The Daily Times staff

FARMINGTON — Popular Navajo radio personality George Werito died on Sunday in Shiprock at age 66.

Werito was the station manager for KNDN, which can be heard on 960 AM. The Farmington-based radio station broadcasts in Navajo and reaches more than 100,000 listeners weekly, according to a press release the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President issued on Sunday evening that announced Werito's death.

Werito’s show aired at 6 a.m. weekdays.

In a prepared statement, President Russell Begaye called Werito "one of my closest friends."

"In George Werito, the Navajo Nation has lost a leader and great radio personality who was unparalleled in his ability to communicate complex issues in a very articulate way in the Navajo language," Begaye said.

Vice President Jonathan Nez added that Werito helped the radio station grow in popularity, particularly in the eastern and northern parts of the Navajo Nation.

Funeral service information for Werito has not yet been announced.