Category Archives: Alumni

William Jon Schultz 1956

Jon Schultz — Class of 1956

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William Jon Schultz (1937-2021)

Jon was born to William and Lillian Schultz in 1937 in California. In the 1940 census I found Jon living with his parents in Johannesburg, Kern County California where his father was working for Atolia Mining Company as a hoist engineer. Lillian had been working as a teacher in Randsburg before she married in 1936.

The Schultz family lived next door to the Hackman’s where I’m sure he met John (Jack) and Roy Hackman. Their father was commuting to Trona to work in the chemical plant so it seems natural to think that Jon’s father and mother also decided to look for work in Trona as well. Jack Hackman graduated from Trona High School in 1951 and his brother Roy graduated the same year Jon did, 1956.

In 1948 Jon’s mother began work as a teacher at the Trona Elementary School and worked there until 1965.

In the 1956 class will it says, “I Jon Schultz do hereby will all my trades and abilities to the teachers and administration. I hope it will help them run this school a little more peacefully.”

Jon died in New Braunfels,Texas Feb 9, 2021.

The family chose not to publish an obituary. If you contact me I can give you the latest address I have for Jon.

We wish to express our deepest sympathies to Jon’s family.

Nancy Elaine (Mullis ) Quidachay — Class of 1988

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Nancy Elaine (Mullis ) Quidachay age 51 passed away very unexpectedly on November 26, 2021 in El Paso TX.

Nancy was born in Lone Pine, Ca on February 16, 1970, to Paul, class of 1958, and Patricia Mullis of Trona CA.

She went to school in Trona, nursery school through high school graduating in 1988. She enlisted in the US Army in 1988 after high school where she served 9 years. Her military duties took this small town girl to the following areas during the 9 years. Starting in For McMullan Al, Fort Monmouth NJ, Stuttgart Germany, Persian Gulf, Fort Irwin Ca, Korea and ultimately Fort Bliss TX.

Nancy while stationed in Germany met Vicente (Ben) Quidachay also in the Army and they were married December18, 1993. Together they have one daughter Leilani age 6. She had 4 adult step children, Vicente Quidachay Jr, Irene Cortez, Natasha Quidachay and Inas Quidachay, and 9 grandchildren.

Nancy attended Citrus College and became an LVN- she completed her RN training while serving in the Army. After returning from Korea her and husband Ben made their way to El Paso which they ultimately called home.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 28 years Vicente Quidachay, her daughter Leilani Quidachay, 4 adult step children and 9 grandchildren who always referred to her lovingly as “honey”. Her mother Patricia Mullis, brother and sister- in-law Michael and Melinda Mullis of Ridgecrest CA.

She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and patients.

Military Service is pending and will be held at Fort Bliss, El Paso TX.

http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000012793

raynette reed

Raynette Healani (Reed) Lester Listen — Class of 1964

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Raynette Healani Lester Listen, 74; of Soda Springs, Idaho passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 in Pocatello.

Raynette was born on January 17, 1947, in Berkeley, California the daughter of James Harmon and Elizabeth Ellen Fulller Reed.

She attended Trona High School and later attended Francis Tuttle Tech, Rose State University of Central Oklahoma where she was in the LPN and RN Program.

Raynette lived in Soda Springs, Idaho for 3 years and also Edmond, Oklahoma for 23 years and Bancroft, Idaho for 11 years and had also lived in various other states throughout her life.

She married Reid Lester in Bancroft, Idaho.  They were later divorced.

Later she married Gary Listen in Edmond, Oklahoma.  He passed away.

She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, crafts and outdoor activities.

Raynette is survived by her two daughters, Penelope “Penny” Anuhea (Minor L.) Thompson of Soda Springs, ID and Tabetha Ray Browning of Edmond, OK.  She is also survived by three grandchildren, Kirstie (Bill) Mullen, Meleah (Ian) Phillips, Garrett (Jennifer) Thompson, and 4 great-grandchildren, Ariana Avila, Deegan Mullen, Alaina Phillips, Waylon Phillips, a nephew Shawn Rolof and two nieces, Marchelle Morrison, Debbie (Mickey) Cook, and 11 great-Nieces and 3 great-nephews, and a sister Jimmie Rolof (Trona High School Class of 1967).  She was preceded in death by her parents James H. and Betty E. Reed, a daughter, Sherrie Allred, and two nieces, Tamisha Dollman and Margie Morris Bateman.

Raynette’s wishes were to be cremated and no services will be held at this time.

https://www.simsfh.com/obituary/raynette-listen?fbclid=IwAR37P_sbBL_VDx-VZjFdO_-wf4O9kij12FayUG_SsvjsgyDE7q8UgBBbOFM

Phyllis Oswald

Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt — Class of 1956

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Phyllis (Oswald) Bettencourt 1938-2021

Phyllis was born in the Trona Hospital on June 28, 1938 to Leonard and Marjorie Oswald on June 28, 1938. Phyllis married her husband Bill Bettencourt in 1961. When going to Trona High School Phyllis was was the head majorette when she was a senior, the secretary of the California Scholarship Foundation and a member of the tennis team. In 1956, her senior year Phyllis was homecoming queen. Phyllis has a brother, Don Oswald, who was in the class of 1960.

Phyllis passed away December 19, 2021.

My deepest condolences to Don, Bill and the rest of her family.

A service will be held on January 4, 2022, 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 608 N. Church St. in Visalia, CA

You can find a complete obituary for Phyllis at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/visalia-ca/phyllis-bettencourt-10496698

Eugene Maulden

Eugene Henry Mauldin — Class of 1951

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Eugene Henry Mauldin 1932-2021

Eugene Henry Mauldin was born in Kilgore, Texas on April 4, 1932, to Jack Mauldin and Jewell Calloway. His parents divorced some years later and he lived with his dad in New Orleans, LA, until his father died. He lived with his mother, and they moved to Trona, California. He met his future wife Connie at her 12th birthday party, and they were friends throughout the school years. While he was in high school, his National Guard Unit was activated, and he was sent to Korea. He served as a tank gunner and after his tour of duty, he returned to Trona, Ca.

When he was 21 and Connie was 18, they were married in 1953. Eugene worked as an apprentice machinist at the chemical plant in Trona, until he succeeded in getting his machinist rating.

The family moved to Freeport, Texas and lived there for a couple of years. Due to health issues for Glenn, they moved to Denver, Colorado in 1968 and Eugene went to work for Coors Brewery as a machinist for almost 30 years. The family has lived in Denver ever since.

Eugene loved the outdoors and hiking and camping and hunting. He tried his hand at many hobbies (travel, square dancing, and had his own metal shop and while he lived in Trona he got his pilot’s license and flew a plane that he was part owner) and enjoyed being with and sharing life with his family. He was married to Connie for 67 years until she passed in 2021.

Eugene passed away June 29, 2021.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/229045641/eugene-henry-mauldin

Charlotte Davis

Charlotte (Davis) Moore — Class of 1957

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Charlotte Ann (Davis) Moore 1938 -2021

Charlotte was born to William Clarence and Novella Davis on February 12, 1940 in San Bernardino County, California. She married Gene Moore on February 12, 1961, in Sacramento, California. Charlotte passed away on December 6, 2021.

Charlotte has a sister, Betty Jean (Davis) Cruse , who was in the class of 1963.

There will be no services in keeping with Charlotte’s wishes.

Our condolences to Charlotte’s family.

Carl A. Bledsoe Jr. — Class of 1968

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Carl A. Bledsoe 1950-2021

Carl Afton Bledsoe Jr., age 71, of Palmdale, California passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Carl was born March 2, 1950.

Carl Jr. came to Trona in 1957 with his parents Carl Bledsoe Sr. (1917-1988) and Lilly Aleene [Long] Bledsoe (1921-2015). Carl Sr. came to Trona in 1957 as a P. E. teacher, football coach and basketball coach. Carl Sr. would eventually become Trona Joint Unified School District superintendent.

While in high school Carl Jr. was involved with an impressive number of activities: four years of football, basketball and Varsity Club; two years of track; three years of band; Spanish Club; Science Club; Telescope staff and class officer. After attending college Carl Jr. became a teacher at Antelope Valley Union High School in Palmdale, CA.

Carl Jr. was married to Janis Baker, THS class of 1969. Carl has a younger brother and sister who attended Trona High School: Thomas, THS class of 1973 and Patricia (Bledsoe) Browne, THS class of 1976.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/palmdale-ca/carl-bledsoe-10491016

Benny McCullar

Benny McCullar — Class of 1959

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Benjamin Keith McCullar (1941-2021) was born to Thurman P. and Beatrice McCullar on December 4, 1941 in Oklahoma. He died July 2, 2021 at his home in Grass Valley, California.

Benny played varsity baseball and basketball in high school. The 1959 varsity basketball team won all of their leauge games to become the DIL champions. They played three CIF games before they were defeated by Santa Clara in the fourth game of the playoffs.

The McCullar family moved to Trona from Snyder, Oklahoma in 1955. Thurman worked for Stauffer Chemical in Westend. Thurman died in 1979 and was buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery. Beatrice died in 2008 in Bakersfield. Benny’s older sister, Beth, was a member of the class of 1957. She went to school in Trona for one year before getting married in 1956. Beth died in 2015 in Bakersfield.

Frances Jones

Frankie J (Jones) Young — Class of 1954

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Frances Jeanette Jones was born to Rupert and Edith Jones Nov 17, 1936 in Oregon and passed away Nov 23, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Her father, Rupert, died in 1974 and her mother, Edith, died in 2008. Frankie has a brother, Bruce who was a member of the class of 1958.

When in high school Frankie was a member of the Girls Athletic Association, Telescope staff and Komerce Klub.

We would like to express our sincere condolences to her family.

William “Bill” Wright — Class of 1972

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William “Bill” Wright Class of 1972 passed away November 13, 2021 with his wife Debra Seagle Wright by his side. Please join us on November 21, 2021 at 1pm at the Trona Elementary School Cafeteria for a celebration of life, with a burial following at the Searles Valley Cemetery. Reception following for family and friends at Trona Elementary School Cafeteria.