Lake County News,California

Obits

: 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 Saturday, 03 February 2024 22:21; 03 February 2024

Walter Keith Wentworth

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Walter Keith Wentworth, also known as Keith, died April 4, 2023, of heart disease.

He was born Jan. 17, 1958.

He is survived by his two daughters, Katherine Wentworth and her wife Rachel Wentworth, his eldest daughter, Meggan Folds, and her husband Jeremy Folds, and her two children Kasey and Sean Miles.

His memorial service took place in June of 2023.

He is remembered by his sister, Karen Hayes; her husband, Scott Hayes; and their two children, Victoria and Bryce.

: 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.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 01 February 2024 01:20; 01 February 2024

Helen Grazina Locke

Helen Grazina Locke
Nov. 2, 1946 – Jan. 24, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Helen Locke, beloved wife, mother and cherished member of the community, passed away peacefully at her home in Clearlake Oaks, California, on Jan. 24, 2024.

Helen was born at the end of World War II to Lithuanian parents at a displaced-persons (DP) camp in Augsburg, Germany. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1949, living at several places in the Midwest before settling in South Haven, Michigan, where Helen grew up and graduated from high school.

Helen then moved to California and embarked on a career at Pacific Bell as a computer systems manager. It was while there that she became a naturalized citizen and met and married her husband, Dennis. Helen and Dennis retired from Pacific Bell and moved to Clearlake Oaks in 2002.

In retirement Helen became active in local politics, community, and volunteer organizations. She had a passion for fishing, gardening, world travel, and the San Francisco Giants and 49ers.

Helen is predeceased by her parents; sister, Marie; brother, Bill; and former husband, Charles Glenn. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dennis; son, Jess Glenn; sisters, Rita and Amy; and several nieces and nephews.

We would like to express heartfelt gratitude to our friends and neighbors for their support and to Hospice Services of Lake County for their excellent care during the last stage of Helen’s life.

A celebration of life potluck will be held at the Clear Lake Keys Club in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, Feb. 24, beginning at noon.

Helen was a caring individual with a deep commitment to family and community. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.

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

Obits

Philip Gomez

Deborah Ann Robison

Walter Keith Wentworth

Carol Cooper

Sydney Campbell Stokes

Helen Grazina Locke

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