Category Archives: Alumni

Jeffery Dale Newman

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June 10, 1955 – May 13, 2025

Jeffery Dale Newman, age 69, passed away on May 13, 2025. A lifelong resident of Trona, California—with a few unforgettable adventures along the way—Jeff was known for his love of music, deep friendships, and unwavering devotion to his family. With a biker’s exterior and a hippie’s heart, he was affectionately known by many as the “Mayor of Argus.”

Jeff was born on June 10, 1955, in Trona, CA to Grady (Dale) and Mary Newman. After graduating from Trona High in 1973, he hitchhiked across the country, a free spirit chasing stories and songs,  but he always found his way back to the town he called home, and this is where he started his family and lived most of his life.

Jeff loved the Elks Lodge, where he spent countless hours with friends who became family. His loyalty, humor, warmth, and friendly disposition made him unforgettable to all who knew him.  Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Grady and Mary Newman, Brother-in-law Thomas Gossett, and stepson Michael Vogel all of Trona, CA.

He is survived by his three daughters: April Rodriguez and husband Juan of Midland, TX; Nicole and Mary Newman of Trona, CA; his stepson Robert Vogel of Spokane, WA; his grandchildren: Anthony, Maggie, and Samuel Rodriguez of Midland, TX; Julian Newman-Medina, Titan and Odin Valdez of Trona, CA; and his great-grandson, Antonio Rodriguez of Midland, TX.

Jeff also leaves behind his sisters: Donna Dodson and husband Robert of Inyokern, CA; Robin Gossett of Trona, CA; and Lea Ann Unger and husband Dale of Las Vegas, NV; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, he loved being an Uncle!  He had a wide circle of lifelong friends who will miss him dearly.

Jeffery Dale Newman lived life on his own terms. His spirit will echo in the music he loved, the stories he told, and the love he gave so freely.

Graveside service is Friday, May 30, 2025, 10AM at the Trona cemetery. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Trona Elks Lodge. Family and Friends are invited to come and encouraged to wear a tie dye shirt in honor of Jeff.

Glinda-Lane

Glinda (Lane) McCullough — Class of 1965

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Glinda (Lane) McCullough, 77, passed away unexpectedly of pneumonia in Hesperia, CA. Glenda was born while her parents lived in Trona and was raised there where she attended Trona Elementary and Trona High School.

She is preceded in passing by her parents, Glenton and Mary Lane.  her brother and his wife {Glenn and Stefanie Lane) and by her sister Marla who was in the THS class of 1973. Glinda is survived by her two sons, her four grandchildren, her husband and his children.

Glinda’s parents, brother and sister are buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Edit: Changed 1966 to 1965.

Ronald McCauley — Class of 1990

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My name is Tracy this is my brother Ronald James McCauley who passed away from a medical Illness in his sleep march 1st 2025. My hope is to help raise money for his funeral service and help out with left over bills for his son who was left behind Connor James McCauley your donations no matter how small we’ll make a huge difference in helping them thank you so much for your support please share. Services have not been planned as of yet.

GoFundMe

Trona High School’s Band 1949-1950

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First Clarinet — Nancy Briggs ’51, Dorothy Marshall ’55, Marybelle Egge ’50
Second Clarinet — Alicia Hagar ’55, Malvern Stevens ’53, Helen Denny ’55, Lou Ann Ford ’54, Sandra Parmalee ’56
Third Clarinet — Joyce Greenstreet/Bradburn ’54, Billy Wilson, Shirley Barbee ’54, Richard Peach ’56
First Cornet — John Lineback ’51, Tex Hollis ’54, Warren Parmalee ’51, Peter Reeves ’54
Second Cornet — Manuel Picon ’54, Bob Parks ’51, Keith Pratt ’56
Third Cornet — Kenneth Cassel ’54, Diane Cassel ’55, Gladys Beall ’54, Donald Peterson ’55
First Trombone — Neil Hinckle ’53, Bob Stevens ’51, Allen Hartley ’54
Second Trombone — Chris Peterson ’55, Malcolm De Wess, Charles Long ’55
Third Trombone — Tommy Barrick ’54
Flute — Fawn Eyre ’53
Alto Saxophone — Rosemaire Mac Gavin ’50, Dorothy DeYoung ’50
Tenor Saxophone — Lyman Gilliland ’55, Ritta Skidmore ’55
Baritone Horn — John Tinsley ’55
French Horn — Donald Samuels ’55. Lonnie Hammond ’54, Sherry Jones, Darlene Bell ’54
Tuba — Eddie Bueltmann ’54
Bass Drums and Cymbals — Nixon Beall ’54, Jerry Wilson ’53
Snare Drums — Clarence Pitt ’50, Ray Bell ’50, Ronnie Baxter ’54, Walter Bradshaw ’53, Rex Muse ’53, Shirley Muse ’54, Bruce Bernhardi ’55, Roland Walton, Jerry Glenn ’54

Cholla Sizemore researched the names of the 1949-‘50 band members.

!944 Orchestra

The first orchestral students appear in the 1943-44 yearbook. The members were:

Piano – Paul Haughton ’46
Violins – Bill Brink 49′, Peggy Dorward ’49, Andrew Ledesma ’49, Gene McKinney ’47, Shirley Trotter ’49
Clarinets – Allen Gates, Claudean Ives, Robert Payne ’48, Harold Washmuth ’45
Saxophone – Robert Niemeyer ’44
Baritone – Robert Fowler
Trumpets – Eldon Fox ’45, Mariloo Gilberts, Leona Smith, Pauldin Smith ’49, Patricia Tharpe
Drums – Clinton Harper

The orchestra was directed by Robert J. Hinter (1917-1980)

THS 1949 Band

The Trona High School Tornado band was formed in 1948 and had a total of 15 members. A year later, the 1949-’50 band had 44 members and 6 Majorettes.

Members were: Steve Walsh ’53, Warren Parmalee ’51, Bob Stevens 51, Ronnie Holliman 51, Bill Sisco ’51, Bob Parks ’51, Marybelle Egge ’50,

Bryan Corcoran researched the names of the 1948-‘49 band members.

Diane (Orr) Reece

Gloria Diane (Orr) Reece — Class of 1960

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Diane Reece passed away on Febuary 25, 2025 at the age of 82. She was a playground monitor, librarian extraordinaire and mentor/confidant/hug provider to hundreds and hundreds of students at Janesville Elementary School, great-grandma, grandma, sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, wife (of more than 60 years) to Mr. Milton Vernon Reece and simply mom to myself and my siblings Debbie Reece Pullen, Melanie Reece McAdam, and James Reece.

Anyone who knew her couldn’t help but be infected with her calm, loving, caring demeanor and passion for family. The legacy she and my dad built through starting a family of 4 children beginning in the 1960s and carried forward to today with families of their own – from the oldest daughter to the youngest great-grandchild all are great citizens in the world BECAUSE she was such a great citizen herself.

And if you really knew her, you’d know she’s already watching the latest episodes of “The Young and the Restless” on a heavenly DVR. She watched nearly every episode beginning in 1973 (40+ years!!!) – rarely forgetting to set the VHS video recorder (way back in the day) and tune the TV to the right channel – all of us kids knew not to change the channel after it was set before we left for school…or else! And even if an 80 year old isn’t great with electronics, she always figured out how to set the DVR. If you don’t do anything else today, listen one last time in her honor to the Y&R theme song.

Monte Quinton

Monte James Quinton — Class of 1981

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On February 16th, 2025, Monte James Quinton passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family. He was 61 years old. Monte was a father to three children and Grandfather to three additional grandchildren. He cherished every moment with them and deeply loved them.

Monte was born May 12th, 1963, in Ridgecrest, CA to Melvin and Mary Quinton. He was raised in Trona, CA alongside his siblings Rhonda and Janet. Monte married his wife Diana October 9th, 1993, in Lake Tahoe, NV to which Monte and Diana shared 31 adventurous years together.

Monte began his career as an X-Ray Technician in 1983 and finished his career in 2024 as a Medical Dosimetrist for AIS Cancer Center. Along his career progression, he advanced his education through secondary education establishments and relevant work experience. Monte carried a passion for his work as a Medical Dosimetrist for the past 25 years. His colleagues greatly appreciated his presence through his adventurous personality and a continuous source of humor. Outside of work, Monte loved to try something new and was always willing to share new experiences with his close family. Monte is viewed by his family as a model to what a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Son is to be.

Monte is survived by his Wife Diana Quinton; his sons David (Jessica) Cox, Derek Quinton, and Jason Quinton; his Mother Mary Quinton; his sister Rhonda (Wayne) McKinney; his Grandchildren Wyatt Cox, Savannah Cox, and Scarlett Cox; and many Nieces/Nephews.

Monte is preceded in death by his Father Melvin Quinton; his Sister Janet Vassar; his Niece Kami Vassar; his Grandparents J.C. & Cleo Still, Arzeta Tucker, and Jim Quinton; his Uncles Bert Quinton and Dennis Orr; his Aunt Judy Quinton; his aunt & Uncle Pat & Leon Watson.

Monte’s family would like to thank all staff and doctors at AIS Cancer Center & Bakersfield Community Hospice for treating Monte and his family with the utmost love, care, and support.

Monte’s services will be held at Greenlawn SW, 2739 Panama Ln, Bakersfield CA 93313. A viewing will be held Sunday March 2nd, 2025, from 4pm – 8pm and a graveside service will be held March 3rd, 2025, at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AIS Cancer Center.

https://www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com/memorials/monte-quinton/5554821/index.php

Philip Hara — Class of 1963

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Phil passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at age 79 from complications after a fall at home.

Philip Leon Hara was born November 17, 1945 in San Bernardino, CA, the third child of George and Ina (Thompson) Hara. In 1949 George moved the family to Trona where Phil grew up and was educated in Trona Schools a part of the class of 1963.

Phil enlisted in the US Navy and during his time in Corpus Christi, Texas he met and married his wife Sylvia. He was then sent to serve aboard the USS Ticonderoga in the midst of the Vietnam War. After discharge he returned to San Bernardino, California to work for the Santa Fe railroad as a diesel engine mechanic. Together, he and Sylvia raised 2 daughters before moving to Apple Valley. Phil had a life long love for all things pertaining to mechanics and engines. He built a 32 Ford Roadster with a v6 blower and restored a Cushman motorcycle. He rode the motorcycle once in the Trona Homecoming Parade replete with leather helmet and googles.

Phil loved Desert History and Lore but most of all he loved coming home to Trona every October for Trona’s Homecoming visiting with as many old alumni friends he could find. Phil leaves behind his wife, 2 daughters, a son-in-law, 3 granddaughters, and many good friends.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/apple-valley-ca/philip-hara-12160938

Bill Witt

Willaim Witt — Class of 1945

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The Witt family came to Trona, CA from Chloride, AZ around 1942 and left about for Henderson, NV around 1948 so they weren’t in Trona for very long but he did graduate from Trona High School and he stayed in touch with lit Brush. The 1950 census lists his father as a foreman so I suspect he was recruited, like other were, to move to AP&CC’s plant in Henderson.

Bill was born April 4, 1947 and died in January 21, 2025. Perhaps someone could let use know if he had a family> He was one of the last living members of his class.

https://obituaries.neptune-society.com/obituaries/sacramento-ca/william-witt-12212063

Terri Durland

Teresa Ann “Terri” (Durland) Allen — Class of 1945

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Our beloved mom Terri Allen passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025 at the age of 97. Terri was born in Los Angeles, California in 1927 and was raised in Trona, a company-owned mining town in the Mojave Desert.

After graduating from high school in Trona, she moved to Berkeley and attended the University of California, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1949. She was in the Sigma Kappa sorority at Cal. She met her future husband, Don Allen, at Cal, and they were married in 1950 and lived in the Bay Area. The marriage ended in divorce. Terri worked as an administrative assistant in Menlo Park for many years and raised their three children, Leslie, Curt and Paul, as a single mom. After she retired, she moved to Grass Valley in 1999.

Terri was an active and dedicated member of the Baha’i Faith, and she served on the Baha’i Local Assembly as Secretary and as Treasurer for over 30 years. She was an avid reader and loved books about different cultures, societies and stories from around the world. She was a person of profound integrity and a strong sense of justice, and she stood up for and supported human rights and the oneness of humanity.

Terri is survived by her daughter Leslie Platner and son-in-law Paul Platner of Grass Valley, and her son Paul Allen and daughter-in-law Laura Allen of Emerald Hills. Terri’s son Curt passed away in 2018. Terri was a native Californian, “memah” and “purple nana” to six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and lived a long happy life, from the great Mojave Desert to the gold-rich Sierra foothills.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Unity in the Gold Country Spiritual Center, 180 Cambridge Ct, Grass Valley.

For those wishing to make charitable donations in Terri’s memory, please consider Hospice of the Foothills.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/terri-allen-obituary?id=57546311

Terri’s father was a chemical engineer. They lived in Trona from at least 1930 to 1950. She had a younger brother, William, who passed away in 2006.

According to the 1950 census the Durland’s lived at 306 Lupine St

The 1945 yearbook says Terri’s nickname was “Te De”. Terri probably went to elementary school in the old elementary school on Main St. and then I suspect she may went away to school and came back to finish school when Trona High School was completed in 1942.