I just got word of the passing of James Haughton. He was born September 20, 1925 in Alabama. His wife was Marydith (Tyler) Haughton ( 1926-2009), Class of 1944 who was well known among Trona residents as a historian of the Searles Valley area.

Jim would have graduated in 1944, however, he joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor was attacked and the US entered WWII. He was one of 20 Trona High students who entered the military in 1944.

After the war Jim returned to Trona and graduated in 1947.

Jim was born in Maxine, Alabama, September 20, 1925 to Gayle and Charlcie Haughton.  He was the third oldest of four children.  He passed away Sunday, September 3, 2017 surrounded by family at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Washington.  He lived in Trona, California from the age of 6.   He attended the Trona schools, joined the Navy at 17, then married his childhood sweetheart Marydith Tyler.  Jim and Marydith raised their family and lived in the same home in Trona since 1947 – nearly 70 years.  They were married for 62 years before her death in 2009.

He was predeceased in life by his wife Marydith, sons Jim and Artie, brother Gayle and sister Marjorie.  He is survived by his brother Paul, of Troutman, NC, sister-in-law, Wanda, daughter, Margaret and son, Tom of Washington, daughters-in law Sheila and Jan and son-in law Matthew as well as 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Jim apprenticed as a Carpenter with AP&CC in Trona.  He then started his own business building homes in Searles Valley.  He retired after 35 years then joined his two sons in business by operating the Trona Hardware store.  He loved the outdoors.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved to camp.  He had a strong family influence, not only personally but within the community.  His hobbies were centered around camping, hunting and fishing with family and lifelong friends.  He really enjoyed trap shooting and that passion was shared by his children and their children.

A graveside service will be held at the Trona Cemetery, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.  There will be a reception following at the family home.  http://www.taftmidwaydriller.com/news/20170923/james-wesley-haughton-september-20-1925—september-3-2017

Lois (Porter) Kimmet (THS 1945) passed away on June 16, 2017 after a short stay in the hospital. Her son, Marvin Kimmet, said that she died peacefully in her sleep.

Lois Helen Porter Kimmet earned her wings on Friday, June 16, 2017. Her family surrounded her with love and witnessed a perfect first flight.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church with vigil services at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be Friday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial in Crown Hill Cemetery will follow and then a reception at the church.

The middle of three daughters, she was born Oct. 13, 1927 to Karl Edward Porter and Thelma Kathleen Knorr in Los Angeles, Calif. Her dad moved the family to the Porter Ranch homestead in Nine Mile Canyon in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and ran an outfitting business and supplemented the family income as an electrician for the Bureau of Power and Light in Los Angeles.

Mom loved the outdoors and was an excellent wrangler of horses and hunters and she could dispatch a rattlesnake with a shovel or rock. Oh, the stories she told us! One of her proudest childhood memories was helping move cattle for the Powers Ranch in the Sierras. She and her sisters attended grade school in the mountains and then worked and boarded-out to put themselves through high school in Trona, Calif., where she formed many lasting friendships.

Always the adventurer, she followed her Aunt “Zip” to Sunburst, where she met the love of her life, George Anthony “Tony” Kimmet who had recently returned from the South Pacific Theater where he flew B-29 bombers. Mom promptly converted to Catholicism and they were married Jan. 26, 1946 in Sunburst and started their family. Their path took them to the farm southeast of Cut Bank in 1953 and it became their permanent home.

They left behind a legacy of love of God, country and family. We are farmers, ranchers, teachers, homemakers, business people and public servants trying to contribute to the well- being of others. Mom taught us there was always room for another plate at the table and somehow made enough to satisfy all and there was always a bed for the weary or lonely.

Her family’s interests and activities are too many to mention. Her church and her community were very important. She was a committed farm wife and active in Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) for many years. She felt honored that she had the opportunity to visit with President Ronald Reagan and present the farm-wife point of view. A woman of tenacity and grit, she was not afraid to express her opinion.

Survivors include: Karen (Jack) Ganje of Great Falls, Judy (Tom) Fetters of Conrad, Kathy (Jay) Vasboe of Cut Bank, Tink Anderson of Cut Bank, Marvin (Becky) of Cut Bank, Martin (Pam) of Powell, Wyo., Mary (Jim) Embleton of Great Falls, Amy Schmerchel of Great Falls, and Karla Kelly (Mark Elison) of Billings; 22 grandchildren, 30 (plus one on the way) great grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Tony; sisters, Gwen Palmer and Jo Griffith; infant granddaughter, Heidi; and infant grandson, Bodie.

We are grateful to the caring staff at Glacier Community Health Care. To the special angels at Benefis Cardiac Unit (Red pod): your compassionate care of Mom and concern for her family will never be forgotten.

Condolences can be made to Lois’ memorial page at www.asperfh.com.