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Gregory Duane “Greg” Barker
March 23, 1973 – April 24, 2011
Gregory Duane “Greg” Barker was born on March 23, 1973. One month after turning 38 years old, he unexpectedly passed away in a car accident early Sunday morning on April 24, 2011, in Attica, Kansas.
Born in Stroud, Oklahoma, he lived there until age three. He then spent most of his childhood between Washington state, Phoenix, Arizona, and Attica.
Greg was an All-State starting quarterback both his junior and senior years at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Arizona, where he graduated in 1991. He later received his Associates of Art in Economics degree from Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas and was listed in Who’s Who among college students.
Greg was married in 1991 to Heather Rae Viti of Cave Creek, Ariz. Greg’s only child, Gregory Duane Barker II was born on January 29, 1992. While Greg was enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, the family lived in Cave Creek, Arizona, Okinawa, Japan and Manassas, Virginia, until Greg was honorably discharged in 1996.
During his enlistment in the Marines, Greg received the National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Mast, Certificate of Commendation, Rifle Expert Badge and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
Greg continued his education in Economics while earning a living as a carpenter, and home builder. Along with joining the Naval Reserves, he played semi-pro football for the Flagstaff Hitman team in Flagstaff, Arizona, and co-owned a contractor business in Prescott, Arizona with his father.
In 2006, he married Valerie Price and relocated to Fort Hood, Texas after he enlisted in the Army in the 1st Calvary Infantry Division. He served for 15 months as a hero in Iraq and was honorably discharged from the Army in 2010.
During his enlistment in the Army, Greg received the Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a Service Ribbon.
In his own words, Greg was a soldier in every aspect of his life, and strived to become a man of knowledge and wisdom. Among his many favorite interests and hobbies, Greg was an avid reader, hiker, climber, and writer/scholar.
Greg will be missed by his son, Gregory Duane Barker II and his mother Heather Viti of Cave Creek, Arizona; his wife Val Barker of Bowman, North Dakota and her two children Alex and Ashley Price; his mother, LaDeene Slater of Las Vegas, Nevada; his father, Larry Barker and his wife Barbara of Dewey, Arizona; his sister Lynne Troup and her daughter Nikola of Olympia, Washington; his sister Leslie Jones and her husband Lance and their sons Austin and Mitchell of Las Vegas, Nevada; his sister Kim Barker of Attica, Kansas; and many other family members and friends.
Greg was laid to rest in Attica, Kansas next to his grandparents, by his own request, on April 30, 2011, with full Military Honors. Greg received another memorial service with full Military Honors by both the Marines and the Army at the National Memorial Cemetery
of Arizona, on May 13, 2011.
Joe Tabback
Legendary Broadcaster Joe Tabback passed away Friday, April 29. His wife, Terry, said that there will be no public service. Please have the Tabback family in your hearts and prayers during this difficult time.
Joe was inducted into the ABA Hall of Fame in the class of 2000. He and Terry put am780 KAZM, Sedona on the air in 1974 which is operated today by their son Tom. He was Chairman of the Arizona Broadcaster’s Association Board of Directors in 1978.
Joe you will be missed as a good friend, community leader and great broadcaster. Husband of 61 years, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather and Hall of Fame Broadcaster … No longer on the air, but never forgotten …
Ronald Rivet
Ronald Rivet, age 59, passed away on June 2, 2011. He is survived by his wife SanDee, step-children Jeffrey Tayler and Angi Alex, her husband Chris and grand-daughters Aubrie and Bailey.
Ron's family in Massachusetts are brother Richard Rivet and Joanie, two children Jennifer and Amy, and sister Jeanne Krow, her husband Paul, three children, Kyle, Derrick, and Katie, and their children Khloe and Kayla, and Josette and Bill Paul and sons, Kevin, Scott and wife Ana.
Friends and family will all gather together to celebrate Ron's life and many talents on June 19 at the residence in Cave Creek, Arizona. We will all miss him very much.
Wayne William Willer
Wayne William Willer, 87, and long time Cave Creek resident died on Sunday, June 12. Wayne was born Jan. 7, 1924 in Sioux City, Iowa to Henry and Sylvia Willer.
He attended East High in Sioux City, graduating in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946, where he served as a radio/weatherman and gunner on P-38s, B-17s, B-24s and B-29s. He also played in the drum and bugle corps and continued his musical talent in his later years playing the gut bucket at several of his favorite Cave Creek hideouts.
In 1943 he married Dorothy Louise Hakes of Lavinia, Iowa. They started their family in Sioux City. He received his pharmacy degree from the University of Iowa and remained an avid Hawkeye fan throughout his life. He moved with his family to Phoenix, Ariz. in 1950 and worked at pharmacies in both Phoenix and Carefree.
In 1970 he purchased the Carefree Pharmacy and moved to Cave Creek. In 1975 Wayne married Susan VanNimwegan of Phoenix. He worked for the Arizona Board of Pharmacy for 10 years retiring as Chief Drug Inspector in 1989. Wayne’s contributions to his profession include serving on the sheriff’s posse, he was a volunteer ambulance driver, served as a board member of the Cave Creek Museum, chairman of the Cave Creek Fiesta Days parade several times and was a member of the American Legion Post 34 for 40 years.
His son Randy preceded him in death in 2003. He was a loving husband, father, and brother and is survived by his wife, Sue; Dorothy, the mother of his children; sons Jeff (Ellen) of Phoenix; Rick (Jeanette) of Tempe and Maui, Hawaii; and Rob (Stephanie) of Bedford, N.H., and his daughter Lori (Gary) Hay of Cave Creek; brothers David and Vern, and sister Marilyn, and five step-children. He has eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cave Creek Museum, P.O. Box 1, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.
Jason Henry Williamson
Jason Henry Williamson, 85, a nationally prominent watercolorist, died in Scottsdale on June 14, 2011.
A true patriot from Bristol, Virginia, he volunteered for the US Army Air Corps during WWII.
After graduating from Emory and Henry College, Jason moved to Memphis, Tenn., achieving notoriety as owner of a commercial art agency, Art Director at the Memphis College of Art, and owner of The Golden Fleece Art Gallery in Memphis and later in Carefree, Ariz.
He was selected as a signature member of the prestigious American Watercolor Society and National Watercolor Society and was a founding member of the Southern Watercolor Society and the “22 by 30” Painters of Arizona.
Jason discovered the color concept of “Black Azure” and was the Featured Artist in The World’s Fair in 1984.
He is survived by his son Major General (Ret) Robert Jason Williamson (Darlene) and daughter Jan Williamson Brucker (Ed) both of Memphis, daughter Mary Guthrie Solon (Don) of Anthem, Ariz., and was predeceased by his son, Mark Fielding Williamson (Rebecca). He is also survived by his sister, Colein Keyt of Scottsdale, two nephews, Richard Keyt (Carol) and Norm Keyt (Kathy) of Phoenix, and seven grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Historic Church at the Cave Creek Museum in Cave Creek on Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014, or Cave Creek Museum at P.O. Box 1, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.
Grace Voss Frederick
Nov. 3, 1905 – Jan. 16, 2009
An American and Arizona legend departs life at 103
Grace Voss Frederick died in Phoenix on Jan. 16, 2009. She was 103. She was born in Nepperham, N.Y. on Nov. 3, 1905. She attended the New York School of Theater, appeared in Vaudeville and became a leading lady on Broadway, where she appeared in several plays. On Broadway she appeared with such luminaries as Barbara Stanwyck, Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy. She later moved into television and radio, where she was one of the first actresses to appear on live television. She and her husband Claude moved to Cave Creek in 1971. She became an environmental activist upon arrival in Cave Creek because of her love of the Sonoran Desert and its wildlife. She desired to preserve both. She received many awards during her lifetime. She was awarded the First Woman in Communications Award from the Association for Women in Communications. In 2007, on behalf of her Grace Museum, she received the “Distinguished Patriotic Leadership Award”
from the Sons of the American Revolution. Later that year she was awarded the DAR Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She began work on her 18,000-square-foot Grace Museum for the Preservation of Americana while she was still in
her 90s. She proudly became obsessed with her new challenge. The museum is dedicated to tracing the history of the United States over the past 200 years. Her determination and work ethic touched and inspired the lives of many around the planet. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude; father, Rueben; mother, Olga; brother, Curtis and sisters Olga and
Ruby. A memorial service for Grace will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 at the
Good Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Cave Creek. Friends ask that in lieu of flowers, volunteer or monetary donations be made to the Grace Foundation for the Preservation of Americana, P.O. box 406, Cave Creek, AZ 85327.
Scott Westwood Craig
1952 – 2011
Scott was born in December of 1952 in Washington Court House, Ohio, as was his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and back to 1684 when the Craig clan immigrated to America from Scotland. In 1874 the Craig Brothers Retail Mercantile opened, quickly earning a reputation for hones goods and a fair deal. At last look building and sign still stand.
When Scott was three his wonderful parents John and Nancy (a California native) and little brother Kevin moved to La Jolla, California where he had an idyllic childhood playing in the canyons and woods where UCSD now stands.
In the late 70s he moved to Arizona as a commercial real estate broker, but his passion was always Mercedes Benz and European autos. He met Susan in 1991, bought the Baker Building Plaza and Cave Creek European opened in March, 1992, St. Patrick’s Day.
From then on Scott was seen only in his CCE short and Mercedes logo cap. In keeping with Craig tradition he was fair and honest, extremely knowledgeable, which he shared by having an open shop policy. This mad for very loyal customers who would stop in anytime to chat – it became his first home.
Scott had great respect for his customers and for the Constitution. He loved riding his Sportster and going duck hunting. He called his mother every Friday. Most of his friends were lifelong. He lived a good story and tried never to hold up a line. His attitude and sense of humor through his health issues are commendable. He earned his reward * and on September 14, quietly in his sleep, Scott slipped away to collect it. He was a good man.
At his request, no services – but loving thoughts and good stories can be shared with Susan (his ‘Lucy’) and his family: Mom Nancy, brother Kevin and his wife Shaun and their daughters Sarah and Heather. Warmly welcomed at www.HansenMortuary.com or P.O. Box 2712, Carefree, AZ 85377 (Susan).
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Eli Craig, 1922
Mark Yannone
Mark Yannone died on July 17. He would have been 60 in September.
There weren’t any headlines in the newspaper or news flashes on TV about his passing. A statue of him won’t be erected in the public square. A public building, street, or airport won’t be named after him.
Such honors are not given to guys like Mark. He was too brilliant, too principled, too courageous, and too in love with liberty for that. The guys he fought against are the ones who get public acclaim – the ones who crave power and use government force to take money and freedom from the public and then, paradoxically, are honored by the public and the media for doing so.
He wasn’t bashful about writing about thievery on his popular blog or in e-mails to proponents of theft in government and the Chamber of Commerce. That’s not the way to be honored as man of the year.
“Please take your gun out of my face” was one of his favorite retorts when a politician or faux do-gooder came up with a scheme to use the force of government to fund a pet project for the benefit of some people at the expense of everyone else. His friends warned him that he would end up on a Homeland Security watch-list for speaking that way, especially for speaking that way about George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He didn’t care.
He was a very learned man. A lifetime of studying philosophy, history, and economics had led him to realize, as had the nation’s Founders, that a government that strays from its moral purpose of protecting life, liberty and property is a menace to individual freedom, to prosperity, and to other nations. The current insolvency of the United States was not a surprise to him, for he knew that history is littered with the carcasses of nations and empires that had spent themselves to death and overextended themselves militarily.
His patience and helpfulness were extraordinaire. When my computer crashed recently, he calmed my Italian temper, advised me not to throw it in the swimming pool, and spent hours walking me through possible fixes. It now works like new.
It breaks my heart that he is no longer there when I start the computer at 4:30 in the morning. His e-mails were always the first thing I would read and were the highlight of the day. They were more intelligent, poignant, funny, and insightful than anything I would read for the rest of the day, whether from think tanks, famous pundits, scholarly journals, or international publications. Judging by the correspondence I’ve been getting about his death, many others feel the same way.
Mark was not only a friend but also part of a rapidly shrinking remnant of freedom fighters. Lady Liberty cried at the news of his death, as did I. He will be dearly missed.
Jack le Goff
Longtime Carefree resident and nationally known equestrian coach Jack Le Goff died in France on Friday, July 24, 2009. He was 78.
Le Goff coached French equestrian teams to medals in four consecutive Olympics. He also coached three consecutive medal-winning teams for France in World Championships.
He had similar success with U.S. equestrian teams when he began coaching in the United States. His teams won Team Gold medals at the Olympic games from 1976 to 1984.
"He was about creating riders and horsemen," said Derek DiGrazia, who was on the 1986 U.S. World Championship team. "That was a big thing … he wanted us all to know what was going on with the training and management on a daily basis. He wanted us all to be aware – that was another huge part of being with Jack, being a horseman."
Le Goff is survived by his long-time companion Susan Smith; several children; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
MaryLynn Miller
MaryLynn Miller passed away July 23, 2009. She was born October 24, 1940 in Puyallup, Wash.
MaryLynn is survived by her husband, Thomas of Cave Creek; son, Michael Perry of Scottsdale and daughter, Kristi Thomas of Seattle, Wash.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, July 27, 2009 at Northridge Community Church, 6363 E. Dynamite Blvd., Cave Creek, 480-515-4673.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Ste. #250, Dallas, TX, 75244.
Arrangements entrusted to Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 480-991-5800.
Charlotte Cooper
Charlotte "Char" Cooper, 67, died peacefully in her home in Scottsdale on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.
She was born in Carlsbad, N.M. on Feb 11, 1942 to Vivian and Harold Miller.
Char is predeceased by her mother, father and brother, Cliff, nephews Bobby and Dennis and niece Kathy, great nephews Denny and Chris, son-in-law Raymond, her beloved horse Lightning, dogs Boomer, Chassie, Tug and many more faithful companions throughout the years.
Char is survived by her sister Sarah, Sarah’s children Ramsey, Shelly and Shawna, granddaughter Logan, nephews Scott and Joe, nieces Dale, Linda and Heather, her many and well loved great nieces and nephews, devoted friends Mark Woodard, Robert (Beep) Pela and Vesta Maurer. She leaves behind her spoiled pets Minnie, Face, and Iggy.
Memorial Services and a celebration of Char’s life were held at 6810 Windstone Trail, Scottsdale.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to Horse Rescue of North Scottsdale; 6631 E. Montgomery, Cave Creek, AZ 85331.
LaVerne Blanche Bockelman Stalheim
LaVerne Blanche Bockelman Stalheim, 89, succumbed to congestive heart failure on August 25, 2011, at her residence in Tucson, Arizona. Her abundant life as described in her autobiography was lived “On the Move.”
LaVerne was born on March 9, 1922, in Paullina, Iowa, the daughter of the late Walter and Hilda Bockelman. She became a big sister ten years later when James Louis was born.
LaVerne began her business career at age 18, earning $17/week at Montgomery Wards. She moved to Toledo, Ohio, in 1941, as a secretary for a Vice President of the Toledo Trust Co.
LaVerne enjoyed dancing to the Big Bands of the era and met a tall blue-eyed blonde at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The encounter was the beginning of their courtship, and on October 1, 1949, she married Lawrence “Larry” Lamont Stalheim in the East Side Lutheran Church.
They worked together raising a family and operating a successful business in De Smet, South Dakota. LaVerne was active in the community and was invited to join the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also initiated into the PEO where she served two terms as president. LaVerne joined the Lady’s League, too, and learned to play golf, a sport she enjoyed immensely.
They retired and moved to Carefree, Arizona, where LaVerne volunteered at the Desert Foothills Library, played the bass drum in the Foothills Band, and helped establish Christ the Lord Lutheran Church. She attained the golfer’s ultimate goal, and scored a hole-in-one at the Boulders Golf Course on February 25, 1988.
LaVerne enjoyed traveling and her many adventures spanned the globe. Her favorite sojourn though, was the time spent in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, because there is where “God seems so real.”
Most of all, LaVerne loved spending time with her family and relatives and numerous life-long friends. Her sympathetic hugs, easy laughter, and caring nature will be remembered and missed by many.
LaVerne is predeceased by her parents Walter and Hilda, her brothers Robert Lee and James Louis, her daughter Nancy Jo, and her dance partner, travel companion and husband of 57 years, Larry.
LaVerne is survived by several relatives and in-laws; her children Cynthia Stalheim and Charles Hallett, Connie Lynn and Craig Pleinis, Mark Larry, and Mary Lisa and Walter Coelet; and her grandchildren, Ross Andre, Collin Patrick, and Jeff Aaron.
Memorial services: September 17, 2011, 11 a.m., Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree.
The family extends sincere thanks to the considerate and kind residents and staff at La Rosa, and Evercare Hospice & Palliative Care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in the memory of La Verne be made to the PEO International Peace Scholarship, c/o PEO, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
