Percy David “Scout” Tapia

Percy David “Scout” Tapia, Age 50, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. Scout was lifelong resident of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. He was a Veteran of United States Marine Corps, once stationed in Okinawa, Japan and a former firefighter.  He is preceded in death by his parents the late San Juan Gov. Percy Tapia and Marie Ortiz-Tapia, his brother Arnold Tapia, twin sister Priscilla “Lou” Tapia, and his sister Bernice Tapia.   He is survived by his daughter and Son-in-Law Dennis and Janella Chavez and his grandchildren, Sarah and Nicholas Chavez. He is also survived by his sisters: Grace Ortiz, Belle Tapia, Rose Marquez, Becky Tapia, Roberta Tapia and sister-in-law Nancy Ortiz.  The wake service and viewing was held at the home of his sister, Belle Tapia with the rosary recited at 7:00pm Wednesday November 19, 2008.  A Mass of a Christian Burial was celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 9:00am on Thursday, November 20, 2008. The burial followed at 10am at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Cemetery. Military honors were conducted by the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15. Serving as pallbearers were Ron Bullcoming, David Marquez, CJ Marquez, Josh Marquez, Edie Sanchez, Woto Sanchez, Allen Medina, Pat Sanchez, Aaron Sanchez and Kyle Abeyta.  Honorary pallbearers were Max Ortiz, Artie Ortiz, Steven Garcia, Alan Cruz, Richard Sanchez, Leslie Cruz, and Eloy Chavez. Nieces and nephews, include, Dawn Drapeau, Mike and Michelle Harvier, April Gonzales, Shawna Martinez, Jackie Cano, Maurianna Tafoya, David, CJ and Josh Marquez,  Aaron and Patrick Sanchez, Andrew and Anthony Tapia, Marie Junes, Josiah Tapia, and many other great nieces and nephews, relatives and Friends.  The family would like to express their gratitude to all who visited Scout during his last few days of his life and for those who tirelessly came to the aid of his family through prayer, donations, flowers, emotional support, food and hours spent helping the family with all native traditional obligations. The family would also like to thank the Espanola Hospital ICU staff for their comfort and professionalism during his time of illness. They would like to express gratitude to the Ohkay Owingeh tribal council and administration, especially councilman Tony Trujillo and Block-Salazar Mortuary for their timely services.