I received word that Virginia (Peek) Pappe passed away on November 11, 2022. Virginia was born March 3, 1943, in Kern County, CA. She married Charles Pappe, class of 1957 in 1961and they lived in Ridgecrest, CA.
This video contains some great drone videography and provided me with at least a virtual visit to Trona which will have to do for now.
He starts out at the old Perkins gas station but somehow never makes it to Pioneer Point.
John, class of 1962, died February 6, 2023, at home. He had Leukemia. He lived in Brentwood California with his wife Jean DeYoung. He was 78 years old.
If more information becomes available, I will post it.
John had four sisters, Dorothy DeYoung) Farrah (1932-1992), class of 1950; Carolyn (DeYoung) Morse (1940-2021) class of 1959; Paula (DeYoung) Wong, class of 1964, and Roberta (DeYoung) Adams, class of 1967. John also had a cousin, Linda (DeYoung) Bishop, class of 1959 who is also a THS alumnus.
There is a notice at https://obituaries.tridentsociety.com/obituaries/rancho-mirage-ca/betty-cross-10953218 that Betty Joe passed away in the last 365 days. There isn’t any additional information about her passing, but I received an email from one of her classmates telling me she passed away on October 3, 2022.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/palm-desert-ca for the Cross family.
Betty Jo’s twin sister, Ada Rae (Wellbaum) Bancroft passed away in 2017.
Rhonda is the half sister to David Larson, class of 1962 and Marla (Larson) Dickson, class of 1966. If Rhonda had graduated in Trona she would have been in the class of 1971. Her obtuary follows:
Aged 69, born to parents Lawrence and Alice (Rice) Larson on July 12, 1953 in Trona, California and deceased (she will never die, in our hearts) on January 10, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. “Willow” is survived by her loving husband of 19 years, Steven “Doc” Straayer; brother, Leo (Helen) Larson, of LaJolla California; children, Matthew (Michelle) Gurule’, Austin (Kellie) Gurule’, Gayle (Tim) Gallagher and Ryan (Sedef) Gurule’; grandchildren, William and Henry (Matt) Gurule’, Rio and Rook (Austin) Gurle’, Gwendolyn and Emilia (Gayle) Gallagher and Atesh (Ryan) Gurule’ all of Northern California, and her BFF Kathy Gavin. She was preceded in death by her parents Lawrence Larson and Alice Hughes.
Rhonda’s love for people led her to obtain a Baccalaureate degree in Social Work from Long Beach State University in California. After completing her degree Rhonda married her first husband and raised four wonderful children while working as a Teacher’s Aide in Northern California. In the next chapter of her life, she moved to Jackson, Michigan and married the Love of her life. She continued working first as a Teacher’s Aide for a few years and then as an Aide on the countryside retirement campus until she retired.
An avid baseball fan, she continued to root for ‘her’ Giants while adopting the Tigers as her favorite American League Team (the 2012 Fall Classic was a conflicted time in our household). She also learned to enjoy wine tasting while traveling to Sonoma County to visit her precious Grandchildren, the true joy of her life. Rhonda was happiest when she was caring for others. Her kind and giving spirit will live on in the hearts of all who love her. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and we will sprinkle the Ashes of our beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother in a Sunny Meadow in Sonoma County California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cascades Humane Society (she loved the little critters, too!).
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jackson-mi/rhonda-straayer-11101902
David only went to Trona High School for a brief time during his junior year. He grew up in Randsburg and after leaving Trona High School finished his high school education at Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest.
David Barrett passed away on December 23, 2022. He was the oldest son of Fred and Rose Barrett. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Raymond Barrett (1952-2017), class of 1970 and his sister, Nancy (Barrett) Harris class of 1977. He is survived by his sister, Donna Barrett class of 1973 and his stepmother, Lois (McGill) Barrett class of 1955.
Graveside services will be held Saturday January 21 at 11 A.M. at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Followed by a private burial, then a “Celebration of Life” at the Trona Elks Lodge.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to either the Trona Senior Center or the Trona Community Chest. These donations can be mailed to the Trona Community Chest P.O. Box 413 Trona, CA 93592 or funds can be accepted at Desert Valley Credit Union.
Donna passed away on December 22, 2022. I will post more information when it becomes available. She is the younger sister of Doris Rich class of 1953, and Buddy Rich class of 1955. Her cousin was Roy Wheeler class of 1960. Her brother-in-law was Bill Fuller class of 1951. Bill Fuller’s cousin was Harvey Crandall class of 1957.
Donna Jane Phillips the daughter of John and Inez Rich was born January 5, 1946, in Trona, California, and departed this life on December 22, 2022, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 17 days.
Donna loved her family. She enjoyed the outdoors whether she was working in her garden, taking care of her horses, or just enjoying some time fishing. She loved to cook, especially for her family. Her grandkids made her the most happy. Donna touched many lives over the years and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother John Buddy Rich; her sister Doris Fuller and her grandson Chase Cape.
She is survived by a loving family which includes her children Paul Phillips of Bakersfield, CA, Angie Sweeten and husband Craig of Durant, Chris Cape of Tahlequah, Janez Worster and husband Rich of Arizona and Jody Lynn Dallis of Tahlequah; 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives also survive her.
https://obituaries.tahlequahdailypress.com/obituary/donna-phillips-1086889283
https://tahlequah.hartfuneralhome.net/obituary/Donna-Phillips
Anna Sue Johnson Eldridge left a message on Facebook saying that Al had recently passed away. If I get any additional information, I will post it here.