Dolores (Abbott) Kennedy of Ridgecrest, California died in the Ridgecrest Hospital on December 5, 2016. Our best wishes are extended to her friends and family during the time of sorrow. She was married to Alfred Kennedy — Class of 1954
It saddens me to tell you that we have lost our friend and classmate, George Garcia. He died at his home in Walnut Creek yesterday. George was a Vietnam vet and a world traveler. He loved to travel and visited many countries, even returning to Vietnam a few years ago. He cherished his Trona friends and memories of growing up in our little town. He was loved and respected by all who were fortunate enough to call him friend.
He will be missed.
Linda Cunningham Monroe
George M. Garcia
Jan. 29, 1941 – Dec. 12, 2016
Resident of Walnut Creek
The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts, the safest place to be is in someone’s prayers, and the very best place to be is in the hands of God. George gracefully experienced all of this in his lifetime with a smile. George Garcia passed away peacefully at home after battling multiple myeloma, surrounded by his family. He was born to Modesto and Toribia Garcia in Trona, Ca. He always loved this little desert company town and often said he had the best childhood ever growing up there. He left after graduation for Los Angeles, worked for National Cash Register, married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Leisure, started college, was drafted into the Army, became a medic, and was sent to Vietnam. After being discharged, he made his way up the coast looking for employment and was hired by the City of Walnut Creek. He was then blessed with his three children, Joe, Annette and Mary. He worked for the City until he retired as the Traffic Supervisor, at the age of 60. After an earlier divorce, he met Carole Kelsch, who became his devoted life partner for the next 40 years. Along with working for the City, he received his Associates Degree, his electrical contractor’s license, built two cabins at Serene Lakes near Donner Summit, extensively remodeled the home he lived in, traveled on a mission trip to Africa to help build a birthing center, participated in a mission trip to Honduras, and had many more traveling adventures to Italy, France, Israel, Vietnam and various other countries. He was a board member of Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union for over 40 years, a board member in his mountain community of Serene Lakes for the water board and the property owners association, a member of SIRS Branch #19, served on the Mission Beyond Saint Matthew committee, skied, played golf, bocce, and loved Spring Training in AZ. George had the patience of Job, and with his engineering mind, he could fix anything. He was like the Pied Piper, as everyone from babies to older people loved him. George loved to dance, and even earlier this year he was out on the dance floor and could cut a rug with the best of them. His younger brother, Sam, died nine days before his death and George is now survived by two of eight siblings, Helen Arnold and Terri Mitsuoka. George leaves his best friend and beloved life partner, Carole Kelsch. Also, he leaves three children, Joseph Garcia (Nicole), Annette Robinson, and Mary van Loben Sels (Mark). He was so loved by Kim Szczurek (Norb) and Kristan Kelsch. His grandchildren were the greatest earthly gift given to him and he was Grandpa to Taylor, Jack, Andrew, Lucas, Gavin, Tobey, Thomas and Charlie, and was Papa to Sarah, Zachary and Hope. A memorial service celebrating George’s life will be held Saturday, January 7th, 11:00 am, at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, Ca. Lunch will follow. George was extremely proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and his ashes will be interred at the VA National Cemetery in Dixon. Memorial gifts in George’s honor may be sent to Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Scholarship Fund, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, Ca 94598 or Hospice East Bay, 3470 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, Ca 94523.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/eastbaytimes/obituary.aspx?pid=183260030
Benjamin Carol Kutzkey was born on October 31, 1930 and passed August 14, 2016 with his family at his side. Ben was born in Los Angeles, CA to Benjamin and Bertha Kutzkey. He lived his early life in Los Angeles, spending his days playing in the river and getting into trouble with his lifetime friend, Bill Rathfelder. In the late 1930s, his family moved to Trona, CA. Ben attended grade school there and had a wonderful time running around the desert, shooting lizards with his .22 rifle.
During his [junior high school year (1946/1947)], the family moved to Independence, CA and purchased the Independence Hotel and Bud’s Standard Service Station. Throughout high school, Ben worked at the Standard Service Station. It was here that his knowledge and love of auto repair truly blossomed. He played on the high school basketball team and earned the nickname “Ballerina Ben.” He graduated from Owens Valley High School in 1948.
On February 7, 1950, he joined the U.S. Navy and became an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class. While in the Navy during the Korean War, he was able to travel the world. When he left the service, he returned to Independence, CA with the hopes of running the Independence Hotel, but was sad to learn the hotel was being sold. Ben then began working with LADWP, assisting with the construction and repairs of the aqueduct.
In 1957 he met his first wife, Pat Robbins. Together they created a wonderful family with daughter, Cheri and sons, Ken, Rick, Mike, and Greg. In 1958 he began working with the Inyo County Road Department at Manzanar. In 1961, Ben moved his family to Laws, where he was the caretaker. They lived in the “Commander’s House.” When his son Mike was born, Ben was given approval to build an add-on to the “Commander’s House” which still stands to this day. On the final day of operation at the Laws Post Office, Ben purchased the final cancelled stamp. This is now on display at the Laws Railroad Museum Post Office.
Ben and the family were saddened to learn that Greg, the youngest of Ben’s children, had juvenile diabetes. Shortly thereafter, his wife Pat was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She passed away in 1973. He met his second wife, Barbara Peterson, who took in all of Ben’s children as her own. After only 2 years of marriage, Barbara passed away from a pulmonary embolism. Although he was devastated, Ben never gave up and continued to be a wonderful father and provider for his children.
In 1988, he met Velia Marmolejo, who would become his third wife. As their relationship grew, he became an important father figure to her four children. As a family, they created many great memories of traveling, exploring and simply spending time together.
In 1992, Ben retired from the Inyo County Road Department after 34 years. After retiring Ben became quite busy with his coin, bottle and stamp collections. His collections were a lifelong passion and he was an original member of the Belles and Beaux Bottle Club.
He was a Clamper with the Slim Princess Chapter in the Eastern Sierra, joining in the 1960’s. He was also a founding member of the original motorcycle course located at the end of Reata Road. He won first place in numerous enduro races, passing his love of the sport on to his children.
Ben will be remembered for his strong voice and opinions, as well as the pure love he had for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha; father Ben; wives, Pat and Barbara; sons, Mike and Greg; and many of his beloved four-legged family members. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Velia Kutzkey; daughter, Cheri Frost; sons, Ken Kutzkey and Rick Kutzkey; step-sons, Scott Harmon, Rick Harmon, Shay Boziel and Ben Suleski; seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; and four-legged family members, Nathan and Heather.
Graveside services will be held on September 2 at 10 a.m. at Pioneer Cemetery on West Line Street. A celebration of life potluck will follow at 4 p.m. at Mill Creek Station. Ben was not one to dress up for any occasion, and out of respect for Ben, the family requests that guests wear casual attire to the services.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Eastern Sierra Cancer Alliance.
Joe Henry Ellis passed away on January 24th, 2016 after a long illness. He will be missed by his family, students, friends and classmates.
Joe Henry Ellis — Ventura, CA
Joe Henry Ellis, beloved father and husband, shuffled off his mortal coil on January 24th, 2016 after a long illness.
Joe Henry was an extraordinary man. We who loved him remember camping trips, his love of the outdoors, Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes, deep and inspirational conversations, and an incredible personal presence he conveyed to all who knew him.
Joe was born in Arkansas, one of five siblings, to Henry and Alta Vay Ellis. His family moved to Texas and then to California, finally settling in Trona where he spent his high school years. He joined the Navy in 1951 and served in the Korean War. It was during that time that he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Patricia Louise Bates, who was in nursing school at the time. They marred and settled in Ventura, the home of Patricia’s family for generations. Joe took on several jobs to support his wife and growing family as he finished his education to become a teacher. (1) After Joe earned his teaching credential and graduate degree he got a job at Ventura High School where he taught for 31 years in the history department. During this time he was active in Sacred Heart Parish, took up golf and dragged his growing family across every campground in the western United States and to his cherished Lake Tahoe.
Joe pursued two major passions throughout his life; his family and his teaching. He will be remembered by generations of students as a compassionate and enthusiastic educator who encouraged his students to succeed. He had a knack for finding their strengths but it was his caring attitude that brought many of them back to visit him at school and at his home. Towards the end of his illness while at a local hospital, a nurse caring for him shared that he was the only teacher who reached out to her and told her she had the potential to go to college.
During his retirement Joe and Patricia were fortunate to travel to many exotic places around the world. They sail around the Horn and cruised Alaska, pet koalas in Australia and drank wine throughout Western Europe.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Patricia; His three daughters Kathleen (Gary Stanley); Elizabeth (Thomas Letus); Margaret (Joseph Sofer) ; his son Joseph, grandchildren Richard, Anita, Jennifer, John, and Mary; and six great-grandchildren. The unconditional love he showed all of us will be greatly missed but we know that it is only a short time before we meet him again. “We’re glad you made it to the top of the mountain, Dad. We’ll see you there someday.”
A celebration of his life will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, February 9th at ten o’clock am.
In lieu flowers donation may be made in Joe’s memory to Ventura High School. The Joe Ellis Scholarship Fund.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/joe-ellis-obituary?pid=177525705
An email from George Sherman brings the following sad news:
“I’m very sad to have to report that Al has passed away. Thank you to Ann Tankersley for alerting me about it this morning. I just talked on the phone to one of Al‘s sons who verified that Al passed away late last Saturday night (early Sunday morning). His obituary should be posted in the Ridgecrest Daily Independent starting tomorrow (which can be viewed at http://www.ridgecrestca.
David passed away on December 19, 2015 at 5:00 PM. He passed quickly and ever so peacefully in the home that he built in Idaho and loved and cared for surrounded by his family.
Being at home under the care of family and hospice provided a peaceful ending to a long hard battle for a little over a year and a half, with many trips to Minnesota for treatments.
Douglas William Stewart, 75, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2015 with his family beside him.
He was born August 24, 1939 in Los Angeles, CA and grew up in a small Mojave Desert town called Trona. Doug played baseball with his friends despite the 100+ degree heat and ate salt tablets like candy. After graduating from THS in 1957, he went to San Francisco State University to study English.
From 1963-1965 he served in the Army, mostly at Fort Monroe, Virginia, where he was a clerk. He was also a crack shot and was on the target shooting team.
After moving to Nevada he worked at various jobs, including as a Keno writer and a craps dealer at Harrah’s Club, while also attending the University of Nevada, Reno. There he met and, in 1969, married Caroline Bowdish. He received his B.A. in English in 1974, and moved to Pasco with Caroline. Doug earned a teaching credential from Walla Walla College, but only taught part-time. He became a Letter Carrier in 1977 and remained with the Postal Service until his retirement in 2002. Doug and Caroline had two sons, Colin, born in 1978, and Cameron, in 1982. Although they divorced in 1986, both of them remained involved in bringing up their sons.
From an early age Doug loved the out-of-doors, motorcycle riding, and fishing. He was a lifetime member of both the Sierra Club and the NRA. He collected books and read so widely that he seemed to know about everything.
Doug is survived by his sons, Colin Stewart of Kirkland, WA and Cameron Stewart of Pasco, and his former wife, Caroline Bowdish (Stewart) of Pasco.
A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on June 6 at 3:00 p.m. at the Richland Community Center. Contributions in his honor can be made to the Sierra Club Foundation (SierraClubFoundation.org) or to the Nature Conservancy (WashingtonNature.org).
Published in Tri-City Herald on May 22, 2015
The sad news that Russell Rector of Trona passed away has come to us this morning from Charlotte (Reeves) Biggs. Russell was a good friend to the Reeves family. More details of Russell’s death should appear in the Ridgecrest Daily Independent in next few days.
The service for Russell is Saturday February 7, 2015 at 9 a.m. Graveside services only with a reception following at the Trona Senior Center.
For those of you who don’t do Facebook here is the info on the hotels in Ridgecrest:
Springhill Inn and Suites, 760-446-1630 discounted rate of $99 per night
Hampton Inn and suites, 760-446-1968 discounted rate of $99 per night.
Clarion Inn (formerly Carriage inn) 760-446-7910 has a rate of $85 per night, breakfast included.
Best Western, 760-371-2300 has a rate of $74.99, breakfast included.
Heritage Inn, 760-446-6543 has a rate of $75 per night.
Veterans they can on base for 45$ at the base hotels.
These rates do not include tax. When making reservations state you would like the rate for the Trona all classes reunion. You may be able to get a cheaper rate with AAA or AARP. These rates will be effective, at most hotels, until mid September, so make your reservations early. This is not a complete list of places to stay in the area, just the ones offering a discounted rate.