Michael “Mike” Frank Kiro, Jr.

October 14, 1950 ~ September 6, 2021

Michael Frank Kiro, 70, died peacefully on Monday, September 6 at Sandoval Regional Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM, surrounded by his children and loved ones. Michael had been fighting an already hard battle with cancer and soon had to battle COVID-19. Unfortunately, that proved to be too much.

Michael was born on October 14, 1950, in Fort Defiance, AZ to Ida and Frank Kiro. Michael was a middle child out of 13 siblings.

Michael attended the Mormon placement program where he attended Enterprise High School in Enterprise, UT. After high school, Michael served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Canada Calgary Mission. He later attended Brigham Young University in Provo, UT where he made many friends and has maintained them 50 years later.

Michael began his career in the oil Industry, working in the oil fields of Artesia, NM; Montezuma Creek, UT; and later in the Four Corners region as a successful underbalance driller for Weatherford International for many years.

Michael could make almost anyone laugh with his witty, inappropriate dry humor and contagious loud laugh. During Michael’s free time, he loved to fish, hunt, and camp. He’d often be seen taking his father Frank Kiro as his trusty hunting and fishing companion.

As Michael got older, he enjoyed reading volumes of books and watching history documentaries.

He was a wonderful grandfather and loved to spend time with all his grandchildren. From hiking and camping to playing games, reading, and even playing with dolls with his youngest granddaughters.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Ida Waconda-Kiro, his father, Frank Kiro; his sisters Gloria Lee, Francis (Dee) Gutierrez, Virgie Valles; brothers Lawrence (Buzzy) Kiro, John (Johnny) Joseph Kiro, Michael (Mickey) Anthony Kiro; and granddaughter Nyah Jean Dalton.

He is survived by his sisters Christine (Pinky) Vallejos (Gallup, NM), Erma Todachine (Gallup, NM), Georgianna (Feedie) Kiro (Gallup, NM), Bernadette (Jim-Jim) Kiro (Gallup, NM), and Tessa Wood (Olympia, WA); brothers Eugene (Gene) Kiro (Gallup, NM), Robert Kiro (Gallup, NM); daughters Sunni Kiro (Blanding, UT), Tsailee Kiro (Albuquerque, NM), Natasha Winer (Camarillo, CA), Gabriella Begay (Albuquerque, NM), sons Roderick Lee (Albuquerque, NM), Dakota Begay (Albuquerque, NM); their mother, Annie Kiro (Albuquerque, NM); and his grandchildren Triston Dalton (Ely, NV), Willard Dalton (Ely, NV), Michael Benally (Blanding, UT), Sophia Winer (Camarillo, CA), Sarah Winer (Camarillo CA), and Ryder Lee (Albuquerque, NM).

As our dad wished, he was given a traditional Laguna Pueblo burial and laid to rest in Paguate, NM on September 6. A small procession was held with immediate family in attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Card of thanks
A very special Thank You to the Sandoval Regional Medical Center ICU Medical Staff, Laguna Pueblo tribal members and officials, and those who graciously donated to the GoFundMe account provided on social media.

A very sincere Thank You from the Kiro children and grandchildren.

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