Navajo Code Talker Joel Hosteen Kellwood dies at 95

Joe Hosteen Kellwood

1921 - 2016 Obituary Condolences Gallery
Joe Hosteen Kellwood Obituary
Kellwood, Joe Hosteen
Joe Hosteen Kellwood was born on August 20, 1921 on the Navajo Reservation in Steamboat Canyon, AZ, and passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at the Veterans Hospital on September 5, 2016 in Phoenix. He was one of the Few, the Proud, he was a WWII U.S.M.C. Navajo Code Talker. He served in the First Marine Division and saw battle on Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Okinawa. He was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Naval Unit Commendation, Good Conduct, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. He served our country with pride and dignity. He was a guest speaker at numerous events and proudly sang the Marine Corps Hymn in his Native Language. Due to health issues he was not able to attend the recent Navajo Code Talkers event in Window Rock, AZ on August 14th. He was a carpenter by trade and a proud member of VFW 9400 and American Legion 75 for many years. We all have wonderful memories of seeing his face light up when we walked into the room. He loved to tell funny stories, laugh out loud and say "by golly". He enjoyed family gatherings, cook-outs and just spending quality time with good friends and family. He lived in the same house in Sunnyslope since the early 1950s (over 60 years of watching his children and grandchildren grow up). He was a resident of the Arizona State Veterans Home for five months. During that time, he met many Veterans and Staff who enjoyed hearing his legacy. He loved playing bingo with his fellow Veterans. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Andrena, his sons Paul and Robert and his grandsons Christopher, Paul, Joe and Robert. He is also preceded in death by his parents and siblings and most recently, his brother Roy, who passed away on September 2nd. He is survived by his children Connie, David and Catherine, eleven grandchildren and over twenty great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, September 8, 2016 at Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix 85020. Services will follow at 2:00 pm at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek, Phoenix 85024. Visit hansenmortuary.com for condolences.
Published in The Arizona Republic on Sept. 7, 2016