Category Archives: In Memory

Kathleen Hurlocker

Kathleen Hurlocker – Class of 1953

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Kathleen Hurlocker Roche, 77, of Redding CA, passed away the morning of March 5th, 2014. Kathleen was born in Bemidji, Minn. on March 19th, 1936, to Harold and Isabel Hurlocker.

Kathleen graduated from High School in Trona, CA in 1953 and went on to receive her degree in English from UC Berkeley in 1957.

She was married to Patrick J. Roche on September 7th, 1957.

Kathleen was the first woman in her family to receive a college degree. Learning and education were an ongoing passion in her life. She continued to lead in education through multiple terms on the Redding Elementary School board including a term as President. She was active with the AAUW including serving two terms as President and in 1987 received the AAUW Woman of Achievement award.

She was also active with the Shasta County Women’s Refuge and served as President of the Board. Kathleen enjoyed helping people through her paralegal business. She loved working on her roses and helping Patrick in the garden as well as going to local museums, art fairs, community concerts and picnics with the “Brandy Creek Gang”.

She was survived by her husband of 57 years, Patrick J. Roche; Her children, Heather Roche-Waldo and husband Raymond; Kelly Roche; Michael Roche; Kevin Roche and husband Andrew Trembley; Grandchild Alexander Waldo; Sisters, Alicia Philpot and husband Charles; Holly Farrah-Elliott and husband Frank; Brother Patrick Hurlocker and wife Valeria as well as her many nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Mass and reception will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 2040 Walnut Ave., Redding, CA. 96001.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Kathy can be made to AAUW Local Scholarships.

Please send your donation to P. O. Box 4593, Redding, CA 96099-4593, or to “One Safe Place” (formerly Shasta Women’s Refuge) at 2280 Benton Place, 96001. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/obituary.aspx?n=kathleen-roche-hurlocker&pid=170040569#sthash.Ah3uucdU.dpuf

Published in Redding Record Searchlight from Mar. 7 to Mar. 11, 2014

Trona deaths in 2013

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California-Obits.com lists the following residents of Trona as having died in 2013:

Don C. Chute, 40 – Dec 17, 2013
Patricia E. Partlow, 75 – Dec 10, 2013
Serena S. Hall, 74 – Sep 24, 2013
Frances E. Fuller, 60 – Jul 15, 2013
David J. Groat, 62 – May 13, 2013
Keith E. Sayre, 56 – Apr 28, 2013
Mary E. Vassar, 85 – Apr 21, 2013
Selma L. Fortner, 89 – Apr 11, 2013
Donald W. Mcnatt, 80 – Mar 1, 2013
Brigitte Henderson, 64 – Feb 5, 2013

This is based on information in the Social Security database as their address at the time of death. If anyone would like to add any additional information about anyone that is listed please contact me.

Grace Rodriguez, 71 – Jan 11, 2014 is listed as having died in 2014.

Memorial for Freda Walker

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The Memorial will be held at the Eastside Cemetery in Tehachapi Saturday, February 15th,  at 11:00 am.  This will be followed by a luncheon at Pacino’s at noon.  Pacino’s is allowing the group to visit for as long as it wishes.

Cemetery – Take Tehachapi Blvd to Dennison Road.  Turn onto Dennison Road going back toward Highway 58, cross the railroad tracks and at the end of the road is the cemetery.

Pacino’s is almost at the intersection of Tehachapi Blvd and highway 202. The address is: 1100 Tehachapi Blvd.

For More information about Freda visit:

Freda E. Walker – Former Trona Resident

Richard Wilkinson

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Richard Wilkinson passed away in November of 2013 at the age of 88. Mr. Wilkinson was a beloved teacher and coach at Trona High School from the 51-52 school year until the 54-55 school year. Although he left before I started high school I can tell by how well he was remembered that he left an impression on his students duding the four years he was in Trona.

Marian (Steger) Micallef – Class of 1951

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Marian (Steger) Micallef passed away in her residence on January 9, 2014. Marian is survived by her four children, Debbie Neumann, Kevin Micallef, Mark Micallef and Sharon Eaton. She also had five beautiful grandchildren and one great grandson. Marian was preceded in death by her husband Jack, who passed in 2007. Together they enjoyed 50 years of marriage, retirement, traveling and most of all golfing. She was a loving wife and mother. She will be missed. For service information please go to: www.murrietavalleyfuneralhome.com

Published in Press-Enterprise on Jan. 14, 2014

Marian was the homecoming queen in her senior year. Looking at her senior picture I can see why.

Gerald Birdwell

Gerald Birdwell – Class of 1960

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Gerald Birdwell (class of ’60) died Jan 13, 2014 after an illness of several months. No details are available at this point as to services. Bob Birdwell (THS ’64) called to notify friends.

[edited 16 Jan 2024]

Jerry was born on 10 Feb 1942 in Long Beach, CA to Dayton and Dorothy Birdwell.
Jerry spent some years in the full-time ministry and attended a special school for Jehovah’s Witnesses for those in full-time service. He was a Jehovah’s Witness for 51 years.
His hobbies were country music and computers. He loved to travel. I his later years, he took up barbecuing.
He was preceded in death by his parents Dayton and Dorothy Birdwell.
Jerry is survived by his wife Penny Birdwell of Ridgecrest, CA, stepson Jeff Teal of Grand Rapids, MI, sister Aleta Brown of Trona, CA, brothers Robert Birdwell of Ridgecrest and Michael Birdwell of Trona, brother-in-law Harold Brown of Trona, sister-in-law Melody Birdwelll of Ridgecrest and a host of nieces and nephews to the third generation.

Published The News Review, Ridgecrest, CA 22 Jan 2014

Find a Grave

Shirley (Thurston) Griffin – Class of 1959

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Shirley (Thurston) Griffin class of 1959 passed away on Jan 5, 2014. Shirley was called to Heaven after a long battle with lymphoma.  She was born in Trona on Oct 23 1940 and attended school until she was in high school when her parents, Vernon (Ming or Salty) and Mickey sent her to a Christian boarding school.  After she was married her family resided in Trona or Ridgecrest on and off through the years.

Shirley Irene Thurston was born on October 23, 1940 in Trona, California to Vernon Samuel and Mickey (Mescal) Eunice Thurston.

Shirley showed her leadership and faith in God at an early age.  She was the first Christian in her family and began attending the Foursquare Church in Trona, by herself at age 12.  Through her example, her parents and sister came to know Christ.

She attended elementary school in Trona, the Seventh Day Adventist Jr. High in Ridgecrest, then Trona High School through her sophomore high school year.  Shirley then attended a Christian boarding school in Clovis, California; West Coast Bible School, where she graduated High School in 1958.

Shirley was active in the community and in her school.  She enjoyed Swimming, Basketball, Choir, Track/field and was an accomplished pianist.

She met Jerry Leroy Griffin at their church and then married this man who was to be the love of her life on January 1, 1962 at age 20 in the Church of God in Ridgecrest.

Shirley and Jerry pastored several small Church of God congregations in Victorville, California; Oroville, California; Yreka, California, Metlakatla, Alaska; Mount Pleasant, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Westwood, California; Yuma, Arizona; ending their pastorate positions at Woodburn, Oregon.  In Westwood, she was only a few hours from receiving her solo pilot’s license to fly an airplane.  What a shame she wasn’t able to finish that great adventure.  During a visit to Alaska in 2010, one of the members of the small Metlakatla, Alaska church remembered her.  They spent over an hour reminiscing over old times and the fact that Jerry and Shirley facilitated the purchase of the land where the current church still worships.

Shirley had an independent spirit all throughout her life.  Starting as a child, she hiked all over the desert surrounding Trona.  She made many trips with friends, family and on her own.  She hiked the Sierra Mountains for two weeks by herself and traveled to China alone with a tour group and managed to ditch them along the way to see the sites she was interested in.  She took thousands of pictures from all over the world, documenting her life of amazing adventures.

At the time of her death she was attending Capital Christian Center in Sacramento, CA.  Shirley had an amazing capacity to love that was evident to all who met her.  She immediately accepted and loved every inherited grandchild when her sons remarried.  She was always careful to keep family close with her children’s respective spouses.   Shirley’s pure demonstration of love touched the hearts of all who knew her.  She finished the race of life with confidence and love for Jesus Christ, thankful for the saving grace of her Lord.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Dian (Dee) Burdine, daughter Janice, sons Vernon and Jerry, 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 5 nieces, 1 nephew, 17 great nieces and nephews and 2 great great nephews along with infinite extended family and friends.

Freda E. Walker – Former Trona Resident

Freda E. Walker, 97, passed December 27th peacefully at home just 3 days short of her 98th birthday.
Freda’s life began in Dillon, MT. She was raised in Glendale, CA, where she met Jack Walker, through her high school friend and future sister-in-law. Freda and Jack were married in 1936 and moved to Trona, CA.

In Trona, Freda was involved in Girl Scouts and raising 3 daughters. She also opened their home in the 40’s to 2 China Lake girls so they could attend high school before Ridgecrest had a high school. In 1954, she ventured out into the business world and established and owned The Gift Box, a gift store, for over 20 years. Many remember the jewelry, cards, yardage as well as many gift items. She provided a great gift oasis for Trona.

Freda and Jack passed on their ability to form life long friends to her children. Her girls were raised with integrity and an incredible work ethic, the willingness to help others, open our homes and hearts, and and the opportunity of independence through education. What wonderful gifts.

After 47+ years in Trona, Freda and Jack retired in Tehachapi, CA. There, they were involved in Lions Club and other community efforts, such as home nursing and hospice in Bear Valley. They traveled the country and world, many times visiting old friends.

After Jack’s death, Freda lived with her daughter, Elizabeth Bernau, in Thousand Oaks, CA, San Antonio, TX, and finally Phoenix, AZ. She has been surrounded by family constantly, three daughters, 12 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren–what a legacy.