Category Archives: Alumni

Patricia Mona (Hall) McGregor — Class of 1949

Patricia Mona (Hall) McGregor went home to Jesus and her Jimmy on Saturday July 20, 2024. Patricia was born in Los Angeles, California June 7, 1931. She was 93 years young. She was the daughter of Harry and Beryl Hall, and they were waiting for her in heaven. Patricia wanted to become a nurse but dropped out of nursing school to marry her high school sweetheart and the love of her life James Richard McGregor who passed April 10, 2008. Patricia met Jimmy at Trona High School in Trona, California. Jimmy joined the US Navy and away they went off on a lifetime of adventure. Patricia worked in the medical profession at the different duty stations as they traveled the country. They had 3 children and when her mother had died suddenly, they raised her younger brother as their own. When Jimmy retired from the Navy Patricia went back to nursing school at Ventura College where at the age of 50, she graduated at the top of her class and became the Registered Nurse that she had put on hold for so many years earlier. Patrica went to work at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. In later years when Pat retired, they relocated to Bend, Oregon where she went back to nursing. They were both active in the Bend Elks, and she enjoyed working with the Elks on several Charity functions. When Jimmy went to heaven Pat moved back to Ventura County and settled in Leisure Village in Camarillo near family. She was an accomplished artist, and her work is coveted by her family. Patricia’s last residence was at Camarillo Senior Living in Camarillo. Patricia is survived by her 3 children Christine, Bonnie, Kelly, and brother Bob. Patricia is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Patricia lived long enough to recently pin her granddaughter Meghann from Ventura College’s Nursing program. Patricia loved God, her Jimmy, her large family and her country fiercely. She will be missed by many.

https://www.vcstar.com/obituaries/pyrk0909418?fbclid=IwY2xjawEnmL5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQgIzGdCAPkH2IRQR2yR1N_3s05nIH7CAbnkHWNBg7BkcXSVco4E7UXigA_aem_mh0vicBIsuNLpM_XKFvE4g

The Telescope -- 1947 Trona High School

The Telescope — 1947 Trona High School

Patricia’s family moved to Idaho in 1948 so she was wasn’t able to graduate with her class and her future husband.

Charlotte (Duffel) Hicks — Class of 1955

Charlotte was born 14 JUL 1937 and passed away August 7, 2024. The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 so Charlotte was not a student at Trona High School for very long. She wasn’t there long enough to have a graduating picture in the yearbook.

Her services will be 10 am September 21, 2024 at the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Charlotte will be buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery along with her parents, her sister, Regina, class of 1961 and her brothers, James, class of 1958 and Rex, class of 1959.

Charlotte was also known as Charlotte Van Sickle.

Regina (Duffel) Blevins — Class of 1961

Graveside services were held for Regina at the Searles Valley Cemetery on Saturday, May 25, 2024. where her parents, sister Melva and brothers Sunny and Rex are buried.

The Duffel family came to Trona in 1955 from Arkansas. I can’t tell you much about Regina. Perhaps the classmates and friends who new her best will leave comments.

Bob Jones

Robert “Bob” Jones — Class of 1956

Bob was born in 1938 in Oklahoma. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to Trona. The 1940 census lists his father’s occupation as a switchman for AP&CC. In the 1950 census his occupation is listed as a switch engine operator. At some point Bob’s father, Cliff became the manager of the Searles Valley Credit Union and then everyone who saved or borrowed money knew the Cliff Jones family. In high school Bob was known as Bobby, which made it confusing when in 1959 he married Bobbie (Halstead) Jones  from the class of 1961. He passed away June 30, 2024.

Bob was on the varsity basketball team in high school but from what I’ve heard he spent a lot of time at the Trona Golf Club.

1966 11th hole at old trona golf course.

 

I wish I could tell you more about Bob but I really never new him. I do know he had children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren that loved him.

Barbara (Bolding) Malcolm — Class of 1968

Barbara Malcom Obituary
Barbara’s obituary was published on Legacy.com by Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Home on Apr. 1, 2024:

Funeral service will be 11 AM Tuesday for Barbara Bolding Malcom, 73 of Southside, at Glencoe-Hokes Bluff Funeral Chapel with Rev. Joey Jones officiating. Burial will follow in William-Southside Cemetery. There will be no public visitation.
Barbara gained her wings March 29, 2024 at home surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents: Billie Bolding, Marvin Bolding; step-mom: Doris Bolding; and brother: Jerry Bolding.
Left to cherish the memory of Barbara are her daughter: Kim Malcom (Jimbo) Bearden, son: Johnny (Amy) Malcom; daughter: Callie Bellew (Josh Storey); daughter: JoAnn (Lee) Jones; grandchildren: Daniel (Diamond) Lawson, Nikki Clark, Bailey Rogers, Minda (Tommy) Winn; Courtney Malcom, Shane (Katie) Bellew, JB Bellew (Brittany), Destiny Stargel, Trevor Jones, Hannah Jones, Hallee Jones, Tricia Cannon, Jason Garrett and Jolie Storey; Several great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Joyce Hood, Jim (Emily) Bolding, Jay (Lladi) McDonald, and Kim (Frank) Brunner; host of nieces and nephews; best friend and loving companion: Rufus.
Barbara worked 25 years at Southside City Hall as a dispatcher and like a mother to a host of Jr. firemen and police officers. She is a loving mom. Sister, great-Mawmaw.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Lawson, Bailey Rogers, JB Bellew, Jason Garrett, Shane Bellew, and Shane Stanford.
Honorary Pallbearer is Johnny Malcom and Jay McDonald.
Special thanks to the family of Gentiva Hospice.
Online condolences may be left to the family at:
www.ghbfuneralhome.com.

Marilyn (White) Shermeon

Marilyn (White) Shermeon — Class of 1961

Marilyn Ann (White) Shermoen of Ridgecrest, CA, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on June 15, 1943, Marilyn grew up in Trona, and lived a life dedicated to her family and close friends, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories.

Marilyn is survived by her loving daughter, Cheryl Shermoen, (Thomas Storm). She was a devoted grandmother to Tiffany Elliot (Shane) and great granddaughters Annie, Jessie, Christina, Elizabeth and Catherine. Marilyn also leaves behind her sisters, Carolyn Bertrand and Roberta Jackson, numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored and cherished deeply.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Ona White, and her brothers-in-law, George Bertrand and Louie Jackson.

Marilyn worked on the base for a number of years, where she was known for her dedication and hard work. Despite her commitment to her job, her true focus was always on her family. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, particularly her daily morning coffee at Beansters with her
sisters and friends, a ritual that brought joy and camaraderie into her days. Marilyn will be remembered for her quiet strength, her unwavering love for her family, and her warm presence. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Graveside services will be August 3, 2024 at 9am at the Desert Memorial Park, 801 San Bernardino Blvd., Ridgecrest, Ca.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/marilyn-white-shermoen?fh_id=10738

James Hunter 1938-2024

James “Jim’ Hunter — Class of 1956

Jim Hunter’s Graveside service is Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 10 am at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Following the service is a potluck at Trona Elks. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at T2T.org or a organization of your choice.

Jim’s family moved from Oklahoma to Trona in 1952. Jim married Ellinor Crossley from the class of 1958.  In 1998 Jim marred Sharon Sessions from the class of 1959. She passed away in 2019.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/james-hunter

Holly Ann (Hurlocker) Farrah Elliott — Class of 1951

Holly Ann Hurlocker Farrah Elliott, passed away on June 1, 2024. Class of 1951. She was living in Edmond Oklahoma. Holly was born in Bemidji Minnesota, to Harold and Isabel Hurlocker.  The family moved to Trona when Holly was in the 4th grade.

She had 3 brothers, Harold, Patrick and Paul, and 4 sisters, Mary, Kathy, Sally and Alecia. All but the oldest brother ,Hal, graduated from Trona High. Holly married Bob Farrah in Trona 1954. They had 2 sons Rob and Bret, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grand children.  Bob passed away in 1991, and she married Frank Elliott in Sherwood OR in 2009.  She is survived by her husband Frank and sister Alecia, sons Rob and Bret and their families.  She was such a fun happy person, and we miss her greatly.

Barbara-May

Sister Mary St. Pius — Class of 1950

Sister Mary St. Pius was born in the state of Washington she christened Barbara May and she came to Trona when she was very young. Her father, Frank May was employed as an engineer for AP&CC. He was involved with borax refining and was also a photographer.

She became a nun after graduation from college around 1955 and went to the Monastery of the Angels in Hollywood, CA.  She spent over 65 years of her life there and served as their archivist  As the number of there nuns dwindled  down to four or five the Church relocated the few remaining nuns and closed the monastery in January 2024.

When she was 5 she started kindergarten in the old Trona Elementary School that was turned into a department store. Of the twenty-five students she graduated with there were six of them that had started kindergarten with her.

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A Short HISTORY of the Monastary of the Angels
Alice-Quezada-Korba-Criger.

Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger — Class of 1949

Julie Korba let us know that her mother Alice (Quezada) Korba Criger passed away on May 31, 2024 at 5:30. Her Facebook account is under Alice Criger.  She was 93 and Trona’s biggest Cheerleader!

The 1949 yearbook lists Alice’s achievements as  G. A. A. President, Girls League, Telescope Staff and Cheerleader ’47, ’48 and ’49, .

Alice had eight brothers; Edwardo (1913-2009), Edmundo (1916-2001) , Jesus (1919-2006), Migel (1922-2010), Fernando, Raul, Estaban (1915-2002), Art (1944-1968) and and three sisters; Evangenia (1924-2019), Estila (1926-2023) and Hortencia (1929-2007).

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/alice-quezada-korba-taylor-criger/article_cbc36606-85a1-11ef-8fe2-27645eed5ca9.html