Eli James Yaw

Elijah James Yaw passed away peacefully at the young age of 32. He was surrounded by his beloved aunt Gloria Beltran, sister-in-law Erica Ortiz and parents James and Brenda Yaw at the time of his passing on October 15, 2023.

Elijah, known by his friends and family as Eli, was born on April 4, 1991, in Las Cruces, NM to Michelle Beltran. Eli, his beloved little brother and best friend, Nathaniel (Nate), his two little sisters Hannah and Cheyenne grew up in Eagle River, Alaska with their parents James and Brenda Yaw. He graduated from Eagle River High School and received his associate’s degree from New Mexico State University. He excelled in basketball and academics. Eli was protective, loving, and jovial with his family and friends. He shared his incredible heart with everyone he cared about throughout his life, and he never knew a stranger. Eli met the love of his life, Mariah Faye Ortiz in 2010 in Hatch, NM, where both of their family’s roots run deep. They supported each other through law school, security guard training, and all the ups and downs life threw at them. Together, they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Emelia Gabrielle, and Ella Mae Yaw into their lives. The four of them lived in Las Cruces, NM, and enjoyed every moment they could spending time with family. Eli had an unmatched sense of humor, was a hard worker and a caring father. He loved to a fault and would give anything he had to help someone in need. His passions were helping his father-in-law, Herman Ortiz, at the family’s farm and ranch, working out at the “muscle factory,” playing basketball, fishing in Alaska, coaching Emelia's little league sports, working with and cuddling with his sweet Ella Mae. Tragically, on June 7, 2023, Mariah, Eli’s life partner passed away. Together with Mariah's parents Herman and Gabriela Ortiz, Eli cared for their two daughters through the last days of his life. Along with Mariah, Eli was preceded in death by his grandmother Gloria Beltran and several extended family members from both sides of his family. Eli is survived by his two young daughters, Emelia and Ella Mae, parents James and Brenda Yaw, brother Nate and his wife Rachel Yaw along with their children Autumn, Ozzie and Phoebe Yaw, sisters Cheyenne and Hannah Yaw, his aunt and uncle Elvis and Carla Yaw, grandparents Johnny and Donna Rivera, grandfather Raymond Beltran, mother Michelle Beltran, aunt Gloria Beltran, uncle Xavier Beltran, aunt and uncle Seniada and Hector Mora, aunt and uncle Patrica and Sisto Aquilera, aunt Isabell Beltran, father and mother-in-law Herman and Gabriela Ortiz, sister-in-laws Adriana and Lorena Ortiz, brother-in-law Quentin Ortiz, sister and brother-in-law Erica and Sean, and nephew Harrison Ortiz. Close friends – Patrick Dye and Cody Hahn. Eli was laid to rest beside Mariah at the Garfield Catholic Cemetery on Friday, October 20, 2023. Honorary pallbearers included Nate Yaw, Xavier Beltran, La’Shawn Keys, Micheal Keys, Quentin Ortiz, Sean Brown, Steven Kipling, David Chamberlain, Cody Hahn, and Patrick Dye. Undoubtedly Eli, along with his life partner Mariah will be watching over their beautiful daughters while listening to their favorite Johnny and June Carter Cash songs. His soul is at peace amongst family and friends in heaven, and his memory will live on forever in the hearts and minds of all his loved ones still here on earth.