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CAPTAIN WALLACE FREDRICK RODGERS
CAPTAIN WALLACE FREDRICK RODGERS born in Geraldine, Mont. on Aug. 9, 1922, and retired Naval Captain, succumbed after a heroic battle with cancer on April 27, 2008.
Services will be held at the Green Valley Community Church on May 3, 2008, at 3 p.m. with reception immediately following.
Wally graduated from Grant High School in Portland, Ore. where he was very active in sports. He attended the University of Oregon for two years where he joined the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, played football and baseball, and boxed. There, he enlisted in the Navy ROTC and was sent to UCLA, where he graduated with a degree in Economics (1944). The U.S. Navy sent Wally to the Harvard Business School after college, and later to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he received a Master's Degree in International Relations. He also attended the Premier Military School - the International College of the Armed Forces (“ICAF”) in Washington, D.C., where he received a Master's in Business Administration.
While serving the military during his years of service. Captain Rodgers had many different duty stations including three tours of duty in Washington, D.C., Bremerton, Wash., Long Beach, Calif., Hawaii, Spain, and China (pre-Korea). These were interspersed with sea duty aboard many ships during WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
He retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years of service. He then worked for the City of Santa Barbara as its Finance Director, and sold commercial real estate until his wife’s polio required more care. He built a home at Clear Lake in Northern California where they lived 12 years, until a visit to a friend in Green Valley prompted him to build a home where he lived for 16 years.
He served as an active member and president of Military Officers’ Association (Arizona and California), was a member of Country Club of Green Valley, Camera Club, and the Green Valley American Legion, Elks, and Phi Delt Fraternity and enjoyed gardening, wood working in his shop, family, traveling, and the camaraderie of many friends.
He is survived by son Rick (Lorie) Rodgers of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter Elizabeth (Tim) Andrews of Ventura, Calif.; grandson Mark (Trista) Bucy; and great-granddaughter Sierra of Ventura. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy Eggan Sawyer Rodgers. He will be greatly missed by all, including his beloved wife of eight years Jean Nielsen Simmons Henry Rodgers and four acquired children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
PETER STEVEN
PETER STEVEN passed on peacefully at home in Payson on March 8, 2008.
He was born Feb. 25, 1938, in Plainsfield, N.J., the son of the late Andrea and Althea (Noyes) Steven.
His sister, Pam Mershon, preceded him in Heaven and he is survived by her children, Tod and Karen.
Peter received his BA in English on a Ford Fellowship from the University of Denver and completed graduate studies at Colorado State University.
He served in the U.S. Army as a clinic medic in Germany.
Peter taught for 29 years in elementary and secondary schools in Fairplay, Littleton and Montrose, Colo.
He initiated a remedial reading program and ski club for children, along with a writing course for adults.
Peter enjoyed a lifelong love of learning, being an avid reader, and he studied in Heidelberg, Germany, San Diego and Santa Barbara, Calif., Las Cruces, N.M., Reno, Nev., and Gunnison, Colo.
Other activities included photography, golf, tennis, racquetball, skiing, fishing, walking in the mountains/parks and visiting.
Peter will always be lovingly remembered and appreciated by Pamela (Falk) Steven, his wife of 31 wonderful years, as well as family and friends in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico and Colorado.
In keeping with Peter’s “Have a good time” outlook, a memorial celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Mount Cross Lutheran Church, 601 E. Highway 260 in Payson.
Contributions in memory of Peter may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or Payson Regional Home Health Agency, 215 N. Beeline Highway, Payson, AZ 85541.
THEODORE (TED) ALAN GREGORY
THEODORE (TED) ALAN GREGORY of Green Valley, and formerly of Minneapolis, Minn., died peacefully on June 17, 2008, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was 77 years old.
Born in St. Paul, Minn., he was a graduate of Staples High School and of Macalester College with a degree in Economics. His lifelong career was with Investors Diversified Services in Minneapolis where he retired in 1987.
He loved to travel and to spend time with his family at his weekend home on the Yellow River in Wisconsin. He was a gifted athlete and outdoorsman who enjoyed many sports and had a special passion for golf and fishing.
He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Darlene; his children Michael, Paul (Amanda) and his step-children Mark (Lori) and Marilee; his grandchildren Laura, Catherine, Teddy, Kate, and Luke and his step-grandchildren Kylie and Sam. Also, he will be missed by his many loving relatives and friends, along with Fleur, his dog and constant companion.
In lieu of flowers please send donations on Carondelet Hospice, 630 N. Alvernon Way # 361, Tucson, AZ 85711.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Green Valley.
DR. ALBERT N. MOSES III
DR. ALBERT N. MOSES III, died on April 1, 2008, in Green Valley surrounded by loving family and friends after a two-year battle with cancer.
Born in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 6, 1946, Al spent his youth in Los Alamos, N.M. and graduated from New Mexico State University in 1970. He earned an M.S. in Psychology from Appalachian State University and his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Al specialized in Forensic and Neuropsychology and spent much of his time training foster parents of emotionally-challenged children. He found much fulfillment in taking these children on fishing and camping trips.
Al had many interests including antiquing, clock collecting and fishing and was an avid reader and musician. He had a great appreciation for Native American culture and enjoyed an extensive collection of wares.
One of the greatest pleasures of his life following retirement in Green Valley was playing guitar as a member of The Rusty Zippers. He developed many strong and meaningful friendships both in Kansas City and in the two years he lived in Quail Creek.
Al Moses was a kind and generous husband and father who was able to give his love unconditionally. His dry sense of humor was rivaled by few and loved by many. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by Francesca, his wife of 37 years; his daughter Noelle; his mother Dorothea Moses and step-father Roy Olson.
A memorial service in his honor will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2008, at 1 p.m. in the Madera Clubhouse at the Quail Creek Resort Community located at 2055 E. Quail Crossing Blvd, Green Valley.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Arizona Cancer Center at 3838 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719.
DOYLE KING
DOYLE KING, 76, died July 4, 2008, at his home in Sahuarita.
Beloved father of three daughters, Pamela Watts and Sherry Inderrieden of Sahuarita, and Linda King of Alton, Mo., he is also survived by sister Helen Mitchell of Sahuarita; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Doyle moved from Ohio to Wrangler Ranch in Sahuarita in 1979. He loved horses, western movies and playing guitar and singing in a country music band.
He is greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Veterans’ Hospital.
DEANNA K. HUTTON
On May 7, 2008, Deanna K. Hutton passed away in Green Valley after a four year battle with bile duct liver cancer. She was a resident of Manzanita, Ore. and a winter resident of Green Valley.
She was born on Sept. 5, 1940, in Elkhart, Ind. to Paul and Marjorie (Slessman) Blair. Both parents and a brother tom preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband and best friend Walt.
After graduation from Elkhart High School, she went to work at a variety of jobs. She became active in politics and was the youngest Democratic Precinct Person in Elkhart County. At age 22, she enrolled in Indiana University, studying for a degree in social studies education. Her senior year she met Walt, who was studying for a master’s degree. They graduated and were married in 1966. They drove to California to start teaching in the Los Angeles City Schools. She bean as a social studies teacher and later was called upon to set up the first self-contained classroom for emotionally disturbed students in the L.A. system.
When Walt garnered a National Science Foundation Fellowship in Economics to Western Illinois University, Deanna also began to study toward educational counseling certification. After finishing their programs, Walt and Deanna returned to Los Angeles for one year.
In 1972, they accepted positions in the North Clackamas Schools in Milwaukie, Ore. They bought their first home in the country in Redland, Ore.. Deanna continued her counseling certification studies while teaching social studies. She became a high school counselor at Rex Putnam High School. She helped start many counseling programs at Rex Putnam and she was held in high regard by both students and staff. To quote one of her fellow teachers, “I can see your smile, hear your laughter, and the kids’ eyes light up around you to this day. You have been a special part of many lives.”
Deanna and Walt travelled widely for 40 years, beginning by tent camping throughout the Western U.S. On one summer camping trip, they tent camped in over 20 national parks and monuments. They moved on to camping in a VW bus, a truck camper and a travel trailer. They toured Europe six times and went to Hawaii multiple times. Her favorite travel spots were Madrid, Spain and the California-Oregon coast. Deanna was also an avid cook and gardener. Her home in Redland was almost a park-like setting.
Upon retirement in 1995, Deanna and Walt became snowbirds. They purchased a home in Green Valley and continued to live in Oregon in their beach home near Manzanita. They had personally done much of the work creating their beach home.
In 2004, Deanna was told she had bile duct liver cancer and that she had 90 days to live. After going to Mayo Clinic in Arizona, she found a doctor who was doing a national study of her rare form of cancer. He formulated a drug which extended her life for four more years. She was able to travel and play golf while taking over 120 treatments. Her doctor said Deanna was a poster child for her kind of cancer. While in treatment, she was able to counsel many other cancer patients.
“After 42 years of marriage, goodbye my loved one and I’ll miss you forever.” ~ Walt Hutton
Memorial services for Deanna Hutton will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Milwaukie Presbyterian Church in Milwaukie, Ore.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Deanna’s name to the Rex Putnam High School Scholarship Fund, 4950 SE Roethe Rd., Milwaukie, OR 97267.
JANA H SMITH
July 13, 1929 - March 14, 2008
Jana succumbed to cancer, at home, surrounded by family. She is survived by sister Judith (Donn) Davis, husband Joseph, son Andrew Seacat, daughters Alysoun and Melaney Seacat, grandson Casey Shaw, granddaughters Sara and Julia Seacat, and cousin Patricia Granger.
She was born in St. Louis, Mo. to Harold and Dorothy (Vandesteeg) Hanser. After graduating from Duke University, she joined the Gardner Advertising Agency in St. Louis as a copy editor/writer and remained there until she married Charles Seacat, whom she divorced in 1962 before marrying Joseph in 1963.
She lived in Topanga, Calif. and then in north San Diego County, where she entered, and completed, Palomar Community College’s Nursing program. She worked as an RN at Tri-City Hospital in Oceanside, Calif. from 1978 to 1987, before she and Joseph retired and moved to Green Valley, where she served as publicity director for Friends In Deed, and effected the orderly transfer of responsibility for the GV Medical Directory from FID to the local newspaper.
She was a caring, loving, intelligent, energetic woman who loved and understood life and had a unique ability to connect with people. She despised injustice, unkindness, false logic, linguistic foppery and sham, and would strongly criticize actions, words and ideas, but never the person. She gave unqualified love, attention and energy to people and to efforts, expecting nothing in return. She continues to give after death, having donated her body to the UA College of Medicine.
Family and a few close friends will gather on March 30th at her home for a private celebration of her life. The family encourages contributions, in her name, to cancer research and to Carondelet Hospice Services.
MAJ. CHRIS ECONOMY (USAF-Ret.)
MAJ. CHRIS ECONOMY (USAF-Ret.), 83, of Green Valley, La Quinta, Calif. and Huntley, Ill., and formerly of West Dundee, Ill., passed away Friday, April 4, 2008, in Rancho Mirage, Calif., after a brief illness.
He was born June 10, 1924, in Elgin, Ill., the son of James and Athanasia Economy. He was a graduate of Elgin High School, class of ‘42, and attended the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
After returning from service in WWII, he completed his education at Drake University in Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Administration.
Chris received his pilot training in Santa Ana, Calif. and at Cal Aero in Ontario, Calif., where he flew Stearman PT-17s and BT-13s. He was sent to Douglas, Ariz. for advanced flight training on AT-17s and B-25s and he received his wings in April of 1944 - class 44D.
He served four years of active duty during WWII, where he flew several different aircraft, including B-17s, B-24s, B-25s, B-29s, C-47s, C-54s, UC-45s and UC-78s. He flew extensively over “The Hump” in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations, in addition to numerous other missions.
At the end of WWII, Chris remained in the active Reserves for 26 years where he attained the rank of Major before mandatory retirement one day before he was to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
Chris was a man before his time and was truly possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit, engaging in many and varied business ventures during his lifetime.
Both Chris and his brother-in-law, James C. Cordogan, owned and operated The Royal Lounge in Elgin, which featured nightly live entertainment of a caliber not found at that time in the far northwestern suburbs. He brought nationally renowned musicians to perform at the Royal from the Blue Note, one of Chicago’s premier jazz clubs during the 1950s. They later opened the Tiki Lounge in Elgin which many still remember featured a tropical theme, complete with thatched bar and festively painted totem poles to capitalize on the popular Polynesian and surfing trend of the 1960s. They also opened The Viking Restaurant and Smorgasbord in East Dundee, often feeding several hundred people daily, and pioneered the serving of such exotic fare as all you care to eat Alaskan king crab legs at a time when they were virtually unknown.
Operating in a period before computer aided design and graphics, Chris personally designed all the advertising, promotional material and menus, drawing much of the artwork free hand.
He also brought the “pub” concept to the local area when they built and opened the original Village Squire Restaurant, which is still located in West Dundee, and highlighted the novelty of unlimited peanuts, the shells of which patrons were encouraged to discard on the floor.
Chris also shared in the operation of Food Service Management, which provided on-site food services for employees of large companies such as Illinois Tool Works, Lee Wards and McGraw Edison. He also held his insurance broker’s license and operated C&E; Insurance Agency. Chris was a bail bondsman for many years and even operated silver mines in Colorado for a time.
A licensed real estate broker since 1966, Chris, with his business partner Jim, purchased one of the first Century 21 franchises in the area, opening Century 21 Equity Realty in downtown Elgin, which employed as many as 30 associate agents. He served on the Elgin Board of Realtors for many years and was a past president of the organization. He also spearheaded the Board’s neighborhood revitalization program and gave many presentations on the subject.
Before “green” was a term for anything other than color, Chris was involved in the then-fledgling recycling industry, working directly with ALCOA and other large companies in pilot mobile recycling centers for glass and aluminum cans in the greater Chicago area.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as piloting his own private airplane. He was a passionate golfer, often playing 36 holes at a time at the Elgin Country Club and at Desert Hills Golf Club where he also maintained membership.
Chris was a prolific painter and many of his original oil works hang in the homes and offices of friends and family.
Chris was a founding member of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Elgin. He was instrumental in finding the existing building and brokering the deal for the Church and personally signed the original mortgage note in order to secure the site.
Chris was a life member of the Retired Officers’ Association, a 110% Charter Sponsor of the Air Force Memorial Foundation, a member of the Air Force Association, a member of the Reserve Officers’ Association of the United States, as well as The Aero Club and the 260 Club of Green Valley. He also belonged to the Elks Lodge of Green Valley and the American Legion of Elgin, and was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose as well as a Mason.
He is survived by his four children: Kim Stuart of Lake Zurich, Ill., Dyan (Jerome) Werderitch of Hillsboro Beach, Fla., James C. Economy of Spring Grove, Ill. and Vance Economy of Chicago; three grandchildren: Christopher J. Garris of Spring Grove and Katherine and Nicholas Stuart of Lake Zurich; and very special friend and companion Dorothy D. Hanley of Elgin and La Quinta.
He was preceded in death by his wife Helen; his parents James and Athanasia; his brother Nick; and his sister Elaine. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2008, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin. (www.st-sophia.com) Burial with military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, River Grove, Ill. Visitation will be at the time of services only.
Chris was an incredible husband and father who made friends no matter where he went. He had a wonderful sense of humor and great insight. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Air Force Memorial Foundation.
Laird Funeral Home, Elgin, is in charge of arrangements.
RICHARD M. JOHNSON
RICHARD M. JOHNSON passed from this earth on May 2, 2008, in the arms of his wife and surrounded by all of his family.
Born in Denver, Colo., he soon was relocated to Arizona where he enjoyed the rest of his life.
Dick earned his M.B.A. in finance from ASU and served in the U.S. Air Force.
Dick’s healthcare career included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Boswell Memorial Hospital and 22 years in Flagstaff as CFO of Northern Arizona Healthcare. His accomplishments included new hospital facilities, ground and air ambulance, cancer care centers and much more. In retirement, he spent much volunteer time developing a long-needed physician practice in Tubac. He was always focused on quality healthcare for all.
Dick was quiet, kind, gentle, loving and spoken of as “a really nice man and a class act.” He set the standard of how to live.
Dick loved golf and gardening. Playing golf with him was a pleasure. His gardens were immaculate.
Dick is survived by Norma, his wife of 30 years; daughter Julie; sons Mark and Clark; sister Ginger Clarkson; brother Robert; granddaughter Sally; grandson Max; and a wealth of dear friends.
A memorial is planned for May 18, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at the Madera Clubhouse in Quail Creek Country Club, Green Valley.
In lieu of flowers, please support his favorite things: Coconino High School Girl’s Soccer, 2801 N. Izabel St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004, any junior golf program or the Arizona Heart Association.
