Richard "Ric" Lee Jefferson

Richard Lee Jefferson, 63, passed Saturday, January 6^th, 2024.

Richard Lee Jefferson was born May 9th, 1960 in Del Norte, Colo., to Robert Jefferson and Catherine Jefferson. He grew up here on the Southern Ute Reservation with his siblings Robbi Mann and Robert Jefferson. Ric loved his family, basketball, his community, and knowledge. He loved passing on his knowledge and wisdom to anyone that wanted to learn. A son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather are just a few of the things he was.

His professional journey included serving on the Southern Ute Tribal council, Director of Southern Ute Education Department, and the Executive Director of SUCAP. His educational journey includes: A.A. in Art in Human Services from San Juan College, a B.A. in Southwest Studies with a minor in Anthropology from Fort Lewis College and was working on an MFA in Film/documentary Production from Hofstra University in New York.

Ric was the proud father to his two children, Carol Lee Redhouse Deed and Richard “Ricky” Redstar Jefferson, and two Grandchildren, Richard Lee Victor Jefferson and Londyn Lee Redhouse Deed.

Ric was an avid history buff and craved to learn as much as he could about Indigenous history and pass what he knew on. He loved traveling and in his later years lived in New York and Florida before coming back home.

Ric is survived by his children, Carol Lee Redhouse Deed and Richard Redstar Jefferson; 2 grandchildren; Sister Robbi Mann, Brother Robert Jefferson; Aunt Misty Jefferson-Yackytooahnipah and Uncle Dr. Jim Jefferson and many nieces and nephews.

“When it comes time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in in different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home”

-Chief Aupumut in 1725, Mohican