Billy Dendy, 70
MURRIETA —— Billy Junior Dendy, 70, died Sunday, May 15, 2005,at Rancho Springs Medical Center of natural causes.
Born Jan. 10, 1935, in Dallas, Texas, he lived in Murrieta forsix years. He was a self-employed real estate developer.
Mr. Dendy is survived by his wife of 23 years, Pat Dendy ofMurrieta; son, Greg Dendy of Valley Center; daughter, Tami Roick ofFlorida; one brother; two sisters; and 10 grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, atStout Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a charityof choice.
Stout Family Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Victor Donovan, 86
OCEANSIDE — Victor Donovan, 86, died Thursday, April 28, 2005,of cancer.
Born Sept. 26, 1918, in Springfield, Mo., he lived in Oceansidefor 23 years. He retired in 1972 as a captain after 32 years in theLos Angeles City Fire Department. He served in the U.S. Army 754thArtillery Battalion as a first sergeant in Germany and Franceduring World War II. He graduated from Hamilton High School in1936, then from the University of Nevada. He was a member of heVeterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed playing golf.
Mr. Donovan was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, JeanDonovan, on April 7, 2001; and son Kevin Donovan on March 3, 1997.He is survived by his son, Gary Donovan of Oceanside; sister HelenVexler of Oceanside; and grandchildren Garrett, Nicholas andKari.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May25, at Palomar UU Fellowship, 1600 Buena Vista Drive in Vista. Thefamily suggests donations to the San Diego Hospice, 4311 ThirdAve., San Diego, CA 92103.
Gordon Hower, 81
SAN MARCOS — Gordon Chester Hower, 81, died Sunday, May 15,2005, at his home.
Born July 21, 1923, in Cleveland, he lived in San Marcos for 26years. He retired in 1973 after 27 years as an electrical engineerfor Westinghouse. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.He enjoyed music and golf.
Mr. Hower is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean J. Hower ofSan Marcos; son Randy G. Hower of Anaheim; daughter and son-in-lawSandra Jean and Michael Spencer of West Frankfort, Ill.; fivegrandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
No services will be held at the request of the deceased.Cremation with private inurnment at Brooklyn Heights Cemetery inCleveland is planned.
Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel, is handlingarrangements.
Bettye Bostic, 80
FALLBROOK — Bettye E. Bostic, 80, died Monday, May 16, 2005.
Born March 15, 1925, in Oakley, Kan., she lived in Fallbrook for46 years. She retired after 31 years as a shipping and receivingclerk for Paulson Manufacturing in Rainbow. She was the co-owner ofMain Street Cafe in Fallbrook. She enjoyed cooking, sewing andplaying the organ.
Mrs. Bostic was preceded in death by her husband, George F.Bostic, in 1983. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-lawCindy Howard of New Berlin, Wis., and Cathy and Rick Franklin ofFallbrook; and grandchildren Chris, David, Lori and Michelle.
Viewing is scheduled from 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May21, at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary. A gravesideservice will follow at 1 p.m. at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.
The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association ofSan Diego Memorials, 3686 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary is handlingarrangements.
Norman Grainger, 70
ESCONDIDO — Norman Robert Grainger, 70, died Sunday, May 15,2005.
Born Aug. 30, 1934, in Chicago, he lived in Escondido for oneyear. He retired in 2000 as a youth church camp manager. He servedin the U.S. Army. He did volunteer work in schools, and enjoyedfishing, traveling and geo caching.
Mr. Grainger is survived by his wife of three years, LuzanneGrainger of Escondido; daughters and son-in-law Beth and Ron Hodgesof Walnut and Barbara Niapas of Downey; sons and daughter-in-lawJohn and Martha Grainger of Las Vegas, Glenn Grainger of Azusa andMark Grainger of Chicago; sister Hazel Robinson of Carrollton,Texas; and grandchildren Danny, Robin, Matt, Desi, Nicholas,Benjamin and Samuel.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, atthe Garden Grove United Methodist Church, 12741 Main St. in GardenGrove. Interment at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho PalosVerdes is planned.
California Funeral Alternatives is handling arrangements.
Rodolfo Samora, 50
GARDEN SPRINGS, Ohio — Rodolfo Samara aka Rudy Zamora, 50, diedSunday, May 15, 2005, at St. Francis Health Care Center.
Born March 29, 1955, in Los Fresnos, Texas, he lived in Vistapreviously. He was a self-employed cabinet maker. He enjoyed scubadiving, painting and photography.
Mr. Samora was preceded in death by his parents, Cosme andCandelaria Martinez Zamora. He is survived by his son, Jeff Samoraof Vista; and daughter Angela Samora of Oceanside.
A Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. today, May 19, at St. Mary’sCatholic Church with the Rev. Dennis Schroeder officiating. Burialwith military honors at McPherson Cemetery in Clyde is planned.Memorials may be sent to the family c/o the Foos-Klein FuneralHome, 318 S. Main St., Clyde, Ohio.
Geraldine Vincent, 53
ESCONDIDO — Geraldine Vincent, 53, died Tuesday, May 17,2005.
Born July 6, 1951, in New York, she lived in Escondido for 26years. She worked in banking for 30 years. She enjoyed reading andwatching movies.
Mrs. Vincent is survived by her son, Chris Vincent of Escondido;daughter and son-in-law Victoria and Daniel Melvin of Escondido;and grandchildren Jasmine and Briana.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, atAlhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido. A private cremation isplanned.
The family suggests donations to the Palomar Heights CareCenter, in memory of Geraldine Vincent, 1260 E. Ohio Ave.,Escondido, CA 92027.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
William Merrill Jr., 56
VISTA — William R. Merrill Jr., 56, died Wednesday, May 11,2005, at his home.
Born Dec. 12, 1948, in Ojai, he lived in Vista for 11 years. Heretired in 1994 as a forensic examiner for the FAA. He served inthe U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and received three PurpleHearts. He was an airline pilot. He enjoyed water rafting, skiing,scuba diving and amputee ski competitions.
Mr. Merrill was preceded in death by his father, William R.Merrill Sr., in February 2002. He is survived by his wife of sixyears, Donna Merrill of Vista; mother Ellen Merrill of SantaBarbara; stepmother Pat Merrill; sons William Scott Merrill andNathan Steven Quinn, both of Vista; daughters Kristen MichelleMerrill of Ventura and Kimberly Marie Quinn of Vista; brother GlennMerrill of Santa Barbara; sisters Donna Moore of Santa Barbara andTamara Doromal of Los Angeles; and two grandchildren.
A graveside service with inurnment is scheduled for 9:15 a.m.Friday, May 20, at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van BurenBlvd. in Riverside.
The family suggests donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society,2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles, CA 90064, (800)344-4867.
Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Sandra Johnson, 51
ESCONDIDO – Sandra Jean Johnson, 51, died Monday, May 9, 2005,at a local hospital.
Born April 20, 1954, in Glendale, she lived in Escondido for 10years. She retired in 1996 as an electronics technician for 24years, mostly at Lockheed.
Ms. Johnson is survived by her mother, Audrey M. Gaylord ofEscondido; daughters and son-in-law Vanessa and Michael Spencer ofSan Diego, Amber Thrasher of Las Vegas and Kayla Johnson ofEscondido; sister Susan Hill of Cottonwood, Ariz.; nephew VictorHolmgren of Cottonwood; and niece Julie Hill of Northridge.
Private family services and inurnment at Oak Hill Memorial Parkare planned.
Allen Bros. Mortuary, San Marcos Chapel, is handlingarrangements.
Frances Sims, 65
OCEANSIDE – Frances Sims, 65, died Friday, May 13, 2005, at herhome.
Born Nov. 11, 1939, in Stonewall, Miss., she lived in Oceansidefor 30 years. She retired after 18 years as a social worker for theSalvation Army. She attended MiraCosta and Palomar colleges. Shewas a social activist for the equal rights of minorities and theeconomically disadvantaged.
Mrs. Sims was preceded in death by her brothers, James McLemoreand Curtis C. McLemore; mother Mary Hicks; and father RichardDunlap.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Marcus andAnna Sims of San Diego, Donald and Stacey Sims of Oceanside andJeffrey and Terrie Sims of Escondido; daughters and sons-in-lawSabrina and Vincent Runnels of Oceanside, Angela and Kenneth Crumpof Fort Worth, Texas, and Antionette Pitt of Oceanside; brothersLarry Dunlap and Richard Dunlap, both of Las Vegas, and CharlesHicks of Mississippi; sister Dinna Netteveck of Las Vegas; and 18grandchildren.
Viewing is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. today, May 19, atOceanside Mortuary, 602 S. Coast Highway in Oceanside.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, atthe Faith Temple Christian Center, 1985 Peaco*ck Blvd. in Oceansidewith Dr. Clarence Crayton Jr. officiating. Interment will follow atEternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real in Oceanside withDr. Crayton officiating.
The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society,2655 Camino del Rio North, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108-1633.
Oceanside Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Jeannie Jones, 24
SPRING VALLEY – Jeannie Rae Jones, 24, died Thursday, May 12,2005, of injuries she received in an automobile accident in SanDiego.
Born July 10, 1980, in San Diego, she lived in San Diego Countyall her life. She graduated in 1998 from Scripps Ranch High Schooland was a communications student at Palomar College in San Marcos.She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daySaints. She enjoyed traveling, the desert and the entertainmentindustry.
Mrs. Jones was preceded in death by her grandfather, Bruce RogerBergen, in 1972.
She is survived by her husband of five years, Frank Jones II ofSpring Valley; parents Jayne and Bruce Bergen of Escondido; sonFrankie Ray Jones of Spring Valley; daughter Kaia Madison Jones ofSpring Valley; brother and sister-in-law Josh and Jennifer Bergenof Mesa, Ariz.; sister and brother-in-law Jessica and TyroneMeikisill of Mission Viejo; and grandparents Don and SheilaPeterson and Helen Bergen.
A funeral service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ ofLatter-day Saints in San Diego. Burial followed at El CaminoMemorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road in San Diego.
The family suggests donations to the Jeannie Rae Jones MemorialFund, c/o Bank of the West, 8690 Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942,(619) 667-8600.
Edenview Funeral Chapel in San Marcos handled arrangements.
William Becker Sr., 60
OCEANSIDE — William L. Becker Sr., 60, died Monday, May 16,2005, at Tri-City Medical Center of diabetes, chronic obstructivepulmonary disease, CHF and double pneumonia.
Born July 6, 1944, in Hoboken, N.J., he lived in Oceanside for15 years. He was a self-employed pilot car driver.
Mr. Becker was preceded in death by his parents. He is survivedby his wife of 37 years, Vivian Becker of Oceanside; sons anddaughters-in-law Robert Becker and William and Mickey Becker, allof Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Mark and Coleen Becker of St. Lucie,Fla.; daughters and son-in-law Amy and Sam Esparza of Oceanside andBarbara Ives of Fort Lauderdale; 22 grandchildren; and onegreat-grandchild.
A memorial will be held Saturday, May 21, at the Kingdom Hall ofJehovah’s Witnesses with Manfred Neu officiating. A privatecremation is planned.
Cremation Services Inc. is handling arrangements.
Donel McClellan, 67
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Donel Gage McClellan, 67, died Friday, May13, 2005, at his home of renal cancer.
Born Oct. 22, 1937, in Carlsbad, he lived in Bellingham for 24years. He was a minister of the United Church of Christ, La MesaCommunity Church in Santa Barbara, the Woodland Hills CommunityChurch in the San Fernando Valley and the First CongregationalChurch, United Church of Christ in Bellingham.
He was on the board of directors for Mayor Tom Bradley’scommittee on racial integration in the schools and the ExecutiveCouncil for Peace and Equality in Education. He was awarded severalawards from the city of Los Angeles. He was president of the SanFernando Valley Interfaith Council.
Mr. McClellan is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marilyn J.McClellan of Bellingham; son Martin McClellan of Seattle; daughtersand sons-in-law Danielle McClellan and Charles Wheeler ofSingapore, and Jeni and Ron Craswell of Redmond, Wash.; sister andbrother-in-law Pat and Bill Baldwin of Carlsbad; and grandchildrenAllie, James and Nicole.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, May 23, atthe First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ inBellingham.
The family suggests donations to the First CongregationalChurch, 2401 Cornwall St., Bellingham, WA 98225.
Sherill East, 68
ESCONDIDO — Sherill M. East, 68, died Monday, April 18, 2005, ofcancer.
Born Oct. 16, 1936, in San Diego, he lived in Escondido for 12years. He lived and traveled in a motorhome. He was a philosopher,lecturer, and an actor in TV and film. He enjoyed surfing andmotorcycles.
Mr. East was preceded in death by his parents, Lula MaeMcFarland and Leonard F. East; and sister Helen East.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy East ofEscondido; son Santio East of West Hollywood; daughters Alysha Eastand Gina Primianio, both of West Hollywood; and threegrandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday,May 21, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 334 15th St. in DelMar.
All Faiths Mortuary in San Diego is handling arrangements.
Lawrence Sanders, 83
ESCONDIDO — Lawrence Walter Sanders, 83, died Friday, May 13,2005, at Palomar Vista Health Care Center.
He was born Dec. 4, 1921, in Weed, N.M. He retired in 1982 fromStauffer Chemical Co. He served in the U.S. Army during World WarII.
He was a member of the Elks Club, the Disabled American Veteransand the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed reading and crosswordpuzzles.
Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his wife, Melba Sanders, in1998; and daughter Laura Rushing in 1995.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Larry Jr. andLinda Sanders of Stillwater, Okla.; daughter and son-in-law Pamelaand Tomas Lejardi of Green River, Wyo.; stepdaughter andstepson-in-law Deloria and Jim Doe of Escondido; stepson andstepdaughter-in-law James and Deanna Brown of Rancho Bernardo;son-in-law Jan Rushing of Green River; grandchildren Shamar, Laura,Mathew, Aaron, Lynell and Bob; six great-grandchildren; and onegreat-great-grandson.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, May 20, atAlhiser-Comer Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. Richard Hulsofficiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Memorial Park.
The family suggests donations to the Foundation For Women, 4747Morena Blvd., Suite 375, San Diego, CA 92117-3429.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Francis Perkins, 85
ESCONDIDO – Francis Perkins, 85, died Thursday, May 12,2005.
Born May 30, 1919, in Boston, he lived in Escondido for 80years. He retired in 1980 as a tool storage engineer for SolarTurbines International. He served in the U.S. Navy and Army AirCorps during World War II.
He enjoyed golf, shooting pool, traveling and was a historicalbuff.
Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise Perkins,in 1989.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and AndyAnderson of Escondido; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren;and eight great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is schedule for 2 p.m. today, May 19, atAlhiser-Comer Mortuary Chapel, 225 S. Broadway in Escondido.
Private inurnment at Oak Hill Memorial Park is planned.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Memorials
San Diego Radio Pioneer,
Ken Reeth:
1938 — 2005
San Diego radio pioneer, Ken Reeth, passed away on May 9 in LasVegas, Nevada, after waging a courageous battle with leukemia.
In 1978 he became the program director of KyXy radio, where hedeveloped the Soft Rock format that continues to this day. Going bythe name Ken Richards, he also did the highly rated midday showtill 1986. Ken was born in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1938. At age 14, hemoved with his family to Allentown, Pa., where he attended WilliamAllen High School.
He served in Okinawa during the Korean War and was honorablydischarged from the Air Force.
Upon his return, he began a career in show business as astraight man in the successful comedy team of Reeth and King. Theytoured the country performing on television and in nightclubs fromBiloxi to Las Vegas. He became a member of American Society ofComposers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) in 1962, and with hissongwriting partner, Bob Hafner, wrote hundreds of rock’n’ rolltunes, scoring hits with such titles as “Rockin’ Billy,” “EndlessLove,” “Turn Him Down” and “Funny Papers.”
In 1956, he began his successful radio career that spanned fourdecades, starting in Allentown, Pa., at WHOL. Three years later, hemoved on to the powerful WDRC in Hartford, Conn. In 1962, hemarried Barbara Landis of Neffs, Pa. Barb and Ken moved toPittsburgh, where at WZUM, he played R&B music as “SkinnyKenny.” Moving across town to WAMO, he became program director andone of America’s first underground disc jockeys as “BrotherLove.”
In Miami he explored the country market at WOAH and was programdirector and general manager of the Cuban station, WLTO. In 1973,he moved to Pomona, where he owned and operated the countrystation, KKAR, appearing on the air as “Romeo Jones,” and served onthe board of directors of the Academy of Country Music.
In 1988 he abandoned his successful radio career to pursue alifelong dream of writing, completing three novels and co-authoringthe award winning sci-fi novel “Dreamland.”
Ken is survived by Barbara, his wife of 43 years, as well as hisdaughter, Kim and grandchildren Jose, Damian, Miguel and Benjaminand his sister, Marilyn Moffitt.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, May 21, 2005, at3 p.m. at the Mt. Solodad Veterans Memorial.
In Memoriam
Eric Christopher Tryon
10-12-84 — 05-19-03
Remembering
My Brother Eric
If I could stop time, well then I would most likely be able torewind it. I’d go back two years, when my brother was still alive.I’d tell him to stay home, and not get in that car with Ryan. Thereality is, I have no control over what happened to by brother, andtherefore all I can do is miss him, and cherish my friend’s andfamily’s love.
The hardest thing to deal with since he’s been gone has beenknowing that he is not here anymore.
It takes a lot more than a funeral and a memorial to say goodbyeto the one who meant more than anything to me.
At first I hated life, and thought that it wasn’t even worth itto go any further without him by my side.
I thank my lucky stars for my friends though, without them, myname might be it the paper as well.
I have received more support from my friends than I ever thoughtimaginable, it’s amazing. My family is of course my family, andthey support me 24/7, but I am grateful for the small group offriends who stayed real throughout these past two years. Some fadedaway, and although I believe they were never real friends anyways,I now know who truly loves me, and that is worth waking up forevery day.
My brother Eric died two years ago, but my memories of him willlive forever.
Memories not only in my mind, but on the street out front wherewe played football, or in the backyard where wiffle ball games wentuntil we couldn’t see the ball anymore. That is what I’llremember.
I loved the time we spent together, and can not wait to see youagain, my brother.
Love,
Joe
Ryan Nielsen
Oct. 13, 1981 – May 19, 2003
Today marks the second anniversary of Ryan’s death. Even thoughwe miss him just as much today as we did yesterday, we honor himwith our love of God, life, family and friends. We thank the many,many people from our neighborhood and across the U.S. who visitedwith us at Ry’s memorial services in California and Washington. Wethank Maric College for the special presentation to Ryan atgraduation in June 2003, and thanks to the City of Vista for theirLetter of Appreciation awarded at the graduation.
The following is a poem written for Ryan and read at his funeralin Vista.
Gone But Never Forgotten
by Richard Ingram
Gone but never forgotten,
Are the words that won’t leave my head.
I don’t want to believe
You are actually dead.
You were the smartest kid I knew,
A little book worm,
But you were still cool.
And if I had to pick which of my friends,
That was going far it was you.
You were not only smart,
But you were generous too.
You showed me what I want to be,
I just wish you were here to take the journey with me.
So every time that I look up,
Don’t forget to say what’s up.
So until the day we meet again,
In my heart is where I will keep you my friend.
