George Landis passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2009, after a life filled with hard work, adventures and a lot of love. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE – George Francis Landis, 92, of Clearlake, died peacefully surrounded by his loving daughters on Jan. 18, 2009, at his daughter and son-in-law’s home in Clearlake where he had been residing for the last few years.

A native of San Rafael, Calif., he was born July 27, 1916. While his birth certificate reads July 17, 1916, George always celebrated his birthday on July 27 because his mother told him she ought to know the actual date. He was born to George Saywright Landis and Bertha Evelyn Foster, both deceased.

George spent his childhood in Oakland and San Rafael, Calif., where his mother’s family operated a 200-acre dairy (now the Marin Civic Center) and a 1,000-acre property and hunting lodge in the Lucas Valley Road region. He fondly recalled riding in a horse-drawn wagon with his maternal grandfather on what is now Highway 101 in San Rafael.

His maternal grandfather came to Lake County often to “take the springs” at Bartlett Springs out of Nice, Calif. This brought his mother and father to love Lake County and they started bringing George and his siblings to the Lakeport and Clearlake (Clearlake Highlands at that time) areas to camp under the Oak trees.

His parents loved Lake County and bought the “Landis Compound” lakefront property in the 1920s, still located in Clearlake where, in later years, George built his home next to his mother and father’s, sister’s and brother’s homes. His mother and father built the Flying A gas station and the Chatterbox Diner in Clearlake. The family combined has had 16 local businesses in Lake County.

George graduated from Roosevelt High in Oakland, Calif. His first jobs were working for Garfield’s Feed Store and a liquor store where his photo was taken during Oakland’s wild west celebration, standing alongside Phillip Morris’ telegram icon, “Johnny” whose famous call was “Call for Phillip Morris!”

During World War II he worked in Oakland’s Naval shipyards until he was drafted by the US Navy. As a Seaman First Class, he was on the USS Boise steaming to Okinawa when the war thankfully ended.

He next worked for Abdu Allen in the Bay Area and Al Williams, where he learned to operate a truck crane, starting out as an oiler. Not satisfied working for others, George became owner/operator of his first truck crane, A & B Crane service, in the late 1940s.

George was married to Joyce Miller of Hayward, Calif., in 1938. They had two daughters, Linda and Vicki, and lived in the Bay Area as well as in Salinas, Calif.

George later married Louise Butter (nee Saunders), now deceased, of the Bay Area. They made their home in San Lorenzo together with Louise’s sons, Jack and Steve Butter. In 1956, they bought an old cabin in Clearlake Oaks, moving there in 1960. Their daughter, Georgia, was born in 1958. In 1962, George built their lakefront home on his family’s property in Clearlake. In 1964, their son George was born.

He constructed many bridges in the state of California, many on the North Coast and acquired a pile driver from W. Denner of Clearlake Oaks in 1963. He constructed many piers on Clear Lake and could be easily spotted on the lake when he purchased the 1913 tugboat “Little Toot.” He owned the Windmill in Clearlake Oaks and partnered with brother Jimmy, owning The Scoop in Oakland.

George was a charter and lifetime member of Clearlake BPOE Elks, lifetime member of American Legion (Clearlake), Past Chef de Gare 40/8, lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Operating Engineers Local Union #3.

He enjoyed and treasured family and friends and especially hunting trips down Cache Creek in World War II surplus rafts. While living at his daughter's home, he also enjoyed his daily walks with his granddog, Jake.

George is survived by his sister, Ida Mae Arneson (Clearlake); his children, Linda Little, Vicki Holte (both of Anacortes, Wash.), Georgia Hughes (Clearlake) and George Landis (Sacramento), and stepsons John “Jack” (Coos Bay, Ore.) and Stephen Butter (Olympia, Wash.); seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Dorothy “Dolly” Dickey (Clearlake), James “Jimmy” Landis (Santa Rosa and Lake County) and Rose “Tootsie” Nano (San Leandro/Modesto).

A public memorial service will be conducted at Jones and Lewis Mortuary in Lower Lake on Saturday, Jan. 24 (the mortuary may be reached by phone at 994-6417) to be followed by gathering at Clearlake’s American Legion Post on Austin Ave. Cremation and private inurnment. Donations to Hospice Services of Lake County, Animal Coalition of Lake County or Make-A-Wish are preferred.

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George was born May 29, 1922, in New York. His family moved to San Francisco when he was 3 years old.

After high school, George served with the Seabees in the US Navy during World War II and later relocated to Santa Rosa. He worked at Sonoma State University where he met his wife, Irma.

After George and Irma both retired, they moved to Hidden Valley Lake where he enjoyed fishing, golfing, RV-ing with friends and traveling to craft fairs, where they sold their handmade crafts.

George and Irma moved back to Santa Rosa in 2004 to be closer to their family. After 28 years of marriage, Irma passed away on Nov. 8, 2007.

George will be dearly missed by his sister, Anna (Ted); brothers, Mervyn (Beth) and Donald (Fumi); his son Bob; his daughter JoRene (Craig) and his stepchildren, Gene (Sidney), John (Tara) Kathy, Liz (Mark), Mike, Debbie (Jon), Dennis (Marnie), Allyson (Steve) and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, 11 a.m., at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Franklin Avenue. Donations may be made to Sutter Hospice in George and Irma's names.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to John and Tara Schallert for all their loving care for our dear Georgie-Porgie.

Arrangements handled by Santa Rosa Mortuary Eggen and Lance Chapel.

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Jessica Davison, 20, died Oct. 25, 2008. Courtesy photo.

“Live, Laugh, Love” was the way 20-year-old Jessica Michelle Davison approached each day. Jessie’s love and compassion for others was evident to those who knew her. Jessie always gave her best when helping others.

She grew up in Nice attending Upper Lake Elementary School until she was in the third grade, when she moved with her family to Santa Cruz County.

Jessie always played recreational sports as a child and continued on into the high school and college level. She was a four-sport athlete, playing volleyball, basketball, softball and water polo for San Lorenzo Valley High School, continuing on to Bethany University to play softball and study for her career as a teacher. Jessie also played summer traveling softball with the Mountain Dream Team, Tremblers, Crushers, Santa Cruz Surf and the San Jose Strikers.

As a young child Jessie knew that she wanted to be a teacher for elementary students and children with learning disabilities. Children gravitated to Jessie; kids were always following her, hanging all over her like little monkeys. Unlike most, Jessie was a special person who had it all figured out. She was ambitious, driven and focused on being a teacher.

Jessie moved from Bethany University to Cabrillo Junior College to save money as she took her general education courses with plans to transfer back to Bethany University to complete her education. She was a tutor for elementary students, child care giver and always worked part-time as she studied for her teaching degree.

Jessie was always looking to help other people anyway she could. Her gentle spirit was always care giving. She worked at Sunshine Villa caring of the elderly, tutored elementary students, was part of the conflict resolution team, refereed for recreational sports, coached softball for younger girls and babysat. Jessie was currently looking into being a volunteer at the crisis center in Santa Cruz.

She had many jobs in her short life; during high school she was a day care helper for April Beltz and babysat in the neighborhood. Jessie worked in Scotts Valley at Jamba Juice, AT&T, Boulder Creek County Club and lastly at Beverly Fabrics in Capitola. She always knew how to make people laugh and brighten any situation with her beautiful smile.

Jessie was a very religious young women attending churches including St. Michael's, Santa Cruz Bible, Twin Lakes Church and Bethany Chapel.

Jessie was suddenly taken from us on Oct. 25 in a freak car accident. There was no foul play, she was not drinking, she was wearing her seat belt and was not speeding. Jessie went to school in the morning, worked in the afternoon, came home for a couple of hours and went out to meet a friend. She had a very long day and fell asleep at the wheel at about 2:10 a.m., less than a mile from her home.

She is survived by mother Dawn Peterson; brothers Jeffrey Pittman and Josh Davison; sisters Sherry and Melissa Davison; cousins Nick Thompson, Jeri Spehar and Chris Davison; aunts Barbara Thompson and Pam Spehar; uncles Bruce Spehar and Ronnie Davison; aunt Debbie and uncle Pete Jonas; and many other family members.

April Beltz of Ben Lomond will be hosting a memorial gathering for people in the community on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 3 p.m. Please park at the Red Mormon Church on Love Creek Road in Ben Lomond. San Lorenzo Valley Coach Lowe has opened "Jessie’s Memorial Fund "at Liberty Bank in Boulder Creek.

Family services will be held at Los Gatos Memorial Park in Los Gatos on Friday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.

Jessie accomplished so much in her short life, she will always be our angel watching over us. Her big heart, and loving and nurturing spirit touched many and will be missed by all.

We love you, Jessie.

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Brett Behrens died Dec. 18, 2008. Courtesy photo.

Brett Behrens, 46, of Clearlake, Calif, left the life, family and friends that he loved on Dec. 18, 2008, and continued on to a better place where the limitations that bound him on earth can no longer restrain him from the dreams and ambitions he strived for.

He was born in Lakeport, Calif., on June 29, 1962, to Hugo and Willa Mae Behrens.

Brett was a longtime resident of Lake County. He graduated from Lakeport High School in 1980 where he made lifelong friends, was active in sports – his favorite being tennis – and voted most spirited for his graduating class. He then went on to Arizona State University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in communications.

Brett’s biggest passion in life was photography which he had done for over 20 years until his eyesight recently failed him.

During those years as a photojournalist, he photographed everyone from the King of Sweden to Joe Montana and events such as the 1984 Summer Olympic Games and the Democratic National Convention.

In addition to working and contributing to many newspapers and publications such as the Associated Press, www.lakeconews.com, Lake County Record-Bee and Ukiah Daily Journal, Brett also owned his own portrait photography studio in Lakeport and then in Ukiah.

Brett was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, working as the advancement chair for the Lake District. He organized the district Web site and helped to organized and start two Boy Scout units within the county. He also played a very active role in the Clearlake Pack No. 144 and Troop No. 44.

He leaves behind his fiancée Peggy Engstrom, son Cody Engstrom, daughter-in law Kim Engstrom, his new grandson Logan Michael Engstrom, future mother-in-law Mignon Perry and many, many friends.

Brett lived everyday of his life to the fullest and truly knew how precious life was and how the little things that most people take for granted are the true blessings. He considered the life he was living as his “Second Life,” not a life that he had expected, not one that was fair and one that many times could be cruel, but nevertheless the one he was dealt and the one he would make the best out of.

He was truly and inspiration and everyone he knew will truly miss him.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Ukiah and Lake County Davita Dialysis Centers which always treated Brett with love and respect; the St. Helena Hospital Clearlake Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, whose care and support helped not only before Brett’s death but after; and to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and LCCOA for their support following Brett’s death.

A memorial will be held for Brett in May 2009; details will run in the local newspapers.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that family and friends bring plants or seeds to the memorial.

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Donald Brice had a passion for motor sports, on and off the water. Courtesy photo.

Donald Gene Brice was born on Aug. 5, 1929, in Cove, Ark., and passed away peacefully at his home in Chino Hills, Calif., on Oct. 25, 2008.

He attended California’s Burbank High School and graduated from Sonora High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-58 stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco.

He ran his business, Brice Engineering, from 1967 and continued to work in the machining business until he retired in the spring 2008. His son, Keith, continues to run Brice Engineering in Lakeport.

Don was an accomplished machinist and innovator. He was introduced to water ski racing in the late 1950s and hand-built his first ski race boat, an 18-foot Rayson Craft named “Goosebumps,” in 1961.

During this period in his life, Don was actively involved with working on the Offenhaeuser powered Novi Indy Car Team and was partially responsible for the success of Lee Taylor’s “Hustler” jet boat world record run of 286.875 miles per hour, as Don personally installed the throttle mechanisms for this achievement.

He was also instrumental in introducing the late great Ray Caselli, blown fuel flat bottom icon and close personal friend, to drag boat racing in the early sixties. Another key achievement around this time, was building the first prototype Arneson pool sweep units for inventor Howard Arneson of San Rafael, Calif.

Don had a passion for motor sports and was an accomplished drag boat racer with the National Drag Boat Racing Association in conjunction with becoming a National Champion boat racer and elected official and founding member of the National Speedboat and Water Ski Racing Association. He served on the board of directors as a Commodore for many ski racing organizations. He loved dirt bike riding, driving his dune buggies and, in more recent years, enjoyed piloting his Seadoo as well as his golf cart with his two dogs on board. He was also a member of the Long Beach, Los Angeles and Marina boat and ski clubs.

Don and his family have vacationed and competed in ski racing events in Lakeport since the early 1960s. He loved Lakeport and all the many friends he made here.

He is survived by his loving companion of 32 years, Judith Cotner, of Chino Hills, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Dawna Brice of Lakeport, Calif.; daughter, Susan Rasmussen of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; daughter, Cristy Brice of Lucerne, Calif.; stepdaughters and sons-in-laws, Rhonda and Gary Hardasty of Chino Hills, Michelle and Phil Kramer of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Melissa and Paul Rivera of Yorba Linda; grandchildren, Shiloh and Kura Brice, Ryan and Sarah Rasmussen, Jason Kramer and Amy King, Jeremy and Amanda Hardasty, and Lauren, Michelle, Crystal, Valerie and Jordan Rivera; great-grandchildren, Emily and Kayla, as well as many nieces and nephews and other family relatives including brother-in-law, Jeff Young of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

He was preceded in death by ex-wife Joanie Brice, and mother and stepfather, Effie and Paul Piltz of Big Oak Flat, Calif.

Family services will be held in the spring of 2009 at Lake Havasu Landing where Don and Judy had a second home. They both had many friends and cherished memories there.

Family and friends have decided to purchase a lamp post in downtown Lakeport.

Donations can be made to the “Don Brice Memorial Lamp Post Fund” at Savings Bank of Mendocino County, P.O. Box 156, Lakeport, CA 95453.

Don has the “pole position” secured at the newly dedicated “boat racer alley” on First Street next to Library Park in Lakeport.

“Big Daddy Don” will always live on in our hearts.

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The Rev. Ruth Canady was remembered at a weekend service. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS – A private celebration in memory of Rev. Ruth Canady was held Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church.

On Sunday evening, Aug. 10, Pastor Ruth had difficulty breathing and was transported to Sutter Santa Rosa the next day. A biopsy of her left lung was performed and due to this procedure and her weakened state, she did not recover. At this writing the cause of her severely damaged lungs have not been determined.

Pastor Ruth’s husband Rev. William Thornton passed away in April 2005, leaving her to carry the torch of dreams for the Clearlake Oaks Church and the community’s integrity. Now it is up to the congregation and the community to keep that torch burning and realize their dream.

She is survived by her children: Charlene Stearns, Cheryl Carzoli, Diana O’Hara, Michael Thornton and Cherri Campbell; her grandchildren: Nathan Dukes, Kelsey Carzoli, Lexi Carzoli, Shannon O’Hara, Jan Bumgarner, Lindsey Campbell, and Kevin and Casey McCormick; and her great-grandchildren, Casey Clarke, Madison Bumgarner and Wyatt Dukes.

The memorable celebration was officiated by Rev. Paula Bishop Paciecha and Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser; music by Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser and Jim Coombs.

A special thank you to Rev. Paula Bishop Paciencha, minister of Congregational Care for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Northern California-Nevada and to Rev. Shannon Kimbal-Auth with the Methodist Church of Lakeport-UCP, who provided the crucial information to contact pertinent parties involved; and to all who prayed and helped put this celebration together so quickly and with great love.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Thornton-Canady Youth and Community Center c/o Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 962, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423, telephone 707-998-9435.

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