Jeffery Dale Newman

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June 10, 1955 – May 13, 2025

Jeffery Dale Newman, age 69, passed away on May 13, 2025. A lifelong resident of Trona, California—with a few unforgettable adventures along the way—Jeff was known for his love of music, deep friendships, and unwavering devotion to his family. With a biker’s exterior and a hippie’s heart, he was affectionately known by many as the “Mayor of Argus.”

Jeff was born on June 10, 1955, in Trona, CA to Grady (Dale) and Mary Newman. After graduating from Trona High in 1973, he hitchhiked across the country, a free spirit chasing stories and songs,  but he always found his way back to the town he called home, and this is where he started his family and lived most of his life.

Jeff loved the Elks Lodge, where he spent countless hours with friends who became family. His loyalty, humor, warmth, and friendly disposition made him unforgettable to all who knew him.  Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Grady and Mary Newman, Brother-in-law Thomas Gossett, and stepson Michael Vogel all of Trona, CA.

He is survived by his three daughters: April Rodriguez and husband Juan of Midland, TX; Nicole and Mary Newman of Trona, CA; his stepson Robert Vogel of Spokane, WA; his grandchildren: Anthony, Maggie, and Samuel Rodriguez of Midland, TX; Julian Newman-Medina, Titan and Odin Valdez of Trona, CA; and his great-grandson, Antonio Rodriguez of Midland, TX.

Jeff also leaves behind his sisters: Donna Dodson and husband Robert of Inyokern, CA; Robin Gossett of Trona, CA; and Lea Ann Unger and husband Dale of Las Vegas, NV; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, he loved being an Uncle!  He had a wide circle of lifelong friends who will miss him dearly.

Jeffery Dale Newman lived life on his own terms. His spirit will echo in the music he loved, the stories he told, and the love he gave so freely.

Graveside service is Friday, May 30, 2025, 10AM at the Trona cemetery. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Trona Elks Lodge. Family and Friends are invited to come and encouraged to wear a tie dye shirt in honor of Jeff.

Glinda-Lane

Glinda (Lane) McCullough — Class of 1965

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Glinda (Lane) McCullough, 77, passed away unexpectedly of pneumonia in Hesperia, CA. Glenda was born while her parents lived in Trona and was raised there where she attended Trona Elementary and Trona High School.

She is preceded in passing by her parents, Glenton and Mary Lane.  her brother and his wife {Glenn and Stefanie Lane) and by her sister Marla who was in the THS class of 1973. Glinda is survived by her two sons, her four grandchildren, her husband and his children.

Glinda’s parents, brother and sister are buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Edit: Changed 1966 to 1965.

Elise Louise Rains — Class of 1966

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Elise Louise Rains, affectionately known as Lisa, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 8, 1948, in Ridgecrest, California, to Clarence Victor Carr and Ellen Lucille Fertig Carr. Lisa grew up in Trona, California, where she attended school alongside her cherished brother, Craig Allen Carr.

Lisa shared 52 beautiful years of marriage with her devoted husband, Charles Ernest Rains. Together, they built a life full of love and laughter, raising five children: Cathie Mayfield (Rick), Cynthia Moreno (David), Connie Rains-Hamlett (John), Charles “Alan” Rains, and CarriAnn Rains. Her legacy continues through her twelve grandchildren and growing number of great-grandchildren, who will forever carry her warmth in their hearts. She was also a beloved bonus mom to her nephew, Jeremy Rains.

Lisa was preceded in death by her grandsons, Michael Frank Jolly and Charles Alexander Campos.

Lisa worked as a telephone operator for Contel. She spent time as a teacher’s aide. She also served as a secretary at High Desert Scribe and owned Trona’s local Channel 3. In addition to her professional roles, Lisa was a longtime volunteer EMT for Searles Valley.

A woman of boundless compassion and empathy, Lisa embraced the belief that all life was sacred. She lived with a rare and unwavering kindness, never harming even the smallest creature or the trees that stood rooted in the earth.

Though there will be no immediate services, her memory will be honored through the love of those she touched.

The Daily Independent ridgecrestca.com

 

Ruthie Lancaster

Ruthie (Storm) Lancaster — Class of 1963

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Ruthie passed away on April 2, 2025. She was a proud member of the THS class of 1963. She was also the Trona High School librarian for many years. She claimed to be the meanest Trona High School Librarian there ever was.

Around 1948 Ruthie moved from Missouri  to Trona with her parents, sisters, her Uncle Ray and Ray’s  daughter Donna (Storm) Carter (1947-2022) who  was the class of 1964 . Donna was married to Kenneth Carter (1943-2020) from the class of 1961. Ruthie’s older sister, Helen (1940-2021) was in the class of 1958.

In 1954 Ruthie’s grandparents moved to Trona along with her youngest uncle, Dale. Dale married Patricia Ritter (1937-2009) from the class of 1956.

We share the families sadness as we all remember Ruthie.

If someone knows what years she worked as the librarian please let us know.

 

 

Ronald McCauley — Class of 1990

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My name is Tracy this is my brother Ronald James McCauley who passed away from a medical Illness in his sleep march 1st 2025. My hope is to help raise money for his funeral service and help out with left over bills for his son who was left behind Connor James McCauley your donations no matter how small we’ll make a huge difference in helping them thank you so much for your support please share. Services have not been planned as of yet.

GoFundMe

Graveside Service for Patricia L. Davis

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Patricia Louise Davis

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

Trona High School’s Band 1949-1950

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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 (Orr) Reece

Gloria Diane (Orr) Reece — Class of 1960

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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.

Monte Quinton

Monte James Quinton — Class of 1981

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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