Deshawn Niko Goldtooth

Deshawn Niko Goldtooth was born to Priscilla Goldtooth and the late Daryl Smith. He was born in Whiteriver, AZ on August 15, 1995, and passed away on May 22, 2022 in Scottsdale, AZ at the age of 26.

Deshawn is survived by his mother Priscilla Goldtooth, step-father Augustine Mason; two sons, Jacob Tate and Hannon Goldtooth; companion, Kathy Hinton; sisters, Darilyn Goldtooth (Todd Mallboy), Theresa Johnson, and Danielle Kessay; brothers, William Walker and Mason Pablo; maternal grandparents, Filmore and Virginia Wool, Lena James and Sharon James; grandpas, Winky James, Fruntin James and Aaron James; aunts, Stella Lyndell Johnson, Virgilyn Wool (Johnny Cromwell), Velmore and DeWayne Lavender, Visha Wool (Eric Mason), Venitra Wool and Marjorie Smith; uncles, Dean Wool and Christian Wool, along with numerous relatives and friends.

He will be brought home on June 4, 2022 at 1:00 PM, at Whiteriver Assembly of God, with Pastor Chiefo Parker officiating. Burial will be at Whiteriver Cemetery.

Deshawn lived all of his life on the White Mountain Apache Reservation as an avid fisherman, carpenter, grill master and musician. His love for playing the drums started at a very young age, learning from his grandpa Winky. He began playing drums in his church, and as he got older, his passion for the drums landed him to play with the well-known “Rez Roots” Band. Music was life for him.

If you didn’t see him playing the drums, you would find him wearing a hard hat and feeding his animals.

Deshawn was a very giving person, making sure everyone was fed, warm and taken care of. He wouldn’t let anyone walk past him without helping them. He was very talkative, filled with laughter, and his character was warm and welcoming. He loved to be in the outdoors with his cousins, getting wood or antler hunting. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and band members.

But we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:8