Ray’s son, Earl, posted the following on Facebook September 8, 2023:
Raymond Sorrells (Class of ’60, Trona High) passed tonight about 7 pm in Vegas. He is no longer in pain or struggling. I covet prayers for my mother and family. He was 81. I thank you all for the prayers. I lift up you all, as I know many who are going through similar situations with parents and family. God be with you all and keep you.
Ray’s daughter also contacted me by email.
Our condolences to his family.
We just received word from someone that John Marshall has passed away.
John’s father was an electrician @ Westend. His sister, Viola (1930-2018), class of 1948 married Edward Fair, son of Tiny Fair. John’s sister, Jeanne (Marshall) Olsen (1927-1996) was in the class of 1949, and his sister, Dorothy (Marshall) Park (1937-2007) was in the class of 1955.
John Webster Marshall passed away on September 2, 2023 with his beloved wife of 64 years, Beverly at his side, John was born on April 8, 1934 in Lone Pine, California to John Webster Marshall and Rosella Merrick Marshall. He and his three sisters were raised in Cartago, California. John had many fond memories of growing up in this desert area. He graduated from Trona High School in 1952.
John served in the United State Air force, after which he graduated from California State University, Fresno with an engineering degree. He met Beverly, the love of his life, at Fresno State and married in 1959. Their son, Scott, joined the family in 1970.
John was a gifted engineer and problem solver. He worked for the State of California and Owens Illinois Glass before joining The Dow Chemical Company. During his 30-year career, leading manufacturing operations with Dow, he worked at the Pittsburg, California and Plaquemine, Louisiana manufacturing plants. In addition, he led the design and construction of a plant in Bahia, Brazil in the mid 1970’s and served as manager of various departments at the Freeport, Texas site. John loved his work and was a respected colleague, an expert in his field, an admired leader and a valued friend. John is also remembered for mentoring young engineers and as a visionary in encouraging women to become engineers.
After retirement, John enjoyed spending time with Beverly and Scott, as well as other family members and friends. He and Beverly traveled extensively, including many river cruises in Europe. John also enjoyed motorcycle trips with friends and skiing with Beverly, and he enjoyed sailing as a captain of yachts in the Virgin Islands for many years. Additionally, after retirement from Dow, John used his expertise to consult for several large chemical manufacturing companies including corporations in Japan.
John was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Jeanne Olson, Viola Fair and Dorothy Park.
He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly of Lake Jackson, Texas; son, Scott of Rosharon, Texas; sister-in-law, Karen Smith (Rick); brother-in-law, Edward Fair; special friends, Charles Raynor and Perry Hallmark and many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. He was a beloved and admired member of his family and will be missed greatly by family and friends.
Nicki’s daughter, Terisa Johnson Harju left the following message on Facebook:
It is with a heavy heart but also with many happy memories that we announce the passing of my mom Nicki. She passed on Saturday August 26th after having the rare opportunity to say goodbye to most of her friends and family. She asks that everyone “look for the glimmers” (reference on her fb page). She also asked in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to the Ridgecrest Veterans Advisory Council via Carol Coy or the Ridgecrest Animal Shelter via Mary Sage.
There will be a celebration of her life in October, (most likely the 2nd or 3rd weekend). The place, date and time will be announced.
Rod Russell lost his battle with Lymphoma and passed away on May 7, 2023. There will be a Celebration of Life on Sept 30th at 4:00 @ the Trona Elks Lodge.
Rod was the son of Ira Russell, class of 1951 and Gwen (Knowles) Russell, class of 1953. Rod had one brother, Ira class of 1982, and two sisters, Theresa (Russell) Maloney, class of 1976 and Michelle (Russell) Ball, class of 1978.
The photo is from the 1968 yearbook.
Linda DeYoung Bishop Class of 1958 — passed away Friday, August 25th in McDonough, Georgia. Services are Wednesday, August 30.
Linda was an only child, but she did have five cousins that attended Trona High School: Dorothy DeYoung) Farrah (1932-1992), class of 1950; Carolyn (DeYoung) Morse (1940-2021) class of 1959; John Deyoung, class of 1962; Paula (DeYoung) Wong, class of 1964, and Roberta (DeYoung) Adams, class of 1967.
https://www.southerncremations.com/obituaries/Linda-Leigh-Bishop?obId=28833283
With the death of Margaret “Lit” Brush in Ridgecrest on July 9, 2023, the Northern Mojave Desert has lost a priceless asset to the history of the Searles Valley. In a lifelong whirlwind of activity, she found and preserved priceless remnants of that history for the enjoyment and education of residents and visitors alike.
Sharon White (1946-2023), class of 1964, passed away on July 15, 2023 in Texarkana, Texas after a brief illness. Below is the link to the obituary:
We received word that Mike Mills passed away 0n July 11, 2023.
Michael Mills (1951-2023) and his brother John Mills, class of 1968, lived in Westend. Mike’s father, JD Mills (1916-2002), worked in the West End plant. Mike’s mother, Peggy (1924-2020), was a secretary for the school district from 1962 to 1983. Mike lived in Bakersfield, CA at the time of his death and was suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
Malvern is the son of Malvern Robert Stevens Sr and his wife Mildred. He was born in Los Angles, and he was raised in Westend where his father was a Shift Forman for the West End Chemical Company. Malvern graduated with the Trona High School class of 1953. During his high school years Malvern served as president of the THS chapter of the California Scholarship Federation, he was a member of the Marching Band and the Dance Band, and the Varsity Club. He lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track.
After graduating Malvern attended the University of Southern California and Brigham Young University where he was a Cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp. After finishing his education Malvern served in the US Air Force.
In 1971 Malvern returned to Trona as a teacher for a brief time but the special education program he was hired for was eliminated due to changes in state laws.
According to his daughter, Malvern frequently expressed his love for Trona. Malvern passed away on May 28, 2023, while living in Joplin, Missouri.
His services will be held July 7, 2023, at 11:00 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Ernesto lived in La Habra, CA. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and one granddaughter.