Category Archives: Alumni

Linda (Pounds) Spears — Class of 1978

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Linda Lea Spears (maiden name Pounds) passed away on February 17, 2026, in Lake Isabella, California, at the age of 65. She was born on May 23, 1960, in San Bernardino, California, to Horace Pounds and Carol Sorensen.

Linda grew up in Trona, California, in a lively household alongside her five siblings. She graduated as a proud member of the Trona High School Class of 1978, embracing her identity as a Trona Tornado. That same year, at just 18 years old, she became a mother — a role that would define her life and bring her immeasurable joy. Linda’s greatest passion was her family, and she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to raising and loving her children and grandchildren.

Linda lived a bold and colorful life. She was unapologetically herself — wild, loud, opinionated, and fiercely independent. Known for her unforgettable phrases like “WOOOOWWW, REALLLY,” “WHOO CARREESSS,” and her latest favorite expression “F**k Em,” Linda had a way of leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. She never followed the crowd; instead, she stood out wherever she went. Her stubbornness and ornery nature were matched only by the size of her heart. Taking care of others wasn’t just something Linda did — it was who she was. Those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of her love felt it deeply.

Linda was preceded in death by her husbands, Jerry Hinzo and Rick Spears; her father, Horace Pounds; her mother, Carrol Sorensen; her sisters, Janet Reed and Martha Kennedy; and her brother, Charles Pounds.

She is survived by her children: sons Joe Pounds (Louis), Justin Hinzo (Janette), Jake Spears (Allison), and Jaxson Hinzo; daughters Jillian Hinzo, Jasmine Hinzo, Jade Hinzo, and Serenity Hinzo. Linda also leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Jonathan Napolis, Shawny Napolis, Patience Pounds, Samuel Husk, Maddox Pounds, Jeremiah Husk, Justin Hinzo Jr., Nathan Hinzo, Adrian Hinzo, Jerry Hinzo, Bailey Rodden, Dashinay Branson, Brody Spears, Brayden Spears, and Bryce Spears; as well as her great-grandchildren: Hudson Skiles, Haiden Skiles, Angela Husk, and Danny Skipworth. Additionally, she is survived by her sisters Nancy Pounds and Sharon Vincent-Flores.

Linda’s life was filled with laughter and memories that will be cherished forever by those who knew her. Whether it was receiving one of her infamous “California Cow Kisses” or learning how to pull hair under her tutelage, Linda left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered. Her unique spirit will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Linda will be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 PM at 14324 Shady Tree Court in Bakersfield, California. Friends and family are invited to come together to share stories and memories while celebrating the vibrant life she lived. Flowers may also be sent to the same address.

Linda Lea Spears will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love she gave so freely and the unforgettable presence she brought into every room. May her memory bring comfort to all whose lives she touched.

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/linda-lea-spears/article_d389f575-901b-42d9-bed8-f9e53df97cc0.html

Ginger

Virginia “Ginger” Dukes Baker — Class of 1968

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Graveside Services for Virginia “Ginger” Dukes Baker, 75, of Whitney, Texas will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Cemetery 1422 CR 724, Nacogdoches, Texas.Visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hernandez Rosenberg Funeral Home 800 4th St. in Rosenberg, Texas. A prayer service will be conducted at 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Baker was born September 28, 1950, in Lubbock, Texas and she passed away on February 15, 2026, in Whitney,

Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents Billy M. and Delores Rose Dukes.

She is survived by her sons Scott Baker, Tim Baker and wife Laura, her brothers William Michael Dukes and wife Sharon, John Dukes and wife Holly and their families, her grandchildren Timothy Baker, Zee Baker, Lily Baker, Ben Baker, as well as other loving family members and friends.

https://www.hernandezfuneralhome.com/obituary/virginia-ginger-baker

John Means — Class of 1960

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JW Means III, age 83, of Reno, Nevada, died Friday, January 23,2026, at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. He was born November 7, 1942, in Red Mountain, California to the late JW and Violet (Williams) Means.

JW is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doreen M. (Neustatter) Means, two daughters: Michelle (Andrew) Stevens of Peoria, Arizona; Dorielle (Brian) Beck of Snohomish County, Washington; three grandchildren: Madison Stevens, Bailey Beckand Mackenzie Beck; and two siblings: Pam McBride and Maureen Ross. He also had a sister Connie Hedland who preceded him in death.

JW graduated from Trona High School in 1960. He also was very active as a professional bowler, golfer and trainer of dogs. He was a lifelong supporter of USC football and Los Angeles Lakers basketball. JW was a devotee of classic cars and enjoyed entering his 1964 El Camino in the annual proceedings of Hot August Nights in Reno.

Final arrangements are being handled by the Neptune Society in Reno, Nevada. A celebration of his life will be held by the family at a date to be determined in the future. In lieu of flowers or other acknowledgements, the family respectfully requests that a donation be offered in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, charities that were dear to JW and that he supported during his life.

Virginia Ruth Hall

Virginia Ruth Hall — Class of 1955

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Virginia was born in 1937 in Oklahoma. Her family moved to Trona around 1947-1948. She had three brothers: Carl, class of 1958, Kenneth (1943-2019), class of 1961 and Richard (1945-2025), class of 1964. She was living in Chula Vista at the time of her death. Both of her parents are buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Our condolences to her family.

Leonard Terral — Class of 1952

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Leonard was born November 8, 1932 and passed away May 10, 2023. Today I noticed that his email address was no longer valid and I decided to investigate. I cannot tell you much about Leonard except that he lived in Ridgecrest and that I was good friends with his nephew, Chuck Terral before he moved to Bloomington, California.

Leonard’s picture wasn’t in the 1952 yearbook so I am assuming he left school to join the Army.

It is better late than never. My condolences to his family.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/254432075/leonard-garner-terral

Clark Curtin — Class of 1962

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On Thursday, September 25th, Clark Cameron Curtin, 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed peacefully at home. He was born in Santa Monica, California; raised by his parents, Donald and Peggy Curtin, in Topanga Canyon and Trona. Clark loved the outdoors; cherishing memories of growing up in California’s coastal, inland, and desert environments. As a child, he enjoyed surfing and the beach; exploring the dense canyon hills, and the desert Pinnacles.

He is an alumnus of UCLA and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He started a family and began a career in accounting. He was hired as chief accountant for a resort development company, which brought him to the Lake Tahoe area. His experience in corporate accounting led him to pursue opportunities in the gaming industry, as well as starting his own successful tax preparation service in Kings Beach CA.

After his children were grown, his career in gaming brought him to Clearlake CA, and then on to Santa Teresa NM, where he has resided for 20 years. With an eye for design, and inspired by New Mexico’s local artisans, he became an ardent collector of Native American and Mexican pottery. He was an avid sports fan; also enjoying reading, hanging out at the local garage, and spending time with friends.

He valued his friendships throughout his life; many of which were formed in childhood, and lasting decades. He had a great love for dogs; until recently always having a canine companion or two by his side that brought joy, comfort, and fun to his life. Clark is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Peggy Curtin, sister Linda Bradley, and son Kevin Curtin. Clark is survived by his wife of 47 years, Suzanne Curtin; children, Sean Curtin (Kimberly), Shannon Secrist, and Colin Curtin; grandchildren Cassidy Ockene (Daniel), Riley Curtin, Christian Secrist, and Lev Curtin Lifshin; great grandson, Grayson Ockene; sister Kelly Clark (Ron); as well as many extended family members and loving friends.

Obituary: Clark Cameron Curtin

Cheryl J. (Hill) Sargent Hopkins — Class of 1961

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Cheryl J. Hill Sargent Hopkins, 82, of Polson, Montana, and formerly of Trona, California, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025. She was born July 22, 1943, in Trona to Euvalva (Val) and Edith Pixler Hill.

At age 16, Cheryl married the love of her life, Kenneth Sargent. After Ken’s Navy retirement they returned to Trona. At the time of his passing they shared 44 wonderful married years. In 2006, she married Nick Hopkins, and they enjoyed many happy years together until his passing in 2022.

Cheryl was known for her creativity, kindness, and laughter. She loved cake decorating, crocheting, and sewing, and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, Pink Lady, and community helper. In her later years, she faced dementia with grace and courage.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Kenneth and Nick; brother Harold Hill; sister Donna Kramer; and daughter Delores Diane Sargent. She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Howard) Vassar; grandchildren Christopher (Andee) Vassar and Caitlyn (Verner) Rose; great-grandchildren Josephine, Diezel, Madalynn, Remy, Josephine and Huxlee; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 13, 2025, at the Searles Valley Cemetery in Trona, California, with a reception to follow at Haughton Hall. A memorial service will be held in Polson, Montana, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haughton Hall, the Trona Senior Center, or a charity of your choice.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/cheryl-hopkins

Royce Henry Heseman — Class of 1943

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Royce Henry Heseman passed away peacefully in Ridgecrest, California on October
31, 2025 at the age of 99 years and 7 months. Royce was born on March 27, 1926 in
San Francisco, California to Henry and Elsie Heseman. He had one younger sister,
Viola. Royce lived in St. Louis, Missouri and Ontario, California before coming with his
family to live in Trona, California in 1937.

After attending school for a brief period in Inyokern, Royce finished his school career at
Trona High School, graduating from Trona in the class of 1943. Following graduation, Royce joined the Army Air Corps where he served our country during the end of World
War II as a belly gunner on the B17 bomber aircraft.

From his first marriage, Royce became the proud father of three children. Upon his
second marriage to Elaine Rummer, her three children also became part of the
Heseman family.

Heseman’s Argus Market, owned and operated first by Henry and Elsie, then by Royce
and Viola, became a legendary business in Trona for many years. People still talk
about how much they miss that store that carried everything a family needed with
service that was incomparable. The business was sold in 1981, and Royce and Elaine
moved to Ridgecrest where they lived out their days. Royce served his new community
by volunteering at the Salvation Army and delivering meals for Meals on Wheels.

Royce is survived by four of his six children, Kathleen Heseman Courts, Mike Heseman
(Jeanne), Kirk Heseman (Cathy), and Tim Rummer (Joanna); grandsons, Jeff Courts
(Jacqui) and Mike Courts (Jenny); great-grandchildren, Callie, Bailey, and Michael
Courts. He is also survived by his nephews, Mark, Hal, and Tad Smith. Royce was
preceded in death by Elaine, his wife of 63 years, his step-sons, Gary and Lynn
Rummer, and his sister, Viola Heseman Smith.

Royce will be laid to rest at Desert Memorial Park in Ridgecrest, California. A plaque will
be placed alongside that of Elaine. As per his request, services will be private, for
family only.

Royce Heseman was a kind and gentle man, full of integrity, who was very much loved
by his family and all who knew him.

Rest in peace, Dad.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/royce-heseman?fh_id=10738

Pauline Rae (Elledge) Martilla — Class of 1962

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Pailine’s oldest son Larry wrote this about his mother:

I lost my mom, Pauline (Elledge) Stevens Martilla, on the 19th of October 2025 . She was truly an amazing mother. She was born in Trona in April 4, 1943. Pauline lost her mother in 1961.

She rode dirt bikes and had me and then 5 other boys while living in Trona. She was always finding one of our animals from the desert in our drawers or hanging on a curtain rod or hissing at her in the kitchen.  She raised us, mostly on her own, after moving to California City and then to Lancaster.

She put herself through college in the medical field became a laboratory tech in Lancaster at the community hospital. Then she moved to the Ventura, California area where she started doing phlebotomies. After she retired she returned to the Lancaster and Palmdale area.

I love you mom and miss you already so much . I hope you are now smiling with Bob and your son, Steven, now.

Pauline was the daughter Laurence and Marie Elledge. Laurence was the postmaster in Trona in the 50’s 60′ and 70’s. Pauline’s son, Larry, remembers that his grandfather was also a barber in Trona. Her mother, Marie, who had been ill for quite a while passed away a few months after her first son, Larry, was born. Pauline’s third son, Steven, was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1989.

Pauline has one sister, Janet Stanley, who is a member of the THS class of 1963.