We have been informed that Danny Lopez, class of 1966 passed away in August of 2020. There will be graveside services for him in Trona Nov. 14th at 12:00 p.m.
Daniel Armando “Danny” Lopez — Class of 1966
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Category Archives: In Memory
Bobby Gene Tyler — Class of 1959
I am sorry to bring you the news that. Bobby Tyler, class of 1959 passed away on October 5, 2020 after falling and injuring his head the day before. He was living in Wenatchee, Washington. When Bobby was in High school he worked as a butcher after school and weekends at Paul’s Market in Argus.
Bobby married Jo Lynn Barter, class of 1958 in 1959 shorty after graduating. They divorced in 1976 while living in Washington.
It is always a sad day to hear of the passing of a classmate. I ask that his family and friends accept our condolences and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sheila (Baker) Haughton — Class of 1967
I was just informed that Sheila (Baker) Haughton, class of 1967 has passed away. I think this happened about the first of September 2020.
Sheila was born to Odell and Dorothy Baker on March 2, 1949. Sheila was a Trona Elementary School teacher in the 70’s. I don’t know how long she taught.
Shelia was married to James Tyler Haughton, ( THS teacher from 1973-2010) and also from the class of 1967. Her father-in-law James Haughton Sr. , left Trona High School in 1944, his senior to join the navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He returned to and graduated in 1947. Sheila’s mother-in-law Marydith (Tyler) Haughton was also a member of the class of 1947.
I will post more information when it becomes available.
Terri (Burrell) Schmidgall — Class of 1970
Known best by her nickname, Terri, Teresa Jane Burrell Schmidgall passed away on September 5th, 2020 at the age of 68. She was surrounded by family, watching her favorite tv shows. Terri dedicated her life to nursing and was a talented woodworker. She started her nursing career in her early 20’s as a CNA and continued working her way up the ladder; later gaining experience as an Administrator and Director of Nursing for retirement communities in the Seattle, Washington area.
Terri was born in Trona, California on February 2, 1952 to Tom and Toni Burrell. She loved sports and competition. After graduating from Trona High School, Terri moved to Pocatello, Idaho where she studied nursing at Idaho State University. Those were raucous years for Terri as she left an ex-husband behind and battled alcoholism all the way into a sanitarium. Terri made friends easily and considered herself lucky many of them picked her up when she fell.
In the 1990’s Terri excelled in her sobriety and nursing career while raising two daughters. She soon fell in love with her future wife, Betty Glandon, and moved the family to Seattle. Terri and Betty were married in Woodinville, Washington on August 24, 2013 in a fun-loving estate ceremony. Terri was a spunky, gregarious woman who battled many demons but kept a strong, confident appearance. She was loved by many but understood by few.
She is survived by her wife, Betty Glandon, daughter Mackenzie Daniek, daughter Shirstie Gaylord, Stepson Matt Glandon, Grandsons Alex and Elisha Daniek, Sons-in-law Nathaniel Daniek and Eric Gaylord and siblings Tom Burrell, Tim Burrell and Sister Donna Preston. A celebration of life ceremony is pending. In lieu of flowers please make donations to EvergreenHealth Hospice Care, 12822 124th Lane NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
Leona D Estes — Class of 1972
Leona Estes, also known as Leona Ritter from the class of 1972, passed away August 25, 2020. She had been battling liver cancer the last couple of months. Leona grew up in Trona and was raised by he grandmother, Juanita Ritter and uncle and aunt, Dale and Patsy (Ritter) Storm.
Nancy (Bezansky) Seeman — Class of 1971,
I just received notice that Nancy (Bezansky) Seeman, class of 1971, passed away recently. If additional information becomes available I will post it here.
Louis Edgar Sims — Class of 1961
Some of Louis’ ancestors were Vikings, both Danes and Celts, and we always saw him that way! He loved the outdoors, loved water with kayaking on the rivers and boating on the lakes, sailed around the west coast in his private plane and loved skiing, mountain biking, bow and gun hunting and exploring. He was a volunteer fireman 1970-77 and reached the three-gallon level in blood donations. That all has come to an end. Louis died August 5, in Yellow Springs Ohio, from heart failure and pancreatic cancer — the same illness that took his father at the same age.
Louis was born August 23, 1943, in Trona, in the California desert. He graduated with honors from Trona High School in 1961, after being very active in the marching band, football, basketball and track – Louis set a school record for the 880 yard sprint. When asked what had been a memorable event in his life, he answered it was when his high school basketball team “won the State championship!”
Louis went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University in 1966. At one time during that period, all three Sims brothers were attending Cal Poly. After graduation, Louis married Carol Ford in Trona and they moved to Seattle where Louis worked on Minuteman missiles with Boeing Aircraft; he was excused from the Vietnam draft because he was a rocket scientist. He received a Master’s in Electronic Engineering from the University of Washington.
When the missile contract ended, Louis found new work with Keytronic, a startup computer company in Spokane. He designed and patented a capacitive switch for computer keyboards for them, which led to $100 million per year in sales. In 1977, Louis became vice-president of engineering for ISC Systems and directed development of on-line cluster terminal systems for banks. In 1986, Louis moved to Output Technology Corporation, which produced high speed-impact printers, where he launched three new products and won a government contract worth $50 million. He was president and CEO 1993-2000 and increased sales from $4 million to over $30 million per year and sold the printers in several countries around the world.
Louis is survived by his children Jenniffer, Jilliann, Evan, Hayley, and nieces Tiffany and Serrina Sims and his wife Mary Sims and her daughters Valerie, Alisa and Demi Kosheleff. He is also survived by his brother Richard and his wife Cindy. Louis’s ashes will be scattered in Yellow Springs and on a mountain near Spokane.
Bonnie (Mock) Schroeder — Class of 1962
We have received word from Clark Curtin who spoke to her daughter that Bonnie (Mock) Schroeder passed away on July 15, 2020.
Although I lost track of her once I left Trona she was a good and close friend and neighbor while I was growing up. This is sad news for me. I offer my prayers and well wishes to her family and friends.
Bonnie was born to Eugene and Juanita Mock on Aug 10, 1944. She had two brothers, Paul and David, and two sisters, Kay and Jan. David died in 2013.
Ann (Pohan) Tankersley — Class of 1962
Ann passed away this morning, July 6, 2020 while living in San Diego. Early reports from local friends say she had a massive heart attack.
Alphretta Ann Pohan was born on January 21, 1945, in San Bernardino County, California, to Joseph and Georgia (Meader) Pohan. She married Joe Rodger Tankersley on June 21, 1996, in Fort Bend, Texas. She died on July 6, 2020, in San Diego, California, at the age of 75.
I will link to an actual obituary if and when one is posted.
Louis Ruiz Castillo — Class of 1966
I just received word that Louis Castillo, class of 66, passed away on Apr. 30, 2020. Notes or cards may be sent to his sister:
Rose Kruze, 528 W. Joyner, Ridgecrest CA 93555