Leland J. Howey
Leland J. Howey was born in Lapeer County, Michigan, Dec. 29, 1919, to Tryphena Keep and Alexander Howey.
When Lee was six years old the family moved to Pontiac, Mich., and he grew up there and worked for Pontiac Motors. Lee joined the Marines in 1942 and served in the South Pacific until the end of the war. After returning to the states, he worked in construction and as a golf pro. He settled in Safford in 1959 and remained here until his death. Lee was a member of the American Legion; in 1975 he was employed as a bartender for Swift Murphy Post #32 and worked there until he retired.
Survivors are a son, Hector; daughter, Tonna; step-children, Terri and Michael; sister, Dorothy; and three grandchildren, Jason, Michael and Christopher.
Arrangements for Leland J. Howey were entrusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
Louis DeLaO
Louis (Louie) DeLaO passed away at his home in Safford on March 15, 2002. He was born in Socorro, N.M., on Aug. 10, 1924, and was raised and schooled in Gallup, N.M.
He joined the Army and served from May 1943 until his discharge in October, 1946. In September of 1943 he was sent to Morenci to work for Phelps Dodge. At the time, P.D. was a defense plant for the war effort. He returned to Morenci after the war and worked there for 35 years. He retired as a welder in 1977 due to medical reasons.
It was while working at Morenci that he met his wife, Irene. They were married on March 23, 1944, the day before he went back onto active duty where he served with the Fighting 69th Infantry in Europe under Gen. George Patton and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Allied Commander.
Survivors are his wife, Irene of Safford; sons, Arnold and Michael (Brenda) of Safford; daughter Patsy Armenta (Tony) of Mammoth, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; two brothers and four sisters, all of Gallup, N.M.; several nieces and nephews and loads of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers and sisters.
Louis was a devoted volunteer after he retired, but who said he retired? Some of his accomplishments were volunteering for the Community Action Program (CAP) for many years, St. Vincent De Paul, RSVP, he worked on restoring the Pima Catholic Church, Meals on Wheels, the Vision Impaired Program (VIP), helped with the gleaning program for schoolchildren, and he also helped with the summer lunch program, plus many more too numerous to mention. It was while working with VIP that he and the coordinator, Lois Theisen, saw the need for a dialysis center in Safford as many had to make the trip to Tucson or Globe up to three times a week. They found many obstacles but never gave up until the hospital became involved and the local dialysis center became reality.
For all his accomplishments Louis received many awards and certificates including the one he was most proud of, an award for volunteering in 1985 from then-President Ronald Reagan. He and his family were nominated for the 2001 Pride of Safford Award.
Louie was known by many for his caring and generosity for the people in the community where he lived. When anyone needed a helping hand he was there one way or another, often dropping what he was doing and going to help the ones in need.
Arrangements were en-trusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
Gene Goostree
Funeral services for Gene Goostree, 58, of Thatcher who passed away March 12, 2003, in Scottsdale, were conducted Monday, March 17 at 11 a.m. at the Thatcher Stake Center with Bishop Dan Welker conducting. Interment followed in the Thatcher Cemetery.
Gene was born Aug. 17, 1944, in Norman, Okla., the son of Francis and Jewell Emans Goostree. As a young boy, Gene and his family moved to Arizona and he attended school in Tucson at Flowing Wells High School where he excelled in football and wrestling.
Gene graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Range Management, working for the Soil Conservation Service. Gene later returned to school and became a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Willcox, Safford and Moab, Utah. Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and all sports.
Gene is survived by his wife, Lynn Goostree of Thatcher; four daughters, Cheryl (Brad) Boswell of Yuma, Tammy (Rick) Moon of Lake Side, Amy of Flagstaff, Tawna, of Thatcher; father, Francis Goostree of Sierra Vista; brothers, Gary of Rock Springs, Wyo., and Mike Goostree of Sierra Vista; grandchildren, MacKenzie Boswell, BreeAnna Moon, McKay Moon, Hunter Moon and Porter Moon.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
Howard Russell
Howard Russell, 92, of Safford died May 25, 2002, at Infinia Health Care in Safford.
Howard was born July 5, 1909, in Augusta, Wis., the son of Arthur and Myrtle Russell. Howard grew up in Augusta and attended school there. He married Doris Anderson June 29, 1936, in Hudson, Wis. In 1961 Howard moved to Safford where he owned and operated the Russell Dairy on Highway 191. Howard also worked as a brick mason building several homes in the area. He was also an accomplished artist and painted Western scenery.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Doris of Safford; sons, Lowell Russell of Albuquerque, N.M., Lanny Russell of Torrey, Utah, Gary and wife Fran Russell of New Castle, Colo., and Gene Russell of Torrey, Utah; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren also survive.
Arrangements for Howard Russell were entrusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
Joseph Patrick Brewer
Joseph Patrick Brewer, 34, of Safford passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, July 26, 2002. Joseph was born Aug. 18, 1967, in Show Low. He was a long-time resident of Safford. He graduated from Safford High School and was a member of the Potter's House Christian Fellowship.
Joe is survived by his wife, Gretchen of Safford; his father E.F. Brewer of Springville, Tenn.; and his brother, Alan Brewer of Kirkland, Wash. His mother, Lillian Brewer of Mesa, who used to be the administrator of the Mount Graham Hospital, preceded him in death.
Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Potter's House Christian Fellowship Church on Main Street, Safford. Interment followed at Safford Union Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Morris-David's Safford Funeral Home.
Gherald Lynn Hoopes
Gherald Lynn Hoopes, 83, passed away at his home November 28, 2002. Gherald was born in Solo-monville on Feb. 12, l919, to Arthur Lynn and Lola Porter Hoopes.
He attended schools in Safford and Thatcher. At age 11 he participated in the Junior Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif., where his performance won the pentathlon.
Gherald graduated from the University of Arizona in 1941 with a degree in accounting. While at the the university he excelled in track and field. He held the university's broad jump record until the late 1970s.
Following college Gherald received a commission as a second lieutenant and served five years with the Twelfth Cavalry Regiment of the First Cavalry Division in the Pacific Theatre. During World War II he was decorated with the Silver Star for meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty, the Bronze Star with clusters and four beachhead recognition ribbons. He was honorably discharged following service in the war with the rank of major.
Gherald married Helen Harris on April 25, 1942.
He started his business, Gila Electric and Music Company, in 1952 and remained actively involved with his son and partner Danny until his passing.
Gherald was active in civic, political and religious affairs throughout his life. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in numerous leadership positions including a bishopric, the high council and the stake presidency.
His affiliations included charter membership in the Safford Lions Club, Safford Rotary Club, Elks Club, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also served on the Arizona Juvenile Board, the Arizona Communi-ty College Board, the Board of Directors for Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan, and on the Pima Savings Advisory Board.
Gherald was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather.
He will be greatly missed by his family. His services were held on Nov. 30 at the Safford 20th Street Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Gherald is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen; children, Gherald and Cathy Hoopes, Danny and Vicki Hoopes, Lindsay and Sandra Hoopes, and Lance Hoopes; 12 grandchildren; four great grandchildren, and three brothers, Spencer, Kent and Jack.
Veris McBride
Funeral services for Veris Mc-Bride, 86, of Sierra Vista and formerly of Safford, were conducted Monday morning at the Safford LDS Stake Center by Brother Brian Smith. Concluding services followed in the Safford Cemetery.
Veris was born in Safford on Aug. 1, 1916, the second of five children born to "Doc" Rowley and Mae Anglin Rowley. She passed away quietly at her home in Sierra Vista on Feb. 6, 2003. Veris loved her home and family above all else, making a good home for husband and children wherever they went. She loved the out-of-doors and enjoyed gardening, as well as reading and sewing, until her failing eyesight prevented these pursuits.
Veris is survived by: her two daughters, Rae Dubois of Wheaton, Md., and Doris Soares of Sierra Vista; two grandchildren, Craig Dubois of Owings Mills, Md. and Michelle Dubois of Charleston, W.Va.; a great-grandson, Joshua Raymond Dubois; and numerous dear nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Sunday evening at Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Further visitation was scheduled for Monday morning at the Safford LDS Stake Relief Society Room.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
Robert Moss
Robert Moss, 78, passed away April 13, 2003, at his residence in Fort Thomas.
Robert was born Feb. 5, 1925, in Gore, Okla., to William and Emma Moss. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 and in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1946 to 1951. He was awarded an American Area and Victory medals for service in World War II.
Robert married Annie Mae Flowers on Nov. 1, 1944, in Gilbert. They were married for 59 wonderful years. Robert was a foreman for Melvin Bryce farms for 30 years. He loved fishing, hunting and was an avid gardener. He was a member of the Regeneration Baptist Church in Fort Thomas.
Robert fought a courageous 12-year battle with prostrate cancer. Special thanks to Dr. Standage, Dr. McDonald, Dr. Modiano and all the out-patient staff at the Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center. Memorials in Robert's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Robert Moss is survived by his wife, Annie Mae of Fort Thomas; two daughters, Mary Matilda Smith of Fort Thomas and Leona Lorraine Kirchner of Tucson; five grandchildren, Larry Jasper Smith, Bradford Eugene Smith, Catherine Jensen, Bob Dean Kirchner and Robert Luke Kirchner; and three great-grandchildren, Alyssa Smith, Louis Smith and Cheyenne Smith.
Visitation for Robert was April 19 at Morris David's Safford Funeral Home Chapel. Service was held on April 20, also at Morris David's Safford Funeral Home Chapel, followed by intermenty at Resthaven (Gila Valley Memorial Gardens) Cemetery in Safford. Julian Flowers, nephew, presented the family with the flag at graveside.
Arrangements were under the direction of Melissa Morris of Morris David's Safford Funeral Home.
Scott Layton Pace
Funeral services for Scott Layton Pace, 85, formerly of Solomon, were conducted Saturday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Solomonville LDS Chapel. Concluding services followed in the Safford Cemetery.
Scott was born Nov. 5, 1917, in Thatcher, the son of Willard and Martha Pace. He passed away Aug. 1, 2003, in Austin, Texas. Scott was a lifelong resident and farmer in the Gila Valley.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Arizona Sons and Daughters of the Pioneers.
Scott is survived by his wife, Beth of Austin, Texas; his daughter, Brenda (Ray) Shortridge of Indiana; two sons, Stephen (Cheryl) Pace of Austin, Texas, and William Pace of Minnesota; his sister, Kathleen Awalt of Arizona; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The family received friends Friday evening at Bunker's Caldwell Chapel. Further visitation was Saturday morning at the Solomonville LDS Chapel Relief Society Room.
Arrangements were en-trusted to Bunker's Caldwell Chapel.
