Jesse Lee Monongye, 71, of Scottsdale, AZ left this earth for his Heavenly journey on August 6, 2024 at the Manor Village Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ. Jesse Monongye was a world-renown Navajo Indian jeweler whose jewelry is highly regarded as the finest inlay work ever accomplished.
 
Born August 13, 1952 at the Indian Hospital in Phoenix, he is the son of Ida Mae Castillo (Navajo) and Preston Lee Monongye (raised Hopi). At three years old, Jesse and his three siblings were found abandoned in a small building near the Grand Canyon. Both parents could not be located. Jesse was adopted and raised by Lucille and Allen Mailman in Two Grey Hills, NM. Jesse appreciated his upbringing by traditional Navajos instilling great work ethic, discipline, and spirituality.
 
Jesse graduated from Fort Wingate High School in New Mexico, graduating with honors and excelling in football and track. After high school, he had fallen in love with the idea of becoming a heavy equipment operator.  During the heavy equipment operating training, he was approached by a recruiter for the Marines. The idea of picturing himself wearing the dress blues and going to California had him sworn in and on his way to Camp Pendleton by the end of the day. Jesse served 18 months fighting in the Vietnam war. He was thankful to come home alive! He was not just a proud Marine but a proud Navajo Marine.
 
After serving in Vietnam, Jesse had the help of a Navajo FBI agent to locate his father, Preston Monongye. Jesse learned that he was a well-known Hopi artist and silversmith. Jesse began watching his father work and assist him but was not particularly interested in the craft. The night before he was going to move away to go back to school for heavy equipment operating, he was gifted a dream from his mother. It inspired him to pursue jewelry making.  His mother told Jesse he would become more famous than his father. Being spiritual, Jesse trusted this dream and decided to stay with his father and learn what he could from him. The rest is history.
 
Jesse Monongye strived for excellence and perfection. His determination and spiritual connection to his Creator, stars, universe, and land produced original, one of a kind pieces of wearable art that had deep meaning. His artwork has been validated by gaining widespread recognition and numerous awards. He has been featured in multiple books, publications and film features. Private collectors of his jewelry include John D. Rockefeller, Senator Barry Goldwater, Lynn Sherr 20/20, Eddie Basha Jr., Justice Sandra Day O’Conner to name a few. Museum collections include the Heard Museum, Northern Arizona Museum, Museum of Man (San Diego, CA), Denver Art Museum, Cooper-Hewitt Museum (NY, NY), The Museum of Modern Art, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, and the American Museum of Natural History.
 
Jesse’s community involvement was also notable. He dedicated his time and funds to Scottsdale Art Institute, Youth Prison Outreach, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Maricopa Community College Foundation for American Indian Students. He was a large supporter of the Heard Museum since the late 1970s. His community involvement reached out of Arizona as well, serving as co-chairman for the U.S. Department of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
 
Jesse will be remembered for his larger than life personality, charisma, and iconic black Stetson cowboy hat with an eagle feather. His witty humor, captivating story-telling, and generous spirit will be greatly missed by all those who have met him.
 
Jesse was preceded in death by his son Jason and daughter Stephanie. Jesse is survived by his son Jesse (Bo) Monongye, daughter Sophia Dicerbo (Adam), three grandsons (Jager, Wesley, and Luca), and his sister Peggy Lee.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jesse’s name to the the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC) that help with Missing Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).