.Revised 4-3-06
 
                 Trona Alumni Pages
OBITUARIES
 
2006

  

   March 28:  Lt. Col. Cecil Davis Jr. 
          Long-time Trona resident and former Kerr-McGee administrator, Cecil Davis died at his home in
      Ridgecrest on Sunday, March 26, surrounded by his loving family. He was 86 years old. 
          Col. Davis served in the United States Army for 30 years before settling in Trona. He is survived by
      his wife of 55 years, Theresa and their four daughters .. all THS graduates, Peggy (Class of '70),
      Donna (Class of '71), Cathy (Class of '73 ), Pamela (Class of '1980). 


   March 21:  Maxine Rains 
           1966 THS graduate. No further information available. 

   March 10:  Kent Rana 
           1977 THS graduate Kent Rana has died of natural causes. No further information available. 

   February 26:  Travis Chastain 
       A Class of 1980 graduate, Travis died February 24 of liver failure. He was a resident of Bakersfield. 

   February 24:  Jesus "Chuy" Quezada 
       A graduate of Trona High's first senior class .. 1942, Chuy died after a long struggle with Parkinson's 
      disease. He had lived in Trona from 1926 through 1991 when he relocated to Ridgecrest. Many will remember 
      Chuy for his love of golf. He was a veteren of World War II. 
           He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gloria (Cavazos) Quezada (Class of 1946) and by daughter 
      Laura (Class of 1970). 

   January 8:  Erma Lee Autry-Comer ... 
           Long-time Trona resident Erma Comer passed away January 6 from complications of heart disease  
       and diabetes. She was 90 years of age. Mrs. Comer was the mother of 1964 THS grad Dennis Comer.  
       Mrs. Comer will be interred at the Searles Valley Cemetery Saturday, January 14, at 2 PM.  

   January 5:  Goodbye Gooch ... 
           Class of 1974. Angel "Gooch" Batista died January 4 after suffering a brain aneurysm. He is to be 
       interred at the Searles Valley Cemetery on January 14. A Memorial potluck gathering will be held at the 
       Trona Elks Lodge on January 21, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.   The public is invited.  
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2005 
   December 30: Ray Tansley ...  
           Class of 1955, has gone off to the big horseshoe pit in the sky after a valiant battle against lung cancer. 
       He was brave through it all and a Bullhead to the end! 

   December 26:  Betty Ann Dye ...  
           1964 THS graduate and mother of THS grads, Tony Dye and Sally (Dye) Droddy. Ann died after a 
       prolonged illness. She will be missed by all who knew her. 

   November 27: Philip Murrin Jr. ... Class of 1953 

   November 14:  A note from Victoria (Amerson) Van Buren ... 
           I would like to let you know, that my mother, Leslie Francine Amerson, passed away on November 3, 
       2005 after suffering a severe stroke. She was a long-time Trona resident. She is survived by my father, 
       Bobbie Amerson, my brother, Ivan and myself. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

   August 30:  Carla Koster-Barker ... 
           It is with much sadness that I report the death of Carla Koster-Barker. Carla was a 1971 graduate of 
       THS and was the mother of Shawn (THS '93) and Robbie (THS '94) Barker. Carla died at home at the 
       age of 52. Services were held Wednesday morning, August 31 at the Trona Cemetery. 

   August 10:  Verna (McCullar) Eldridge ... 
           Word has come of the passing of 1961 THS graduate, Verna McCullar Eldridge on Monday, August 8. 
        Verna was 61 years old. She is survived by her husband, Bobby, and her two children, Donny and Alisa. 

   August 1:  Yuli Henson ... 
           Word has come of the passing of Yunula (Yuli) Henson on Wednesday, July 27. Mrs. Henson was the mother 
       of THS grads George and Oscar Henson and wife of long-time Trona resident, George Henson. Yuli was 
       involved with many community activities in her 42 years in Trona and her passing brings sadness to the 
       many who knew her. 

   June 20: A note from Reva Fuller Williams regarding her father's passing ... 
           On May 30, 2005 Robert Fuller passed away quietly and quickly at his home in Ridgecrest, CA. Mr. Fuller 
       resided in Trona from 1949 to 1984.  His 3 daughters: Reva ('72), Vonni ('74) and Priscilla ('76) all gradu- 
       ated from THS. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Betty, his 3 daughters and their spouses. He was 
       a great  and caring man and will truly be missed. 

   June 17:  Earl Walters ... 
           Word has come this evening of the passing yesterday, (June 16, 2005) of Earl Walters, a member of the 
         Class of 1960. Earl had been battling cancer for some time. 

   June 2:  A note from Nicki (Weidenbenner) Johnson on her father's passing ... 
           It is with regret that I write of the passing of my Dad, Frank Weidenbenner on May 17th of this year. He 
       was 84.  He came to Trona in 1939, right after graduating from Randsburg High School. His first job for 
       AMPOT was cleaning the bunkhouses and raking yards for a whole $7.50 a week. He then went through 
       the machinists apprenticeship program and eventually became the Maintenance Foreman for Kerr-McGee. 
       He retired in 1982 with 43 years of service. He and Mom would have celebrated their 59th anniversary 
       this June 20th.  I promised the Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society that I would continue to put his 
       spheres in the Gem and Mineral show in his memory.  If anybody gets a chance to attend the show, look 
       for the spheres - they are works of art! 

   April 8:  John Jedlicka ... 
           Word has come of the passing of long-time Trona resident John Jedlicka. He was 89 years old and was 
       the father of 1960 THS graduate Allen Jedlicka. Mr. Jedlicka came to Trona in 1945 and worked for 
       AP&CC and Kerr-McGee until his retirement in 1982. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elnora and 
       son, Allen. 
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2004

   December 29: A note from Gail (Murchison) Beck on her father's passing ... 
           Jefferson G. Murchison, former long-time resident of Trona, passed away on December 23, 2004 at his 
       home in Renton, Washington. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myrtle 
       (Pipkin) Murchison, daughter, Gail A. Beck of Renton, his grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and 
       sister, Jean Benson. He was preceeded in death by his son Warren Murchison. Both Gail and Warren 
       were former teachers in the Ridgecrest School System  
       Born on February 26, 1917 in Weathersfield, Ill., he grew up in Southern California when his family 
       moved there in 1924.  
       Following graduation from Chaffee High School in Ontario, CA. he began employment with American 
       Potash & Chemical Corporation at Trona, completed an apprenticeship as a boilermaker and continued  
       employment there until the strike in 1941.  
       He returned to Trona on Oct, 25, 1942 to wed Myrtle Pipkin, daughter of long-time Tronans, George & 
       Anne Pipkin.  He served in the US Navy from 1943 to the end of the war, stationed at the submarine re- 
       pair base on Ford Island, Hawaii, Following the war he returned to employment with AP&CC and worked 
       there in the Maintenance Department as a Maintenance Coordinator until his retirement in 1981.  
       Jeff will be remembered with great love and affection by all of the members of his extended family. 

   December 9:  News of recent passings ...  
   Teri Ford:  
           A Memorial Mass was held November 21, for Teri Ford, who died recently. Mrs. Ford was the widow of 
       former THS principal/teacher/coach, Trammel Ford. Mr. & Mrs. Ford and family lived in Trona from 
       1968 to 1984, later residing in San Jacinto.  She is survived by her 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 
       great-grandchildren.  
           Memorial tributes may be made in Teri Ford's name to the Alzheimer's Association, Southwest River- 
       side County Regional Office, 1075 N. State St., Hemet, CA 92543 (951) 791-3583 or the Plane Tree 
       Health Library Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 240002, San Jose, CA 95154-2402.  

    Robert Courto: 
           After a long and courageous fight against cancer, Trona resident, Robert Courto, died in mid-November. 
       He was the husband of Connie Courto, Trona activist and co-founder of Trona Care.  

    Duncan Cowie:  
           1979 THS graduate, Duncan Cowie, died December 3, due to complications from lung cancer. He was 44 
       years old. Many of us remember the Cowie family as former residents of Westend. 

   August 30: A note from Cheri (Means) Spetter regarding her father ... 
           Just wanted to let everyone know that my father, Robert Means (12-23-26 / 8-29-04), passed away 
       Sunday, August 29 in his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My mother was by his side. He died from pulmonary 
       fibrosis, congestive heart failure and diabetes.  
           He left behind my mother Betty, to whom he was married for 54 years .. his only child, daughter Cheri 
       Means Spetter, who lives in Burbank CA. ..  his two grandsons, Geoff Spetter and Greg Spetter, and his  
       great grandson, Caden,  
          Thank you,  
           Cheri Spetter 

   August 28: Glen Lane ... 
           It is with the deepest sadness that I must announce the passing of 1963 grad, Glen Lane. Glen drowned 
       in the family swimming pool Saturday, August 21 in Ridgecrest. While preparing to clean the pool, Glen 
       suffered a seizure and fell into the water. For those of you who are unaware, Glen had recently been 
       diagnosed with brain cancer after experienceing previous seizures. Graveside services were held on Friday, 
       August 27 at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Glen now sleeps next to his precious Stephanie who was laid to 
       rest on February 2, 2004.   This just breaks my heart ...  

   July 24:  Pug Pilcher ... 
           I have received word today of the passing of George "Pug" Pilcher. He died earlier today (his 81st 
       81st birthday) after a lengthy battle with cancer. 

   June 9:  Bill Eastman ... 
           As reported in the Daily Independent, the passing of 1968 graduate, William Eastman. Bill died Sunday, 
        June 6 at his home, he was 53 years old.  

   April 15:  Mitch Klein ... 
           News came today of the passing of 1979 graduate Mitch Klein on April 11, 2004 after a long fight 
       with cancer.  

   April 4:  I received this e-mail today ... 
           It is with great sadness that I must tell you that my sister Edwina C. (Wendy) Lawrence of Connersville, 
       Ind. passed away suddenly on March 29, 2004. She was buried there on April 1. Wendy was in the Class 
       of 1965 and had just turned 56 years old.  
                Marie Estill Grayson  

   March 2:  Ellen (Barter) Petrich ... 
           I have been informed of the passing of Ellen Barter Petrich on Sunday, February 29 as a result of 
       complications from emphysema. Ellen was a member of the Class of 1964. She was 58 years old. 

   February 18:  Ken Sargent ... 
           Word has come of the death of Ken Sargent, as a result of a motorcycle accident. He died Monday, 
       February 16. Ken is the husband of 1961 THS graduate Cheryl Hill. Graveside services were held on 
       Friday, February 20 at the Searles Valley Cemetery .. with full military honors.  

   January 28:  Stephanie (Inscore) Lane ... 
           With profound sadness I must announce the passing of 1969 graduate and Homecoming Queen Stephanie 
       Inscore Lane. Stephanie died following an auto accident on Sunday, January 25. Her husband, Glen, was 
       with her and received relatively minor injuries. Graveside services were held Monday, February 2 at the 
       Searles Valley Cemetery. 

   January 16:  Sadly enough .. a note from Garry Jefford regarding his father ... 
           My father, Herb Jefford passed away on December 26th, 2003. Dad had been in a rest home in Porter- 
       ville for about 3 1/2 years with alzheimers. Judi, Patty and I did not expect Dad to last long after Mom 
       had passed on November 30th. They were married for 59 years and were residents of Trona from 1950 to 
       1968. Dad's quality of life had diminished terribly and although we will miss them both beyond words, we 
       are grateful that their suffering has come to an end.  
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2003

2003 Passings
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   Patricia Jefford ... Former Trona resident and mother of THS alumni Judi, Patty and Garry Jefford. 

   Jerry Oswald Zupan ... Former Trona resident, long-time Trona Schools bus driver and mother to THS 
       alumni Phyllis and Don Oswald. 

   Vernon "Hoss" Doyle ... Long-time Trona resident and father of THS alumni  Vernon Doyle Jr., Barry 
       and Toby Doyle. 

   Louis Herkenhoff ... Long-time (and highly regarded) THS English teacher.  

   William "Boot" Cleaver ... Former THS student and Trona resident.  

   Mary Lane ... Long-time Trona resident and mother of THS alumni Jim, Glen, Glinda and Marla Lane.  

   Eleanor Rockdale ... Long-time Trona resident, Trona Intermediate School librarian and mother of THS  
       alumni Ed, Mary Ellen and John Rockdale.  

   Carole (Farrah) Batchelor ... 1957 THS graduate.  

   Norma Jarvis ... Long-time Trona resident and mother of THS alumni Clarence, Marilyn, Doug & Kenny Kramer. 

   Beatrice Kirk ... Long-time Trona resident and mother of THS alumni Bill and Sara Rene Kirk. 

   Teddy Owens ... 1980 THS graduate 

   Jeanne (Nelson) Sweeney ... Former Trona resident and sister to THS graduate Steve Nelson. 

 

 
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