Isaac Joseph Rodriguez, “Ike”, 51, with his family at his bedside went to be with the Lord Wednesday afternoon, August 22, 2001. He fought courageously during his liver illness.
He was born in Yuma, AZ, April 27, 1950 and graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1969. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1969 - 1972 in Ft. Bliss, TX as a Radar Operator. Isaac worked for Asarco Mining from 1972 - 1979 as a Truck Operator in Sahuarita, AZ. He graduated with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Academy as Patrol Officer in 1979, assigned to the Highway Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer in Tucson, AZ. He was promoted to Paramedic in 1987 with the Elite DPS Helicopter Air Rescue units and served in Kingman, AZ , Phoenix, AZ and Tucson, AZ. “Ike” was a 22 year veteran of the department. He also worked part- time as a paramedic with Northwest Hospital and Lifeline St. Marys Hospital in Tucson, AZ.
“Ike” had a great love of flying, and was a licensed airplane pilot, and was working on both his commercial fixed-wing and helicopter ratings. His dream was to fly commercially. He will be missed by all he touched.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Yolanda; daughters, Tina Rodriguez and Rebekah Gomez; step-children, Jose Miguel Mendoza, Angelica Mendoza; grandsons, Mario and Anthony; father and mother in law, Manuel and Amalia Fregoso; brother in law, Manny Fregoso, all of Tucson, AZ.; brother, Alfred Rodriguez, of Arlington, TX; sisters, Amy Perez, of La Mirada, CA, Claudia Bagby, Bullhead City, AZ, Stella Wilson, of Portland, OR; numerous nephews and nieces and he is survived by you, his friends and co-workers.
Memorial Services will be held at Casa Adobes Baptist Church, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd., Tucson, AZ on Thursday August 30, 9:30 am. Interment will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ike benefits fund, Bank of America, acct. #004678412026.
Verna Elizabeth Sellers
Verna Elizabeth Sellers, 70 left our earth on August 25, 2001. She was born on December 18, 1930 in Carthage, New York. She married John D. Sellers at Lute’s Chapel in 1949.
Verna is survived by her three sons, Reed, David and John.; Nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband John D. Sellers.
In lieu of services there will be a family gathering at the home of John and Charmaine Sellers on
Thursday, August 30, 2001 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
During her final days Verna received excellent care from Hospice of Yuma, in lieu of flowers, please send a donation on her behalf to Hospice of Yuma.
Lilyan D. Engle
Lilyan Engle, 86, died on May 18, 2001 in Sacramento, CA.
Lilyan grew up in Yuma living with her Aunt and Uncle, Edith and Roy Canfield. She graduated from Yuma Union High School in 1933.
She later obtained a Master Plumber’s License and in the 1940’s was known in Yuma as the “Little Plumber”. Lilyan left Yuma in the mid 1950’s and has since lived in Northern California.
Tom “T.C.” Lightfoot, age 71, a long time 54 year resident of Yuma passed away August 27, 2001 at his home.
He was born and raised in Cuba, Alabama, September 27, 1929.
After graduating from high school, T.C. moved to Yuma in 1947 along with his mother Matalie “Mattie” Daniels who has preceded him in death.
Shortly thereafter, he joined in marriage to Theresa Hassell who has preceded him in death Sept. 21, 1996.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1951- 1953 as Cpl. U.S.S.G.
During the 54 years in Yuma T.C. was first employed by Ted’s Truck Stop until 1972 and finally employed with Yuma County Public Works as an Equipment Mechanic/ Truckdriver, where he retired September 1994.
T.C. was an honorary member of the Floyd G. Jefferson American Legion Post 56.
His total dedication and service to Post 56 made him proud to serve each Veteran and was honored as “Legionnaire of the Year.” In 1988 serving on the Executive Board, twice Commander, and held other offices such as Chaplain, 1st and 2nd vice. He was a member of the (D.A.V.) Disabled American Veterans and the VFW #1763 and offered his dedication and support to each, using his excellent talents as communicator and liaison to all.
T. C. leaves to cherish his memory, one sister Yvonne Daniels of San Diego, two daughters, Betty Jean Lightfoot and son-in-law, C.J. Patetta of Phoenix, Suzanne Woodard and son-in-law, Harrison Woodard Sr. of South Carolina; two sons Marvin Lightfoot of Milwaukee and Rose Marie Lightfoot and Kevin Lighfoot of Phoenix; grandsons, Daryl Lightfoot of Phoenix, (A.S.U.) Harrison Woodard Jr. of South Carolina, Annette Jones and son in law Steve Jones and two great granddaughters Theresa Lightfoot of Milwaukee and Leilani Lakell Lightfoot of Phoenix; one aunt Melva Jennings of Chicago; a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
T.C. loved to travel, enjoyed sports; football, boxing and basketball. But most of all enjoyed watching his grandson Daryl play football thru high school and now at ASU. T.C. although away, will be attending each game in spirit.
Memorial services will be held Friday, August 31, 2001 at 10:00 a.m. at Johnson Mortuary with Rev. Curtis Sweet officiating, with final resting place at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, along side his late wife. Friends and family are invited to visit T.C. Thursday, August 30, 2001 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary.
T.C. will be remembered greatly by family and friends and those fortunate enough to have known him, for he had touched the lives of so many.
Victor Manuel Ayala
Victor Manuel Ayala, 12, of Somerton, died Dec. 9, 2001, in Hermiston, Ore. Born Jan. 16, 1989, in Los Angeles, he was a student.
Priscilla S. McKinley
Priscilla S. McKinley, 70, of Winterhaven, died Dec. 10, 2001, at home. Born Feb. 4, 1931, at the Salt River Indian Reservation, she was a retired day care director.
Dorothy Joan Lehr
Yuma winter visitor Dorothy Joan Lehr, 67, died Dec. 10, 2001, in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Born Oct. 3, 1934, in Medicine Hat, she had been a postmaster, cafe operator and gas station operator.
Cody James Hartley
Cody James Hartley of Glenoma, Wash., died Dec. 9, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center at the age of six months. He was born May 29, 2001, in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Gusta ‘Corky’ Huffman
Gusta "Corky" Huffman, 73, of Yuma, died Dec. 14, 2001, at her home. A homemaker, she was born July 7, 1928, in Mulberry, Ark.
Jerrold Weston Muehl
Jerrold Weston Muehl, 68, of Winterhaven, died Dec. 12, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 20, 1933, in Chamberlain, S.D.,he was a retired bricklayer.
Dorothy Mae Weeks
Dorothy Mae Weeks, 76, of Yuma, died Dec. 10, 2001, at Life Care Center of Yuma. Born June 24, 1925, in Winniwood, Okla., she was a homemaker.
Thurlow Hans Jensen Thurlow Hans Jensen, 75, of Yuma, died Dec. 13, 2001, at Palmview Rehabilitation and Care Center. A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier, he was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Kalispell, Mont.
Charles Eugene Prince
Charles Eugene Prince, 73, of Yuma, died Dec. 17, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Born Sept. 29, 1928 in Spanish Fork, Utah, he was a boilermaker.
William Scott Todd
William Scott Todd, 74, of Yuma, died Dec. 15, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. A retired chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, he was born June 24, 1927, in Seattle.
Darrel Loren Wright
Darrel Loren Wright, 82, of Yuma, died Dec. 16, 2001 at his residence. A former office worker for a trucking company, he was born Dec. 19, 2001, in Dufur, Ore.
Peggy Marceline Montgomery
Peggy Marceline Montgomery, 73, of Somerton, died Dec. 16, 2001, at La Mesa Care & Rehabilitation Center. She was born Jan. 14, 1928.
Darrell Dean Thomas
Darrell Dean Thomas, 48, of Somerton, died Dec. 15, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. A firefighter for Somerton and East Cocopah Indian Fire Department, he was born Dec. 24, 1952, in Phoenix.
Billy Martin Kolbo
Billy Martin Kolbo, 85, of Yuma, died Dec. 13, 2001, at Yuma Regional Medical Center. A former residential and commercial carpenter, he was born April 26, 1916, in Seattle.
