Joyce Spanos died on September 3, 2011. Courtesy photo.

Joyce Cherie Spanos passed away on Sept. 3, 2011 in Clearlake, Calif.

Born in San Pablo, Calif., she was a longtime resident of Clearlake.

She leaves behind her children, Robert Spanos Jr. of Hidden Valley Lake and Jeana Weiper, and her husband, Jay, of Clearlake.

She also is survived by her grandchildren, Kyle, Ashley and her husband Daniel, and Jayme; a great-granddaughter, Aleena; sister, Jody Day, and her husband, Joe; and many extended family including nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Spanos Sr., and baby William.

Joyce will be remembered for her kind heart and generous spirit. She cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Joyce also will be remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking that she always generously shared with family, friends and co-workers throughout the years.

Private family services are being held. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.

Navy SEAL Jesse Pittman died in Afghanistan on Saturday, August 6, 2011. He was 27 years old. Courtesy photo.

Jesse D. Pittman was born April 20, 1984, in Arcata, Calif. A Navy SEAL, he died Aug. 6, 2011, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

He moved with his family to Willits in June 1984. Jesse attended school in Willits and Redwood Valley graduating from Willits High in 2002.

Jesse held various jobs while in high school. In 2003 he went to work for Cal Fire as a seasonal firefighter. Firefighting was not challenging enough for Jesse so he took a year to pre-train prior to joining the Navy. His goal was to become a Navy SEAL.

Jesse was the type of person who, even at a young age, had an insatiable drive to accomplish what he wanted to do. He succeeded in everything he made up his mind to do.

Jesse had a good sense of humor which was appreciated by all. He was also a very honest, dedicated person.

He will be remembered by the Pittman family, and everyone that knew him, as a hero and a wonderful person. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and fellow Navy SEALs.

He is survived by his parents, J. Terry and Ida Pittman; and two brothers, J. Terry and Corey S. Pittman.

He also is survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. His Uncle Mike was especially close to Jesse and his family.

May Jesse be a good example for all of us. He accomplished more in his 27 years than many of us will accomplish in our lifetime. He loved his country and died a hero.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to The Navy SEAL Foundation.

A memorial honoring Jesse will be held at the Ukiah Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at 11 a.m.

Ron Larsen, a retired Clearlake Police captain, died on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at his home in Kelseyville, Calif., following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 60 years old.

Ronald Dale Larsen was born May 15, 1951 in Eureka, Calif., to Gladys (Hescock) Larsen and Harvey Leonard Larsen.

On Aug. 10, 2011, Ronald passed away at his home in Kelseyville, Calif., after a year-long illness from cancer.

Ronald graduated from Ferndale High School and graduated from College of The Redwoods before beginning his 35 year career in law enforcement.

He began work for the State of California Department of Justice in Sacramento, then returned to Ferndale as a police officer which began his long career as a police officer with several police agencies, including the Pacific Grove Police Department in Pacific Grove, Calif., and then the Clearlake Police Department in Clearlake, Calif.

After joining Clearlake Police Department in 1981, Ronald worked all assignments, and promoted through the ranks, attaining rank of captain until his retirement on Dec. 20, 2006.

After retirement, Ronald worked part-time for the Lake County District Attorney's Office and as a private investigator until his illness became too severe.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Jeanette Larsen; daughter, Nicole Lynn Larsen (age 21), both of Lake County' and son Jeremy Dale Larsen (19) who is attending Naval Nuclear Power Training Command at Charleston, South Carolina.

Ron is also survived by his mother, Gladys Winemiller and her husband Mervin of Santa Rosa, Calif; mother-in-law, Betty Jackson of Clearlake, Calif.; half-brother, Brian Larsen, half-sister, Julie Larsen, and stepbrother Dan Larsen, all of Eureka, Calif.

Ron was an avid sportsman and hunter and most enjoyed taking his daughter and son to Wyoming where they hunted for elk and antelope.

Memorial services will be at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St., Lower Lake, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, at noon with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be given to a cancer prevention center or Hospice Services of Lake County.

Arrangements under the direction of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, Calif; www.jonesandlewis.com.

He leaves behind his sister Anita Bays and a son, Isaiah Mckenzie-Bays.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Don Bays of San Jose.

Jeff shared his time between Clearlake and San Jose. He worked as a tree-trimmer for 20 years.

Jeff belonged to a "hot rod" family, and was in the process of restoring his Ranchero.

He was an accomplished fabricator and was known for the great work he did on cars.

Every Sunday he enjoyed watching NASCAR. Jeff also enjoyed heavy metal music, and you could always hear him as he drove down the street.

Jeff was everyone's friend and never was unkind. Although his looks were intimidating, he was a "big brother" to many and had a great big heart.

A memorial service will be held for Jeff at the American Legion Hall, Jeff's favorite place to spend time in Clearlake. Services will be on September 24 at 2 p.m. with a potluck to follow at the hall.

Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, telephone 707-994-6417.

Tyler James Lee of Lake County, Calif., died on Saturday, July 16, 2011. Courtesy photo.

Tyler James Lee, a 40-year Lake County resident, passed peacefully in his own home on Saturday, July 16.

A lifetime health problem took him, but he was filled with energy and love and humor right up to the moment he slipped away. A light went out, and he will be grievously missed.

Tyler is survived by daughter, Maya (Tim) Hadjes, and children Ben and McKaela of Meridian, Idaho. He is also survived by his wife, Donna, and his stepchildren, Kathleen Craig Terdiman (Daniel) of Sausalito and Mike Craig and children Ashley and Matt of Sunnyvale.

Tyler and Donna bought their homestead on Bartlett Mountain in 1976, home schooling their children and commuting to work in the Barnes Yard. Tyler later worked for Vittel's Bartlett Springs plant and then became the Nice Water master.

In 1996 they retired to the mountain, developing their solar system and organic garden.

Tyler earned his bachelor of arts degree at Sacramento State and his master's degree at San Francisco State.

Learning was his lifelong passion, and contributions in his memory to KPFZ (88.1FM) community radio, 149 N. Main St., Ste 220, Lakeport CA 95453, where his voice was often heard or to Friends of the Lake County Library would honor him.

The date for a celebration of his life will be announced.

For further information contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611.

Colin K. Wilson of Clearlake passed away on Aug. 6, 2011 at the age of 73.

Born in Ohio on March 2, 1938, he was formerly of Santa Barbara and had lived in Lake County for 31 years. All of that time in Lake County was spent owning and operating the Shady Acres Resort.

Colin was a proud United States Army veteran, active from 1960-1962, then in the Reserves from 1963-1966. He was very active in the communities in which he lived, and his affiliations include the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, the Southlake Resort Owners Association, Sons in Retirement, The Elks, Kiwanis and Red Cross.

Colin is survived by his loving family; his wife of 50 years, Marian Wilson of Clearlake; daughters, Lisa Wilson of New York, NY, and Michele Olejnik Silva (Bill) of Clearlake; son, Christopher Wilson (Yolanda) of Clearlake; brother, Raymond Wilson (Jo) of Columbus, OH; and two grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Martha and John Wilson; grandson, Ivan Irl Wilson and sister; Jacqueline Wilson.

A funeral mass will said in his honor on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 11 a.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Clearlake. Inurnment will be private at Lower Lake Cemetery.

Colin's family wishes that any donations be made in lieu of flowers. Send to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 14435 Uhl Ave, Clearlake CA 95422 in Memory of Colin Wilson.

Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel of Lower Lake is handling the arrangements.