Author Archives: David Stevens

HOTEL INFORMATION 2022 REUNION

All rooms are plus tax (13.195%)
All rooms reserved under TRONA ALL CLASS REUNION

Make reservations like normal, but mention that it is for the TRONA ALL CLASS REUNION to get the prices listed below.

Springhill Suites – 760-446-1630
king bed or double queen – $149.00

Hampton Inn & Suites 760-446-1968
king bed or double queen – $139.00

Heritage Inn and Suites – 760-446-6543
king bed or double queen – $119.00

Each of the above hotels have 5 king and 5 double queens reserved
Includes breakfast Reserved until 30 Sep

Holiday Inn Express (not open yet, but taking reservations for October)
800-439-4745
King – $159 – double queens – $169, plus tax
Includes breakfast
No rooms reserved

Clarion Inn – 760-446-7910
15 kings reserved – $103 plus tax
10 double queens reserved – $107
Includes breakfast
Reserved until 10 October

Best Western – 760-371-2300
5 kings reserved – $98.99
5 double queens reserved – $108.99
Includes breakfast
Reserved until 1 Oct


Quality Inn – 760-375-9731
5 kings reserved – $109.00
5 double queens reserved – $109.00
Includes breakfast
Reserved until 1 Oct

Dick Sims

Richard “Dick” Sims — Class of 1965

The following is from the Searles Valley Slate April-June 2022:

Dick and his wife, Cindy, became members of the SVHS after moving to Trona upon their retirement. Both Dick and Cindy were substitute docents at the Old Guest House Museum. They were also part of the group that organized the Trona Centennial in 2014.

Dick was the editor of the Searles Valley Slate for several years, always filling it with interesting and entertaining articles. He designed the logo of the newsletter that we still use today.

We of the Searles Valley Historical Society send our deepest sympathy to Dick’s Family. He will be missed very much.

Torry MacLean –Class of 1959

I don’t know much about Torry or his death. I couldn’t find an obituary except for a short mention in the Searles Valley Slate dated April-June 2022. It reads as follows:

Torry was a Lifetime member of SVHS, and an Old Guest House Museum docent for many years. He loved his time at the museum and shared that he loved to walk around “just studying the photos” whenever the museum was without visitors. Torry also was dedicated to taking care of repairs that were needed around the museum.

The MacLean family came to Trona in 1944 where they lived in Federal Housing until 1953 when they moved to a house on Sage Street The MacLean’s left for Texas in 1955 when AP&CC landed a contract for the production of lithium hydroxide. They started a new company called, American Lithium Chemicals, where Torry’s father went to work.

At some point Torry purchased land in Homewood Canyon and moved back to Searles Valley. Torry’s mother, Hazel, is buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Torry’s brother Paul MacLean (class of 1958) wrote an autobiography,Trona to Austin: How Life Snuck Up on Me, that is available on Amazon.

We send our deepest sympathy to Torry’s family.

Joy Sherwood (Bailey) Jones — Class of 1953

Joy S. Jones, 87, of Washington, Utah, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Joy was born on June 19, 1935, to LeRoy Jay and Dorothy Sherwood Bailey in Riverside, CA. She eventually ended up in Southern Utah where she attended Hurricane High School. After school she worked for Milo Jones in his acrobatic act, “The Three Milos”. It was while she was working for Milo that she met his brother, DeWitt. Joy and DeWitt fell in love and were married in the St. George Temple on October 5, 1955, in St. George, Utah.

Joy loved music, musicals, and dance. She sang to her children every night. She sang on long car trips. She sang around the campfire. She sang while doing chores. One of her favorite songs was the Primary song “My Heavenly Father Loves Me.” Towards the end of her life, her daughter Susan would sing this song to her, and she would try to mouth the words.

Joy and Dee were married for 50 years and successfully raised a family of seven children who have all gone on to live happy and productive lives. Joy’s world revolved around her family. She was a dedicated and loving mother, always willing to sacrifice and serve. Family was everything to her and she was immensely proud of each of her children.

Joy was usually found serving and helping in the activities that her husband was involved in. Together they spent many years working in Cub Scouting. They gardened together throughout their lives. Joy bottled much of the produce that came out of their garden. She loved to create and sewed quite a bit. She also taught her daughters crocheting and embroidery. She loved to go camping and spend time outdoors with her family and loved ones. She also served many years in the temple on the cleaning crew
and was especially proud of being able to clean the many beautiful chandeliers.

Joy was proceeded in death by her parents and her eternal companion, DeWitt. She is survived by her children Austin (Kathy) Jones of Preston, Idaho; Danetta (Warren) Harding of Orem, Utah; Mavin (Joan) Jones of Monroe, Utah; Evan Jones of Central, Utah, JoDee (Weston) Harding of Lehi, Utah; Susan (Wayne) Harding of Washington, Utah; Reuben Jones of Washington, Utah; 28 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Ann (John) Graham of Rialto, California.

Viewing: Sunday, June 26 th 6:00-7:30 at Hughes Mortuary Extended Graveside Services: Monday, June 27 th 10:00 at the Washington City Cemetery

Arrangements are made under the direction of Hughes Mortuary, 1037 East 700 South, St George, Utah.

https://www.hughesmortuary.com/obituaries/joy-jones

Joy went to school in Trona from about 1944 until about 1950 and then her family moved to Utah where she attended Hurricane High School.

Keith Pinman – Class of 1967

Keith C. Penman, 73, of Terre Haute passed away peacefully on May 1, 2022, after a long fight with Alzhei- mer’s Disease.
He was born June 22, 1948, at home in Vigo County to the late John Robert Penman and Ella Mae (Britt) Penman. At the age of seven he and his parents moved to the desert community of Trona, California, southwest of Death Valley where they lived for years before returning to Terre Haute.

You can read the rest of Keith’s obituary by going here: https://obituaries.tribstar.com/obituary/keith-penman-1085090304

Russell Still — Class of 1959

RUSSELL STILL, used to live in Pioneer Point on Dogwood.  He had Rick, Tamra, and Tim as his Children.  He was married to Mona Ramey.  He passed away April 17, 2022 on Easter Sunday.

Russell had several sisters and cousins that also attended Trona High School. When Russell was a freshman he had an accident in wood shop and cut several of his fingers off.

Lenore (Shipman) Horn – Class of 1963

Lenore (Shipman) Horn passed away March 13, 2022, in Quitman, TX, after being in ill health for several years.  Lenore was the daughter of Ray and Lois Shipman, long-time residents of Searles Valley.  Lenore graduated from THS in 1963.

Lenore is survived by her mother Lois and sister Brenda as well as her two sons, Ray Whiddon and Jon Whiddon and their spouses and children. Her father and husband, Olin Horn, preceded her in death.

Lenore will be remembered by her warm personality and lovely smile.

Richard Ankers

Dick Ankers

Susan Swearingen Kamachi, class of ’64, wanted everyone to know that Dick Ankers passed away on February 16, 2022. He was a teacher at THS from 1961 to 1964.

She said that he wanted his obituary to read: “DICK DIED.” He was born August 10, 1934 . He was married to Jolene Swearingen Ankers for 56 years. She preceded him in death in 2014. Jolene was a member of the class of 1956.

If anyone would like to go, his Celebration of Life will be held at the Coney Island Bar on March 20, 2022 from 11:30 am-2:00 pm
In Reno, Nevada.