Virginia Lee of Shiprock; aunt Bessie Kee of Shiprock; his brother Arcenio & sister in-law Rachael Charleston of Shiprock; brother Jerald & sister in-law Allison Bidtah of Shiprock, Jimmie Jr. & sister in-law Melody Bidtah of Kingston, Washington, and Craig Bidtah of Pine Top, Arizona; four sisters Lucinda Charleston of Navajo, New Mexico, Wilhemina & brother in-law Dale Clah of Shiprock, Rewa & brother in-law Thomas Blackstar of Chickasaw, Oklahoma, and Marella Charleston of Dallas, Texas; mother of children Pandora Mike of Shiprock; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and relatives across the Navajo Nation as well as across the United States. He is born into Tachii'nii (Red Running Into The Water People), born for Todichiini (Bitter Water People), maternal grandfather's clan is Kinlichii'nii (Red House People) and paternal grandfather is Tabaaha (Water's Edge People).

Larry was a teacher with Central Schools, a carpenter, a father, grandfather, son, uncle, brother, nephew, a youth basketball coach, and a kind friend to all who knew him. He graduated from Shiprock high School in 1982, received his carpenter certification shortly thereafter from San Juan College, and bachelor's degree in education from Ft. Lewis College in 1997. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and will be greatly missed for his silly sense of humor and his compassion for helping others.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Dineh Christian Center, US 491, Shiprock, NM.

His Children Christopher, Jody & Joshua, and family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kim Mohs and team at Northern Navajo Medical Center, Dr. Ankit Anand and team at Four Corners Cancer Center, San Juan Regional Medical Center, Basin Home Health & Hospice, Central Consolidated School District, Shiprock High School, Desert View Funeral Home, friends and extended family and relatives for all your outpouring of love and support.