Albert James Titla

Albert James Titla was born on March 7, 1974, at the old Indian Health Service Hospital on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. He passed away on April 15, 2027 at 6:52 PM. Albert is the beloved son of Steve Titla, Sr., and Veronica Burnette Titla, and a devoted brother to Steven Titla Jr. and Matthew Titla. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends who will continue to carry his memory with them.

Albert’s early years were shaped both by his education and the close bond he shared with his family. He attended Bylas Mission School and later the Good Shepherd school in Tempe, Arizona, while his father pursued college and law school at ASU and his mother worked in the Phoenix area. Albert also attended the Eastfork Mission school at East Fork, Arizona and was a proud member of the first graduating class of the new San Carlos High School in 1992. He later continued his education at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona.

Throughout this time, while Steve was busy with college and law school, Veronica and Albert spent much of their time together forming an incredibly close bond. Veronica often said that Albert was her soulmate. They did everything together including fishing, hunting birds/quails, skiing, swimming and she was always there supporting him at his games. Albert leaned on his mom in a way that was so genuine and tender. If something was on his mind, she was the first person he would call. And in his quieter moments with her, they would talk about faith… about the Bible, about God… and Albert spoke with a peace and certainty that he was not afraid of what comes next.

That same love and connection extended to his two younger brothers, JR and Matthew. He was very proud of JR for his school accomplishments and he had a deep love for cooking just like Matthew. Albert had a way of making life feel full, he could talk to anyone, make friends effortlessly, and had a sharp, quick mind, especially when it came to numbers. He also had such a playful spirit. One time, Veronica’s sister said to him "Albert I wish I had your brain" and without missing a beat, he smiled and said, "just not my body, huh" . . . a response that had the whole family laughing. That was Albert, quick-witted, warm, and always bringing light to the people around him. Albert also had great affection for his God sisters Jessica Natsyn, Yosh Belle Littleman, Joanna Bush, Aubrennie Aday, Kalie Ortiz and Khloe Baha.

Albert also had a very close relationship with his paternal grandmother, Olive Pike Titla. He spent a lot of time with her in his early years, and the two of them shared many happy memories. One time, when he was about 7 or 8, Albert convinced his grandmother and aunt, Alberta Rope, to take him to a drive-in movie. What he didn’t tell them was that the film he had picked was The Exorcist. Neither his grandmother nor his aunt had any idea they were about to watch a movie in which a young woman would become possessed and spin her head all the way around. The Titla family would chuckle about it for years afterward, remembering the time Albert hoodwinked his grandmother and aunt into a horror movie!

Albert never had the opportunity to meet his paternal grandfather, Dennis Titla, who served as the Chief of Police at the San Carlos Apache Tribal Police Department. Chief Titla passed on April 12, 1960, while serving his community as a law enforcement officer. Although their lives never overlapped, it is a meaningful coincidence that Albert passed on April 15, so close in date. The family reflects on that connection as a quiet reminder of a shared legacy. In his own way, Albert carried forward that same spirit of service, giving his time, his work, and his heart wherever he was needed. Albert worked in fire camps that set up accommodations and prepared meals for firefighters, traveling to several states for that work. He also assisted engineers on asphalt highway construction projects and spent a short time with the White Mountain Apache Game & Fish Department.

Outside of work, Albert stayed deeply connected to the things he learned from his family. He learned to hunt and fish from his father, Steve Titla Sr., who took him into the field at a young age. He especially loved fishing and fished spots all across Arizona. His father still remembers a special trip the three of them took when Albert was a young man, fishing and camping on the White Mountain Apache Reservation with his mother, Veronica Titla. They camped all weekend and caught enough fish to fill an ice cooler, bringing it back to share with many relatives. His parents fondly remember that trip and how proud Albert was to provide fish for the family.

He developed a lifelong passion for fishing and spent many days on the waters of both the White Mountain Apache Reservation and on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Albert also hunted alongside his dad for elk and deer, building kills and memories that stayed with him for life. When he came of age, Albert drew his first big game elk tag and hunted in the Malay Gap area with his father and his father’s friend, the late Ronald Edwards. On that trip, Albert successfully harvested a 6-point trophy bull elk. It was no easy task packing it out, but Albert was tremendously proud of that trophy.

Even as a young man, Albert showed a natural talent for hunting. On one trip with his father in the mineral strip area on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, they came across a herd of mule deer. While his dad was still fumbling to load a cartridge into his rifle, Albert took a single shot as the herd ran over a hill and brought down a 4x4 mule deer buck. Albert was a skilled hunter, and his parents were enormously proud of him. A picture of Albert from that time, smiling and holding those antlers, remains forever etched in their memories.

Like all of us, Albert faced challenges in life, but through it all, his faith remained strong. He was deeply devoted, often reading the Bible and sharing passages with his family. Albert carried a steady belief that gave him peace: he knew that he was saved, and felt called to share that faith with others in his own sincere way. Albert often kept a rosary and crosses with him wherever he stayed. At one point, Albert even made crosses by hand and gave them to his loved ones, a simple yet powerful reflection of his heart. His parents still cherish those crosses today. Anyone who truly knew Albert could see it clearly, his faith was real, his heart was pure and his spirit was deeply humble.

Albert’s friends and family are deeply saddened by his passing, but they choose to remember him for who he truly was, a spiritual man with a compassionate, humble heart. Albert would give the clothes off his back to someone in need. When his brothers were young, he bought them new Air Jordan shoes, a small gesture that spoke to how deeply he loved them. His parents and brothers are heartbroken beyond words, but they hold tightly to the memory of Albert as a devoted son and loving brother. Even in the final days of his life, as he faced serious illness, his thoughts were always with his family. He asked about his brothers and wanted to see them and stay connected in every way he could. He never ended a call or text with his parents without saying “love you, Mom” or “love you, Pops”. His love was constant, and it will remain with them always. His parents and brothers and extended family and friends will carry him in their hearts forever. May He Be of Blessed Memory.