Joseph Ellison Gary "Tha-Wee" Menta

Joseph Ellison Gary "Tha-Wee" Menta

November 29, 1942 - June 22, 2025

Joseph Ellison Gary "Tha-Wee" Menta was born on November 29, 1942, at Ft. Yuma Indian Hospital to Joe Menta and Eunice Wheeler Menta. He grew up on Lonely Avenue with his family and made lifetime friends.

Gary attended Ft. Yuma Indian School and San Pasqual Elementary School during his primary school years. For high school he attended Yuma High School and San Pasqual High School, where he graduated in May of 1962. He excelled in sports and found his passion for art. This led him to study at Santa Fe Indian Art School where he majored in Art. He graduated in May 1965. Upon graduation, he received a scholarship to attend The California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. During his first semester, the United States Army drafted him.

He completed basic training at Ft. Bliss, TX and special training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. His tour of duty completed in Escborn, Germany in 1968 and received an honorable discharge.

Upon returning home, Gary worked part time with the Quechan Indian Tribe and started a variety of projects. He helped with the restoration of the Quechan

Tribal Museum, and it reopened in March 1969. Gary also established various tribal committees that included a business planning and zoning, tribal education and a

tribal federal credit union. While doing this, he continued his career in art and pottery.

Gary also had an extensive career in a Tucson, AZ after completing his Special Indian Education program at the University of Arizona. He held many important positions which included becoming Director of the Tucson Indian Center.

After some time, Gary came home. His career brought him to be a Tribal Grants writer for the Cocopah Indian Tribe, and then a Tribal Administrator. He became a counselor for the Quechan Indian Tribe in the Adult and Youth Drug program. During this time, he counseled youth and adults and provided community outreach services and support.

Gary had left social work and was appointed as a Tribal Gaming Commissioner until he retired.

His favorite pastimes were watching sports, photography, drawing, painting, pottery and writing children stories. He also loved traveling and visiting with family and friends.

Proceeded in death: wife, Mary L. Celestine Menta. Parents, Joe Menta and Eunice Wheeler Menta. Paternal Grandparents, Jose and Mina Menta. Maternal

Grandparents, Felix and Margaret Wheeler. Uncles, Clarence, Ambrose and Paul Menta. Aunt, Katherine Wilson. Brother, Randall Gillis Menta (Aavé), Cousins,

Claudette Wheeler, Sandra Hills, Lauren Hills and Craig Sonny Menta Sr.

Tha-Wee is survived by his children, Kenneth Wayne Morgan, Delphine Morgan; granddaughter, Teresa Morgan Lascurain; great-grandchildren Adam, Rima and Kamile. Brother, Merrill (Charlene) Menta; sisters, Eileen Menta (Wallace), Lenora (Merrill) Kelly, Carolyn Menta and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Pallbearers: James Mills, Nicholas Jose, Deion Twist, Frank Comet, Barry Comet, DeShawn Wells, Reggie Antone.

Honorary Pallbearers: Merrill Menta, Mario Menta, Merrill Kelly, Fredrick Kelly, Orlando Kelly, Wallace Dugan Jr., Walter Hall, Kenneth Morgan, Richard Juan, Taylor Menta, Ron Juan, Jerome Antone, Oslett Antone, Wendell Jose, Larry Comet, Pat Olague, Norman Osborne, Ina M. Hall, Ila R. Hopper, FayeAnne Dugan, Yvonne Mills, Melissa Mills, Veronica Menta, Erica Kelly and Margaret Kelly.

Services will be at Yuma Mortuary on July 1, 2025. Family viewing will be at Yuma Mortuary from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Public viewing and services will be from 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm. Traditional Rites will begin at 5:00 pm at the Quechan Big House with cremation at 5:00 am on July 2, 2025.

Our family would like thank Hospice of Yuma: Dr. Ayala, Kevin, Gary, Laurie and Emi for all their hard work, patience and their endless support and dedication.

Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun