Monthly Archives: May 2020

GEM-O-RAMA and Coronavirus

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Yes, we still hope to have a Gem-O-Rama in 2020.  But right now it only looks 50/50 whether-or-not we will have a show. The only thing we know for certain is that we will be following orders from the CDC, State of California and San Bernardino County in making any decisions about allowing large gatherings of people, physical distancing, and doing frequent cleaning of venues.

In the absence of these goverment orders, we are uncertain how we may have to alter show activities. For example, we may have to limit attendance on certain activities to stay below maximum crowd size or ensure mandated physical distancing. There is also a possibility that we may have to cancel some activities for the same reasons.

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Hyrum “Skip” McInelly — Class of 1960

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Hyrum Reece McInelly, better known as Skip to friends and family, passed away on April 28, 2020, in Walnut Creek, CA. After battling ill health for a few years.

He was born in Spokane, WA, October 15, 1941. During his early life the family moved a few times and ended up in a small town of Trona, CA, in the Mojave Desert. He attended school there and after graduation he took an apprenticeship class to become a machinist working in plants and made his living at this until his retirement. He later moved to Concord, CA, to pursue his career and worked as a machinist in the surrounding refineries. It was at this time of his life when he met his wife, Chantal McInelly. They were married August 12, 1976, and together as a family of 7, Skip having 2 daughters and Chantal had 3 boys, they began their loving relationship.

Skip enjoyed life, enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and just going for road trips. He was a kid at heart and tricks and pranks came naturally to the boy in him. When visiting his wife at work, he would string paper clips together at one of her coworkers desk, when going out for a meal with friends poke a hole in a straw when they weren’t looking, or when walking where there was a water puddle making sure someone was close and stomp his foot in it to splash the victim. He also enjoyed working with wood and making things, then giving them away. The same was done with stain glass projects that he and his wife made, or crochet items that were made by his mother when he was a child. He is a loving father, faithful husband, and truly a friend to all he meets. His warmth has touched many lives through his 78 years with us. Both friends and family will miss him.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, Hyrum S McInelly and Violet McInelly, his sister Dorene (THS 1954) and a second sister that died at birth, and his daughter Julie. He is survived by his wife, best friend, soulmate and caregiver, Chantal, his children Sally McInelly of Henderson, NV, Brian Lund of Federal Way, WA, Mark Lund of Martinez, and Harold Lund of Concord. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren.

Skip was a cousin to Marian (Reece) Walsh (THS 1955), LeRoy Reece  (THS 1957)  and Vernon Reece (THS 1959).