Category Archives: In Memory

Sharon (Sessions) Lewis Hunter – Class of 1959

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Sharon R. Hunter passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 1, 2019, surrounded by her family and friends.

Sharon was born on April 9, 1942, in Trona, CA, and lived in Trona almost her entire life. She retired from the West End facility in Trona and spent her time in retirement keeping busy in her community and with her family. She enjoyed traveling and spent many vacations in the states and internationally; besides her little hometown, Hawaii was her most cherished place to be.

Sharon had a deep love for photography, taking pictures of family, friends and at special events happening around Trona. She took extra pride in her community, always making friends feel like family and one of her biggest accomplishments was to care for her trees that line the bike path.

She was loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

Sharon is survived by Jim Hunter, her loving husband of 21 years; her son, Danny Lewis and wife Marni; and her daughter, Shanna Lewis. She is also survived by her stepdaughters Deana Garrison and husband David, along with Deborah Kramer.

Sharon leaves behind her grandchildren: Cameron Lewis and his wife, Kyla; Eric Lewis and his wife, Karessa; Robyn Lewis; Kyle Harrison; Keana Harrison; Kyle Leer; Hunter Maddux; Devon Kramer; Briana Heath; Venessa Gonzalez, husband Andrez; Richelle Branson, her husband Daniel; and Jennifer Smith, her husband Jared.

She also leaves behind her 10 precious great-grandchildren, whom she loved with all her heart.

Sharon’s funeral will be at the First Baptist Church in Trona at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9.

https://www.ridgecrestca.com/obituaries/20190306/sharon-r-hunter

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197425995/sharon-r.-hunter

James Gale Harinek Jr – Class of 1966

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James passed away February 26, 2019.  He is missed by his family, friends and classmates. James was born on March 6, 1947 and passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. James was a resident of Ridgecrest, California at the time of passing.  He was buried at Desert Memorial Park 801 S San Bernardino Rd Ridgecrest, CA 93555.

Martin Joseph Hicks

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The children of Martin Joseph Hicks sadly announce the passing of their father. He was born 10-2-1931 and passed away on 2-16-2019. He was a Trona High School teacher, football coach, basketball coach, track coach, and elementary school teacher from 1981 to 1999.

Services will be held on Saturday March 9th at 2:30 at the Murrieta Community Center, 41810 Juniper Street,Murrieta, Ca 92562

David Wayne “Buck” Rogers – Class of 1976

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David Wayne “Buck” Rogers (Class of 1976) passed away suddenly in his home yesterday morning (February 20, 12019) in Kihei, HI. Services are pending. David’s mother, Thelma Rogers worked for the Trona Joint Unified School District for 25 years. His father, Wilburn David (Bud) Rogers worked for A.P.&C.C.

Update: David’s sister, Neala died while attending David’s funeral. Services for David were held in Oklahoma.

Dena Raye (Boring) Ross – Class of 1976

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Dena Raye (Boring) Ross, a resident of Yukon, Oklahoma, died at her home after losing her bitter battle with cancer on January 6, 2019, at the age of 60. Dena was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on February 21, 1958, to Dean and Doris Boring. She graduated from Trona High School in Trona, California in 1976, and shortly thereafter she married her former husband Douglas Ross. They had three children together; sons Zachary and Tyler, and daughter Audra.

Dena loved her family and pets and dreamed of retiring to enjoy traveling to some of the places that she arranged travel for her Hertz customers. Dena constantly pursued learning history and in the last few years had started gardening. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Dena is preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her mother; her children; her grandchildren Kelsey, Luciana, Capone, and Theodore (Teddy); and her siblings Donna (Boring) Heaslip, Jeffrey Boring, Vicki (Boring) Hobby, and Brian Boring. 

A service is scheduled for 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 12 at Smith and Turner Mortuary, Yukon, OK and interment to follow at Yukon Cemetery. Flowers, donations and condolences may be offered at Smith and Turner Mortuary.

http://www.smith-turnermortuary.com/book-of-memories/3692133/Ross-Dena/service-details.php?fbclid=IwAR1qWj-l-AC4QceMz3VAQ-3hnwKRCyGonOCbTrk18f_txwn3yPu1rNKkmg0

Coach Paul Monroe Branum

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February 16, 1936 – January 5, 2019

Obituary of Coach Paul Monroe Branum

Paul Monroe Branum of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away peacefully January 4, 2019 at age 82. Born February 16, 1936 in Vinita, Oklahoma, Paul was the sixth of seven children of James Madison Branum and Gladys Mae Toler Branum.

He excelled in sports at Holdenville High School (OK) and he chose to take his talents to Murray State College (OK) and Austin College (TX). Paul graduated from Austin College and earned his Masters from East Texas State. In 1959, he married the love of his life, and wife of 59 years, Nicolette Brown of London, England.

Paul’s passion was coaching football. He coached the first integrated high school football team in east Texas, and spent over 20 years (1971-1991) coaching on the only sand football field in America at Trona, CA. His coaching career spanned 6 decades and influenced many lives. From his dust bowl roots, he was able to instill strength and resilience into generations of young athletes. He retired to Emory, Texas, in 2003, and eventually moved to Fort Smith to be closer to grand-kids.

He is survived by his wife Nicolette Cecile Branum; son Paul Branum and wife Joanna of Greely, Colorado and their children Aliyah, Caedmon and Jackson; son Russell Branum and wife Marilin of Greenwood, and their children Elissa Lucero and husband Michael, Matthew Branum and wife Haley, and Emily, Olivia and Ivalynn Branum; son David Branum and wife Jennette of Overton, Texas, and their children, Devin Branum and wife Devon, Karmen Lantz and husband Dillon and their children Emily and Lucas, and Katrina Hughes and husband Jonathan; daughter Suzanne Crable and husband Tom of Cincinnati, Ohio and their children Matthew and Jonathan; his sister Beverly Vannoy and husband Donald of Oklahoma, as well as his brother James Branum of Texas.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday 3 pm at Methodist Village in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Flowers will be shared profusely amongst patients and staff. Arrangements are under the direction of Edwards Funeral home. Memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alz.org To leave an online memory, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Joe Brangwin

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Trona Icon Joe Brangwin passed away at his daughters’ home on Oct 28, 2018.  He was 92.

Joe owned the Chevron Station in Trona over 50 years and was a staple of the community. Trona Citizens honored Joe with a community dinner and plaque in August 2017 commemorating his many years of service and dedication to Trona and surrounding communities.

Joe Brangwin was born on 12-31-1925 and raised in Le Mars Iowa.  He was an identical twin and the baby of the family.  After graduation from High School he entered the Army and served in Europe with the 101st Airborne Division. After the war he attended Westmar College where he earned his private pilots license. He went to work for the Westend Chemical Co in Trona in 1950.  He and a partner opened up the Trona Chevron Station in 1954 which he owned and operated for 50 years.  He was a life member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Trona Elks Lodge, and an active member of Grace Lutheran Church.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Laveda Merle, both sons Stephen of Trona and Michael of San Jose, and his daughter Linda Panter of Boron.  He is survived by daughter Lori Acton of Ridgecrest, granddaughters Tami Mitchell of Boron and Amanda Parcher of WA, grandson Cody Parcher of Ridgecrest, and Great Great Grandson Rayden Swigart of WA.

His siblings Velva Ford of AZ, brothers Donald of Seattle, Earl of Anaheim and his twin John of Le Mars all preceded him in death, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held from 5-8 pm at Holland Lyons Mortuary Thursday, Nov. 1 and the Funeral service will be on Friday, Nov. 2 at Grace Lutheran Church @10 am. Graveside service with Interment will follow at Searles Valley Cemetery in Trona. Afterwards, a reception to share memories and stories of joe along with a potluck will be held at Grace Lutheran church.

Viola Florence (Marshall) Fair — Class of 1948

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Viola Florence (Marshall) Fair passed away on August 22, 2018 after an extended illness. She was born October 14, 1930 in Lone Pine, CA to John W. and Rosella (Merrick) Marshall, grew up in Cartago, and graduated from Trona High School in 1948.

After receiving a business degree at San Bernardino Valley College in 1950, she was employed as a Service Representative at Southern Telephone (later General Telephone) until 1954. She met her future husband, Edward Fair, while she was in high school, and they married in 1952 when he was on leave from the Navy during the Korean War. She and Edward had two daughters and settled in Rialto.

The family moved to Citrus Heights in 1965. Viola created a loving home, supporting her family’s well-being in every way. She was a caring and devoted wife, mother, and friend, and adored her 4 grandchildren. She sewed beautiful clothes, and was talented in arts and crafts. She served as room mother, Sunday school teacher, and Girl Scout leader in support of her daughters. Viola is remembered for her delicious cooking, abundant canning, beautiful garden, and lovely oil paintings. She always had the right See’s candy for the occasion, and we are reminded of fun times with her when we taste butterscotch squares, strawberry-rhubarb pie, apricot-pineapple jam and her other favorites.

She loved animals, adopting many dogs and cats over the years and offering a friendly yard for wild animals and birds. Viola was a very giving person and volunteered throughout her life. She was an active member of Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church for decades, volunteered for over 20 years at the Casa Restaurant supporting the Sacramento Children’s Home, and supported the Thursday Club and Garden Club among others. She and Edward led projects to plant and maintain the Rusch House’s former Rose Garden for more than a decade.

Viola is survived by Edward, her beloved husband of over 65 years; brother, John W. Marshall Jr. (Beverly); daughters, Cheryl Zakskorn (Peter) and Pam Fair (Glen Sullivan); granddaughters, Stefanie Zakskorn Lynch (Brice), Stacie Zakskorn and Shelley Zakskorn Herzfeldt (Alex); grandson, Ted Sullivan; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Comber and Lillian Todd; many nieces and nephews; and her favorite cat, Ming. Viola was preceded in death by her parents as well as sisters, Jeanne Olson and Dorothy Park. Viola was kind, encouraging, and warm. Her smile, bright eyes, sense of humor and unconditional love will be forever missed. She will be laid to rest at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery; respecting her wishes, the service will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Viola’s memory may be made to the Mono Lake Committee (www.monolake.org) or the Sacramento SPCA (www.sspca.org).

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?n=viola-florence-fair-marshall&pid=190107015

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192752197/viola-florence-fair