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Don Cowdrey. Courtesy photo.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Don Cowdrey passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 3, 2017, in Lake County.

He was born Aug. 12, 1939, to Charles and Marie Cowdrey.

During his childhood he lived on his family’s dairy farm in Fresno. Around the age of 12 Don became an avid Harley motorcycle rider.

During his high school years, he worked with his father logging timber in the Philo area. In his early 20s Don lived in Point Arena where he worked building Highway 1 along the Northern Coast of California.

Don proudly served his country in the Army.

In the mid 1960s Don married Elaine McMillen and welcomed their first child, daughter Cheryl Marie, while living in Mariposa.

In the late 1960s he moved his family to Mill Valley to work on the BART tunnels in San Francisco.

In the 1970s Don and his family moved to the Santa Rosa area where he worked in construction and operated heavy equipment.

In 1973 he welcomed his second child, son Brian Lee.

He played the guitar with the Country Inspiration Band.

In the 80s Don started his own pile driving company. Don continued operating heavy equipment throughout his life.

In 2000 Don married Virginia Clements and moved to Calistoga.

Don is preceded in death by parents, Charles and Marie; sister, Velma; and brother, Lee.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Virginia; children, Cheryl (Larry) and Brian (Lisa); stepdaughter, Stacey (James); sisters, Winona, Wanda and Mary Lou; the mother of his children, Elaine; Virginia’s mother, Edie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Don’s family and friends will remember him for his generosity, humor and versatility, but most of all our love for him.

A celebration of Don’s Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at Rancho de Calistoga, 2412 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga in the clubhouse.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the North Bay Fire Relief Fund at www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief.

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Paul Larrea. Courtesy photo.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Paul Larrea passed away suddenly on Oct. 19, 2017.

Born in 1953 to Joseph and Patricia Larrea of Sacramento, he was the fourth of six children.

Paul graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Sacramento State University and University of La Verne where he obtained his Counseling Credential and Masters in Education.

Paul was a passionate and dedicated teacher, counselor and coach at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport, inspiring his many students, faculty colleagues and community members from his first full-time teaching position in February 1977 until his retirement in June 2016.

He remained active at CLHS as a volunteer girls soccer coach and drama club advisor.

Paul met Mary Ann Mitchell in Lake County. They were married in 1979 and raised their two children in Lakeport.

They enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends. Paul was very happy to have attended baseball Spring Training games in Arizona this year.

Paul is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mary Ann Larrea; son, Kevin Larrea; daughter, Ann Larrea; and grandchildren, Kameron and Kolton Larrea.

In addition, he is survived by his siblings, Bernadette, Joe, Michelle, Marta and Phillip Larrea, along with his brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Paul Larrea was a special person, devoted to his family, his friends, his school and his community. Always positive, he touched many lives and will be greatly missed.

Memorial service will be held at Clear Lake High School Gym on Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11 a.m.

Our family suggests donations be made in Paul’s name to any of the following: Lakeport Enhanced Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1734, Lakeport, CA 95453; Retired Teachers of Lake County Scholarship Foundation, 4393 Hickory Ave., Lakeport, CA 95453; Joshua Hanson Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 1280, Lakeport, CA 95453

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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Weldon Parker and his wife, Dee. Courtesy photo.


One life lived, millions of lives touched.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dr. Weldon Parker accepted the invitation to leave this life on Sept. 14, 2017, at the age of 87.

He passed in his sleep with wife Dee, son John, and daughter-in-law Cheyanne at his side.

After 30 years of teaching in San Jose and vacationing at Clear Lake, Dee and Weldon made Lake County their permanent retirement home in 1982.

Weldon was best known for his love of fishing, boating, square dancing, and unwavering support of natural and cultural resource preservation.

He was active in promoting the purchase of Anderson Marsh State Park, a founding member of the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association, member of the Lower Lake Methodist Church, Lake County Historical Society and Lake County Land Trust.

He loved gardening and earned ribbons for his vegetables at the county fair. He gave bird-watching boat tours of Anderson Marsh during Heron Days, and taught many locals
how to square dance as a caller here and in Florida.

Weldon was born in Texas to Arthur and Lena Parker in 1930. The family moved to Oklahoma just in time for the big dust storms. In 1937, the family of five children moved to California where they were employed as migrant farm workers.

Weldon attended 11 elementary schools as his family followed the crops up and down the state.

When World War II broke out, Arthur Parker got a job at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard and the family could afford to buy a house in Healdsburg.

In 1944, Weldon met Dolores Ames in Geyserville, by 1946 they were going "steady." He graduated from Healdsburg High with an interest in drama and was accepted for college at San Jose State.

Dee and Weldon were married in Geyserville in 1950 and moved to San Jose where he
completed his college degree and teaching credential.

In the 1950s, they bought a home in Santa Clara where he taught fifth and sixth grade. He started the "Outdoor Explorers" science programs for sixth graders, had a son (John) and daughter (Kathy), then moved to Stockton where he worked for county schools by developing a live animal museum and science curriculum for teachers.

He decided to work on his master’s degree, so the family moved back to San Jose where he taught at San Jose State and attended Stanford University. In 1964, he received his Doctorate in Education from Stanford University. He taught at San Jose State from 1958 to 1982 and retired as a full professor.

In retirement, Weldon and Dee lived across Cache Creek from Anderson Marsh. They bought a trailerable cabin cruiser and spent six years traveling the rivers of the U.S. (Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Allegheny, Monongahela, St. Johns, Suwannee, Apalachicola, Detroit River, Lake Erie, Trent Severn Canal, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence Seaway, Hudson, Erie Canal, Petaluma River, S.F. Bay and Sacramento Delta).

In 1983, they began spending winters in the Florida Keys, eventually buying a mobile home and boat to enjoy fishing and the warm waters. They loved to travel and trips were made throughout the world with family and friends (Europe, Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Mediterranean, France, Turkey, Egypt, Russia, New Zealand, Asia, China, Panama, South Pacific, Easter Island, Canary Islands and all 50 states).

At the age of 82, Weldon suffered a diabetic coma. When he was revived, much of his long-term and all of his short-term memory was gone.

The next five years were frustrating for Weldon and difficult for Dee as his caregiver. Dee learned about Elder Day Services of Lake County where a dedicated group of people provide a day program for seniors with physical and/or memory loss. While the seniors are enjoying games, lunch, and each other's company, their caregivers get some needed rest and time to do shopping and other chores.

Weldon is survived by wife, Dolores (Dee) Parker; daughter, Kathy Shaney; son, John Parker; daughter-in-law, Cheyanne Parker; son-in-law, Ted Shaney; granddaughter, Amber Parker; and great-grandson, Jade Parker.

Weldon is survived by brothers, Lester Parker, Carlton Parker and Kenneth Parker; and sisters, DeLois Neeley and Mary Clark.

He was preceded by brother Orville Parker.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Weldon's life to take place on Nov. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the barn at the Ely Stage Stop and County Museum, 9921 Soda Bay Road, off Highway 29 just north of Kit’s Corner.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Weldon's honor to Elder Day Services of Lake County, P.O. Box 333 Lower Lake, CA 95457, http://www.elderdayservicesoflakecountyca.org/.
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Sandra Clausen. Courtesy photo.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sandra “Sandy” Lee Clausen passed away in Lakeport on Oct. 14, 2017.

She was born in Los Angeles to Raymond and Marcella Baldwin.

Her family moved to Lake County when she was 7 years old. They had a ranch in the Big Valley area and she attended school in Lakeport where she met the love of her live, Keith Clausen, in the fifth grade.

Keith and Sandy moved out of Lake County while they attending college. They were married in 1959 and returned to Lake County where Keith worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years.

While living in Clearlake Oaks, they had three children: Ginger, April and Craig.

When Keith passed away in 2006, Sandy moved to Lakeport. She was heavily involved in raising her three children and as a member of Eastern Star. She was Worthy Matron in 1986, her year’s motto was “save time to enjoy the sunset.”

Sandy’s true love was her family and camping while enjoying the outdoors. Sandy was a true “fisherwoman.” She enjoyed all types of fishing from streams to the ocean where she and Keith would have many memorable trips out of Fort Bragg on their boat the “Hooker.”

Sandy is preceded in death by her husband, Keith, and parents, Raymond and Marcella.

She is survived by her daughters, Ginger Savage (Larry) and April Little, and son, Craig (Deana) Clausen; grandchildren, Adam, Sara, T.C., Kelsey, Hunter and Samantha; sisters, Marilyn Moyer and Tina Bush; brother, Gus Baldwin; as well as numerous extended family and friends.

“Catch a big one mom but save a few for the rest of us.”

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Hartley Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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