Category Archives: In Memory

Freddie Carrasco – Class of 1958

Freddie Carrasco, Class of ’58 passed away May 20, 2014. No details.

George Sherman adds:

Freddie was a great guy. His sister, Josephine (Carrasco) Sepulveda, was in my class (1956) and passed away a few years ago. He married Monica Wheeler of the Trona High School class of 1957. I believe they were living in Ridgecrest.

Bill Schuette adds:

I am so sorry to hear about Freddie.

He was in my Trona Class from the second grade on. He was the best speaker in Miss Delores M. Sandeen second grade class. I worked with Freddie at Van Dyke Motors during the last couple of years at Trona High School. He was a man of many desires and passions, and was always friendly and considerate of others.

This is a great loss for the class of ’58.

David Mock – Class of 1961

I have just learned from David’s sister, Bonnie, that my longtime neighbor and childhood friend, David Mock, passed away on October 4, 2013. Bonnie, his sister, said that the muscular dystrophy (MD) pain was getting to him and he was in a great deal of pain that not even the medication could relieve.

This is corrects an earlier error about his death date and sadly, an admission that I don’t take the time to read things very well.

Kathleen Hurlocker

Kathleen Hurlocker – Class of 1953

Kathleen Hurlocker Roche, 77, of Redding CA, passed away the morning of March 5th, 2014. Kathleen was born in Bemidji, Minn. on March 19th, 1936, to Harold and Isabel Hurlocker.

Kathleen graduated from High School in Trona, CA in 1953 and went on to receive her degree in English from UC Berkeley in 1957.

She was married to Patrick J. Roche on September 7th, 1957.

Kathleen was the first woman in her family to receive a college degree. Learning and education were an ongoing passion in her life. She continued to lead in education through multiple terms on the Redding Elementary School board including a term as President. She was active with the AAUW including serving two terms as President and in 1987 received the AAUW Woman of Achievement award.

She was also active with the Shasta County Women’s Refuge and served as President of the Board. Kathleen enjoyed helping people through her paralegal business. She loved working on her roses and helping Patrick in the garden as well as going to local museums, art fairs, community concerts and picnics with the “Brandy Creek Gang”.

She was survived by her husband of 57 years, Patrick J. Roche; Her children, Heather Roche-Waldo and husband Raymond; Kelly Roche; Michael Roche; Kevin Roche and husband Andrew Trembley; Grandchild Alexander Waldo; Sisters, Alicia Philpot and husband Charles; Holly Farrah-Elliott and husband Frank; Brother Patrick Hurlocker and wife Valeria as well as her many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Mass and reception will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 2040 Walnut Ave., Redding, CA. 96001.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Kathy can be made to AAUW Local Scholarships.

Please send your donation to P. O. Box 4593, Redding, CA 96099-4593, or to “One Safe Place” (formerly Shasta Women’s Refuge) at 2280 Benton Place, 96001. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/obituary.aspx?n=kathleen-roche-hurlocker&pid=170040569#sthash.Ah3uucdU.dpuf

Published in Redding Record Searchlight from Mar. 7 to Mar. 11, 2014

Trona deaths in 2013

California-Obits.com lists the following residents of Trona as having died in 2013:

Don C. Chute, 40 – Dec 17, 2013
Patricia E. Partlow, 75 – Dec 10, 2013
Serena S. Hall, 74 – Sep 24, 2013
Frances E. Fuller, 60 – Jul 15, 2013
David J. Groat, 62 – May 13, 2013
Keith E. Sayre, 56 – Apr 28, 2013
Mary E. Vassar, 85 – Apr 21, 2013
Selma L. Fortner, 89 – Apr 11, 2013
Donald W. Mcnatt, 80 – Mar 1, 2013
Brigitte Henderson, 64 – Feb 5, 2013

This is based on information in the Social Security database as their address at the time of death. If anyone would like to add any additional information about anyone that is listed please contact me.

Grace Rodriguez, 71 – Jan 11, 2014 is listed as having died in 2014.

Memorial for Freda Walker

The Memorial will be held at the Eastside Cemetery in Tehachapi Saturday, February 15th,  at 11:00 am.  This will be followed by a luncheon at Pacino’s at noon.  Pacino’s is allowing the group to visit for as long as it wishes.

Cemetery – Take Tehachapi Blvd to Dennison Road.  Turn onto Dennison Road going back toward Highway 58, cross the railroad tracks and at the end of the road is the cemetery.

Pacino’s is almost at the intersection of Tehachapi Blvd and highway 202. The address is: 1100 Tehachapi Blvd.

For More information about Freda visit:

Freda E. Walker – Former Trona Resident

Richard Wilkinson

Richard Wilkinson passed away in November of 2013 at the age of 88. Mr. Wilkinson was a beloved teacher and coach at Trona High School from the 51-52 school year until the 54-55 school year. Although he left before I started high school I can tell by how well he was remembered that he left an impression on his students duding the four years he was in Trona.

Marian (Steger) Micallef – Class of 1951

Marian (Steger) Micallef passed away in her residence on January 9, 2014. Marian is survived by her four children, Debbie Neumann, Kevin Micallef, Mark Micallef and Sharon Eaton. She also had five beautiful grandchildren and one great grandson. Marian was preceded in death by her husband Jack, who passed in 2007. Together they enjoyed 50 years of marriage, retirement, traveling and most of all golfing. She was a loving wife and mother. She will be missed. For service information please go to: www.murrietavalleyfuneralhome.com

Published in Press-Enterprise on Jan. 14, 2014

Marian was the homecoming queen in her senior year. Looking at her senior picture I can see why.