Category Archives: Alumni

A VISIT WITH GEORGE & BARBARA SHERMAN

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George Sherman (Class 1956, and former Trona web-master) was visiting Los Angeles mid-July with his caregiving daughter, Becky, and his sister, Barbara Sherman Heyl (Class 1960).  Barbara arranged for me to visit them for a morning.  I was elated to see that George was doing quite well, given some old-age mind deterioration.  He was glad to see me, smiling, and listening to conversation between Barbara and myself, sometimes adding to the flow.  His mobility was very good and he is his old affable self.

I showed them a picture of my uncle, Walter Mezger, who was manager of the Trona hospital and then plant manager in 1944, indicating that his family was why the Millers moved to Trona.  George, without prompting, said: “I remember Steve Mezger”; my cousin Steve and George are about the same age and obviously knew each other.

George loved the desert, often traveling to Searles Valley in his Toyota Camper with kids/grandkids/and/or Dee, his companion in the early 2000’s.  Camped up on Slate Range, the Kilns, Great Falls, etc. For this reason, I gave them a dozen or so Desert Magazines from the 1940’s to peruse for memories.  Barb said that the next morning George was looking through them during a long breakfast.

They all went to a Paul Simon concert on the 12th at Disney Hall and had a great time.

Really an upbeat visit!

Alan Miller (Class 1963)

2025 All Class Reunion Hotel Information

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All Rooms are plus tax. All rooms are double occupancy. Price is per night.
All rooms need to be reserved under Trona All Class Reunion.

Springhill Suites – 760.446.1630
King or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available

Hampton Inn and Suites – 760.446.1968
King bed or double queen $109.00 plus tax
Holding 10 rooms, will add more if needed and available

Red Roof (Heritage Inn & Suites) 760.446.6543
King or double queen $95.00 plus tax

Holiday Inn Express 800-439-4745
King or queen double $165.30 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Clarion Inn 760.446.7910
King $106.00 plus tax
Queen $111.00 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Best Western 760.371.2300 Only holding 20 rooms
King $119.99 plus tax
Double Queen* $129.99 plus tax
* Additional adult in room $10 per night per head
Not pet friendly
Includes breakfast

Quality Inn 760.375.9731
5 kings reserved $114.53 plus tax
5 double queens reserved $114.53 plus tax
Includes breakfast

Please note: You must call and reserve room(s) directly with the hotel to get these special
rates. Reserving the room through a 3rd party (Expedia or Booking.com) will NOT get you these rates and rates can not be changed by the hotel later.

Gearing Up for the All Class Reunion 2025

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The festivities will begin Friday night, October 24, with the coronation ceremony and bonfire, followed by a street dance on Frontage Road from 8:00 to midnight. DJ Eric Shoaf of Good Vibrations will again be proving the music. Saturday activities include the pancake breakfast, Homecoming parade, with our very own Andy Ledesma as Alumni Grand Marshall. Lunch will be served from 11:00-1:00 in the high school gym. The Varsity football game against Lone Pine will start around 2:30 pm, preceded by the introduction of the Homecoming Court at 1:45 pm. Saturday evening includes dancing and entertainment from 9:00 pm -1:00 am at the Elks, provided by Monarch Party Band, led by our very own Trona alumni John Young. The evening meal will be heavy Hors d’oeuvres.

Souvenir tee shirts, zip up hoodie sweatshirts, and baseball caps are available for purchase on the order form.

Here is the schedule of events:
Friday, October 24th
• 6:00 pm Coronation on the football field
• 8:00 pm Bonfire and “T” lighting
• 8-12 pm Street Dance – Frontage Rd. (where the liquor store/pizza parlor was)
Saturday, October 25th
• 7:00 am Pancake Breakfast at the Senior Citizens Center
• 10:00 am Homecoming Parade
• 11:00 am Catered Lunch in the high school gym (11:00-1:00)
• 1:45 pm Introduction of Homecoming Court followed by Varsity Game
• 6:00 pm Social hour at the Elks
• 7:00 pm Heavy Hors d’oeuvres meal served from (7:00-9:00)
• 9:00 pm Dancing at the Elks

◊ Reunion souvenirs: Souvenir tee shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, and hats can be ordered on the order form. These souvenirs will NOT be available for sale during the reunion weekend, so buy them now! Souvenir packets will be available for pickup at the street dance on Friday night and after the parade on Saturday in front of the gym. A group picture will be taken at the gym prior to the lunch. Be sure to wear your reunion shirt!!!

◊ Cell phones: Only Verizon cell phones will work in Trona. If you plan to purchase a prepaid
Verizon phone for the event, please make sure to ask if that phone will work in Trona. Apparently some do, and some don’t.

Here is a list of Cell phone providers that use Verizon:

Visible: Owned by Verizon, Visible offers unlimited data, talk, and text plans.

Xfinity Mobile: Offers plans that can be bundled with Xfinity internet services.

Red Pocket: Provides various prepaid plans across Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks.
US Mobile: Offers customizable plans with options for premium data and international features.
Straight Talk: Uses Verizon’s network, as well as AT&T and T-Mobile.
Twigby: A low-cost provider with plans for different data needs.
Page Plus: A prepaid provider operating on Verizon’s network.
Spectrum Mobile: Offers plans bundled with Spectrum internet and mobile services.
Total Wireless: A prepaid service provider that utilizes Verizon’s network.
TracFone: Another prepaid provider that uses Verizon’s network, along with other major networks.

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