A Graveside Service for Patricia L. Davis, former councilor and teacher at the Trona High School and the Desert Holly High School (continuation school), will be held June 14, 2025, 1:00 P.M., at the the Ula Cemetery in Westcliffe, CO.
A reception will follow at Cliff Lanes in Westcliffe, CO.
For additional information call Leslie Piquette at (970) 260-1727
First Clarinet — Nancy Briggs ’51, Dorothy Marshall ’55, Marybelle Egge ’50
Second Clarinet — Alicia Hagar ’55, Malvern Stevens ’53, Helen Denny ’55, Lou Ann Ford ’54, Sandra Parmalee ’56
Third Clarinet — Joyce Greenstreet/Bradburn ’54, Billy Wilson, Shirley Barbee ’54, Richard Peach ’56
First Cornet — John Lineback ’51, Tex Hollis ’54, Warren Parmalee ’51, Peter Reeves ’54
Second Cornet — Manuel Picon ’54, Bob Parks ’51, Keith Pratt ’56
Third Cornet — Kenneth Cassel ’54, Diane Cassel ’55, Gladys Beall ’54, Donald Peterson ’55
First Trombone — Neil Hinckle ’53, Bob Stevens ’51, Allen Hartley ’54
Second Trombone — Chris Peterson ’55, Malcolm De Wess, Charles Long ’55
Third Trombone — Tommy Barrick ’54
Flute — Fawn Eyre ’53
Alto Saxophone — Rosemaire Mac Gavin ’50, Dorothy DeYoung ’50
Tenor Saxophone — Lyman Gilliland ’55, Ritta Skidmore ’55
Baritone Horn — John Tinsley ’55
French Horn — Donald Samuels ’55. Lonnie Hammond ’54, Sherry Jones, Darlene Bell ’54
Tuba — Eddie Bueltmann ’54
Bass Drums and Cymbals — Nixon Beall ’54, Jerry Wilson ’53
Snare Drums — Clarence Pitt ’50, Ray Bell ’50, Ronnie Baxter ’54, Walter Bradshaw ’53, Rex Muse ’53, Shirley Muse ’54, Bruce Bernhardi ’55, Roland Walton, Jerry Glenn ’54
Cholla Sizemore researched the names of the 1949-‘50 band members.
!944 Orchestra
The first orchestral students appear in the 1943-44 yearbook. The members were:
Piano – Paul Haughton ’46
Violins – Bill Brink 49′, Peggy Dorward ’49, Andrew Ledesma ’49, Gene McKinney ’47, Shirley Trotter ’49
Clarinets – Allen Gates, Claudean Ives, Robert Payne ’48, Harold Washmuth ’45
Saxophone – Robert Niemeyer ’44
Baritone – Robert Fowler
Trumpets – Eldon Fox ’45, Mariloo Gilberts, Leona Smith, Pauldin Smith ’49, Patricia Tharpe
Drums – Clinton Harper
The orchestra was directed by Robert J. Hinter (1917-1980)
THS 1949 Band
The Trona High School Tornado band was formed in 1948 and had a total of 15 members. A year later, the 1949-’50 band had 44 members and 6 Majorettes.
Members were: Steve Walsh ’53, Warren Parmalee ’51, Bob Stevens 51, Ronnie Holliman 51, Bill Sisco ’51, Bob Parks ’51, Marybelle Egge ’50,
Bryan Corcoran researched the names of the 1948-‘49 band members.
Diane Reece passed away on Febuary 25, 2025 at the age of 82. She was a playground monitor, librarian extraordinaire and mentor/confidant/hug provider to hundreds and hundreds of students at Janesville Elementary School, great-grandma, grandma, sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, wife (of more than 60 years) to Mr. Milton Vernon Reece and simply mom to myself and my siblings Debbie Reece Pullen, Melanie Reece McAdam, and James Reece.
Anyone who knew her couldn’t help but be infected with her calm, loving, caring demeanor and passion for family. The legacy she and my dad built through starting a family of 4 children beginning in the 1960s and carried forward to today with families of their own – from the oldest daughter to the youngest great-grandchild all are great citizens in the world BECAUSE she was such a great citizen herself.
And if you really knew her, you’d know she’s already watching the latest episodes of “The Young and the Restless” on a heavenly DVR. She watched nearly every episode beginning in 1973 (40+ years!!!) – rarely forgetting to set the VHS video recorder (way back in the day) and tune the TV to the right channel – all of us kids knew not to change the channel after it was set before we left for school…or else! And even if an 80 year old isn’t great with electronics, she always figured out how to set the DVR. If you don’t do anything else today, listen one last time in her honor to the Y&R theme song.
On February 16th, 2025, Monte James Quinton passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family. He was 61 years old. Monte was a father to three children and Grandfather to three additional grandchildren. He cherished every moment with them and deeply loved them.
Monte was born May 12th, 1963, in Ridgecrest, CA to Melvin and Mary Quinton. He was raised in Trona, CA alongside his siblings Rhonda and Janet. Monte married his wife Diana October 9th, 1993, in Lake Tahoe, NV to which Monte and Diana shared 31 adventurous years together.
Monte began his career as an X-Ray Technician in 1983 and finished his career in 2024 as a Medical Dosimetrist for AIS Cancer Center. Along his career progression, he advanced his education through secondary education establishments and relevant work experience. Monte carried a passion for his work as a Medical Dosimetrist for the past 25 years. His colleagues greatly appreciated his presence through his adventurous personality and a continuous source of humor. Outside of work, Monte loved to try something new and was always willing to share new experiences with his close family. Monte is viewed by his family as a model to what a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Son is to be.
Monte is survived by his Wife Diana Quinton; his sons David (Jessica) Cox, Derek Quinton, and Jason Quinton; his Mother Mary Quinton; his sister Rhonda (Wayne) McKinney; his Grandchildren Wyatt Cox, Savannah Cox, and Scarlett Cox; and many Nieces/Nephews.
Monte is preceded in death by his Father Melvin Quinton; his Sister Janet Vassar; his Niece Kami Vassar; his Grandparents J.C. & Cleo Still, Arzeta Tucker, and Jim Quinton; his Uncles Bert Quinton and Dennis Orr; his Aunt Judy Quinton; his aunt & Uncle Pat & Leon Watson.
Monte’s family would like to thank all staff and doctors at AIS Cancer Center & Bakersfield Community Hospice for treating Monte and his family with the utmost love, care, and support.
Monte’s services will be held at Greenlawn SW, 2739 Panama Ln, Bakersfield CA 93313. A viewing will be held Sunday March 2nd, 2025, from 4pm – 8pm and a graveside service will be held March 3rd, 2025, at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to AIS Cancer Center.
https://www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com/memorials/monte-quinton/5554821/index.php
Phil passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at age 79 from complications after a fall at home.
Philip Leon Hara was born November 17, 1945 in San Bernardino, CA, the third child of George and Ina (Thompson) Hara. In 1949 George moved the family to Trona where Phil grew up and was educated in Trona Schools a part of the class of 1963.
Phil enlisted in the US Navy and during his time in Corpus Christi, Texas he met and married his wife Sylvia. He was then sent to serve aboard the USS Ticonderoga in the midst of the Vietnam War. After discharge he returned to San Bernardino, California to work for the Santa Fe railroad as a diesel engine mechanic. Together, he and Sylvia raised 2 daughters before moving to Apple Valley. Phil had a life long love for all things pertaining to mechanics and engines. He built a 32 Ford Roadster with a v6 blower and restored a Cushman motorcycle. He rode the motorcycle once in the Trona Homecoming Parade replete with leather helmet and googles.
Phil loved Desert History and Lore but most of all he loved coming home to Trona every October for Trona’s Homecoming visiting with as many old alumni friends he could find. Phil leaves behind his wife, 2 daughters, a son-in-law, 3 granddaughters, and many good friends.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/apple-valley-ca/philip-hara-12160938
The Witt family came to Trona, CA from Chloride, AZ around 1942 and left about for Henderson, NV around 1948 so they weren’t in Trona for very long but he did graduate from Trona High School and he stayed in touch with lit Brush. The 1950 census lists his father as a foreman so I suspect he was recruited, like other were, to move to AP&CC’s plant in Henderson.
Bill was born April 4, 1947 and died in January 21, 2025. Perhaps someone could let use know if he had a family> He was one of the last living members of his class.
https://obituaries.neptune-society.com/obituaries/sacramento-ca/william-witt-12212063
Our beloved mom Terri Allen passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025 at the age of 97. Terri was born in Los Angeles, California in 1927 and was raised in Trona, a company-owned mining town in the Mojave Desert.
After graduating from high school in Trona, she moved to Berkeley and attended the University of California, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1949. She was in the Sigma Kappa sorority at Cal. She met her future husband, Don Allen, at Cal, and they were married in 1950 and lived in the Bay Area. The marriage ended in divorce. Terri worked as an administrative assistant in Menlo Park for many years and raised their three children, Leslie, Curt and Paul, as a single mom. After she retired, she moved to Grass Valley in 1999.
Terri was an active and dedicated member of the Baha’i Faith, and she served on the Baha’i Local Assembly as Secretary and as Treasurer for over 30 years. She was an avid reader and loved books about different cultures, societies and stories from around the world. She was a person of profound integrity and a strong sense of justice, and she stood up for and supported human rights and the oneness of humanity.
Terri is survived by her daughter Leslie Platner and son-in-law Paul Platner of Grass Valley, and her son Paul Allen and daughter-in-law Laura Allen of Emerald Hills. Terri’s son Curt passed away in 2018. Terri was a native Californian, “memah” and “purple nana” to six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and lived a long happy life, from the great Mojave Desert to the gold-rich Sierra foothills.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Unity in the Gold Country Spiritual Center, 180 Cambridge Ct, Grass Valley.
For those wishing to make charitable donations in Terri’s memory, please consider Hospice of the Foothills.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/terri-allen-obituary?id=57546311
Terri’s father was a chemical engineer. They lived in Trona from at least 1930 to 1950. She had a younger brother, William, who passed away in 2006.
According to the 1950 census the Durland’s lived at 306 Lupine St
The 1945 yearbook says Terri’s nickname was “Te De”. Terri probably went to elementary school in the old elementary school on Main St. and then I suspect she may went away to school and came back to finish school when Trona High School was completed in 1942.
Andy Ford (Class of 1962, valedictorian) died 29 December 2024 from dementia at the age of 80. More than a scholastic star, Andy was a half-back on the Trona Tornado football team and ran track on the Ruth Mine tailings-covered track (really a fast surface!). He received a BS in electrical engineering from UC Davis, then went on for an MS in mathematics at Harvard, finishing with a Ph.D. in Systems Dynamics Engineering at Dartmouth. Worked at Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico for 10 years, then became a Professor, first at USC and then Washington State Univ. Andy loved teaching, mentoring several graduate students and writing a well received (and in current use) textbook “Modeling the Environment”.
He married his high school sweetheart, Amy Stone, and was a loving, dedicated family man for over 50 years. They have 2 daughters with 5 grandchildren, who live in Grand Junction, Colorado, close to Andy and Amy. Andy loved fly fishing and spent many hours hiking along brisk flowing rivers in California, Washington, and Colorado.
https://www.lmtribune.com/obituaries/frederick-andrew-andy-ford-18481703
I just got word that my brother, Joel, passed away. I will provide more details when I get I have more information I will update this.
The world was never the same after the birth of Martha Pounds and will never be the same without her. Martha passed away on December 5. 2024, at Peace Hospice surrounded by her loved ones after a long and hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Great Falls Church of Christ.
She was born in Los Angeles, California to Chuck and Carol Pounds on March 12, 1958. After graduating in 1976 from Trona High School she married her high school sweetheart Kory Kennedy on June 26 that same year.
Anyone who knew Martha knows how her family was her life. She and Kory had three children that gave them a run for their money! Keisha (Reggie) Sutton, David (Lindsey), and John. She was “Nana” to four grandchildren who adored her, Kyler Kennedy, Belle Murphy, Braxton and Colton Kennedy, and her loyal French Bulldog, Grace, who was by her side until the end. She is also survived by her sisters, Sharon, Linda, and Nancy (quit fighting, Linda and Nancy)! She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles; sister, Janet; mother and father; and numerous aunts.
During her years of employment, Martha could crunch numbers with the best of them. She was very meticulous and a perfectionist in every way. She was an administrative assistant with the Ulm school district, CFO at the Great Falls Housing Authority, and an internal auditor at Montana Credit Union (her most loved job)! Her upbeat personality and wit brought joy to every place that she worked.
Martha was faithful to her God and felt serving and worshipping Him was life’s sole purpose. She looked forward to hearing the words, “Well done good and faithful servant. Job well done!” She was very involved in her congregation at Great Falls Church of Christ. Her church family was an important part of her life, and she loved having gatherings and going on retreats.
She was a pillar to her family and community and would not want anyone to miss a beat in life mourning her passing. She lived to be happy and spread joy to everyone who was lucky enough to be blessed by her presence. God has gained one special angel.
Donations in Martha’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
https://www.oconnorfuneralhome.com/obituary/martha-kennedy