Category Archives: Alumni

Carol-Jo-Abraham

Carol Jo (Abraham) Carty – Class of 1959

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Carol and her husband died in a house fire on 30 Jul 2022 in San Bernardino. Carol had an older sister, Margaret Ann (Abraham) Weimer who was in the class of 1956. Her husband, Darrel Weimer, passed on in 2010. She also has a younger brother, Joe, who was in the class of 1961.
The Abraham family came to Trona in the early 50’s. Carol’s father died in 1965 and her mother died in 2010.
You may have to wait through a commercial to watch the videos.

San Bernardino: Elderly couple killed in house fire after trying to save pets, family says – ABC7 Los Angeles

Elderly couple killed in San Bernardino County house fire (foxla.com)

Elizabeth Richmond Colter — Class of 1946

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Elizabeth Richmond Colter “Liz” 92, formerly of Phoenix, Prescott and Eagar, Arizona, died Wed., November 2, 2022 in Dana Point, CA. Born February 17, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA. Liz was the daughter of John O’Donnel Richmond and Emily Acker Richmond. Both her siblings, Lee Richmond Barker and Lincoln Acker Richmond predeceased her. Survivors include five children: Emily Taranta, Nancy Greene, John Harrison (Barbara) Colter, Mary Lee (Marsden) Stewart and Ann (Kyle) Matthews; 18 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. She attended the University of Arizona where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and Mortar Board. She was Student Body Secretary in the 1949-1950 school year and met her husband James Harrison Colter “Jim” while in college. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 12:30 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary, Eagar, AZ.

Posted online on December 01, 2022

Published in The Arizona Republic

Elizabeth and her husband Jim were married at the China Lake Navy Base in the base chapel by a Navy Chaplin, Lieutenant Commander W. I. Wolfe in 1950. Elizabeth came to China lake in 1944 when her father, John O Richmond became commander of the Navel Ordinance Test Station at China Lake. She began school in Trona because at time there wasn’t a high school in the Indian Wells Valley.

Bakersfield, California •
Mon, Nov 6, 1950

Edward Denton 1926-2019

Edward Denton — Class of 1944

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This obituary is a little old, but I felt it was worth republishing here. Eddy Denton’s father, William L Denton was one of the doctors in Trona in the 30’s and 40’s If you were born in Trona during that time there is a chance you will find his name on your birth certificate. Eddy’s brother, Robert Denton (1922-2017), followed in his father’s footsteps and became a doctor like his father. He lived in Bishop, CA.

Obituary: Edward Denton (1926-2019)
BY TIM GORMANIN FEATURED · NEWS · OBITUARIES — 27 JUL, 2019

Judge Edward Denton served Mono County for 43 years as a District Attorney, a County Counsel and as a Superior Court judge.

Denton grew up in the Mojave Desert, between Randsburg and Trona. He graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 1949 and the San Francisco School of Law in 1954.

Upon graduation, he immediately went to work in the Mono County District Attorney’s Office.

He served as both the D.A. and the County Counsel for 30 years before becoming judge in 1985.

He served in this role until his retirement in 1998.

Colleagues, Paul Rudder, Ed Forstenzer, Tim Sanford and Stan Eller and Jim Reed shared stories and thoughts from their time working with Denton.

Paul Rudder:

“He was just a terrific judge, but more importantly He was one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met.”

Every time I appeared in Eddie’s court after my matter was finished the bailiff would come up to me and say, ‘judge wants to see you in chambers.’

I would go into chambers and he and his clerk Sue were waiting expectantly with their hands clasped. They wanted to know what was going on in Mammoth, and I would give them a ten-minute routine on what was going on. They thought it was hilarious. If Eddie was alive today, I could keep him entertained for more than ten minutes.

He would always listen. He never came with preconceived notions. He asked questions.

Eddie approached things in an objective way. He would listen and make decisions that I thought were fair even if I didn’t agree with them. He understood the essence of judging, which is seeing to the heart of the matter

He was just a terrific judge, but even more so he was a fabulous human being.”

Ed Forstenzer:

“He was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’ve ever known.

“We were the only judges in Mono County, so we were each other’s support group. He was a mentor to me. I learned a lot from watching and talking to him.”

Tim Sanford:

“Mono County has gotten a lot more sophisticated than it used to be. It felt like everybody knew everybody and we were more isolated. More informal.

Now they have, what, 4 attorneys in the County Counsel’s office and they have four in the D.A.’s office? Eddie was doing both offices himself. That’s how I got to know him.

He was a fixture, a legend.

He was he most unpretentious, down- to-earth guy you’ve ever heard of. He was also exceptionally gentle and kind. I only saw him get riled up a few times, I’m talking a few, ‘cause it was not many. He had the right to, because anybody else would have been riled up long before.

It seemed like the whole county was a little more gentle back in those days. He had a part in that. He was a really gentle guy.

You couldn’t have a discussion with him without him cracking a few jokes. He had a very dry wit, and he was not at all reluctant to make fun of himself. He was often the brunt of his own jokes.”

Stan Eller:

“I first met Eddie Denton in December 1981 when I applied for a job with him at the District Attorney’s office. I answered an ad in a legal newspaper for Deputy District Attorney. I wanted to come live in the mountains. I wore a flannel shirt and I think that’s what got me the job.”

He was one of the kindest, gentlest people I’ve ever met. Sometimes you couldn’t quite understand his sense of humor but you laughed anyways. A good Irishman with an Irish twinkle in his eyes. He served his county well.”

“In 1984 he was out of the office, in Washington D.C. lobbying for an appointment to the superior court.

The Department of Water and Power was threatening to shut off water to Rush Creek.

I didn’t have Eddie

It was just [Dick] Dahlgren and myself. We found a code section saying that they could not shut off water to a creek once a fishery had been established. We threatened to arrest the person from DWP who was going to shut off the power, and Rush Creek continued to flow.

Denton came back and I was concerned.

He had a congenial relationship with DWP. His reaction was “I’m behind you 100%. Don’t give it another thought. That’s just the kind of guy he was.”

Jim Reed:

“I thought he was the nicest man in the world, and the fairest judge who kept the most comfortable court I’ve ever been in.

Eddie just had the knack for determining the fairest and most elegant and most equitable way to resolve a dispute, and he had a great sense of humor.

A lot of judges can be jerks. Not Eddie.”

Reed’s favorite story, and he can’t divulge the name of the attorney, but it went like this:

“One attorney got pissed about a ruling. It was up in Bridgeport, and as most folks know, there are two entrances to the courtroom; one for the public at large and one for the judge.

Well, the attorney came out of the courtroom and just hurled his briefcase down the hallway – and hurled it probably a bit further than he intended. The briefcase landed at Eddie’s feet.

He just laughed.”

Judge Denton’s funeral (Infant of Prague Catholic Church), internment (cemetery) and celebration of life (Memorial Hall) will take place in Bridgeport on August 15 starting at 12 p.m.

Richard Gonzalez

Richard Gonzalez — Class of 1958

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Richard Gonzalez (1939-2021) died on about October 14, 2021. He was the son of Al and Maria Gonzalaz and brother of Al Jr. (1936-1991) (class of 1955), Gilbert (class of 1956), Albert (class of 1960), Michael (class of 1963), Charles (class of 1964), Mavi (class of 1966) and perhaps other siblings that I never knew.

I remember Richard from algebra class, my envy of his photography skills and his marriage to one of the cutest girls in the class of 1961. Richard was the yearbook photographer when he was in high school and continued to perform that function as a paid professional photographer after he graduated. Hid father Al, was a photographer for AP&CC. Both Richard’s parents passed away in 2009.

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to his family.

As I learn more I will update this post.

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Allen Dean Jedlicka — Class of 1960

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Allen D. Jedlicka, 78, of Hudson, died Saturday, September 11, 2021, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital. He was born October 6, 1942, in Fredricksburg, TX to Waldemar J. and Ethel E. (Schlaudt) Jedlicka. He graduated from high school in Trona, CA and received his BS degree from San Diego State University. Allen served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia for two years. Continuing his education, he earned a Doctoral Degree in Anthropology. He was a Professor at the University of Northern Iowa and an author of several books.

Allen and Wendy have been together for 26 years. Allen was always passionate for his work with developing countries and was an original with re-use/recycle.

Allen is survived by his family: Wendy Brudevold, Hudson, Charlotte Duin, Sheldon, Andy (Melanie) Brudevold, Prior Lake, MN, and Nick Brudevold and Carmen Miller, both of Waterloo. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Sierra.

Memorial Services: 10:30 AM Thursday, September 16, at Central Christian Church, Waterloo.

The family will greet friends one hour before services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to donor’s favorite charity. For more info, visit www.LockeFuneralHome.com.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/wcfcourier/name/allen-jedlicka-obituary?pid=200119444

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Nancy V. (Dunn) Bailey — Class of 1958

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Nancy (Dunn) Baily

Saturday, September 18, 2021, Nancy V. (Dunn) Bailey passed away peacefully to be with her Lord in Heaven.

Nancy Bailey, daughter of Clinton and Princess Dunn, was born in Victorville, California on August 28,1940. She lived in Westend, California since birth until graduating from Trona High School in 1958 and then married Dan Bailey who passed away in 2018.

Nancy is survived by her son Mark Bailey of Newport, California; daughter Michelle Skeen of San Francisco, California; four grandchildren and her brother, Roy Dunn of Redlands, California a member of the Trona High School class of 1960.

Nancy had been residing, for several years,in an assisted living facility, in Anaheim Calif before passing.

She will be missed by her family, friends and former classmates.

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Rex Jay Worman — Class of 1961

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Rex Worman passed away in Tennessee on August 19, 2019. He was taking a walk alone near his home in Hollow Rock, Tennessee when he died.

Rex had two older sisters who also went to Trona High School Ila (Worman) Powers, class of 1950 and Rena (Worman) Condren, class of 1951. He also had two nieces and one nephew that Graduated from Trona High School.

Rex was born to Esau and Lois Worman on August 10, 1943 in Wisconsin.

When the Wormans moved to Trona in 1945 they lived in the Panament Federal Housing Project. This was rows of small apartments that the Federal Government built because of the housing shortage in Trona during the 1940’s. When a house became vacant on California Street they moved there.

All of the houses on California street were torn down or moved around 1955 and the Worman’s moved to a house on the corner of Mountain View Street and Alameda Street. They stayed in that house until 1988 when both his parents had passed away.

After high school Rex was accepted into an apprenticeship program at Southern California Edison. After completing training at Redondo Beach Generating Station he went to work at the SCE Etiwanda Power Plant.

Rex married in 1967 and he had at least two daughters. Someone else will have fill in the rest of his life story from here.

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A Perfect Childhood — by Bill Robinson

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 Jeoffrey Lycurgus Robinson on the left

I feel abandoned! I was born and raised in Trona. But we left when my father died. I was 11 yrs old and had finished the fifth grade. My family lived there for 25 years. Two older brothers and a sister graduated from Trona High School. I lived and breathed Trona High where both of my brothers played varsity football.

Now I am an orphan! I didn’t graduate from Trona High, so I have no class to belong to. It is where I walked barefoot in the sand, where the asphalt curled under our toes and the windstorms blinded us but never sent us back indoors. Where I walked to school every day with my dog Lassie who stayed outside the school yard and waited for me to return. Where I passed the homes of my teachers who invited us in for Kool-Aid and cookies.

We had big yards, alleys between the houses and we knew everyone on our street and down the alley.

There was scary Bobby Jones who always beat up the younger boys on the street, there was “Big Mary” that we all fantasized about and “Little Bill” and his brother Skipper who lived across the street (I was “Big Bill”).

We lived on Lupine street where, in the company owned town, the big shots lived. You were assigned your house, you didn’t pick it. We went to the open air movie theater at the town center, got banana splits at the counter in the drug store and paid for things at the grocery store with company script (not dollars).

If you didn’t have a car, you left town on the Trona Stages, our bus company. If you weren’t married, you lived in the bungalows across from the town center.

I roamed the desert fearlessly, escaping rattlesnakes, capturing desert turtles that became pets, discovering old mine shafts hidden in the tumbleweeds. I’m not sure if I owned any long pants or even shoes! The priest at our church, then located near the center of town, just rolled his eyes when we altar boys showed up barefoot and in short pants to serve at Mass.

My favorite time was the summer when we would go to the huge pool at Valley Wells. Most of the town was there almost every day. It was where we escaped the crippling heat and became human beings again (there was NO such thing as air conditioning then. Just useless water coolers that were only effective if you stood directly in front of it).

Mexicans had to live out of town until my father had an entire development built for them across from the street from the Trona Railroad which he ran.

My Dad had a massive heart attack earlier in the year of 1952.. He retired as the President of Trona Railroad in June of 1952. He died the night we moved from Trona. I was 11 yrs old.

My two brothers, Michael (1950), Bruce (1952) and sister Elizabeth (1945) who graduated from Trona High are deceased now, but my sister Eileen, 88 yrs old is still around. Probably the last living member of her class of 1951. I don’t think she will be attending any reunions!

So that leaves me. A Tronan without a home! A lost soul whose identity is like a ghost living in a world that exists only in another universe.

Oh, except we moved to Santa Monica, the jewel of all beach communities in California, if not the world. I spent my teen years in a place that I could not afford to live in today! But it also has its memories.

I live today in San Clemente, CA and have done so for the past 46 years. My recollections of Trona have faded somewhat over the years (I’m 80 yrs old) and I suspect it does not match my childhood memories that are so idyllic.

But I am still a Tronan in my bones. It is the wellspring from which I come and defines me by a childhood that could not have been more perfect.

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George William ” Bill” Sisco — Class of 1951

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Bill Sisco was born August 25, 1932 in Los Angeles County to William and Ethel (Clark) Sisco.

While going to Trona High School he was co-captain of the varsity football team, was a member of the yearbook staff, Sok- Hop chairman and was member of the glee club and band.

He passed away on January 18, 2020. Although we received word of his death just recently we would like to send our condolences and best wishes to his family.