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29 May 1929 — 6 July 2005
ENCINITAS —— Ida Lou Coley, a resolute community activist, historian and retired children’s physical therapist, has died. She was 78.
Coley died Wednesday at the same McNeil Avenue bungalow she had lived in as a 10-year-old. Her loved ones were by her side.
Soft-spoken activist, historian, dies at 78, Adam Kaye, North County Times, July 8, 2005.
Patricia Bratton, 87, of Redding died Friday at home.
Arrangements are pending at Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Redding (243-1525).
Legacy.com via Redding Record Searchlight, published 17 March 2015.
Louis Randolph Hunt, also known as Randy or Louie Hunt, passed away in the arms of loved ones Sept. 29, 2008, in Montrose after complications from pneumonia. He was 80. Randy had resided at San Juan Living Center since he had a severe stroke in November 2007.
Randy was born in La Jolla, Calif., on Feb. 28, 1928. He was the beloved only child of the late Randolph Hunt and Harriett Jessie Bible Hunt. Randy spent his childhood in Leucadia, Calif., and graduated from San Dieguito High School in 1946. He moved to Ft. Collins, Colo., in 1954, to Flagstaff, Ariz., about 1970, to Ouray in 1976 and he then made Montrose his final home in 1988. He was married for a brief time in his 30s, but never had children.
Randy had a lifelong passion for the railroad and photography. By age 27, he was a published author of a book on the railroads of Colorado. His book, “The Silverton Train: A Story of Southwestern Colorado’s Narrow Gauges,” was first published in 1955 with a second printing in 1957.
Randy spent his most of his career as a grocery store produce manager at Safeway, usually working the night shift. He later worked for local grocery and hardware stores in Flagstaff, where he met Merritt Shumard, who has remained a loyal and true friend for over 38 years. In Ouray, he worked at Apteka Drugs and several gift shops. He always had an interesting story to tell and thrived on visiting with people.
Randy was a wonderful example of someone who “bloomed where he was planted.” He plugged right in wherever he lived and worked his way into the hearts of many, many people. With his quick wit, impish grin and warm heart, he was absolutely adorable. His eccentric quirks made him even more interesting. Few knew Randy casually as he had a way of really connecting with others and growing close to people. He was an inspiring example of giving service. He constantly extended himself beyond what was common. Randy helped countless people throughout his life and delighted in doing much of it anonymously. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a greeter and a counselor to his dear friend, Harry Hawks, in the Sunday School presidency for many years.
He will be missed by his many friends in Ouray.
A memorial service and celebration of Randy’s life will be held Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2030 Stratford Drive in Montrose (corner of Stratford and Hillcrest). Cremation has already taken place. Call Kay Gerke at 249-5929 if you have questions.
Richard “Dick” Anthony Johnston ENCINITAS — Richard (Dick) Anthony Johnston died Friday, May 7th 2010 at home. He was born January 16th , 1927 in Washington DC, and moved to Encinitas in 1932. Dick served as a signalman in the Navy during World War II, and received a Purple Heart for injuries received in Okinawa. He retired from General Dynamics in 1989 after 37 years of service. He enjoyed traveling, but always returned to Encinitas, where he had many lifelong friends. Dick is survived by his sister, Candy Hayes of Encinitas; a brother, Garry Johnston of Oceanside; three children, three step- children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held at Eternal Hills Mortuary in Oceanside at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Encinitas Historical Society.
Note: The Alumni Association does not have commencement lists for much of the 1940s; therefore, Mr. Johnston’s placement within this class is based on his birth date. According to a family member, Mr. Johnston left school early to join the Navy and returned to Encinitas to finish his schooling after he was wounded and may have graduated from the class of 1946 or 1947. As soon as we confirm his graduation year, we’ll place him within the appropriate obituary pages.
—From Legacy.com
Reigned in 1946 Memorial services were held in San Diego on Aug. 14 for Gloria O’Rear Lakin, who reigned as the first Fairest of the Fair in 1946. Gloria was a San Dieguito High School grad and worked at the Del Mar Drug Store when she was talked into running for the San Diego County Fair crown. The competition with more than a dozen candidates was held at the Del Mar Hotel and decided by an applause-o-meter. It went off the scale when she appeared. As a prize, she and fiancee Bill were married on the “Bride & Groom” radio show in Hollywood. Their marriage lasted more than six decades. In addition to being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she set the envious example of beauty, poise and personality for young ladies who wore the coveted crown after her.
–“Memorial service held for first Fairest of the Fair“, by Bill Arballo, The Coast News, 27 August 2010.
See also: —Del Mar Fair’s first post-war ‘Queen’ stayed humble, by Blanca Gonzales, August 12, 2010, San Diego Union-Tribune
Corinne Polloreno Garbeil, 83
OCEANSIDE — Corinne Polloreno Garbeil passed away peacefully and pain free on Monday, August 8, 2011. Throughout her 83 years of life, she brought a smile to everyone she met.
Born and raised in Carmel Valley, San Diego, Corinne was the eldest of the six children born to Beatrice Figueroa Polloreno and Edward Polloreno. Upon her father’s passing at an early age, Corinne helped raise her younger siblings, Eddie, Larry, Bobby, Joanne and Ernie, whom she loved dearly. For the past few years she has also cared for her loving husband of 60 years, Reuben.
Corinne had a knack for finding estranged relatives, bringing them back to the family, and embracing them with all her heart. Her greatest passions in life were her family, continuing the genealogy research her mother began, and tending to her half acre “garden” on Fire Mountain in Oceanside. Her passing leaves us not only with tears, but also with a lifetime of memories, all precious and wonderful.
Those missing her already are her children, “The 4 D’s” – Diane (Arthur), David (Rosemary), Denise (John) and Deona (Gerard); her seven grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend special gratitude to Corinne’s niece Elizabeth, who has lovingly cared for her these past couple years.
The services will be held at 1 p.m., on Friday, August 19, 2011 at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Oceanside. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the SD Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in memory of Corinne Garbeil; online at www.lls.org or call 858-427-6649.