OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES: '59 GALS

Pamela "Pam" (Alford) Hodil, born August 8, 1941 in Chuquicamata, Chile, passed away March 4, 1998, of cancer. She attended schools in Chile, California and Camelback High (class of 1959) in Phoenix. She worked in quality control at Audiotone, an electronics company, and later as a nurse's aid., retiring in 1994. Pam was an enigma, a true rebel who marched to a different drummer. Horses were her great passion. She possessed an uncanny gift of being as "one" with them. Her first horse at age eleven was "Copper" a quarter horse, whom she trained to become a great jumper. She was a "symphony" on horseback, riding in many Parades and winning trophies for her fine horsemanship in shows both here and abroad. Survivors included her mother, Paula Alford; sons, Harry Hodil Jr (wife Debbie) and Kenneth Hodil Sr (companion Chris); sister Barbara Bolles (husband Doug); ex-husband, Harry Hodil Sr; Bob Moen, her long time associates in equestrian pursuits; and Ann Stedwell, her friend and mentor since high school days. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 3/15/1998)

Patricia Joanne “Pat” (Beeby) Bojan, 68, of Seligman, AZ, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2008. Survivors included her husband, Lee; daughters, Jerri Dogan and Kathy Thompson; step-daughter, Lisa Peters; and brother, Charles Beeby. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Darline Beeby. Pat, a loving wife, mother and devoted friend, deeply touched the lives of all she knew and will be greatly missed. A celebration of Pat’s life was held at All Saints Lutheran Church, Phoenix, on November 22, 2008. A donation may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 1028 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix 85006.

Eileen Marie (Folmer) Briggs, 63, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away December 25, 2005, after suffering from diabetes. Survivors included her mother; and a sister, Laurie (1962 class). Eileen was predeceased by her brother, Tom (1961 class). Private Services were entrusted to Samaritan Funeral Home. Another classmate believes Eileen may have completed a nursing degree and worked locally. No other information was readily available.

Virginia "Jenice" (Brown) Mitchell, 69, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away October 1, 2010. She was born in Sante Fe, New Mexico, and grew up in Phoenix. She retired from Motorola in 1998, where she was a manager for many years. She belonged to Scottsdale Bible Church, was an active member of the Joint Heirs Sunday School Class, and enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship for many years. She also volunteered for the Crisis Center Nursery. She loved her cabin in Rocky Point, Mexico, where she went as often as possible. Her strength of character and quick wit provided wonderful memories for those who knew her. She was preceded in death by her father, Alton G. Brown. Survivors included her Mother, Mary Lea Brown; a sister, Molly Jo Brown; her husband, Jack of 52 years; two daughters: Mary Kay DesRoche and Susan Alexander; and one son, Alton Keith Mitchell. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 10/16/2010)

Judith Ann “Judy” (Clark) Kukla, 68, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on November 19, 2009. She was born August 15, 1941. Survivors included her son, Mike; daughters Penny and Tracy Jo; sister, Carole (Clark) Martiniak (Camelback ’57); and brother, Chalmer.

Janice Diane (Del Carlo) Isbell, 62, of Scottsdale passed away August 31, 2004. Janice was born in San Francisco. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert; her children, Jennifer, Justin, and Bret; their spouses, Grant, Lisa, and Julie, along with six grandchildren; her mother, Virginia; and brothers, Bob, Rick, and Tom. Janice was a beautiful and caring person who had a strong commitment to family and a firm belief in God. Janice had a passion for playing tennis and a profound love for animals, especially her cats. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 9/2/2004)

Gail A. (Fischer) Morris, 65, of Phoenix, died of cancer on November 30, 2006. She was the widow of ’57 classmate Thad B. Morris, Jr., who passed away in October 2001. Survivors included their daughters, Sandy and Dianna.

Deon (Gardner) Rasmussen, 69, of Tempe, passed away on June 30, 2011, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. A native Phoenician, Deon graduated from Camelback High School followed by Good Samaritan School of Nursing. She enjoyed a long career as an RN and retired from the State of AZ after many years with AHCCCS. She loved singing in church, reading, Northern AZ, going to the zoo with her kids and grandkids, and meeting new people. A care-giver above all, she loved her family and was an incredible wife, mother sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a friend to all. She was preceded in death by her father, F. Milo Gardner. Survivors included her husband of 48 years, George (class of ’57); children: Brent, Shelby Trimaloff, Michael, and Kristopher; mother, Marjorie DeWitt Gardner; sister, Storme Garrett; and brothers, Terry and Scott.

Linda Mary (Heath) Gunn, 66, of Peoria AZ, passed away November 11, 2006. She had battled esophageal cancer for over a year. Survivors included her husband David Gunn. No other information is available at this time, other than that she had transferred to Camelback High from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo TX.

Brenda (Smith) Mathe, In loving memory of our wife, mother, and friend, Brenda Mathe, left to be with the Lord, June 7, 2004. She leaves in His care and comforting arms her husband, Paul; son, Scott Mathe and wife Cindy, of Mesa; her mother, Dorothy Smith of Mesa; and brother, Allton Smith of Show Low, AZ. Brenda was a native Arizonan and graduated from Camelback High in 1959. Brenda had a huge heart for people and had many friends. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 6/12/2004)

Vikki (Turner) Moore, was born January 7, 1942, to Milton and Althea Turner in Santa Monica, CA. At a young age she and her parents relocated to Arizona where they owned and operated Turner's Hilltop Lodge in Greer. Winters were spent in Phoenix where Vikki attended Camelback High School (class of 1959) and ASU. She was a member of the Western Saddle Club and rode with their Quadrille Team. She lived in Marina Del Rey, CA for many years and worked for Vedder Management. When she relocated to Phoenix, a few years ago, she worked for Apex Media until she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought a courageous battle, but finally succumbed on March 9, 2006. She leaves no living relatives, but many friends. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 3/14/2006)

Beverly June Young, 67, of Phoenix, passed away on October 12, 2006. She came to Arizona from Iowa in 1947 when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and spent her first two years in Arizona at the Phoenix Crippled Children's Hospital. She graduated from Camelback High School in 1959, where she was very active and accomplished, and became one of only five graduates to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame on its 50^th anniversary in 2004. In 1963, Beverly received a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University with a major in early childhood education (minors in art, music, sociology, and psychology), and was named Arizona State University's Outstanding Senior Woman of the Year. She earned her Masters of Education degree there in 1967 and finished the coursework equivalent of a doctorate degree (less the dissertation). It was only at the end of her college career that someone suggested that her rheumatoid arthritis would be a handicap to her aspiring teaching career. Determined to prove them wrong, she went on to a thirty year teaching career in the Phoenix Washington School District, where she was given numerous awards, including the Professional Handicapped Woman of the Year Award from Arizona and California. Beverly received recognition as a Master Teacher by the Arizona State Division of Special Education and shared her knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm at federal workshops for teachers in Arizona and California, and also lectured on special education at ASU and at Glendale Community College. Part of her legacy is the curriculum she wrote for special education programs. A talented artist, Beverly often surprised and delighted her friends with paintings that she had completed especially for them. Although these achievements would be remarkable under any circumstances, Beverly was an example of someone who achieved the seemingly impossible because no one who mattered bothered to tell her that her dream was impossible to realize. Beverly was preceded in death by her father and mother, Harold and Evelyn Young. Survivors included her sister, Connie Young, class of 1958 (excerpted, in part, from The Arizona Republic,10/18/2006)

OBITUARIES: '59 GUYS

Leonard “Lenny” Mors Bell, 68, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on December 13, 2009. The family moved from hometown Chicago, Illinois, to Arizona in 1950. After graduating from Arizona State University in 1964, he studied law at the University of Arizona, where he graduated in 1967. Sadly, during that same year, he lost both his father (Paul Bell) and brother, Dale. In 1969, Leonard met his future bride, Mary Baker, and they were married in 1970 in Mary's home village of Crusheen, Co. Clare, Ireland. Leonard and Mary settled in Shannon, Ireland where they had one son and one daughter, and built a pub called Bellsfort. In 1978 the family moved back to Scottsdale, Arizona where they had another son. Leonard had a rich and varied legal career that focused on real estate. It began with work for the Arizona Attorney General in property tax appeals involving the largest utilities in the state. He was an expert in appeals and an expert in Eminent Domain Law - Condemnation. For the last eight years, he maintained a partnership in Phoenix, Martin & Bell, where he continued to emphasize property owner rights. In 2006, he was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent a bone marrow transplant. Though successful, there were complications, most of which he overcame. Leonard was a friend to many, a soccer coach to hundreds, and a bartender to thousands. Survivors included his wife, Mary; sons Paul and Robert; and daughter Cristin Duerinckx. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, December 16, 2009)

Wilbur A. (Bud) Belles Jr, 65, of Peoria, Arizona, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006 at the VA Medical Center in Phoenix. He died just 20 days after his beloved wife, Carolyn Sue Belles. Bud graduated from Camelback High School in Phoenix in the class of '59. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He is survived by his father Wilbur A. Belles Sr; his sister and brother-in law, Marilyn and John Bonham of Phoenix, and sister Patricia Brock. (Published in The Arizona Republic, 5/14/2006)

Denis Gary Fuller, 69, of Camp Verde, AZ, passed away Nov 16, 2010. He was born in Akron, OH, the son of Wallace Fuller and Mary Grace Fuller. Denis retired from the State of Arizona, pursued two Master’s degrees in education, and worked for a short time with special needs students. He loved his family, teaching, travel, the outdoors, gardening, and working with his hands. Survivors included his wife of 41 years, the former Susan Kurowski, class of '61; his son, Brian Fuller; his daughter, Brittany Lee Schulte; and his brother David, class of ‘56. Private family services took place at St. Frances Cabrini in Camp Verde, AZ (excerpted/edited from the Verde Independent, Cottonwood, AZ)

Stanley “Ray” Hammons, 69, passed away on February 26, 20l0, in Lake Havasu City, AZ. He was born in Phoenix, AZ, to George Vernon and Mary Katharine (Pettus) Hammons. Ray lived in Arizona for all of his life. He worked as an assistant manager for Sandpoint Marina and RV Park in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Ray proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, toured in Vietnam and was honorably discharged. He retired from the Salt River Project after 23 years. Ray was an avid builder of off road race cars, boats, and just about anything he needed to make. He could accomplish anything he put his mind to. Ray was devoted to his family and friends and lived life to its fullest. Survivors included his brother, Tom Hammons, and wife Martha of Phoenix, AZ; and sister, Mary Ann Maton and husband Phil of Chatham, IL. (Excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 3/4/2010)

David J Hurlbert, born July 31, 1941, in Cincinnati, OH, passed away February 19, 2004. He moved to Arizona as an infant and had resided in the Valley for 61 years. David graduated from Phoenix Camelback High School, class of 1959, and Arizona State University. He was a dedicated newsman. He began his career in the newsroom at radio station KOY. He spent 28 years covering sports, general news and State government for United Press International. He retired in 2002 as editor of the Arizona Capitol Times. David was past president of the Phoenix Press Box Association, and an active member of Creighton and Grace United Methodist Churches. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Jones Hurlbert in 1945; and his father, Samuel M. Hurlbert in 2001. Survivors included his wife of 44 years, Linda (Faux); two daughters, Karen Bulkeley (Jeff) and Debbie; one son, Dan (Susan Root); his stepmother, Meredith; two brothers, Marc and Ron (Iris); and one sister, Anne Field (Barry. (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 2/25/2004)

Jack A. Kenniger, 66, was born in Gary, IN. He went to grade school in Griffith, IN and graduated in 1959 from Camelback High School in Phoenix. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1960, serving 4 years. He then started his career in Heating & Air Conditioning and started J-K Refrigeration in Phoenix in 1983. Survivors included his wife, Ruby Kenniger; children Troy Jack Kenniger, Don Dusich (Lesa), Dave Glenn McElwain (Jamie), Ron McElwain, and Pam Collis; his twin sister, Joyce Pappas; and brother, Jerry Kenniger (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 11/7/2007).

David Allen Mann, 65, of Derby, KS, died November 7, 2007, of a heart attack. Born in Los Angeles CA, Dave grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. He attended Camelback High School and Arizona State University. Growing up in Arizona, Dave raced dirt track bikes, enjoyed snow skiing, played competitive tennis, golf and billiards. Survivors included his wife Sharon Mann; son, Daron Mann; step daughter, Kelley Joanne Cain; mother Virginia Lou Mann; and brother Gary Mann. Dave's father, Allen Edward Mann, and his younger brother, Ronald Lee Mann, preceded him in death. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 11/18/2007)

Eldon Emery McRae, 69, of Glendale, AZ passed away on June 6, 2010. He fought a courageous battle with cancer. Eldon was a machinist and owner of RaeTech, Inc. Eldon proudly served in active duty in the US Army. He had many interests, but his love of golf was second only to the love of his family and friends. Survivors included Janice, his wife of 43 years; and his children Jennifer Kaman and Ryan McRae. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 6/10/2010)

William R. Neill, 64, died June 3, 2006, in Weaverville, CA. Bill was born in Oklahoma City, OK, and attended school through 9th grade in Chickasha until 1956, when he moved with his family to Phoenix. After graduation from Camelback High School, Bill attended Arizona State University and Stanford, earning a degree in Accounting. He then attended the Univ. of Southern Calif., receiving his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 1968. Upon graduation, he served as assistant district attorney in Ukiah, CA, until 1972, when he became the District Attorney of Trinity County, making him the youngest DA in that State's history. After serving three terms, he resigned and went into private practice. Bill delighted all with his sense of humor and love of story telling. Bill was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, or when he was with his horses camping and fishing in his beloved mountains. Bill's proudest public accomplishment was his successful 10-year drive to create the 502,764-acre Trinity Alps Wilderness Preservation boundaries in 1984. He devoted much of his life during that time to organizing support for the project at the County, State and Federal levels of government, to preserve forever much of the untouched old-growth beauty of the northern California mountain wilderness. Bill was preceded in death by his father and his daughter Colleen, and was survived by his daughters, Christy and Stacey; his mother, Harriet Neill; and his sisters, Leigh Ann and Kay. (excerpted from The Express Star, Chickasha, OK, 6/8/2006)

Ronnie H. Orr, born September 20, 1941, to Harold Orr and Maxine Vickers, died December 3, 2001, from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. He lived in Phoenix, Arizona, for 55 years before moving to Eckert, Colorado, five years ago. He graduated from Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1959, and attended Arizona State University. He married Carol Hawkins on June 14, 1963, in Phoenix, Arizona. He was a diesel mechanic for Ryder Transportation Service, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Cedaredge, CO. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, and spending time with family and friends. Survivors included his wife; 3 sons: Daniel, Stephen (wife Sara), and Timothy (wife Amanda); a daughter, Lisa (husband Thomas Richards); and a sister, Sharon (husband Billy Hayes). He was preceded in death by his parents. (excerpted from a Colorado newspaper clipping)

Dennis J. Oswald, born January 26, 1941, in Bloomington Illinois, passed away May 21, 2000, in Spring Texas. He graduated in the class of 1959 from Camelback High School, Phoenix, and attended college in Phoenix. An U.S. Army veteran, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Honorably discharged in 1965. He was employed by Vinson-Carter Electric, Phoenix, before moving to Texas in 1975, where he started and sold his own business. Survivors included his wife, Mary, Spring, TX; mother, Jeannette Oswald, Phoenix; and 3 sisters: Dolores Hall of San Francisco, Donna Johnsen of Phoenix, and Denise Donah of San Jose, CA. (excerpted from unknown source)

Larry Howard Stanton, 70, of Philomath OR, passed away on April 4, 2011. He had been quadriplegic since an accident in 2004 which broke his neck, but his family and friends said he always had a very positive attitude, and he was able to attend his 50^th Camelback High School reunion in 2009, with help from his classmates. Larry is said to have been a man for all seasons, with charm and a zest for life. He lived most of his life in Arizona, and was employed as an executive with Motorola for 35 years. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Edith and Charles Stanton; and his sister, Loa. Survivors included his wife Barbara; daughters Danette, Karen, Patty & Shelby; sons Larry Jr and Brant; brother Nelson (Camelback ’60); and sister Loretta (Camelback ’56).