Tag Archives: Class of 1956

Ted Hall

Theodore “Ted” Hall — Class of 1956

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We recently learned of Ted’s passing. Ted graduated from Trona High School in 1956.

Ted was the son of John and Nettie Hall. He was the last of 10 children. The Hall family lived in Trona from about 1954 to 1960. Before moving to Trona they lived in Tulare County, CA. 4 of the 10 Hall children attended Trona High School. The other three were Harold Hall, class of 1957; Peggy Hall, class of 1959 and Jim Hall, class of 1961.

Ted was married to Sally Klein from the THS class of 1958.

We send our heartfelt condolences to Ted’s family.

Bob Jones

Robert “Bob” Jones — Class of 1956

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Bob was born in 1938 in Oklahoma. Shortly after his birth his parents moved to Trona. The 1940 census lists his father’s occupation as a switchman for AP&CC. In the 1950 census his occupation is listed as a switch engine operator. At some point Bob’s father, Cliff became the manager of the Searles Valley Credit Union and then everyone who saved or borrowed money knew the Cliff Jones family. In high school Bob was known as Bobby, which made it confusing when in 1959 he married Bobbie (Halstead) Jones  from the class of 1961. He passed away June 30, 2024.

Bob was on the varsity basketball team in high school but from what I’ve heard he spent a lot of time at the Trona Golf Club.

1966 11th hole at old trona golf course.

 

I wish I could tell you more about Bob but I really never new him. I do know he had children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren that loved him.

James Hunter 1938-2024

James “Jim’ Hunter — Class of 1956

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Jim Hunter’s Graveside service is Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 10 am at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Following the service is a potluck at Trona Elks. Family and friends are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at T2T.org or a organization of your choice.

Jim’s family moved from Oklahoma to Trona in 1952. Jim married Ellinor Crossley from the class of 1958.  In 1998 Jim marred Sharon Sessions from the class of 1959. She passed away in 2019.

https://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/james-hunter

Judy (Klein) Young

Judy (Klein) Young — Class of 1956

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Judith Frances (Klein) Young (1938-2022)

Judith Frances Klein was born on October 23, 1938, in San Bernardino County, California (probably in Trona), to Byrle and Bullah Klein. She married Clellan N Young on July 21, 1973, in Sacramento, California. She died on January 1, 2022, at the age of 83. The last address I had for her was in Roseville, California.

Judy had a sister, Sally (Klein) Hall, in the class of 1958 and two brothers: Kenneth in the class of 1962 and Tom in the class of 1967.

If the family publishes an obituary I will link to it here and I will update this post with any additional information I receive. If you contact me I can provide you with the latest contact information that I have.

I would like to express my sincerest sympathies to her family.

William Jon Schultz 1956

Jon Schultz — Class of 1956

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William Jon Schultz (1937-2021)

Jon was born to William and Lillian Schultz in 1937 in California. In the 1940 census I found Jon living with his parents in Johannesburg, Kern County California where his father was working for Atolia Mining Company as a hoist engineer. Lillian had been working as a teacher in Randsburg before she married in 1936.

The Schultz family lived next door to the Hackman’s where I’m sure he met John (Jack) and Roy Hackman. Their father was commuting to Trona to work in the chemical plant so it seems natural to think that Jon’s father and mother also decided to look for work in Trona as well. Jack Hackman graduated from Trona High School in 1951 and his brother Roy graduated the same year Jon did, 1956.

In 1948 Jon’s mother began work as a teacher at the Trona Elementary School and worked there until 1965.

In the 1956 class will it says, “I Jon Schultz do hereby will all my trades and abilities to the teachers and administration. I hope it will help them run this school a little more peacefully.”

Jon died in New Braunfels,Texas Feb 9, 2021.

The family chose not to publish an obituary. If you contact me I can give you the latest address I have for Jon.

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to Jon’s family.

Phyllis Oswald

Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt — Class of 1956

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Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt 1938-2021

Phyllis was born in the Trona Hospital on June 28, 1938 to Leonard and Marjorie Oswald on June 28, 1938. Phyllis married her husband Bill Bettencourt in 1961. When going to Trona High School Phyllis was was the head majorette when she was a senior, the secretary of the California Scholarship Foundation and a member of the tennis team. In 1956, her senior year Phyllis was homecoming queen. Phyllis has a brother, Don Oswald, who was in the class of 1960.

Phyllis passed away December 19, 2021.

My deepest condolences to Don, Bill and the rest of her family.

A service will be held on January 4, 2022, 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 N. Church St. in Visalia, CA

You can find a complete obituary for Phyllis at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/visalia-ca/phyllis-bettencourt-10496698

Judith Ann “Judy” (Bueltmann) Johnson — Class of 1956

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Judith Ann “Judy” Johnson (nee Bueltmann) died on April 24, 2019 in Vancouver, WA, at the age of 81 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s disease.

Judy was born on November 1, 1938 in St. Louis, MO to Ed and Mary Lou Bueltmann. The family moved to Trona, Ca in 1947. Judy graduated from Trona High School in 1956 and attended Chaffey College in San Bernardino. She met Logan Johnson in Trona and they were soon married in Reno, NV in 1957. The couple made their home in Trona where Judy worked in the central offices at the Trona High School. They had three children in Trona before relocating to Vancouver, WA.

Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Logan Johnson; two sons, Howard Johnson (Kathleen) and Jeff Johnson (Tammy) of Vancouver; daughter Jill Greiner (Steve) of Portland; brother Ed Bueltmann (Phyllis) of Lake Isabella, CA; and sisters Linda Kaletka (Jim) and Laurie Holte (Bruce) of Tucson, AZ; and two granddaughters.

A memorial to celebrate Judy’s life was held in Vancouver, WA on May 12th at the home of Howard and Kathleen Johnson.

— Linda Bueltmann.

Gary Norton – Class of 1956

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Gary Norton went to school in Trona until the 6th grade. After that he visited Trona many times during the summer. Gary passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018.

 Services will be Friday, February 2, at 10:45. 10:15, at .Riverside national memorial cemetery ,reception just inside the  entry.

http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=walter-gary-norton&pid=187815311&fhid=29972