Thursday, 21 November 2024

Obits

Jerry Covin. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Jerry “Pilgrim” Covin was born and raised in the Boston area.

He moved his family to Northern California in 1979 in large part to pursue his lifelong passion — restoring classic cars.

Pilgrim moved to Lake County, California, in the 1990s, collecting a large assortment of friends and chosen family, as well as other classic car enthusiasts. He leaves behind a pioneering and stellar body of work.

Pilgrim was handsome, charming, talented and wickedly funny. His sometimes-gruff exterior hid a kind and generous heart. He really would give you the shirt off his back.

He was also stubbornly independent and authentically himself at all times. He was often heard to say with great feeling, if they don't like it, “f*** 'em!”

But he did not have a mean bone in his body. He was very slow to judge, giving other people the unqualified acceptance he demanded for himself.

Pilgrim is survived by his longtime loving partner, Ronda; his dear friends, Dan and Pam; his daughters, Amy and Randi; his son-in-law, Anthony; grandsons, Dean and Ben; his granddaughter-in-law, Mikhaila; his great-grandson, Noah Gerald; his brother, his sister and countless nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and admirers.

He will be sorely missed by all, and he loved them all.

Memorial celebration to be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at his shop at 3430 Finley Road East in Finley.

Homer Webster Wilson. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Homer Webster Wilson was born in Palestine, Texas, on Nov. 18, 1928, to the Rev. George H. Wilson and Nancy Roberson. He was one of 14 children.

Homer joined the military at the age of 18 and served three years in the occupation of Japan.

In 1950 he entered the Korean War and served 13 months in combat duty. He attained the rank of sergeant and commanded a 12-man 155 mm howitzer gun crew. He received several commendations and metals including the Korea Commendation Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.

On May 31, 1952, he married Christine McCray, and from this union, a son was born; they named him Levert.

In 1953 he was honorably discharged from the military. He moved to California where he attended Oakland City College where he majored in business law. He worked for 38 years in civil service for the state of California and the federal government.

Together, Homer and Christine built their home in Nice, California; they built a life they loved. This year, 2022, would have marked their 64th wedding anniversary.

On any given day, Homer, affectionately known as HW, could be found relaxing out on the deck. He’d read his newspaper and watch his sports; he loved the Dodgers and the 49ers and tending to his four-legged companions, who, as of recently, were all named “Thor.” He also liked to fish and hunt.

Homer also enjoyed hosting family. He would share his wisdom with everyone in his presence. Food was plentiful in the Wilson home, and you were always welcome. Homer would give his last, and before you left his house, he would give you this advice: “Keep it in the middle of the road, mate.”

Other words of wisdom included: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” It’s six one way, half a dozen another,” and “Come to me with friendship and not with your hand out.”

Homer departed this life on Oct. 25, 2022, at the tender age of 93. He would live a full, blessed and productive life, one full of love and great memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. George H. Wilson and Nancy Roberson Wilson; his wife of 64 years, Christine; his sisters, Arlener Moore, Lola Faye Briley, Nancy Jean Reliford, Ruth Thelma Glenn and Terrie Lee Wilson; his brothers, LC Wilson, Richard Odell Wilson and Clemmon Santee Wilson; and his stepmother, Corrie Wilson.

Homer leaves to cherish his memory his son, Levert (Linda) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; a grandson, Byron Rideaux of Lawrenceville; one great-grandson, Byron of Covina, California; three brothers, Audrey Wilson, Glenell Wilson and Johnathan Wayne Wilson, all of Omaha, Nebraska; two sisters, Octavia Lorraine Smith of Austin, Texas, and Evelyn Harker Wilson of Bellevue, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Alice Faye Randal (Randy) of Oakland, California, Pearl Guiton of Houston, Texas, and Dixon Dunn of Oakland; and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Nice Community Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 12, followed by a funeral service at noon.

A graveside service will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on Monday, Nov. 14, at 1:15 p.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Dominic Garcia. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Dominic Mitch Garcia of Lakeport, California, age 37, passed away on Oct. 29, 2022.

He was born on Oct. 13, 1985, son to DeeAnna and Fermin Chavez.

Dominic is survived by his wife, Lyric; three children, DeeAnna, Dominic and Angelo; siblings, Deena, Erica, Oscar and Dreya; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Everyone who knew Dom felt his big heart and loving nature. He was an amazing and respectable man who loved his family and was always willing to give a helping hand.

He is unexpectedly at peace and will rest easy with his mom, DeeAnna; grandmother, Zelda; grandfathers, Milford and Phil; and his best friend and brother, Harry Hopper and Mark Jr.

Traditional visitation will be held at 585 Yellow Hammer Lane in Lakeport starting on Thursday, Nov. 3, at noon.

Graveside service will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lakeport on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Kevin Gardner. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Kevin William Gardner, 60, of Lakeport, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Oct. 4, 2022.

Kevin was born in San Rafael, California, the second of three boys and one sister to Carol Cooper and Gerald Gardner.

Kevin attended Clear Lake High School in Lakeport and later graduated from South Tahoe High School in South Lake Tahoe, California.

After high school, Kevin apprenticed in auto body repair in Farmington, New Mexico. He also worked for many years in the construction trade including working for the family-owned construction business.

He spent most of his life living in Lakeport. Kevin was known as a guy who could fix anything and a guy with a big heart who would give anything he had to help someone in need.

He will be remembered for his greatest loves, cool cars and his dog, Boozer.

Kevin is preceded in death by his grandmother, Kay; uncle, Robl; his son, Daniel; and his companion, Boozer.

He is survived by his mother and father, Carol and Mal Cooper; his father, Gerald Gardner; his brothers, Grant Gardner and Joe Cooper (Luisa); his sister, Colleen Cooper Henninger (Thad); his children, Jerry Gardner (Silvia) and Jasmine Heckard Hodges (Aaron); and his grandchildren, Cooper, Camila, Olivia and Avana, as well as many extended family members.

He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

There will be a memorial celebration of his life for family and friends Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Beach Terrace Association at 4770 Lakeshore Blvd. in Lakeport.

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336, www.chapeklofthelakes.com, Lakeport, 707-263-0357.

Bob Schoenherr. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Bob Schoenherr, 69, of Kelseyville passed away suddenly Sept. 12.

A celebration of life is scheduled at the Bell Haven Flower Farm and Resort 6420 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m.

Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Virginia Mae Washburn. Courtesy photo.

Virginia (Ginger) Mae Washburn
Feb. 21, 1939 — Sept. 16, 2022

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Virginia (Ginger) Mae Brock was born to parents Leonard and Rita Brock in Santa Rosa, California, on Feb. 21, 1939.

On May 21, 1955, she met Allen Griggs, who asked her on a hayride in Calistoga. Two months later, on Aug. 14, he proposed. They were married almost a year later on July 29, 1956.

The newlyweds moved to Santa Rosa where they had their first child, Guy Griggs, in May of 1957. They moved to Eureka shortly after and had their second child, Darla “Chelle” Griggs in July of 1961. The couple then moved their new family to Lake County in 1962.

Shortly after making the move to Lakeport, she opened a pet shop “Ginger’s Pets and Pals” on Main Street in Lakeport.

In the early 1970s she attended and graduated cosmetology school, becoming a beautician and starting a career as a hairdresser in Lakeport.

In 1975 Allen and Ginger divorced. She continued to do cosmetology until she met her second husband, David Washburn, through her best friend Gail Banta in 1982. They were married the next year on Nov. 16, in Reno, Nevada.

Avid members of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Ginger and Dave enjoyed a robust and rewarding social life making many lifelong friends with the fraternal order.

In the early 1990s Ginger and Dave became managers at Sunshine Manor in Lakeport until their retirement to Hilo, Hawaii, in the early 2000s. While in Hawaii Ginger and Dave made many friends and enjoyed all the islands had to offer.

They returned to Lakeport in 2012 due to Dave’s escalating health issues. Dave passed later that year.

In 2016 Ginger’s daughter moved in to help care for her as a longtime battle with cancer combined with Alzheimer’s began to increase.

Ginger enjoyed a loving and comfortable life in the loving hands of her daughter. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her own home on Sept. 16, 2022, due to complications from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ginger is survived by her two children, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and all her extended family at the Lakeport Lodge of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 1 p.m.

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