Shelley was sworn in as president in January 2011 after serving one term as tribal vice president.
(Alexa Rogals | AP Photo/The Daily Times file photo) Navajo President Ben Shelley speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony near Farmington, New Mexico, Oct. 7, 2014. Deswood Tomé, a spokesman for his family, said he had been ill for a long time.
Gallup, New Mexico • Former Navajo Nation President Ben Shelley died Wednesday after a long illness, according to a family spokesperson.
Shelley died in New Mexico with his family, Deswood Tome said. he was 75 years old.
Shelley became president of the vast reservation in January 2011 after serving one term as tribal vice president. The 27,000-square-mile (69,000-square-kilometer) reservation is spread across New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
Shelley lost his run for re-election in 2014, but the Navajo Supreme Court extended his term to five after tribal elections were delayed due to problems with fluency in the Navajo language required for an office involving another candidate. extended for a month.
Prior to that, Shelley represented his hometown of Thoreau on the Navajo Nation Council for 16 years and served as Commissioner of McKinley County for 8 years.
Sherry and his family have been in the transportation business for the past seven years.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Martha Shelley, with whom he has five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Sherry’s family held a private service for him and plans to hold a public memorial service in the future.
