Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 24 February 2024 00:00; 24 February 2024

Erik Mezori

Erik Neal Mezori, 44, passed away suddenly on Feb. 2, 2024, due to unexpected heart complications at Adventist Health St. Helena, California; his family and friends are profoundly saddened.

Erik was like the sun, radiating warmth and brightness into the lives of those around him. He was an exemplary partner, friend and human being. He embodied the best qualities, unconditional love, great sense of humor, charming, words of wisdom, resiliency and an unending generosity to others.

Erik is survived by his father, Patrick Vincent; sister, Rikki Ruiz; and fiancé, Toshia Johnson. He is predeceased by his mother, Mary Mezori.

Erik was born on Feb. 12, 1979, in Ukiah, California. He attended Upper Lake High School in Upper Lake, California.

He accepted everyone with an open heart, open arms and a perpetual smile.

In his career, he worked as a production coordinator at Bellota Agrisolutions & Tools in Rock Island, Illinois, team leader at JMF Manufacturing, and assistant camera operator on various TV shows. His hobbies included playing frisbee golf, basketball and hiking.

A celebration of life for Erik will be held in the Quad Cities in March, and early summer in Idaho with his immediate family.

Erik's departure comes as a great shock, making a deep wound that is gravely felt by his entire family and countless others who loved him dearly in his wide-network of friends and acquaintances. The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 21 February 2024 00:11; 21 February 2024

Philip Gomez

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Big Valley Rancheria Tribal Elder Philip Gomez entered into rest on Feb. 16, 2024.

He dedicated the last 11 years to serving his tribe.

Philip was a family man. He leaves behind his wife, Rudelle; and children, Rosie, Vanessa, Devin, Chet and Philip Gomez Jr.

He is predeceased by his parents, Phil and Zelda McCloud.

Traditional visitation will take place at his home, 2975 Red Feather Lane in Lakeport, starting Thursday, Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. and continue until his graveside funeral at St. Mary's Cemetery on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 15 February 2024 01:25; 15 February 2024

Deborah Ann Robison

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Deborah Ann Robison (McMurtrey) passed away on Feb. 7, 2024, due to cancer.

She is survived by her partner, children and grandchildren.

Debbie was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and passed on to her family her love for her culture and deep connection to the natural world.

Debbie had a special “green thumb” and used it to nurture both plants and people.

She was born in San Francisco and always felt a strong love for the ocean.

Her optimism, joy, and creativity will be deeply missed by her loved ones but will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone that she touched.

If you wish to honor her memory, plant a flower for the hummingbirds.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 707-263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelalakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 22 February 2024 23:19; 23 February 2024

Trinten Batemon

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Trinten Paul-Lee Batemon, born Aug. 8, 2004, unexpectedly gained his wings and joined his younger brother Blue, his papa and daughter Makayla on Feb. 3, 2024, at the young age of 19.

Trint is survived by his mom, Lorisha Scott (Que); father, Ed Batemon; Mema Joy, great grams (Elaine); sisters, Karissa and Aaijsha; brothers, Thomas and Eddie; his auntie/cousin Jessie and her husband Miguel; Auntie Caca; and not just his cousin but more of a brother, Demillion; along with lots of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many cousins.

Trint had many close friends who they all called each other brothers that were always at the house especially if mama was cookin’!

Services will be held at 14550 Pearl Ave in Clearlake on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date and will be posted as soon as we have that date time and place!

Donations are not necessary but greatly appreciated and can be made on the Gofundme page, Zelle, Cashapp and Apple Pay or you can contact Trint’s mom Lorisha at 707-701-1108 or on Facebook under Lorisha Scott for more information.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 17 February 2024 01:04; 17 February 2024

Carol Cooper

Carol Lorraine Cooper
June, 30 1941 – Jan. 23, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — For more than 50 years Carol Cooper enjoyed living in Lake County. Her funny character coupled with her empathy for others made her loved by everyone who knew her.

She was well known for her Willow Point restaurant in the 1970s. In April of 1971 she hauled in a record crappie from a nearby lagoon. Records indicate her 4.8-pound catch still stands as the California state record for white crappie.

Carol later became a licensed real estate agent and a proud Realtor. She served Lake County in this role for more than 40 years. Her ethics and professionalism developed many long-term loyal client relationships.

She was special to everyone who worked with her. Even after she stopped going into the office everyday, she maintained an active license status to help friends and family whenever anyone would ask.

Her devotion to her kids, grandkids, and so many others that came into her life was unmatched. Carol’s caring and loving nature made everyone who knew her part of the family. The compassion and love she gave made her a role model for many, however some just loved her for her cooking.

Unmentioned above, Carol was head over heels in love with her great grandchildren. Nothing in the world made her happier than when they would come to visit. This feeling was mutual and obvious in the shared joy expressed as she doted over them.

In passing she will join her father, Robert; mother, Kayee; brother, Robert, and two sons, Grant and Kevin.

Carol will be missed by her friends, by her community, by the world. Most of all she will be missed by her family.

Loving memories will be cherished by her husband, Mal; daughter, Colleen, son-in-law, Thad and their children Kenny, Finola, and Rylee.

She is still loved more than the whole universe by her son, Joe, daughter-in-law Luisa, and their son Orel. Grandson Jerry, his spouse Silvia, her two granddaughters Jasmine and Laurel are left with the gift of her adoration. Lastly, and most blessed to have known her, are her five great-grandchildren, Cooper, Camila, Olivia, Oliver and Avana.

A celebration of life is being planned for June 30 in Lakeport. The formal announcement will be made at a future date inviting everyone who would like to share her memory.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-057 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 13 February 2024 01:10; 13 February 2024

Sydney Campbell Stokes

Sydney Campbell Stokes
June 14, 1946 — Feb. 5, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Sydney Campbell Stokes passed away in a San Francisco hospital on Feb. 5, 2024, following surgery due to complications from multiple myeloma, a cancer that he had dealt with for many years.

Syd was a fifth generation Lake County resident and a longtime member of the Lake County farming community.

He was born in Lakeport but spent his early years in Southern California. He returned to Kelseyville in 1955 and attended Kelseyville Schools from the fifth grade on, graduating from Kelseyville High School in 1964. He was a natural athlete and played all of the team sports, serving as quarterback for the football team, pitcher for the baseball team, and he even won events in high jumping.

Following high school he attended Santa Rosa Junior College. In 1967 he enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves. After serving a short stint of active duty, he found a job as a load planner with United Airlines in San Francisco. He worked for United until 1971. During that time he obtained his private pilot’s license, then took aviation courses at College of San Mateo and soon obtained a commercial pilot’s license.

While still working at United Airlines, Syd enrolled at San Jose State University. In 1973 he graduated with a B.S. degree in criminal justice. After experimenting with jobs like commercial crab fishing in Alaska and running lettuce harvesting crews in the San Joaquin Valley, Syd returned to Lake County to farm Stokes Orchards with his father, Russell Stokes.

By 1977 he had branched out on his own and was managing a 63 acre pear orchard, which he purchased the following year. He also began leasing other orchards.

Following the sudden death of his father in an auto accident at the end of 1977, Syd assumed management of the family orchards as well.

After many years of farming pears, Syd decided in 1997 to turn his 63 acre pear orchard into a vineyard of sauvignon blanc wine grapes. It was a wise decision. The vineyard performed well and Syd maintained a contract with Kendall-Jackson Winery until he sold the vineyard in 2012 and retired.

Syd held many positions in the farming industry. He served on the board of directors for Mt. Konocti Growers for 18 years, the last two as president. He also served six years on the board of the California Canning Pear Association and twelve years on the California Pear Advisory Board.

In 1981 Syd reconnected with an old classmate of his, Diane Henderson. They had never dated in high school. Each of them had ended up in unsuccessful marriages with other people, but upon meeting again they realized how much they had in common with their upbringing, their parents and grandparents being friends, their mutual interest in flying, farming, the outdoors, and their goals.

Diane moved back home to Kelseyville to help farm her own family’s orchards in 1982 and they were married at the end of the year. Last November they celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary.

When they were not busy farming, Syd and Diane enjoyed fishing trips, hiking on their mountain property with their dogs, boating with friends on the lake and playing golf. Syd was also a lifelong sports fan, following the SF Giants, the SF 49ers, the Golden State Warriors and the Stanford Women’s basketball teams. After his retirement he joined a fantasy football league and had fun competing with his friends.

Syd was a kind and gentle person who enjoyed helping others and hearing about their lives. He will be remembered for his delightful understated wit that kept his friends amused. Diane loved the original metaphors that he could come up with. Syd also loved animals and was devoted to his little dog buddies.

Syd was predeceased by his father, Frederick Russell Stokes; his mother, Ruth Ann Harding; and his sisters, Sheryl Stokes Sourelis, Martha Stokes Panella and Sheila Bowthorpe.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Lee Henderson; his stepmother, Janice Telonicher Stokes; his sisters, Laura Margaret Stokes (Amy) and Sylvia Bettencourt McKee; and his brothers, Peter Russell Stokes (Heather), Victor Joseph McKee and John Christopher McKee (Grace). In addition he leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 23, at the Kelseyville Cemetery. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for refreshments and reminiscing at The Ripe Choice Farm located at 2550 Soda Bay Road.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Martha Stokes Panella Scholarship Fund, which benefits students of Kelseyville High School, or donate to a charity of your choice. To donate to the fund, send a check made out to “The Martha Stokes Panella Memorial Fund” and mail it to Strong Financial, P.O. Box 670, Lakeport, CA 95453.

Obits

Erik Mezori

Philip Gomez

Deborah Ann Robison

Trinten Batemon

Carol Cooper

Sydney Campbell Stokes

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