J. JAMES MURPHY, ESQ., 84, died on Sunday, February 27, 2000. The oldest of nine, Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, Tom, Bob, Mae and Margie. Survived by his loving wife of 29 years Laura Lopez Murphy; his sister, Eileen Vrklan (Nicholas, deceased) of Whittier, CA; brothers Terrence (Mary) of Ocean City, MD; Gene (Katy, deceased) of Harrisburg, PA; and Martin (Helga) of Salinas, CA. and many, many nieces and nephews. Jim was born in Mayfield, PA on July 31, 1915 and grew up in Archbald, PA while attending local schools, graduating from Johnson Trade School in Scranton as Valedictorian at the age of 17. During his schooling, he pursued an interest in music, encouraged and tutored by his dad, the late James A. Murphy, and played trumpet and trombone in local bands. After one year's service in he Civilian Conservation Corps, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he was assigned to the band on the Carrier U.S.S. Saratoga. Jim was later transferred to the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Houston to be first trombone of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's band when the President journeyed from San Diego south to the Galapagos Islands and then north to Charleston, SC., eventually ending the long trip at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. After four years in the Navy, Jim remained in the West Coast, pursuing his musical career and free lancing until he became a member of the Skinnay Ennis' Band, playing for the Bob Hope Show and traveling with the band in the off season. Jim was then drafted into the Army, where he served until July, 1941. Right after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Jim joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served until the end of the war. He then became first trombone of the KHJ Radio Station Mutual Network Staff Orchestra under the leadership of Harry Zimmerman. When the station no longer maintained a staff orchestra, he went back to free lancing and played a stint with Les Brown. In 1950, Jim fulfilled his desire to attend college and did so at the University of Arizona under the G.I. Bill, while continuing to play on weekends and special occasions for the Wayne Webb Orchestra and Louis Leon Orchestra and others. While in college, Jim met and dated his future wife, Laura, but they did not marry until 1970 - an only marriage for both. Jim got his B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1953 and went to work in Venezuela with the Creole Petroleum Corporation - a subsidiary of Standard Oil - as a cost analyst. He came back to the U.S. in 1955 and worked his way through law school, graduating from the Univ. of AZ School of Law in 1960, at the age of 45, and practiced law until his retirement. He was appointed Magistrate of the City of South Tucson in 1974 and served in that capacity eight-and-one-half years, while maintaining his law practice, retiring from his practice in 1979 and from the bench in 1982. A practicing Catholic all his life, Jim was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Tucson in 1977 by Bishop Francis Green, who assigned him to St. Monica Parish as regular deacon and the Marriage Tribunal, first as an advocate and later as defender of the bond. Jim was a just, generous, compassionate, friendly man known for his kindness, courtesy and integrity. He will be greatly missed by his wife for whom he was the center of her world, and by his many friends and acquaintances. Services will be as follows: Viewing from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. with Rosary led by Deacon John Garcia at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, at CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, 204 S. Stone Ave. The Mass of the Resurrection will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, at St. Augustine Cathedral, 192 S. Stone, with the Vicar General, the Rev. Van A. Wagner, a dear friend, as main celebrant. Burial will follow at South Lawn Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Casa de los Ninos Crisis Center, 1101 N. 4th St., Tucson, AZ 85705 or St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Monica's Conference, 212 W. Medina Rd., Tucson, AZ 85706.
Raul B. Rivera, age 89, a lifetime resident of Arizona, passed away February 28, 2000 in Tucson. Born July 7, 1910 in Arivaca, Arizona. Survived by his loving wife, of 60 years, Santos; daughter, Lillian Rivera; sons, Oscar (Rachel) Rivera and George (Linda) Rivera; daughter, Lucy (Gil) Suarez; grandchildren, Lisa Pina, Marty Pina, Steven Rivera and Oscar Rivera; sisters, Rosalia R. Pineda, Aurelia R. Moose and Mary R. Miller; many loving nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2000 at SOUTH LAWN MORTUARY, 5401 S. Park Ave. Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at St. John Catholic Church. Burial will follow at South Lawn Cemetery.
Marjory Lou Skowron, 64, of Tucson, died Sunday, February 27, 2000. Survivors include: husband, Ed; sons, Steven and Richard, all of Tucson; daughter, Liseann Karandisecky of NY; mother, Lois Chase of Tucson; five grandchildren; brother, Wilbur Chase; and sister, Lois Milman, both of MA. Marjory Chase grew up in the small town of Cheshire, MA with her childhood sweetheart Edward Skowron. They marriage in 1955 and shared in a 24 year Air Force career, settling in Tucson in 1971. She was involved in CBSA, SAGA and with her husband in Centurions of St. Mary's Hospital. As a tour guide she shared her knowledge and love of the Catalinas and the Sonoran Desert. Funeral Services will be at Catalina Foothills Church, 2150 E. Orange Grove Rd., Thursday, 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Phil Kruis officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Carondelet Hospice Service, 1802 W St Mary's Rd, 85745 in memory of Marjory Skowron. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel, 1050 N Dodge Blvd @ Speedway.
Betty Urschalitz, 82, born December 21, 1917, in McComb, Ohio went home to be with the Lord on February 25, 2000. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Wisdom, Jeanne (Travis) Mayhall, Deanna (Ben) Jamine; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Urschalitz; parents, Earl and Mildred Strouse; sister, Kathryn White; son-in-law, Howard D. Wisdom.
Betty and Jim moved to Tucson from Ohio in 1944. They lived in Nogales, AZ for several years and relocated to the Tubac-Tumacacori area in 1951. All who knew her will miss her boundless love and cheerful, kind nature. She gave so much of herself to her family, her church and her friends.
We wish to extend sincere gratitude to Jerry J. and her staff for their love and assistance with our mother's care over the past six years. Thank you also to the TMC Hospice staff for their loving care and support during mother's last weeks.
Visitation Friday, March 3, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at VALLEY FUNERAL HOME, 2545 N. Tucson Blvd. Services will be held Saturday, March 4, in the Tubac Area. Procession will form at 11:00 a.m. at the Tubac Presidio Park entrance (next to St. Ann's Church) and travel to the final service site (end of west frontage road). In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Faith Community Church Youth Ministry, 2551 W. Orange Grove Rd, Tucson, 85741.
WEBB, Lorena "Rena" Sewell, of Homewood, born March 10, 1909 in Decatur, AL, passed away February 28, 2000, leaves a legacy of love for her family, friends, church and community. Her commitment to the community where she lived for nearly 72 of her 91 years has been recognized by numerous awards and nominations. She was instrumental in the planning and execution of the "Touch and See Nature Trail," Garden for the Blind at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Mrs. Webb worked tirelessly to organize and staff Brownie Scout Troops for every little girl that wanted to be a Brownie Scout. The work and dedication continued as the need for more Girl Scout troops increased. The Thursday "paper day drives" at Edgewood School were boosted each week as the Webb car and trailer full of papers was deposited to the credit of one of the three daughters' homeroom. She began her business career at the Woman's Missionary Union, 1928-1938, then resumed her career in 1956 as Promotion and Merchandising Director at WRBC Radio, moving to WBRC TV, 1960-1969, where she was Assistant Promotions Director. After retiring in 1969, she worked with Alabama Educational Television Commission. She served as Board Member, Director of American Women in Radio and Television, V. Pres. Homewood Business and Professional Women, V.P. Jefferson County Radio and TV Council, and is listed in "Foremost Women in Communication", "Two Thousand Women of Achievement", 1969. For her work in helping the diabetic children of Jefferson County to be able to attend Camp Seale Harris, regardless of financial ability, she established camperships and was awarded the Samuel Eichold Bronze Plaque. She served as Trustee, Director, President of the Birmingham Lay Diabetes Society. Mrs. Webb is First Name on Pilot Club "Honor Roll", Birmingham 1971. In 1955 she was nominated for "Shades Valley Woman of the Year", "Alabama Mother of the Year," 1963, "Woman of the Year", 1970 and "Career Woman of the Year", 1971. Mrs. Webb was a member of the old 6th Avenue Presbyterian Church. She was preceeded in death by her husband of 54 years, Garrett Wesley "Red" Webb. She is survived by three daughters, Martha Ramirez (Geronimo), Tucson, Arizona, Jeanette Blankenship, Birmingham and Carol Webb, Perdido Key, Florida and Birmingham; two grandchildren, Cynthia Conrad Harris (Donald), Gainesville, Florida, and Daniel B. Henderson III (Dawn), Birmingham; two great-grandchildren, Heather Harris, Dallas, Texas and Michael K. W. Harris of Gainesville, Florida, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 at Ridout's Valley Chapel in Homewood with burial at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Valley Chapel. Reverend Jesse Garner of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be sent to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation located at 3 Office Park Circle, Suite 115, Mountain Brook, Alabama 35223. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, 205-879-3401 in Homewood.
Boyd McClean Wilson, prominent rancher, native Arizonian, and beloved friend to many, passed away February 27, 2000 at age 84. Mr. Wilson was born in Oracle, Arizona, to Carlotta and George Wilson on November 16, 1915. His father and grandfather homesteaded Rancho Linda Vista, Arizona's first guest ranch, at Oracle in 1906. Boyd later purchased his own ranch, Falcon Valley Ranch, which was his home for 45 years.
Mr. Wilson attended Oracle Elementary School, Tucson High School and the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Mr. Wilson built the original Oracle Inn in 1935 while running his father's guest ranch. He was one of the founders of the Mountain Oyster Club and served as it's President for 16 years. As he loved to play golf, he joined the Oro Valley Country Club in 1959 and was it's first elected President. During his many years as a rancher, he was actively involved in the Arizona Cattle Growers Association. He will be remembered by his friends for his beautiful voice and his guitar, which accompanied him as he sang the many lovely old Spanish songs.
Mr. Wilson passed away at home with his wife and stepdaughter, Karen, at his side. He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 27 years - Dorothy. He is also survived by a son, Ralph; two stepdaughters; two grandsons; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; and one great-grandson, both of Phoenix; a dear and caring cousin, Peter Culley (Elizabeth) of Paradise Valley, AZ; cousin, Stuart Wilson of Deposit, NY and cousin, Roger Wilson (Moya) of Green Valley, AZ.
I ain't much good at prayin' and you may not know me, Lord.
I ain't much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word,
But You may have observed me out here on the lonely plains,
A lookin' after cattle, feelin' thankful when it rains.
Admirin' Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass,
Aware of Thy kind spirit in the way it comes to pass
That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night and know we've got a friend. Private cremation service will be at ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Ave. @ Magee, with his final resting place at the new mausoleum at East Lawn Cemetery.
BRADY, CALVIN D., 73, Died: March 2, 2000. ABBEY FUNERAL CHAPEL (888-1111)
DELIO, Marie R., 87, died March 4, 2000 in Tucson. Survived by her son, Roger Ashton; sister, Helen Blakeney; 2 grandchildren; niece, Mona Hendricks; and other nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Tuesday, March 8, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at Wolfrey Peach Chapel. Visitation will be from 5:30 p.m. til service time. Arrangements by WOLFREY PEACH CHAPEL, 5225 E. Speedway, 881-0338.
FERGUSON, Eve A., was welcomed into heaven on March 3, 2000 by her Lord; blessed mother, her mother Luz S. Aguirre; sister, Socorro Aguirre; and aunt Francisca Sanchez. She is survived by her son, Tom Ferguson; her daughter, Patty (Jim) Welsh; her granddaughters, Sarah Luz, Antonia and Andrea Welsh; her brother, Alex S. Aguirre; and her favorite niece, Ana Luz (Mark) Benford; and great-niece, Emily Benford. Mom was a long time member of Santa Cruz Church and then in later years of St. Margaret's Parish where she worked with the OCIA nd derived much happiness and fulfillment. Mom volunteered many hours to Cathedral/choir, Santa Cruz, Medical Secretaries, Carondolet Hospice, Cursillo and to her favorite activity, her granddaughters. God sent her down as a little mirror to reflect his Son into every dark nook and cranny and into every heart she touched and she shined quite brightly. We'll all be at a loss without her physical presence but know that her spirit is still guiding and directing our steps and loving us always. We thank Socorro D. for being with us and Dignita Hospice for their loving care. Services will begin with a Rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass of the Resurrection on Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at St. Margaret's Church, 801 N. Grande Ave. Interment following at Holy Hope Cemetery and reception to follow at St. Margaret's Hall. Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Gilberto Levario. Arrangements by CARRILLO'S TUCSON MORTUARY, INC.
