Delfin “Del” Cesar died Jan. 15, 2018, at home surrounded by loved ones after battling cancer. He was 78.
Cesar was Lukaax̱.ádi, Yeil Hít (Raven House), and a grandchild of the Shangukeidí. His Tlingit name was Kudeiyax̱dutí.
He was born Sept. 8, 1939, in Juneau to “Sam” Santiago and Mary Cesar. Del graduated from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1957 and served in Korea in the U.S. Army 1959 to 1963.
Del was a founder of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp 70 and served on the Goldbelt Inc. Board of Directors for many years.
Del was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Michael, Niles, Amelia McClure, and Marilyn Wieting; and grandson “DJ” Douglas Maki.
Surviving family are his loving wife Marlene; children Nancy Maki, Lance Cesar, David Cesar (Nancy), Beverly Russell (Les) and Janice Craver (Andrew), Michael Nannauck; brothers Ken (Jackie) and Kermit (Andrea); grandchildren Ashley Maki, Christian Parker, Catherine Rule-Cesar, Michael Cesar, Shaylin Cesar, Shyann Nannauck, David Russell-Jensen, Tamara Craver-Kearns, Rebecca Menzone, and Melissa Craver.
Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 at Juneau’s Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall with reception following.
Contributions can be made to Catholic Community Services Hospice & Home Care in lieu of flowers.