Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Obits

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Longtime Lake County resident David James, a mentor to many local leaders and community members, died Feb. 13, 2010. He was 81.



 


David Lorey James, longtime Lake County resident, died at home Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010.


David was born Feb. 5, 1929, in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. A graduate of the Ohio State University, with a degree in accounting, David became a CPA and had a 31-year career with Arthur Young & Co. (now Ernst and Young).


Starting in Cleveland, Ohio, his career took him to Caracas, Venezuela, for three years and then to the Los Angeles office in 1959. In 1961 he opened a new office in Santa Ana. In 1969 he returned to Los Angeles as the managing partner. In the early 1970s David became the western regional partner. He accepted a special assignment to the New York office in 1980 and then retired in 1982 at the age of 53.


David and his wife, Loraine, moved to Lake County from Pasadena in 1978 when they purchased Pomo Ranch in Clearlake Oaks and planted one of Lake County’s earliest vineyards. David served on the Board of First Counties Bank and for many years was chairman of the board of the Clearlake Memorial Health foundation. He enjoyed the Judge’s Breakfast Club and the Lakeport Coffee Group.


Politics were important to David. He was active in both local and state Republican parties. David was chairman of the Lincoln Club in Orange Co. and served as chairman of the Orange Co. Republican Central Committee. Later he became the Finance Chairman for Ronald Reagan during the campaign for his second term. He was an active member of the Lake Elephants and participated in many local campaigns.


Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Loraine; daughter, Kathy Black of Huntington Beach; granddaughters, Kelly Curtis (Shawn) of Long Beach and Tracy Black of Costa Mesa; sister, Lorey Roggenkamp of Worthington, Ohio; sister-in-law, M. Evelyn Runyan of Eaton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.


A celebration of life will be held at the Little Theater, Lakeport Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.


In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453 or Northshore Fire Protection District, c/o Station 75, attn: Volunteer Assoc., 12655 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 or The Salvation Army, Lake County Service Unit, P.O. Box 348000, Sacramento, CA 95834-8000.


Arrangements by Jones Mortuary.

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Former Lake County Supervisor Carl M. Larson died Sunday, January 3, 2009, at age 81. Photo courtesy of Kelly Cox.

 

 

 

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Former Lake County Supervisor Carl M. Larson passed away on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at the age of 81.


Born in Nebraska on Dec. 9, 1928, Larson was raised in Oklahoma and later joined the United States Air Force. He met Mavis, his wife and best friend, while stationed in England. Carl and Mavis recently celebrated their 57th anniversary.


Carl retired from the Air Force in 1974, after which he and Mavis moved to Lake County, having built a home in Clearlake Park and later relocating to Clearlake Oaks where he and Mavis have resided since 1982.


He was appointed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors to serve as the county’s planning commissioner for District 2 in January 1979, a position he held until February 1981 when he was appointed by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. to fill an unexpired term for the District 2 Supervisor, after the death of Supervisor Bill Whalen.


In 1982 he ran for the seat unopposed and was elected to a full term. Upon completion of that term, he decided not to run for re-election and he retired in January of 1987.


Eight years later, friends and supporters talked him into coming out of retirement and running for the seat again. He was elected to his final four year term on the Board of Supervisors in 1994 and retired for the last time in January 1999, when Jeff Smith, the current District 2 supervisor, took office.


Throughout his years of service on the Lake County Board of Supervisors, Larson was known for his outstanding character, his integrity, his kindness and the dedication with which he served his constituents.


He served with distinction as the Board of Supervisors Chairman and represented the county of Lake on numerous committees, commissions and joint powers authority governing boards.


After retiring for a second time from the Board of Supervisors, Carl continued serving the community in several ways, volunteering as a member of the board of directors of the SPCA of Clear Lake and the SPCA Endowment Fund Board. He also served as a director of the Redbud Health Care District.


His public service and accomplishments on behalf of the people of Lake County earned him widespread appreciation and gratitude.


In addition to his wife Mavis of Clearlake Oaks, Larson is survived by several close friends, many of whom are his former colleagues in county government.


At his request, no services are being held. Donations in memory of Carl M. Larson may be made to the SPCA of Clear Lake or to the local charity of your choice.

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Gene Gonzalez died on Sunday, December 27, 2009. He was 22 years old. Courtesy photo.





Gene JD Gonzalez, also known as “Weenie,” passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. Gene was born in Ukiah, Calif., on Oct. 28, 1987. He was 22 years old.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Tammy Sue Sloan and Heriberto Romero-Robles of Laytonville, and his father, Arturo Ramos Gonzalez of Ukiah; his brothers, Arturo Jr. (Michelle Sotelo), Serafin, and Marcos Antonio Gonzalez; his sisters, Arica Lopez (Sam Martinez), Jennifer Sloan (Jesse Martinez) and Melissa Gonzalez; and his faithful canine companion, Yayo.

He leaves behind his grandparents, Wynema Sloan of Willits, Gene and Alice Sloan of Laytonville, and Maria Ramos of Cloverdale; his aunts, Melody Sloan, Tonya Rodriguez, Leticia, Lupe and Marivel Gonzalez; his uncles, Arnulfo and Raul Gonzalez, Sergio Rodriguez and Nathan Langton all of Ukiah, Trent Campbell of Laytonville, Mark Britton of Covelo, Eric Langton (Danielle) of Upper Lake; numerous cousins and friends. He also leaves behind his longtime girlfriend, Jane Tolbert, her parents David and Kathy Tolbert and her siblings, Davis and Jessie.

Gene was predeceased by his grandfather, Serafin Gonzalez; his aunts, Deana Campbell and Renee Sloan; and his cousin, Aaron Campbell.

Gene loved being near the ocean where he would spend his time camping, fishing and catching abalone with family and friends. Gene participated in most sports and at an early age began playing youth football with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Activity League’s Laytonville Raiders and Youth Soccer. He loved wiffle ball and video games, skateboarding and also participated in Little League and BMX. While attending Laytonville High School he was an avid wrestler and continued playing football.

Gene was proud of his Native American heritage and in keeping with his tribal traditions he recently cut his beautiful long hair for his Aunt Deana to take with her on her journey crossing over. As a young teen, he would literally run the Cahto Coast Walk from Wilderness Lodge Road to the Mendocino Coast and danced with the bears as his ancestors had done before him.

Gene’s vibrant smile could light up your world from most worries and whenever he saw you he joked with you or threw you the peace sign in passing.

The viewing will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at the family home, located at 305 Creekside Drive, Laytonville, Calif.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Harwood Hall, 44400 Willis Ave., Laytonville. Calif. Burial will be at the Cahto Cemetery.

For those who wish to donate in lieu of flowers please send donations to The Cahto Tribe Red Road Program, P.O. Box 1239, Laytonville, CA  95454.

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June Murray died Tuesday, February 2, 2010.



 


June Murray, a resident of Kelseyville, Calif., since 1993, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from complications resulting from a fall.


Born in San Francisco she was an accomplished musician as was her father, noted concert organist Raymond White.


She worked her way through San Francisco State College in part by playing numerous church organs. Before graduating cum laude with a degree in music she met and married a fellow student Connel Murray, and thereafter bore him three daughters and a son.


In l968 the Murrays left the Bay Area to move to Alaska, where they jointly opened that state's first fully-accredited advertising and public relations agency. Called Murray-Alaska and later Murray-Bradley, it soon grew to be the state's largest, at one time employing some 40 communications specialists. It is now known as Bradley-Reid.


June Murray served as vice president and director of media for the firm, assuming responsibilities for planning and buying millions of media dollars for a wide range of clients, including oil companies, airlines and government agencies.


At the same time she was raising her family and participating in community and business affairs, including the advisory board of the Anchorage Library and President of the Advertising Federation of Alaska. In 1981 that group named her as "Advertising Professional of the Year."


Five years later, with their children grown and gone, the Murrays elected to move to Seattle to manage a branch office established there earlier, with June assuming the presidency of this independent firm.


Avid boaters since their days in San Francisco, the Murrays seized the chance to explore the waters of Washington, British Columbia and Alaska on a succession of boats.


In 1998 the Murrays returned to Alaska, this time with Connel acting as the state's travel director. The travel opportunities and experiences of this position created a love in June for visiting and exploring new places, and thereafter the Murrays became dedicated travelers.


After leaving government service they returned to their roots, settling in the Clear Lake Riviera in Lake County, where they again involved themselves deeply in community affairs. June served on the board of directors of the Lake County Arts Council, and later on the board of Clear Lake Performing Arts – a post she held until her death. She had also been elected as president of CLPA's Auxiliary group


June Murray was widely respected, loved by many and admired by most, especially her family.


Along with her husband, she is survived by daughter Erin Kruse of Houston, Alaska, and her three children, Ian and Matthew, both of Anchorage, and Rebecca, also of Houston, as well as great-granddaughter Alorah; daughter Alison Murray of Seattle with grandson John; and son Connel Raymond and his wife Mary, and their daughter Shannon and son Connel Dean, of Edmonds, Wash.


Family members will announce a celebration of life to take place some time during late spring or early summer.

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Lawrence Thompson died Dec. 19, 2009, at age 71. Courtesy photo.




Lawrence Monroe Thompson, known as “Sonny Boy” and “Larry,” died on Dec. 19, 2009 in Redding, Calif. Larry was born Sept. 4, 1938, at Upper Lake Rancheria, Upper Lake, Calif.


He is survived by his sisters and brothers, Patricia A. Thompson, Jeanette Holder, Marion C. Quitiquit, Luwana F. Quitiquit, Steven D. Quitiquit, Cheryl A. Anderson, Godfrey D. Quitiquit, Wanda A. Quitiquit, Denise A. Quitiquit, Lalaine A. Quitiquit, Michael W. Quitiquit, Robert D. Quitiquit and Irenia A. Quitiquit; and many, many nieces and nephews.


Larry was predeceased by his mother, Marie Boggs Quitiquit of Robinson Rancheria, Nice, Calif; father, Hensley “Ike” Thompson of Upper Lake, Calif; stepfather, Clara A. Quitiquit of Stockton, Calif.; and brothers Ludwig, Gregory and Adrian Quitiquit. Larry was the grandson of the late Lydia Thompson Sleeper, who was born at Big Valley and was a prominent basketweaver.


Larry grew up in Stockton in the agricultural area of Union Island along the Middle River of Clifton Court Bay. Like his brothers, he learned to be an expert fisherman and boatman.


Larry served a big part in the 1969 Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island where he captained the boat transporting people from San Francisco Pier No. 40 to the island. Larry was the only Indian who knew how to drive and handle the care of the boat which was donated by the rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Larry safely transported many of the celebrities and Indians from all over the nation to the island. He even participated in the rescue of a family whose boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay.


After Alcatraz Island, Larry was married for a time to Laura [Nomellini] and lived for several years in Stockton, finally settling in Redding.


Services will be held at Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapels in Anderson, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at 1 p.m.


For more information, call 530-365-5466.

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Heather Anderson died Dec. 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of Diana Anderson.

 

 

 


Heather Danielle (“Mugwhy”)Anderson, formerly of Nice and more recently a resident of Chapmantown near Chico, died Dec. 17, 2009, in Omak, Wash. She was 24 years old.


She was born on June 12, 1985. She came into this world fighting and left us fighting.


Heather loved life, dancing, playing pool with family and friends and karaoke at the bar. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews, Jesse, Chamonte, Raymond, Keana, Daniel, Kaleb, Arriela, Kaylee and Nayela.


She is survived by her children, McGruff, the ankle biter and tuff the stuff. She is also survived by her parents, mother, Diana and husband, Steve; dad, Ross; sisters, Rosita/Pete, Monica and husband, Dwayne Duncan, Elizabeth and husband, Billy Quenga, Christina and husband, Tucker Goggin; brothers, Anthony and Andrew and Andrew's girlfriend, Jodi, all of Chico, and best friends, Jess and Ida. She also leaves behind her maternal grandmother and many aunts, uncles and cousins.


MUGWHY WE WILL LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU FOREVER TILL THE END OF TIME.


A private viewing for Heather Anderson's family will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico.


A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at East Avenue Community Church, 1184 E. Ave., Chico.


Guestbook entries may be left at www.brusiefuneralhome.com or below.


Arrangements are being handled by Brusie Funeral Home, Chico.

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