August Junior Carlson (Jay)
Aug. 18, 1924, to June 8, 2014
 
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – August Junior Carlson – also known as Jay – was born to August Jalmer Carlson, and Audrey Green Marshall in Storrs, Utah.

His siblings were Dorlene, Ida, Jimmy, Lillian, Cal, Arlene and Bill, all of whom preceded him in leaving this earthly life.
 
He spent his early life in Carbon County, Utah. When he was 16, the family boarded a train and moved to Portola, Calif., where his father began working for the Western Pacific RR. Jay went to school there, and joined his father working for the railroad.

After World War II broke out, he joined the Marines to his parents' dismay, serving honorably in the Pacific from April 1943 to January 1946.
 
Following the war, he returned to Portola and began working for the railroad, with a short time spent attending Lassen College.

It was there that he met and eventually married Sally Cook, the love of his life. They were married in
Illinois in November of 1947. They had one son, AJ Carlson III and spent the ensuing 19 years in Herlong, an Army base in northeastern California, working for the railroad in conjunction with the U.S. Military.

He and Sally later moved to Stockton, where he was a supervisor for the railroad. After several years there they moved to Elko, Nev.

Following more than 35 years with the railroad, he retired and they moved to Nice in Lake County.

 
Jay was well liked, and spent much time in service to and with others.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he was an involved and devout Christian, and his life personified that.

During his later years he joined the VFW, and was a member of the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team in the Clear Lake area.

Even last week he spent hours in front of a local store selling buddy poppies for one of those organizations.
 
He is survived by his son AJ (Anna Lee), three grandsons, six great-grandchildren and many who are proud to have been a friend and acquaintance to Jay.

You are already missed.   

Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lakeport on Saturday, June 14, at 10 a.m. Visitation begins at 9 a.m.

Jay will be laid to rest at Upper lake Cemetery.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary (FD-1336) at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Antonia Flores Herrera passed away peacefully on June 4, 2014, at the age of 58.

Antonia was born in Mexico on Aug. 19, 1955. She came to California and was a vineyard laborer for 25 years.

Antonia is survived by her daughters, Erica Naranjo of Napa, Susana Herrera of Hidden Valley Lake and son Abraham Castañeda of Napa; her sister, Patricia Flores Caro of Sacramento; brothers, Raymundo and Jose Flores Caro of Mexico; as well as seven grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 12, from noon to 7 p.m. at Jones & Lewis Clearlake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St., Lower Lake.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, June 13, at the Middletown Cemetery District beginning at 11 a.m. with Father Oscar Diaz officiating.

Please sign Antonia’s online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .

In loving memory of
Ralph Wyndolyn Braun
May 26, 1932 – June 2, 2014

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Ralph passed away in St. Helena Hospital following a brief illness. He was 82.

Dedicated husband, loving father and wonderful friend to many.

His involvement and donations to his communities are too numerous to mention.

A US Navy veteran, serving on a aircraft carrier during the Korean Conflict, Ralph will be laid to rest in the Pacific Ocean.

Owner of R.W. Braun Lathing and Plastering Co. of Napa for 33 years.

Ralph was born in Topeka, Kansas, to Pete and Dorothy Braun. He was a faithful member of the Napa and Clearlake Catholic churches.

He moved to Lake County in 1994.

Ralph’s survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary; their children, Debra and Charles Braun, Pamela West-Blohm and son, Thomas West, deceased; four grandchildren, Barbara and Steven Akers, Amber Walker and Chad Miles; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Regina Wallace of Brandon, Ore., and Catherine Applehans of San Diego; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to their local Catholic Church Memorial Fund.

Please sign Ralph’s online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .

Susan Marie (Mayjoffo) Cocking
Dec. 9, 1960 to June 3, 2014

Susan was born in Lancaster, Calif., in 1960 and attended school in Southern California before moving to Santa Rosa, Calif.

Later in life, she moved to Loch Lomond, Calif and eventually to the Arizona desert with the love of her life, Rod Rochelle. They had established a homestead, but Rod was killed in a vehicle accident.

Susan planned to move home on June 10. Once again, Life had other plans for her, and she died in an automobile accident on June 3 when her vehicle overturned.

Susan naturally drew people to her because she was a genuine, down-to-earth person who loved her friends and family. She had a great sense of humor and was always ready for adventure.

She was a terrific cook and a born storyteller and confidante. She had a generous heart and accepted people for what they were.

She gave without expecting anything in return, and that’s what she got … what she did get was four lovely daughters and the undying love and affection of her family and close friends.

She is survived by her parents, Richard and Judy Mayjoffo; her four sisters, Cynthia Etienne, Kathryn Effinger, Laura Kennedy and Annalisa Connelly.

She also leaves behind her four daughters: Nicole Presler, Rhonda Presler-Stillman, Camille Cocking, and Angela Cole.

Susan has six grandchildren: Anthony Congleton, Miley Wilder, Donovin, Gavin, Skyler Stillman and Troy Mullins, Jr.  

She has numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews who are not forgotten. We will all miss her.

A visitation is scheduled on Saturday, June 14, between noon and 3 p.m. 11225 Loch Lomond Rd., Loch Lomond, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Susan’s name to the Swanson Family Fund to help provide cancer care for their little girl, Elizabeth.

Contributions may be sent to Bank of the West, 15050 Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rico L. Orton was born July 13, 1942. He was 71 when he passed away in his home.

Rico went peacefully in his sleep Friday, May 23, 2014, at 8:30 a.m.

He was the loving husband of Michele for 26 years. He was a devoted and loving father of his six children, including three sons, Richard, Gilbert and Joshua, and his three daughters, Charlotte, Julie and Nancy.

Rico was a proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves nieces and nephews, his father Don and two sisters, Judi and Diane. He will be greatly missed by Aunt Alene and Uncle Dick and loved by many, many friends. Rico will be missed so much!

Now, Sweet Heart, you hurt no more. You are now our angel at home with the Lord and your two children, Leo and Rosalie, your mother Marge, your brother Ken and Vera. We love you always.

A remembrance service will be held at at 6844 Hammond Ave. in Upper Lake on Saturday, June 7, at 1 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Gary J. Lopez, 62, was born in Glendale, Calif., on Sept. 2, 1951, and died June 3, 2014, in Lakeport.

Gary grew up in Avenal, Calif., where he acquired the nickname “Red” (For obvious reasons). He was an outstanding athlete and even better friend.

After graduation from Avenal High in 1970 he attended West Hills College. After West Hills Gary moved to Bakersfield and began work in the oil fields. In the mid-1970s he started an overseas stint that would include work in Libya and the North Sea.

At his brother's wedding in 1978 he met Wanda Holson, whom he married in 1982. Their first son Phill was born in 1983, and shortly afterward they moved to Lakeport where Gary started work in the geothermal industry – a career that would last for 30 years. Life in Lakeport two more sons, Matt in 1984 and Tony in 1988.

Gary was a people person. He consciously maintained close relationships with friends over time and distance. He considered them family.

One of the highlights of each year was the PAR Chaser Classic Golf Tournament. For over 30 years he and a large number of friends would get together for golf, story telling, insults and laughter.

A few weeks before his death a large group of close friends came a long way to have their last party with him. He had the time of his life.

As he recently said to his sons: “Stay close, it's up to you. You either do it or you don't.”

Gary did it, and he did it well. His smiling face will be missed by all. Vaya con Dios!

Gary is survived by his wife, Wanda; sons, Phill, Matt and Tony; brother, Mark (Karen); uncle, Dave Lopez; and numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Evelyn and brother Robert.

Services will be held at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .