Obituaries: Tehachapi News

Marvin ‘Duker’ Goddard

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Marvin Goddard passed in his sleep peacefully Sunday morning.

Duker was on life support 39 days at the Long Beach, V.A. hospital. He decided to come home when he was able and lived 12 more days at home with his family. We have lived on our mountain since 1986.

Duker will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Duker was a helicopter gunman and crew chief in the Vietnam War. He was shot down three times and kept going back for more. Duker was a courageous man. He was awarded several Medals of Honor to prove it.

On Feb. 13, 1977, he married Sharon E. Douglas. Two years later, on February 13, 1979, our daughter, Natasha Leigh was born.

Duker started working on the off shore oil platforms as a welder for many years, and just like anything he did, he did it with pride and greatness. In 1990, he started his own fire extinguisher business and was very successful.
In 2001 he had a motorcycle accident and was no longer able to work his trade, and he was forced to retire. Fishing and his grandchildren became his life at this point in time.

Starting in th 70s, Duker and Sharon raised German Shepherds, German bloodlines, Shutzan trained K-9.

Duker is survived by his wife, Sharon E. Goddard, his daughter, Natasha Batson, his son-in-law, Jason Batson and two grandchildren, Colby and Brayden.

My best friend, my soul mate, my husband, I will always treasure the time we had on this earth together forever. There will always be a void in my life without you and I will miss you always, heart to heart, soul to soul. We are, and will remain one always, throughout time. I will see you in heaven when my time comes.
Duker was only 56-years-old.

Services were held Aug.31, at the VFW Hall.

Ruby D. Smith

Ruby D. Smith, a resident of Tehachapi for 10 years, previously of Porterville for 25 years, went home to be with her Lord on Aug. 26.
She was born on Jan. 17, 1917, in Goldthwaite, TX., to John Henry and Marietta Burrows.

A church service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 11 a.m. at Prosperity Avenue Baptist Church, In Tulare, with Pastor Wayne Pierson officiating. Following cremation at Myers Funeral Service & Crematory, interment will be private.

Mrs. Smith was a member of Henderson Avenue Baptist Church for more than 40 years, and then Country Oaks Baptist Church, in Tehachapi for four years. She worked at Porterville Developmental Center for 25 years, retiring as a senior PT.

Ruby is survived by her two sons, Robert (Bob) Smith and wife Kathleen, of Chino; Leonard (Butch) Smith and wife Barbara, of Visalia; one daughter, Carolyn Kenney, of Tehachapi; one daughter-in-law, Linnia Smith, of Visalia; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, E.J. (Buck) Smith, and son, John E. Smith.

Jack Newton Hisaw

Jack Newton Hisaw passed away Aug. 21 at his home in Tehachapi at age 79. He was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma on May 27, 1929. He worked at Monolith Portland Cement Company for 35 years. Jack served four years in the U.S. Air Force.
Jack loved baseball. He played for the Monolith team in the 1950s and helped with the Little League. He belonged to the Loyal Order of The Moose where he had many cherished friends.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Hisaw; daughters Vicki McBroom and family, of Tehachapi; Madeline Teague and family of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Roberta Williams and family, of Fowler, Indiana; 10 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren; and a sister, Katy Truelove and family, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
A memorial service was held Aug. 27 at the Moose Lodge. Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the cremation arrangements.

Myrtle Hopkins

Myrtle Hopkins, a resident of Tehachapi Hospital skilled nursing unit, died at the marvelous age of 94. Although she lived here for only six years, she was well known to her many friends as “The Lady in the Red Hat.”

Born in Shanghai, China, Myrtle traveled the world throughout her long life, immigrating to America in 1941. One of her fondest memories was of the honeymoon trip she and her husband took on the Orient Express from Shanghai to meet her in laws who lived in England .

Myrtle rose to great heights in the mortgage banking industry in the Bay Area and Southern California, breaking many “glass ceilings” on the way to the top. At one time, she was the only female member of an exclusive group comprised entirely of Mortgage Banking executives. Special arrangements had to be made to accommodate her in a Men-Only meeting room.

Myrtle and her husband T.F.E, Hopkins, who preceded her in death 14 years ago at the age of 92, were well known hosts in their home of many years in Alameda, in the Bay Area. As founding members of the Alameda Little Theater, they enjoyed life to the fullest.

Myrtle leaves behind four children, Susan Williams of Tehachapi, Jill and Tom Teaford, of Santa Cruz, Diana Linderman, of Maui, and Gordon and Becky Hopkins, of North East Pennsylvania.

Her legend continues in her grandchildren, Susan and Paul Harrison, Tom and Tina Williams, Jim and Angelise Linderman, Curt Linderman, Jill and Scott King, Liz and Frank Wada, Alex and Dominique Teaford and Arthur Hopkins. Myrtle’s grandson Scott Linderman preceded her in death many years ago.

Her great-grandchildren, are Michael and Brandi Roath, Rebecca Williams, David and Christopher King, Irene Linderman, Brian and Levi Linderman and Walter Wada. Myrtle also had two great-great-grandchildren, Rhyas and Tyson Roath.

Myrtle’s nieces Lynne Norton, Margaret Carmo and Geraldine Tenney and nephew, Jim Johnson, are grieved by the loss as well. Myrtle’s brother Bill Tenney, sister-in-law Aloha Tenney, sister Bunchie Johnson and brother-in-law Paul Johnson all preceded her in death. Myrtle was the last family member of her generation.

A memorial service will be held at the Tehachapi Community Church on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Tehachapi Community Church , 114 East E St., Tehachapi, Calif. 93561, or the Guild of Tehachapi Hospital, P. O. Box 447 , Tehachapi , Calif. 93581.

John C. Sammis

John Charles Sammis, former Tehachapi resident and member of the Tehachapi Heritage League, died on June 20 in Bakersfield. He was 81 years old and passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer.

John was born on September 28, 1926 in Xeira, Ohio. He spent his childhood years in Chicago. He enlisted in the Army and served in Germany as part of the U. S. occupation forces from 1946-1949. John returned to Chicago where he graduated from Northwestern University in electrical Engineering. Later he went on to earn his Master’s degree.

As a seasoned electrical engineer, John held numerous patents, including the design of the first in-flight airplane recorder (black box) and the interior lighting for the Apollo spacecrafts. John was a computer wizard and often spoke of a time when everyone would have a computer in the home.

After a long and successful career in engineering, John retired to Tehachapi. There he enjoyed the outdoors, flying sailplanes and participating in the rich history of Tehachapi through numerous projects for the Tehachapi Heritage League. He was a former president of the League and a member of the VFW, the Railroad Club and the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Unit.

John is survived by his first wife, Elizabeth and their children Beth, John and Robert and grandchildren Jessica, Sevana, Armen and Colette. In 2003 he married Evelyn Eccleston and they moved to Bakersfield due to John’s health concerns.

John Sammis was a man of great intelligence, honor and integrity, a person of wit and grace. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Robert Wayne Smith

Robert Wayne Smith, 50, passed away August 11 at his home in Lake Isabella after a lengthy illness. A family celebration of life was held August 17 in Tehachapi.

Bob was the son of Don and LaDell Duncan. He was born in Hemet, Calif. September 7, 1957. He graduated from Chandler High School in North Hollywood in 1975 and in 1978 he married Karen Lee Lawhun.

He was an accomplished aerospace machinist and was once employed by General Electric's jet engine facility in Mojave.

Bob was an excellent marksman and avid gun collector. He actively supported veterans, particularly those with disabilities.

He is survived by "his girls" Michelle and Stephanie Smith, his wife Karen Smith, all of Tehachapi, and his parents Don and LaDell, of Perris, Calif.

In lieu of flowers Bob would appreciate donations to the Disabled American Veterans at DAV.GOV

Wood Family Funeral Services of Tehachapi handled all arrangements.

Mary "Jessie” Mendoza

Long time Tehachapi resident, Jessie Mendoza, passed away Sunday, August 17 in her home.

Jessie was born in Montrose, Colorado, to parents Albert Guzman Mendoza and Liboria Herrera Mendoza on October 18, 1927.

Jessie loved everyone, impacted many lives and was loved by all. She was a loving caregiver in many ways.

Jessie ran the only dental office in Tehachapi for many years, worked for several medical doctors and was active in the Catholic Church.

Jessie is survived by her dear cousins, Bertha Herrera, Ralph and Jill Herrera, Jim and Beth Herrera and Stella Adcock; brother Gus Canales' children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; brother Ralph Mendoza's widow, children and grandchildren; sister Mary Lou Valdez's children Ernie, Arnold and Troy Valdez, Yvonne O'Connell and recently deceased Gerald Valdez, all of whom she helped raise.

Jessie will be missed and eternally loved by her family and friends.

Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection were held at St. Malachy Catholic Church and internment is at Tehachapi Public Cemetery Westside. Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.

Pamela Marie Wenner Magdaleno

Pamela went to be with the Lord on October 4, 2003. She was survived by her father Norvin, her stepmother Rita, her husband Al, her brother Raymond and stepsisters Mary, Loretta and Teresa, and many other family members.

Pamela was troubled most of her life with a bad back. Three operations in a two year period failed to bring her relief. She was a beautiful, God-fearing woman who loved the Lord. Even in her pain she had a wonderful sense of humor.

We will never stop loving and missing you, Pamela, and look forward to being with you in heaven.

Deborah E. Sherwood

A memorial service for Deborah E. Sherwood, who passed away at her home on July 23. 2008, will be held on Tuesday July 29, 2008 at 5:00 pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel. 600 Anita Drive in Tehachapi. (Corner of Snyder and Anita)

Lillian L. Phillips

Lillian L. Phillips passed away on July 19, 2008. She was a former resident of Bear Valley Springs near Tehachapi. At the time of her death she resided in Tecoma, Washington.

Susannah Marciana Kelley

Susannah Marciana Kelley, 48, passed away following an extended illness on June 27, 2008, in Stockton, California.
Susannah, who kept her maiden name as her married name, was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on November 13, 1959. She learned to walk and talk in Yakima, Washington. Susannah married Jim Garrett in 1987. They settled in Tehachapi, California and later lived in Bellingham, Washington. After spending two years in Nicaragua, they moved to Stockton, California in 2005.
Susannah was preceded in death by her dad, James E. Kelley and by two children who died in utero, Quentin Jesús and Grace María. She is survived by her husband, Jim Garrett and their four children, Hunter Riann (18), Katherine (Trina) (15), Claire (12), and Devon Garrett (9), and by her mother, Sandra Kelley, of Concord, California.
Susannah is also survived by her four younger siblings, Colleen Elizabeth Kelley, M.D., Col. James (Jack) Kelley, Rebecca (Becky) Taalbi, Brian Edward Kelley, their spouses, and nine nieces and nephews.
Susannah taught for seven years in Tehachapi Unified Schools, at Edison High School in Stockton, and most recently taught Spanish at Lincoln High School, Stockton.
Susannah was a dedicated Catholic Christian who home schooled her four children, giving them the best possible moral and academic foundation. Susannah graduated from St. Scholastica Academy, Cañon City, Colorado, studied at St. .Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas, and completed her degree in International Politics at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., followed by a master's degree in Latin American Studies at Georgetown. She traveled and lived throughout Central and South America for a year, and worked as a student intern in the U.S. Embassies in Costa Rica and Venezuela. Susannah earned her MBA from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, and her teaching credential from University of the Pacific in Stockton.
Susannah's life was remembered with visitation and Irish wake on July 8, and Mass of Christian Burial celebrated July 9, at St. Luke's Catholic church, Stockton, California. A memorial Mass was celebrated at Assumption Catholic church, Bellingham, Washington, on July 14, followed by interment in Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham.
The family requests that friends hug their loved ones in lieu of flowers. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of San Joaquin, Stockton, California, or to one's local hospice.

Adele Tustin

Tehachapi resident, Adele Tustin passed away on July 17, 2008 at the age of 76. Graveside funeral services will be held at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, 1999 El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA at 12:30 PM on July 23, 2008.
Adele was born in Scranton, PA and married James Tustin on January 17, 1957 at Camp Pendleton. Adele loved oil painting and along with her husband, was a member of Tehachapi Moose Lodge # 1678.
Adele is survived by her husband of 52 years, James Tustin, daughters Cindy Bartlett, Stevie Marquis and husband Bob, sister, Florance Westbrook, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by son, Dale Tustin.
Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.

Samuel “Sam” Raboy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sam Raboy, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Sam was born February 1, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York. He came to California as a teenager where he resided in Los Angeles. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served upon the USS Piedmont.
Sam resided and raised a family in the Los Angeles area. In 1969 he married his wife, Paula. In 1990 he and Paula moved and made their home in Tehachapi. Anyone that knew Sam, knew of his commitment and active participation in many community organizations. Sam gave over 40 years of service to the Optimist Club, 14 years of dedicated service to the Kern County Sheriff’s Citizen’s Service Unit, was a proud member of the Moose Lodge, and served upon the Citizen‘s Advisory Committee for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at CCI. Sam was a very generous man in many ways. When Sam wasn’t off serving his community he found time to travel with his wife, family and friends all over the United States, and approximately 20 countries. Sam is survived by his beloved wife Paula of 40 years, his 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, his brother and sister-in-law, and many nephews and nieces.

Carol Ann Wray

Bear Valley Springs resident Carol Ann Wray, 65, passed away Saturday, July 12 at her home. A private service was held for family.
    Carol was born May 5, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Edmund Albert and Gladys (Ritchie Swayne) Greenleaf. She married Thomas M. Wray on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1960 in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.
    “A woman of many passions” is how Carol could be described. She was an accomplished equestrian and a member of the Bear Valley Springs Horseman's Association. In addition, she was a 1970 NHRA (National Hot Road Association) record holder, an avid NASCAR fan who in 1964 became the first woman to become an honorary member; an owner of a two time world record holding hydroplane. Carol was a very successful business woman and entrepreneur. She also held official titles in various organizations.
Carol is survived by her husband, Tom Wray; daughters, Stacey and husband Steve Archuleta and Sandra and husband Mark Tate; grandchildren, Daniel and Michael Barboa, Christine, Steve and Melissa Archuleta and Andrew and Brent Tate.
    Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.

Charlotte Ellen Cox

Former Tehachapi resident, Charlotte Ellen Cox, passed away on Friday, July 11th at her home in Bakersfield. She was 87.
Charlotte was born March 22, 1921 in Washon, California to Raymond Logan and Nellie May McKinley Richards. Following graduation from high school, she married James Thurman Cox on December 23, 1938 in Reno, Nevada. She loved to travel and had been to Europe, Alaska and all over the continental United States.
Charlotte is survived by her husband, James Cox of Bakersfield; sons, James R. Cox and Kenneth L. and Mary F. Cox; granddaughters, Sharyl and Kevin Dennison, Patricia and Theodore Schultz II and Denise and Michael Richards; great-grandchildren, Tyler Dennison, Mackenzie Schultz and Lynna Grace Richards. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her older brother and his wife, Ray and Bea Richards.
A Funeral Service was held for her on Thursday, July 17th at 10:00 am at the Christian Life Assembly of God Church. Interment followed at Tehachapi Public Cemetery Eastside. Pastor Dale Sheley officiated both of the services. Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. handled the arrangements.