Lora Tell, Lakeport resident and co-owner of the Edgewater Resort in Kelseyville, Calif., passed away suddenly on Tuesday, May 22, 2012. She was 57 years old.

Lora is survived by her business partner, Sandra West, and her life partner, Kathy Keys, both of Kelseyville, and many good friends.

Lora is also survived by one cousin, Linda [husband, Jan] in Sacramento, and four cousins, Rhonda, Joyce [husband, Mitch], Anita and Neil, and an aunt and uncle all living on the East Coast.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Terry Tell, and her sister, Nora.

Lora graduated from Radford University in Virginia in 1978, and worked as a physical education instructor before moving to San Francisco in 1980 where she worked in telecommunications. Lora and Sandra met in 1989 and together they purchased the Edgewater Resort in 1996.  

Born on March 31, 1955, Lora grew up on Long Island, New York.

Her father, Sam Tell owned the first Sea Ray boat franchise in the United States. She grew up helping her father around the dock and it became her lifelong passion.

Lora loved boating and being in and around the water. If it involved a dog, a boat and a sunny day, Lora was always up for some fun.

She loved to play the curmudgeon, but with a twinkle in her eye and a heart of gold. That twinkle and her big heart will be greatly missed by her friends and family, and every dog she ever met.

Lora will be buried in the Mount Ararat Jewish Cemetery on Long Island, New York on June 7, 2012.  A private celebration of her life will be held at the resort.

Bill Lee McVey, age 79, posted his final lap in the late evening of May 29, 2012, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, following complications with his heart and kidneys.  

His crowning victory of life and love was celebrated over the Memorial Day weekend, surrounded by his devoted following of family, friends, and fans.

Bill was more than an avid race fan; he lived life in and around cars. It was his passion, he was dedicated and supportive to all that drove them: famous Indy and NASCAR drivers, his beloved Lakeport racing community, and the rest of us that just needed someone on our team, to keep our wheels rolling to the market and back.

Born July 18, 1932 in Gridley, Calif., Bill grew up in Los Angeles, working on hot rods with his dad and friends.  

Endless days and nights were spent under the hood, prepping for drag races, building go karts, attending car clubs and following high school, in an early job as a Ford salesman.

His career shifted to the booming aerospace industry in Southern California. He spent 30 years as a respected executive at Garrett Airesearch in Torrance. But his passion for racing never dimmed.  

He was part of the pit crew that helped men go to the moon, but there were always sports cars in the driveway and weekends at the track.

Fueled with retirement and his dream, Bill, wife Beverly, and family moved north to Clearlake area to build their vision of cars, community and service.  

Over the past 30 years in Lakeport, Bill developed several businesses, led and served in many community organizations, but his passion for cars always stood as the cornerstone.  

Recently he achieved his life-long dream, born from those early days on the Ford lot, with his acquisition of the Lakeport Ford Dealership.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Beverly, their children, grandchildren and so many more that he always considered part of his family.  

A celebration of his life was held on Friday, June 1.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of Bill's friends, customers, employees and business associates that supported him throughout his wonderful road trip, especially in these recent days that allowed his family to surround him at the finish line.

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

Gynita Klein passed away at her home in Lucerne, Calif., on May 17, 2012.

She is survived by her children, Mary Rodriguez, Gail Endicott, Darrell Klein, Bruce Klein, Paula Tolle and Kelli Rendon, and their families.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Burl Klein.

A memorial service will take place at noon on Saturday, June 2, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611.

Darrell Justin Plaunty
June 29, 1957 – May 29, 2012

Darrell Justin Plaunty of Bend, Oregon, passed away at his home on May 29, 2012. He was 54.

A gathering of family and friends took place at the family home in Bend, Oregon.

Darrell was born June 29, 1957, in San Diego, Calif., to Dale and Sible (Robinson) Plaunty.

Darrell was a proud father to his three children and being a grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life.

When he couldn’t spend time with his family, he could be found riding his motorcycle, playing cards, working on his property, or vacationing in the warm weather climates.

He will be missed more than he knows.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Teri (Dean) Plaunty of Bend, Oregon; daughters Tara (husband, Charles) Jensen of Springfield, Oregon, and Amber Plaunty of Eugene, Oregon; and his son Justin Plaunty of Springfield, Oregon.

Other survivors include his brother, Darrenn Plaunty of Azle, Texas; his sister Deborah Plaunty Barnes of Waverly, Virginia; and three grandsons, Jiro Plaunty, Elias Mirabal and Von Jensen.

Memorial contributions in Darrell’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Baird Funeral Home of Bend is in charge of the arrangements, 541-382-0903, www.bairdmortuaries.com .

Wayne David Sullivan
June 4, 1942-May 20, 2012

Wayne was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Woodrow and Betty (Nora) Sullivan on June 4, 1942.

He grew up in Southern California where he met and married Joyce in 1959 and together they had five children.

Wayne was a very ambitious young man and always enjoyed fishing off the piers and beaches of Southern California and working on cars.

Moving to Lake County in 1973, Wayne worked as a drywall installer when he wasn't fishing or spending time with his family and friends.

Wayne met and married his second wife, Joyce, and these were good and prosperous times for Wayne.

He was a master fisherman, fishing many of the ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams and lakes in Northern California.  

He settled in Lower Lake in 1990 where he would live the rest of his life.

Wayne, along with his son James, opened Sullivan Tire in Clearlake, Calif., in 1990.

Married to Sherry in 1999, Sherry will continue to operate Sullivan Tire in Wayne's memory. Wayne had a love of life and animals that he shared with everyone he met.

A devout Christian, Wayne went peacefully to meet his son James and many relatives and friends in Heaven on May 20, 2012.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sherry Sullivan; his daughters, Valarie Sullivan (Greg Stanley) and Janice Hutchinson (Joel); sons, David Sullivan (Kim) and Mike Sullivan (Kenna); step-children, Jonathan, Anthony and Kayla; 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held Monday, June 4, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Jones and Lewis Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake and followed by a celebration of Wayne's life at Lakeside County Park, Kelseyville, Calif.

Ida Lena "Lee" Byrne, 82, passed away on May 21, 2012.

Born and raised in Oakland, she came to Lake County with her husband Robert in 1978 after working 30 years for Pacific Telephone.

She enjoyed her friends, her 72 fish and her two cats.

She loved her crafts, which she donated yearly to the Lakeport Skilled Nursing Center. She also volunteered for the Clearlake Gleaners and the Clearlake USDA.  

She was on the board of directors of the Mount Konocti Mutual Water Co. She was one half of the “Trouble Makers” of the Concerned Citizens of the Clear Lake Riviera and one of its founding members.

Ida was preceded in death by husband, Robert, and granddaughter, Jennifer.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet; many nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at the Riviera Community Center on Wednesday, June 6, from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Her family requests donations in her memory to Clearlake Gleaners Food Bank, Box 266, Finley, CA 95435 or DAV Chapter 83, PO Box 1195, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423.

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