OBITUARIES 1966

OBITUARIES: ’66 GALS

Donna Louise (Bowers-Solheim) Smith, 59, born in Syracuse NY, passed away on July 18, 2007 in Phoenix AZ. She had been living in Heber Arizona for the past 3 years. She was the Adjutant for the American Legion Post #86 and also an active member of the Angels for Seniors. Reared as a foster child by Karsten and Louise Solheim from the age of 7 to 18, she attended Paradise Valley High School and was graduated from Camelback High School in 1966, after which she entered the U.S. Army Service. Donna is survived by 4 brothers and 3 sisters living in various parts of the United States. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 7/25/2007)

Rita Rene De Bussi, 62, passed away September 7, 2010, at Hospice of Arizona in Scottsdale. She was an advocate for the mentally ill and changed an Arizona law to improve benefits for the mentally ill. She had many talents and interests, including care giving, medical studies, home design, art, gourmet cooking, music and dancing. She will be remembered for her continuous sense of humor. Survivors included her brother, J. Michael; and sister, Eddy Lynn. (excerpted/edited from Legacy.com in partnership with The Arizona Republic, 9/15/2010)

Nancy Ann (Dunn) Soto, 59, of Scottsdale AZ, died July 15, 2007, in her home. She had been battling ovarian cancer for nearly 4 years. Born in Waynesburg PA, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Lillian Dunn, and sister to the late James Dunn and Susan Dunn. She lived in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area since age 14. A graduate of Camelback HS in 1966, she made her mark as a beautician in the Phoenix area since age 19. Her customers were her extended family and friends. She was the proud owner of Amy's Beauty Salon, Phoenix, as her second home. She was a caring and loving woman all of her days. Survivors included her husband, Bennie Soto Sr of 27 years; two daughters, Brandi (Flusche) Sulak and Susan (Flusche) Ross; and stepson, Bennie Soto Jr. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 7/20/2007)

Christie Louise (Edwards) Ledger, 63, of Glendale, AZ, lost her battle with cancer on July 31, 2011. Devoted wife, beloved mother and a great nana, Christie had attended Squaw Peak Elementary & Camelback High School. She was a home health aide & was very active with the Girl Scouts. Survivors included her husband, Jerry; daughter, Briget; and son, Keith.

Janice Lou (Sauer) Blocher, 58, passed away August 21, 2007. Survivors included her loving husband of 31 wonderful years, Jon Blocher; and their two children, Joshua and Courtney. Janice was born in Phoenix on November 16, 1948, to Ernest and Mary Lou Sauer. She attended Camelback High School and was an Arizona State Univ graduate. She had several careers that included serving and helping people. She was a P.E. teacher, preschool teacher, Sunday school teacher, and a special education teacher. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 8/23/2007)

Karen Sue (Snodgrass) Whitehurst, 57, of Phoenix, passed away on July 13, 2006. Karen's unconditional love for her family, friends and everyone she met was the core of her being. She was dedicated to her family and always put them first. Karen was born in Phoenix, Arizona on November 2, 1948. A graduate of Camelback High School, she worked in sales most of her career. She loved spending time exploring the outdoors, and long scooter rides with her husband. Survivors included her husband, Raymond Haris Whitehurst; son, Dean Metzger; step son, Ian Whitehurst; step daughter, Kimberly Drury; sister, Margaret DuBois; and brother, Jim Snodgrass. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 7/19/2006)

OBITUARIES: ’66 GUYS

Dennis Lee “Denny” Altfeltis, 48, of Phoenix, passed away on January 15, 1997. Cause of death was a heart attack. According to his brother John (class of ’64), he and Denny served a tour of duty in Vietnam together on the USS Agerholm, DD-826, and were among the few sets of brothers to serve together in the combat zone during the war. They learned early in life the comparison of the peaceful life of a teenager in Phoenix and the reality of what war is all about in a country called Vietnam. Denny chose to leave the Navy as soon as his hitch was up, and served with the Phoenix Police Department Motorcycle Division for over 25 years. It is believed an accident he had on his police bike led to his heart attack. He was hit by a motorist who was very old and probably should not have been driving. She never saw him coming. Dennis was on medical leave from the department when the heart attack occurred, and doctors seemed to think it was a blood clot resulting from the accident that hit his heart and took his life.

James Robert “Jim” Bramwell, 58, of Phoenix, passed away on December 30, 2006. He attended William T. Machan Elementary in Phoenix, graduating from Camelback High School in 1966, where he lettered all 4 years in band and choir. Jim excelled in automotive troubleshooting in the Camelback High auto repair program, and graduated with an AA degree from Phoenix College in 1968. He was active in the choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where he was awarded the silver cross for service. After high school, Jim worked as a parts counterman, and later as a store manager for 7th Avenue Auto Parts. He served in the U.S. Navy reserves 6 years, including a year of active duty in Dong Tam, Vietnam during the Vietnam war, and was a ship fitter/welder on war damaged patrol boats in the Mekong Delta. Upon his return from Vietnam, he began working for Mountain Bell (later Qwest) as a telephone technician. Jim worked at Qwest for 30 years until his retirement in 2002. Jim married high school sweetheart Sharon Bramwell (Edgar) in 1969. Together they raised a daughter Cheryl and son Jay. Jim also raised a son James with wife Mary Bramwell (Ginter). He was an excellent athlete in his youth, and was a member of The American Legion. In his retirement Jim lived with his cat Tigger, worked on home repair projects, and enjoyed his family. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Frank (class of ’61). Survivors included his daughter, Cheryl; sons, Jay and James; and brother, John (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 1/4/2007)

Patrick Bryan “Pat” Hoover, 61, of Surprise, AZ, was born in Phoenix and passed away suddenly on June 16, 2009. As a lifelong ASU fanatic, Pat beamed with pride when both of his children graduated from ASU. Pat developed a passion for golf and spent Sundays on the links with his best friend Rick, son Michael and friends Ty and Jon. He looked forward to sharing his love of the game with grandson Grady, whom he adored. Pat worked in the wholesale air conditioning business for 40 years, making many of his customers his friends along the way. He coached youth soccer and influenced the lives of many children. Pat was preceded in death by his father, Wayne Hoover, and his grandson, Cooper Orcutt. Survivors included his wife of 39 years, Nancy; daughter, Laura Orcutt; son, Michael; mother, Betty; sister, Claudia England; and brother, John.

Leonard Lee Kolodziej, 43, of Phoenix AZ, was shot and killed September 4, 1991, as he arrived on a 9-1-1 emergency call. He was struck several times by a barrage of bullets by a sniper barricaded in a Phoenix home. A construction worker was wounded and a cyclist was killed by the sniper. Officer Kolodziej (badge # 2387) was a nineteen year veteran of the Phoenix Police Dept. at the time of his death. Survivors included his wife and three children. (excerpted/edited from the Phoenix Police Museum web site at http://www.phoenixpolicemuseum.com/history.php)

Eric "Rick" Stephen Olson, 59, of Phoenix, passed away October 27, 2007. Rick was born in Spencer, Iowa, and came to the Valley when he was 3 years old. He graduated from Camelback High School, where he was student body vice president, member of Kings Club, junior varsity football & baseball, and Boy’s State delegate. He enjoyed visiting with his family and grandchildren, riding Harleys and weight lifting, and had a very unique sense of humor. Survivors included his 2 sons, Peter Olson and Eric; 8 grandchildren; and his cat Odie. (excerpted/edited from The Arizona Republic, 10/2/2007)

David Allan Pugh, 57, of Arispe, Iowa, died Feb. 26, 2006. Son of Muriel and Lester R. Pugh (both now deceased), he graduated in 1966 from Camelback High School in Phoenix, Ariz. In 1968, he entered the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving two years. After his discharge, he worked as a bookkeeper in Phoenix, then married Merle Lee Barkalow in 1979. They settled in Arispe, and he worked in nearby Afton as a certified nursing assistant. In 1979 he reactivated the newspaper formerly known as the Diagonal Reporter, becoming publisher of the Diagonal Progress. In 1998, he purchased the Afton Star Enterprise newspaper, and became owner and publisher of both papers. He also worked with the Americorps After-School program through East Union School District, volunteered with the Canoe kids and served as their PTO reporter. He served on Arispe City Council and was active in the Union County Republicans. He was a member of the Arispe United Methodist Church, where he helped with Sunday School. He was one of the founders and a board member of the Diagonal Printing Museum. Survivors included his wife, Merle Lee Pugh; daughter, Margaret Jean Pugh; stepmother, Carol Pugh; and mother-in-law, Barbara Barkalow.

Ronald E. Tudor, 60, of Sun City, AZ, died June 5, 2008, of a heart attack. Ron was born in Phoenix, attended Madison Elementary, Camelback High School, Arizona State University and Phoenix College, where he was on the Dean's list. He was an avid collector of antiques, preferably Arizona and old western artifacts. Ron's love of life was expressed with his joy for entertaining, fine food and spirits. He dedicated 45 years to the hospitality industry, where he was well respected as a restaurant consultant and educator. He also had a love for writing, recently publishing his second book, Restaurant Start-up and Management. Most recently, he was employed with Arizona Culinary Institute. Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Betty Tudor. Survivors included his wife, Mary Lou; children: Wendi Rosenau, Rob Tudor, Becky Syltie, Robert Scott, Wayne Scott, and Shelli Scott; and siblings: Bobbye, Richard, Bonnie and Randy. He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him (excerpted from The Arizona Republic, 6/8/2008).

Gregory Scott Upton, 59, died December 28, 2007, along with his wife Ann Venegoni. They were known in their close-knit communities of Cerrillos and Madrid NM for over 20 years for their charity and community business ventures. Firefighters found their remains in the ashes of their rural Cerrillos mobile home. The couple had arrived home about 5:30 p.m. the previous day, after visiting Venegoni's daughters in the Phoenix area. A local resident recalled the couple as "glue that held the community together." Born in Illinois, Greg moved to Phoenix AZ in 1954, and attended Squaw Peak Elementary, Camelback High, and Grand Canyon College. Greg was captain of the 1966 Camelback Spartans basketball team the year they won the state championship. Since the couple met 21 years ago, they had been the model of charity, said neighbors. When a record snowstorm shut down roads in 2004, Upton roamed the area on a large front-end loader, opening roads while refusing payment. When area residents died, the couple showed up with meals for grieving family members. Each New Year's Eve, they hosted a community party at their home. Upton had been manager for now defunct Cerrillos Gravel Products. Preceded in death by his father, Howard, Greg was survived by his mother, Marj; brothers, Jeff, Ric & Curt; sister, Robin; and stepmom, Doris. Neighbors said Upton had no children, but had treated Venegoni's grandchildren as his own. (excerpted/edited from The Santa Fe New Mexican, 12/29/2007, and The Arizona Republic, 1/5/2008).