Patricia Ann (Smith) Radabaugh

Leave a reply

Patricia Ann Radabaugh, 45, of Reedy, WV, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013.

She was born in Trona, Calif., the daughter of Kathleen Smith and the late James Smith.

Surviving in addition to her mother are two sons, Dustin Radabaugh and Patrick Radabaugh; one daughter, Andrea Hill; one brother, James E. Smith; two sisters, Tammy Gross and Karen Smith; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, with Rev. Carroll McCauley officiating. Burial was in Cottrell Cemetery, Frozen Run.

Posted at: http://www.calhounchronicle.com/pages/current%20pages/Obituaries.htm

Patsy Lorraine Sizemore 1926-2013

Leave a reply

Patsy Lorraine Sizemore, 86, of Columbus, Kansas and formerly a long time resident of Trona died peacefully in her sleep on February 17, 2013.  Having moved to Trona in 1947, Patsy was an active member of the Trona Business and Professional Women’s Club and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.

She was a teller for Security Pacific National Bank, which had its office on Main Street in Trona.  She later worked as a postal carrier when the Trona Post Office started home mail delivery service.  She wrote poetry, song lyrics, and a column called A Woman’s Point of View for the Trona Argonaut and, later, for the Baxter Springs News.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one son, James H. Sizemore; and one grandson, Jeffery A. Sizemore.

She is survived by four sons Jerry H. Sizemore, Thomas A. Sizemore, Michael R. Sizemore, and A. Lee Sizemore; one daughter Cholla Sizemore; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Read more: http://www.ridgecrestca.com/article/20130410/NEWS/130419963#ixzz2lgQqgpXB

Reprinted here at the request of Cholla Sizemore.

Paul Arthur Bengtson – Class of 1969

1 Reply
Paul Bengtson

Paul Bengtson

April 11, 1951 – April 13, 2012  Paul Arthur Bengtson, beloved father, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend, passed from this life on April 13, 2012, in Edmond, Oklahoma, at the age of 61. He was born in Trona, CA April 11, 1951, and was a graduate of Bakersfield HS in 1969. He came to OKC in 1970 and was a member of Ambucks, NRA, and Eagle Scouts. He was very dedicated to his life work and passion of auto mechanics, so much so that almost everyone who knew him took their car to him. He owned Sharpe Automotive for 40 years and was an instructor at Norman Technical College. He was commonly known around town as Tall Paul. He made each of his family and friends feel as though they were his favorite. He is survived by Donene Bengtson, his wife of 34 years; his daughter, Melinda Chada and her husband Evan; his son, Paul Ryan Bengtson; his granddaughters, Gracelyn Rylee and Markey Genice Bengtson; his grandson, Colton Coy Bengtson; his two brothers, Eric (Kathy) Bengtson and Allen (Susie) Bengtson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Niles and Naomi Inez Bengtson. Memorial Services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at Vondel Smith Mortuary North Colonial Chapel.

Published in The Oklahoman on Apr. 15, 2012

Anne Rasines – Former Trona Resident

Leave a reply

Anne Rasines, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of November 1, 2013. Anne was the wife of Ricardo (Ric) Rasines who lived in Trona from the early 1950’s through the late 1980’s .

Ric was an 8th grade teacher at Trona High Schools for a number of years and then served for many years as the Boys Counselor at the school. Ric’s son, Doug, says that his father is doing well but that the news about his mother was more somber. He said, “Dad, Debbie and I were able to be at her side which was comforting to us all. As difficult as it is, mom is in a better place, We will honor mom’s long-held wishes to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at sea. We plan to have a ‘celebration of life’ memorial sometime after the holidays.”

The above is from George Sherman about an email Durwood Sigrest forwarded to him . The email was from Doug Rasines. Doug is the son of Anne and Ricardo (Ric) Rasines.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Annie Carmen “Anne” Rasines, age 86, died peacefully Nov. 1, 2013, after a valiant struggle with cancer. Anne was comforted in her passing with her family by her side.
Anne was born Oct. 10, 1927, in Barre, Vt., the daughter of Sabino Lasorsa and Aurellia Marchesi.
Anne thrived while growing up in Barre, where she met her best friend, Evie Abbiati, and her soulmate, Ricardo “Ric” Rasines.
After graduating from Spaulding High School, Anne worked at the Barre Granite Savings Bank for several years, developing her business administration skills.
In 1950, Anne married Ricardo Rasines. In 1952, Anne gave birth to their only child, Douglas. Eight months later, Anne and Ric packed up their belongings and moved across the country from Vermont to Trona, Calif., where Ric had accepted a teaching position at Trona High School.
Anne and Ric found Trona to be a wonderful place to raise a family and greatly enjoyed the company of so many lifelong friends. While living in Trona, Anne and Ric often spent vacations at various beach locations along the southern California coast, where Anne loved being able to enjoy the sunshine without the desert heat.
Anne worked for 32 years at the local chemical manufacturing plant, first as an executive secretary and ending her career as the director of human resources.
In 1988, Anne and Ric retired and moved to Solana Beach, Calif. Anne much enjoyed the “laid-back” beach community lifestyle and time spent taking in the scenic ocean views.
Anne, a loving wife and mother, enjoyed music and laughter. Kindhearted, she always put the concerns of others above her own. Although small in stature, Anne touched the lives of those who knew her.
Anne was preceded in death by her older brother, Reno Lasorsa. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Ricardo; son, Douglas; daughter in-law, Deborah; grandson, Nicholas; numerous loving relatives; her “second family,” Nancy and Ken Norton; and many dear friends.
At Anne’s long-held request, she will be cremated and have her ashes scattered at sea.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Anne’s name to the  American Cancer Society or the 
Alzheimer’s Association .                                                  
Published in Times Argus on Nov. 14, 2013

 

Jimmy Ewing

Jimmy Ewing – Class of 1953

4 Replies

Jim Ewing, class of 1953, passed away in March of 2012. In looking for information about Jim’s death I learned that in 1940 Jim’s grandfather, James Ewing, was the fire chief in Trona and that Jim’s father, Arthur, died in Trona in 1951 at the age of 38.

My brother Joel told me that Arthur was and electrician for AP&CC and while he was working inside a product elevator someone turned it on. If I remember correctly it took several days work to recover the body. “Lock-out, Tag-out” seems so obvious now and I am sure it has saved a lot of lives. Still I remember a similar accident occurring at Kaiser Steel where the lock was cut and the tag removed. I was told by someone who worked there in the 70s that Kaiser Steel averaged an on the job death a week.

The following is an email from Jim’s daughter, Tami, to George Sherman:

“My dad had some health issues but was very diligent about seeing his doctor and taking his medications and was living happily in San Diego. My husband and I visited every other weekend as he was yearning to spend more and more time with family as he was getting along in years. I mention that as there was no outward indication of any serious health issues.

Sunday, March 4th, I received a call from my dad letting me know he had been admitted to Scripps hospital in San Diego. He took a bad fall in his condo, (evidently from ‘blacking out’) and broke 4 ribs. My dad fought to recover from his injuries, for awhile, but doctors informed me they were more concerned about his other ‘health issues’ than they were his ribs. He had liver disease and while admitted, hospital doctors learned he was having heart trouble (which explained why he had the black out). As each day passed, he got progressively worse and the rib injuries were extremely painful for him.

I spent day and night at his hospital bedside until he was finally to weak to fight, He passed away peacefully on March 21, 2012, I held his hand, prayed with him, and we watched the sun setting over the San Diego Bay as he took his last breath.

Sorry to ramble, I loved my dad very much and it gives me some comfort to share a little with his friends. My dad loved his friends very much, especially those he kept in contact with from Trona. I know because a) he told me so and b) he always talked about them. *smile*

Tami”

David (Harral) Fuller – Class of 1960

Leave a reply

David (Harral) Fuller and his brother Richard went by the name of “Harral” when they were in high school but their real name was Fuller. After high school they went back to using their real name. David was born on September 7, 1942 and died on October 23, 2013. The last address I had for him was Los Molinos, CA but apparently he had moved to Louisiana. Linda Monroe said he had lung cancer but did not know if this was the cause of death or not. The arrangements were handled by Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, LA 70006. David’s brother, Richard, died in 1995 and is buried in Trona.

Trona Bloody Trona

15 Replies

Trona Bloody Trona is a book that was recently published about the 1970 strike. Linda Monroe emailed me and told me about it. ITrona Bloody Tronaf you are from Trona you should read this book.

I will never think of Trona in the same way again. Kerr McGee changed Trona. The 1970 strike changed Trona. Time changed Trona. My memories of Trona are childhood memories of wonderful teachers, Austin Hall, the club house, the sables and the fish pond at the railway office. I really don’t want the images of Trona this book has put into my head.

In 1970 I was working in San Bernardino and apparently I was so busy living my own life that I was barley aware of the strike in Trona. I can remember visiting my parents in Trona a short while after the strike was over. We sat in my mothers kitchen on Argus Ave. and I listened to them and my brothers talk about the things that happened during the strike. Some of the stories they told were different versions of the stories Paul Abrams tells about in his book. They were different versions of the stories that were on the news during the strike.

One of the stories we talked about while sitting at my mother’s kitchen was the fire at Zimmerman’s Lumber. I had forgotten all about the fire until recently and was doing research for a story I wanted to write about the stables. Someone I asked about the stables mentioned a fire in the barn. I wrote to Mary Bermani to ask her what she knew about the fire. Well, that was the wrong thing for me to do. Her memories were about the fire I had forgotten. The fire that changed her father’s and her families lives.

There were many families that lost all they had before the strike was over in spite of what this book implies. The strikers were sold out by their union and all I can say is that if corporations were people Kerr-McGee would have died and gone to hell.

I know that most of those that were involved have forgiven and forgotten. That is the way Trona people are. I also know that there will be some with long memories that will never forget or forgive. I am a big believer that forgiveness is very important but I also know that it is something that I often find hard to do.

I see Paul Henry Abram as the hero he makes himself out to be in this book. He wrote a good book.  I enjoyed reading it. My only regret is that it may tear a scab off a wound that that will never totally heal.

Thurman Clifton Peterson – Class of 1961

Leave a reply

Thurman Peterson

Thurman Clifton Peterson was born March 2, 1943. He left us on March 28, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Viki Carol Peterson and three daughters, June, Pam and Becky; three son-in-laws, Phil, Dave and Anthony; seven grandchildren, Kayla, Ashley, Kassie, Eric, Drew, Brandon, and Jordan; and two great-grandchildren. Chuck and Kaydn. Pete was a beloved man. He was friend and father to all his nieces and nephews. He may have left us in his body  but his memory will with us through his friends and family.

Published in the Modesto Bee 

This is more old news that is new to me so I am passing it along. I didn’t know Thurmnan that well. I remember him as being even shyer than I was. That may be just an impression that I got or a result of how we interacted with each other. He, I and Ken Hall spent a week together at a LDS orchard helping with the peach and pear harvest whe we were about 16. The orchard was in Littlerock near Palmdale. The other thing I remember about Thurman was how good he was at high hurdles. Coach Long kept wanting me to run them. I tried but I could never overcome my fear landing on one the wrong way.

Linda Billy Darneal – Class of 1959

Leave a reply

Linda Darneal

This is old news but is new to me so I thought it was worth passing along.

Linda Billy (Darneal) Jones was born on August 11, 1941 in Ventura, California and passed away on January 12, 2010 with her family by her side.

Billy traveled down many paths in her life. She worked in the gaming business as a dealer and pit boss for over 40 years. She loved the game of golf. Billy worked at the golf course (that she adored so much) and accomplished two hole-in-ones. For many years, she owned the Ryndon Quarter Horse Ranch in Elko, Nevada where she bred and showed championship horses. Billy was also a very talented artist and enjoyed being on a bowling league for several years.

Billy was outspoken, courageous, and fearless. Her spunky personality and incredible ability to tell a funny joke would always fill the room with smiles and laughter. Her Fideaux joke will never be forgotton.

She was very passionate about her children, grandchildren, family and beloved animal friends. They meant the world to her. Billy had a tremendous love for her friends and always took care of them whenever she was needed.

Forever missing her love and warm heart are her mother, Wanda Darneal, sister Dinah Daane (John), children, Lyn Cerminaro (Mike), Jason Jones (Charlotte), Holly Jones, Erico Bisquera (Lori), grandchildren, Kayla, Logan, Ellie, Peyton, Koen, and baby Boies (to come), many loving friends, cousins, nephews, and her loyal companion Chasey.

She will be reunited with her father Calvin Darneal, brother-in-law Tony Cavalli, her best friends Myrt and Joan, and beloved horse Pardner.

A celebration of Billy’s life was held on January 28, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church, 95 S. 1st Street, Wendover, Utah.

Published in Elko Daily from January 25 to February 26, 2010

Triple Effect Evaporators

Pan Room #1 and #2 Evaporator Units

1 Reply

I am going to tell you a story that nobody cares about and makes no difference anyway.

In 1961 and 1962 I worked in  #1 and #2 pan rooms. This little story is about the Three Stage Evaporator Units that were in #1 and #2 pan rooms. Originally they were in South America used for making sugar. They were cast iron pieces bolted together to make a ball sitting on a cone like an ice cream cone.

They were disassembled in South America, put on ship and brought to Trona where they were reassembled and made potash, borax and soda ash for the rest of their lives. The only problem was cast iron has to be heated or cooled evenly or it will crack. They had to wash these things out every two weeks and try as they might to avoid it eventually they would have a crack.

There might be a way to weld cast iron now, but in 1920 thru 1960 you would have to find someone to sew cast iron up. In 1960 they were down to one guy in the U.S. and maybe the world who knew how to do it and he was getting old. The cast iron was about 1 ½ “ thick. The old guy would drill a hole on each side of the crack and drive a thing that looked a big staple into holes. He would follow the crack putting a staple every inch or so until the crack ran out.

This man was about 80 years old and they had to send another man in with the old guy to make sure that he didn’t pass out or die. They had already built unit #3 out of steel to solve the cracking problem. They knew that if they didn’t replace the cast iron evaporators soon that they wouldn’t be able to repair them so they started building unit #4 which was big enough to replace both #1 and #2 units. By 1963 unit #4 was operational and the cracking problem was solved.

The picture at the beginning of this post is the triple effect evaporator in Pan Room #1.

Alfred De Ropp Jr., the son for the president of the American Trona Company, was a research Engineer in Trona in 1918. At that time he wrote and article about the evaporators and how they operated. It was published in 1918 in Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, Volume 19 edited by Eugene Franz Roeber and Howard Coon Parmelee. The Journal is available from Google Book by clicking on the link above.

The tenth edition of the American Fertilizer Handbook published in 1917 mentions the evaporator house (Pan Room) in a short article that was written before the evaporator houses were operational. It says:

“The evaporator house at Trona is a steel structure 109 feet high, and the boilers will have 2,000 horsepower. The spray pond for cooling condenser water is built with reinforced concrete. A reinforced concrete chimney, 150 feet high and 9 feet in diameter in the clear on top, tanks a crystallizing vats, triple effect evaporators and a traveling crane for the evaporating building are features of the equipment.”

Click here to see a Diagram of the Evaporators in Pan House 1 and 2.

 

Location of Pan Rooms (Photo from SVHS)

Location of Pan Rooms

 

#1 & #2 Evaporator House (Pan Room)

#1 & #2 Evaporator House (Pan Room)
#3 Pan Room Evaporator

Pan Room #3 Evaporator