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Dr. Max Negri, well known as a philanthropist and surgeon in Southern California, died on the evening of Nov. 3, 2009. after complications during surgery. He was 84.
Born on March 7 1925 and raised in East Los Angeles, Negri graduated from Roosevelt High School. He was drafted into the Army’s 94th Infantry Division. After fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, he was seriously wounded in Germany, earning a Purple Heart. He returned to California for rehabilitation and became an orthopedic surgeon. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees from USC, where he was a gymnast. He was the first orthopedic resident at what is now County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
From 1959 to 1989, he practiced surgery at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, where he specialized in complicated spinal operations. He also taught at several area universities, including his alma mater.
Negri funded the Negri Learning Center at the Norris Center for Performing Arts in Rolling Hills Estates. Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes, the educational center at the Norris Theater, and San Pedro’s Cabrillo Marine Aquarium also were recipients of his generosity. Locally, he established the Rancho Gardens Foundation in 1994, a philanthropic foundation in the Winters area. He funded the first radio-tracking system for Siberian tigers in Russia, according to his daughter.
He and his first wife, Gloria had seven children. Following her death in 1974, he married Anna Doran in 1977, bringing together a family of 17 children. Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to a seaside home in Rancho Palos Verdes, where their cliffside hanging garden became a passion of Negri’s and was the subject of ongoing media attention.
He is survived by his wife and 17 children, including Glenn Negri of Winters, as well as 31 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
(Source: Daily Breeze)
Shirley Marie Ramos of Dunnigan died Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at Sutter General Hospital. Born on Nov. 11, 1937 in Woodland, she was 71.
As mother and Nana, she loved her family and her animals very much. She loved to bake cakes, pies and cookies for her family and friends. Her love of cooking was passionate, and what an excellent cook she was.
She loved to play cards every Tuesday at the Woodland Senior Citizens center and also loved to shop for her family. She enjoyed listening to country music daily and recently attended her favorite country music star, Merle Haggard’s concert in Davis. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone in her family who was in need.
A very giving mother, she loved everyone in her family and always enjoyed family gatherings. She doted on her children and grandchildren. Her family loved her dearly and will miss her immensely. Her family will never ever forget the impact she had on their lives.
She is survived by daughters, Paula Fusaro, Penny (Patrick) Way and Teresa (Fred) Hayes; son, John (Kathy) Ramos; grandchildren, Christina Talbot, Tony Fusaro, Renee, Amber, Matthew Ramos, Gregory Williams, Chad and Jenna Hayes; sisters, Barbara Ortiz, Sandy Tipton, Harriet (Greg) Shortridge; sister-in-law Rosie (Bart) Frey.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, John R. Ramos; father and mother, Harry and Pauline Sattazahn; and sister Betty Jean Campos.
Funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, at 12:30 p.m. at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main Street in Vacaville; (707) 448-6546. Deacon Bob Ikelman will officiate. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road in Dixon. An online guest book can be signed at www.mccunechapel.com.
Jack Kelly, 68, passed away peacefully at home in Winters on Oct. 4, 2009. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his family and experienced no pain. He was born on Aug. 6, 1941.
Jack, also known as “Butch” to his side of the family, was born to John and Dorothy Kelly in Utica, N.Y. After being named valedictorian of his senior class at Poland Central School in 1959, he attended Syracuse University on a scholarship, graduating in 1965 with a degree in social studies/education, after which he taught high school for three years.
During the Civil Rights Movement, he joined Vista Volunteers and worked as a community organizer in Lynchburg, Va., from 1968-71, assisting and mentoring an almost all-black community. He once wrote that this was the best adventure of his life. In 1971, he left for Salt Lake City, where he started a 30-year career in public parks and recreation. It was in Salt Lake City where he met his loving wife of 27 years, Sopon. They had three children together and settled in California. He enjoyed the Vacaville and Winters area for its agriculture of nut and fruit orchards, where things never stop growing. He was the former recycling coordinator for the City of Winters.
Jack had many passions: reading anything and everything he came across, road-tripping to all corners of the United State with his family, the Sequoia redwoods, odd and satirical humor, and of course, politics. He was a frequent contributor to The Forum of The Vacaville Reporter for several years.
A free-spirited liberal until his death, he will be remembered for his kind heart, striking intelligence, quick with, humor and humility.
He is survived by his wife, Sopon Kelly; daughters, Sopon Elizabeth Kelly and Jacqueline Diana Kelly; son, Daniel James Kelly; sister, Gretchen McHale; and cousin, Nancy Lenore Young Bettinger.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the National Parks Conservation Association at www.npca.org.
(Source: The Vacaville Reporter, Nov. 1, 2009.)
Dolores G. Lopez passed away October 30, 2009. She was 92.
A Vacaville native, she was born May 4, 1917. Mrs. Lopez was a homemaker.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A public visitation will be held at the Nadeau Family Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5-8 p.m. A rosary will be held at 7 p.m.
Shirley Faye Hall 85, died on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 at her Winters residence. Born on June 27, 1924 in Corning to James and Ivy (Oakes) Hoar, she lived her entire life in California, and was a Yolo County resident for the past eight years. A nurse for over 30 years, she was employed by the Kaiser Foundation, and was assigned to their hospital in Sacramento.
She is survived by her daughter Sheri Marshall of Washington; sons David Hall of Sacramento and Steven Hall of Paradise; granddaughter Ashley Jacob of Maryland; cousin Lois Clerk of Chico; longtime partner Louis Campos of Winters; step children Cindy Sanchez, Steve Campos, Kristina Campos, and Cesar Valeriano, all of Winters, and David and Alice Rozman of Woodland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Gregory Hall, and grandson Kaleb Jacob.
Private family services will be held at a later date yet to be scheduled. Memorial contributions may be directed to Yolo Hospice, or the charity of the donor’s choice in his memory. Assisting the family with arrangements is Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland.
Floyd Vernon Fletcher, 83, passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at the Woodland Memorial Hospital.
Born April 22, 1926, in Buffalo, Ark., to Webster and Minnie Fletcher, he lived in Buford and Buffalo, Ark. until 1936. Growing up during this time, he helped raise his two younger brothers, J.M. and Ray. He went to work for the Civilian Conservation Corp as a teenager to help provide for his family. Mr. Fletcher came to California to visit relatives and then returned to Arkansas to work on bridges and dams, such as the Norfolk Bridge and Bull Shoals Dam.
Mr. Fletcher married Jane Elizabeth Thornley on Jan 30, 1949, in Calico Rock, Ark. Their first child, son Vernon, was born at home in Calico Rock, Ark. Mr. Fletcher and his family moved to California, and settled in Winters in 1951. They had four more children, Sandy, Randy, Barbara and Belinda, whom all reside in or around Winters. Mrs. Fletcher passed away on March 23, 1995, after 46 years of marriage to Mr. Fletcher.
He continued to work in the construction business, building bridges and highways all over California, until his retirement in 1985. After his retirement, he began to volunteer for the Winters Senior Citizens. Mr. Fletcher spent countless hours taking seniors to the doctor appointments, and he also was a contact for any equipment needs for them. This labor of love for seniors caused him to receive the Citizen of the Year award in 2000, and he was honored and recognized for his efforts at a dinner at the Winters Community Center. He proudly rode in the 2000 Youth Day Parade for the first time with the honored title of Citizen of the Year. Mr. Fletcher continued to enjoy the senior lunches at the Winters Community Center, the fellowship with everyone who joined him there, and playing bingo. He especially enjoyed this time with his wife, Pat. During a brief time this year when he had to receive care away from home, he could not wait to return home to Pat and to the senior lunches and fellowship and bingo. Mr. Fletcher had a love for his wife, Pat and their surrounding family and friends. The second Mrs. Fletcher showed her love for Mr. Fletcher by caring for him during this past year.
Mr. Fletcher was a Christian, serving his Lord and Savior for most of his adult life. He helped construct the First Baptist Church in Winters, and was also saved through this church’s ministry. Pastor Woods encouraged him to come and get involved in the church family. He served as a deacon, sang in the choir, led Sunday School classes, and attended church faithfully.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Pat Jordon-Fletcher of Winters, sons Vernon Fletcher of Stockton and wife Karen Fletcher, Randy Fletcher of LaLoma, daughters Sandra Willard of Dixon and her husband Casey Willard, Barbara LePenske of Dixon and her husband Dennis LePenske, Belinda Fletcher of Winters, and brother Ray Fletcher and wife Retha of Calico Rock, Ark. His legacy also leaves his 12 grandchildren, Jason, Jeffrey, Kelly, Joseph, Casey D., Anna, Brian, Jed, Amanda, Dannielle, Brandon and Eli, and 17 great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Jacob, Dalton, Carson Floyd, Jasmine, Brook, Brian Jr., Alyssa, Alec, Alana, Ishmael, Devon, Ainsley, Dominic, Felesha, Cheyenne and Christian Joseph, and one great-great grandchild, Leah Jane. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Elizabeth Fletcher, his parents Web and Minnie Fletcher, and his half- brothers Tip, Bud, and younger brother J.M.
Viewing services will be available at the Wiscombe Chapel, 34 Main Street, from 4-8 p.m., on Wednesday, October 21, and the funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, at the First Baptist Church, followed by interment at the Winters Cemetery.
Robert Fitzhugh Laughlin, 80, passed away on Thursday October 1, 2009, at his Winters residence.
Born on July 31, 1929, in El Paso, Texas, to Robert and Bertha (Wiskin) Laughlin Sr., where he grew up and attended area schools. Following this, Mr. Laughlin attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, receiving his bachelor’s degree in education.
A veteran, he served in the United States Naval reserves, and was a teacher for 22 years total, combined within education at Woodland, Redway, and Cottonwood Elementary Schools. Changing career paths, Mr. Laughlin received his real estate license, which he maintained for over 15 years, and was the owner of Arrow Real Estate in Winters.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Barbara Laughlin of Winters; a daughter, Laura Laughlin of Herndon, Virginia; sons Ian F. Laughlin and wife Shelly of Bremerton, Washington, Bryan F. Laughlin and wife Kristin of Ukiah, and Bruce Laughlin and wife Renee of Willows; sisters Kathy Engebretsen and husband Bill of Pueblo, Colorado, and Sheila Laughlin of Tonganoxie, Kansas. His legacy also leaves his 7 grandchildren, Ian Jr., Heather, Megan, Nicholas, Ethan, Gavin, and Chelsea. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, L. Jean Laughlin, and a brother, George Laughlin.
Graveside services are scheduled for 9:30 a.m., on Friday, October 9, 2009, at the Cottonwood Cemetery, 29220 County Road 24A in Winters, with a Memorial Service to follow at 11 a.m., at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 515 Second Street in Woodland, with Rector Wendy Watson officiating. A reception will be held in the church hall upon conclusion of services.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions are directed to Yolo Hospice, P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617-1014 in his memory. Assisting the family with arrangements is Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland.
Clinton K. Jones, 88, passed away on Oct. 2, 2009 at his residence in Winters. He was born on March 15, 1921 in St. Edward, Nance County, Nebraska, to Louis and Jenny Rosencrantz Jones. He married Dorothy Marie Strunk on Dec. 27, 1945 following a “love-letters” romance.
Clinton attended school at District #47, Nance County and graduated from St. Edward High School in 1939. He farmed in partnership with his father until moving to California in 1943. He worked on a large ranch in Chowchilla before he was drafted into the United States Army Air Force in 1945. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946 he again joined his father in a ranching partnership in Chowchilla until February 1954.
He was employed as Top Foreman in the Public Works Department for the City of Atwater. While in Atwater, he served four years as president of the Atwater City Employees Association, was a member of the volunteer fire department for 12 years and also a coach for the Rotary Club’s Little League team.
He moved to Winters in February 1968 and was employed as the Public Works Superintendent and Chief Building Inspector for the city until his semi-retirement in June 1976. He was then employed as a bus driver for two years with the Winters School District. He also worked for three years for the United States Department of Agriculture in the Federal Crop Insurance Division.
In 1982, Clinton became a Senior Auto Equipment Operator for UC Davis. He greatly enjoyed driving the shuttle bus between the Davis and Berkeley campuses until his full retirement in 1987.
He spent 18 years as a volunteer fireman with the Winters Fire Department and served a term as president of the department. He was honored for a total of 30 years of service as a volunteer fireman. He was a member of the American Legion, Post 208. He was also an active member of Discovery Worship Center (Assemblies of God) in Winters.
His love of travel was shared with his wife of 63 years. During his lifetime, he visited all 50 states. In 1977, he accompanied the Winters High School basketball teams to Ocala, Florida, and in 1978 traveled with the football team when they went to Hilo, Hawaii. Because of his extensive travels he enjoyed sharing many stories and wrote many of them down for generations to enjoy.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters, Kellie Jean McCammon (Lee) of Silver City, New Mexico; Patricia Avann (Dave) of Phoenix, Arizona; Janice Rominger (Tom) of Winters; Christine Zarate (Andres) of Woodland; sons, Cliff Jones (Susan) of Coos Bay, Oregon; Roy Jones (Chris) of Winters; Tim Jones (Becky) of Kuna, Idaho; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Brother, Glenn Jones (Jacquie) of Pacific Grove, brother Max Jones of Harrison, Arkansas and sister, Wanda Hughes of Merced preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Discovery Worship Center, 315 Edwards Street in Winters. A viewing will be held just prior to the services from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Interment will be private at the Winters Cemetery.
Donations may be made in memory of Clinton Jones to the Winters Fire Department, the Sacramento Valley Teen Challenge or to the
Doris Gray died in her sleep early Sept. 24, 2009. She lived most of her life in Yolo County, the last 62 years in Winters.
Born May 30, 1908 in Hollister, she attended grade school in Esparto, high school in Berkeley and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley. She taught both grade and high school. She taught grade school most recently at Buckeye School, then she taught for 22 years at Winters High School.
She is survived by her daughter, Carol Gray-Ricci (wife of Bert Ricci), daughter-in-law Mary Louise Gray, grandsons John Gray (and Linda), and Joseph Gray; and three great-grand-children.
She was preceded in death by her husband Grant Gray and her son G. William “Bill” Gray.
Graveside services, conducted by the Reverend Wendy Watson, were held Sept. 29 at the Winters Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the Winters Library “Fill the Shelves” fund, P.O. Box 963, Winters, CA 95694.Salvation Army.
