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Toy Wong
Toy Wong died peacefully at home on Oct. 13, 2001, at the age of 85. A native of Fresno, he was born on Sept. 4, 1916, and lived in Fresno for 70 years before moving to Davis in 1986. He was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track at Edison High School, as well as a Golden Glove contender. After serving in the Army during World War II, he owned and operated restaurant and grocery businesses with his wife Eleanor. More recently he enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren, hunting, fishing and sharing his joy of cooking with friends and family. He and his wife celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary with family just two weeks before his death.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Ko Wong; sisters Beulah Moy and her husband Robert, Gloria Lum and her husband Brian and Isabelle Hayashi and her husband George and his children, Carla Gee and her husband Sonny, Neil Wong, Toynette Johnson and her husband John and Kristopher and his wife Athol Wong. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rodney, Natalie and her husband Will Vega, Kristen, Roland, Melanie and Brittany Wong, Trent and Brynne Johnson and Brendon and Bevin Wong; and his great-grandchildren, Kyleigh, Alyssa, and Lexi Vega and Michelle Gougeon.
Friends are invited to join a musical celebration of his life on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. at Davis Senior Center, 646 A Street in Davis. The family will deeply appreciate donations to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
WILSON
Wilbor O. Wilson
Wilbor O. Wilson died Sept. 26, 2001, in Davis. Born on Dec. 1, 1910, in Fort Towson, Okla., he was 90 years old.
He was the youngest of nine children, raised on a livestock ranch by parents of Choctaw and Chickasaw descent. His interest in raising poultry developed during childhood, and he was responsible for tending to the chickens on the ranch. He participated in Choctaw County 4-H clubs and tended a flock of Golden Laced Wyandottes. He attended Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in poultry husbandry. He later earned a master's degree from Kansas State University and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University.
He worked at a General Mills research farm from 1935-1937, and was an assistant professor at South Dakota State College in Brookings from 1937-1944. While in Brookings, he met Thelma Torguson and they marriage in August 1938. They had two children.
The family then moved to Ames, Iowa, where he served as a research associate at Iowa State from 1944-1946. In 1946, he was offered an assistant professor position in poultry husbandry at UC Davis, working alongside Lewis Taylor, Mike Lerner and Vigfus Asmundson.
The family boarded the Southern Pacific "Daylight Limited" and arrived at the Davis train depot early one October morning. Housing in Davis was difficult to find, due to the war, so the family spent its first weeks at the Davis Hotel at Second and B streets. Then they stayed at a fraternity house, at Fifth and A streets, courtesy of James Wilson, a faculty member of the Animal Science Department. The Wilson family then moved to an attic room in an old shingle-sided poultry building on campus, where Wilson taught downstairs.
After finding a house to buy in the Wray Tract, two more children were born. Wilson had the honor of being the first Native American faculty member at UC Davis. He was promoted to associate poultry physiologist and then full professor. He made many significant scientific contributions including his work on controlled environmental housing for poultry, the introduction of Japanese quail as a laboratory subject, and research concerning photo-periodism and biological rhythms as affecting poultry and coturnix. He published more than 190 articles, including a cover article for Scientific American magazine. Sabbaticals included working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland in 1954; the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness at the University of Washington at Pullman in 1960 researching the hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the Coturnix japonica; and in 1970, furthering his research at the University of Hawaii Department of Animal Husbandry in Hilo.
His research led him all around the world, including Thailand, Brazil and Japan. Traveling became one of his favorite pastimes. He retired from UC Davis in 1978, and later taught a course on the Five Civilized Tribes, specializing in the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes for the UC Davis Native American Studies Department.
Wilson and fellow parishioners helped build the Davis Lutheran Church at Eighth and B streets, and later he was an active member of Our Faith Lutheran Church on Oak Avenue. He was also a member of the Poultry Science Association, serving as director, officer, president and fellow. He was also named a fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho's Pi Chapter. He also recently served as president of the Davis branch of the American Association of Retired Persons.
He is survived by his daughters, Roberta Wilson-Shakya and husband Hera of Davis, and Rosemary Trouette of Visalia; his sons Ben Wilson of Renton, Wash., and John Wilson and wife Shou Ting Wilson of Davis; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Torguson Wilson, in 1988.
Remembrances are to go to the International House of Davis or Our Faith Lutheran Church of Davis. A memorial service will begin at 5 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Our Faith Lutheran Church, 1801 Oak Ave.
CURTIS
John B. Curtis
John B. Curtis, M.D. died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004 in Greensboro, N.C. at age 95.
Dr. Curtis was born Nov. 11, 1909 in Danforth, Maine, the son of Dr. Alton K. and Margaret Curtis. He was a graduate of Colby College and Tufts University School of Medicine. He had a medical practice in Maine and was the physician for the Piscataquis County Schools and the Canadian & Pacific Railroad in Maine. During World War II, Dr. Curtis served as an Army physician in Maryland and Texas. After retirement he volunteered as a physician at military clinics at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla. and for the Army in Clearwater, Fla. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include Dr. Curtis' children, Alton L. Curtis and his wife Kay of Woodland, Robert T. Curtis of Familytown, Va. and Mary Kennedy and her husband Larry of Deland, Fla.; his grandchildren, John, Bob and Donald Curtis, Jennifer Curtis Kulpa, Eric and Hilary Curtis, Stefanie and Chris Kennedy; step-grandchildren, Kim and Jenny Cobb; 11 great-grandchildren; his sister, Grace R. Curtis and his brother-in-law James Buckner. He was preceded in death by his wives, Elizabeth H. Tompkins Curtis and Margaret H. Holland Curtis and his sisters, Muriel Curtis and Ruth Curtis Buckner.
Remembrances in Dr. Curtis' name may be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, One Hanover Park, 16633 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Addison, Texas, 75001 or online at nationalbreastcancer.org.
Services: A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at the cemetery in Damariscotta, Maine.
CURTIS
John Preston Curtis, Jr.
John Preston Curtis Jr. died at his Woodland home on Oct. 25, 2004. He was 53.
A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at New Testament Church, 208 W. Woodland Ave. in Woodland.
Born in Longview, Wash., on Oct. 25, 1951, he grew up in Humboldt County, attending local schools in Eureka. For the past 18 years he resided in Yolo County, working as a handyman. An avid hunting enthusiast, he was a member of the National Rifle Association for 30 years.
Preceding him in death was his sister, Cynthia Curtis, who died in 1954.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Joan Curtis of Woodland; daughters, Stacey Curtis of The Colony, Texas, Shawnna Rowley and her husband Walter of Eureka, Cynthia and Elizabeth Curtis, both currently serving in the U.S. Army, and Allison Curtis of Santa Cruz; and two sons, Joseph and John Curtis III, both of Woodland.
He is further survived by his father, John Curtis and his wife Marilyn of Eureka; his mother, Janice Froom of San Luis Obispo; sisters, Debbie Curtis of San Luis Obispo, and Diane Terkelson and her husband Erik of Eureka; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society, or a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland.
CURTISS
Eleanor M. Curtiss
Eleanor M. Curtiss died at her El Macero home Dec. 31, 2003. She was 89 years old.
The daughter of Nellie Priscilla Hartman and Dallas Hodd Moorhead, she was born on a far homestead near Findlay, Ohio, on Nov. 23, 1914.
She was a member of the Davis Community Church, serving on the session, the Flower Guild and the Prayer Circle. She was a member of P.E.O. and the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She was an active volunteer, serving as a driver for the Cancer Society, a host for foreign students through the International House and as a visitor to elder and shut-in friends and neighbors. Her warmth, cookies and muffins are legendary.
A graduate of Ohio State University, she was a homemaker and teacher. The wife of a 30-year career Air Force officer, she lived in many states and in Japan before settling in El Macero. In each of her more than 30 homes in those 30 years, she grew a flower garden, volunteered in the hospital and served in church organizations and as a Scout leader. Except for two years residence in Saudi Arabia in 1976-1977, she resided in El Macero since 1966.
Survivors include three daughters, Priscilla Dwyer and her husband James of San Francisco, Martha Bunce and her husband Craig Hall of Marysville, and Jane Penny and her husband Robert of Mesa, Ariz.; a son, Walter D. Curtiss and his wife Emma of Belmont; 11 grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Joe Moorhead of Findlay, Ohio, and Dallas Moorhead, of Carmel, Ind.; and one sister, Jane Feller of Findlay, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, USAF (Ret.) Col. Phillip H. Curtiss, and two brothers, Tom and George Moorhead.
A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, at Davis Community Church, 412 C St. Interment at the National Cemetery in San Francisco will be private. The family requests that any remembrances be memorial contributions in her name to the Davis Community Church Memorial Fund or to a favorite charity.
CLARINE
Dorothy Fern Clarine
Dorothy Fern Clarine died in Alderson Convalescent Hospital, Woodland Monday, July 22, 2002, at age 95.
Born April 24, 1907, in Hayes Center, Neb., Mrs. Clarine had been a Woodland resident for 30 years. She was the daughter of the late Daniel and Harriet Christner. She was a homemaker all of her adult life. According to her family members, "she loved playing piano and sewing." She was a member of the United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Clarine is survived by her husband of 75 years, Harry Clarine of Woodland; daughter, Gloria Cornett and husband Robert of Fairfield; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Janice Kindelt, in 2001.
A graveside service is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Woodland Cemetery.
The family requests memorials be directed to American Heart Association.
McNary's Chapel of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
CLAWSON
Eldon R. Clawson
Eldon Clawson died peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004, at Sierra Health Care Convalescent Hospital in Davis. He was 78.
A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 785 Elmwood Drive in Davis.
Born May 15, 1926, in Tucson, Ariz., to parents Leslie and Ethel Clawson, he served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. During 1947 and 1948, he served on a mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern States, USA mission. He earned his law degree from the University of Arizona, Tucson, and a master's of law from Columbia Law School, New York. Following law school, he clerked for the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court and also worked in the office of the attorney general in Phoenix.
A California resident since 1955, when he affiliated with the law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles, he became the in-house legal counsel and subsequently executive vice president of Bekins Moving & Storage until his retirement in 1979.
He was an active participant with various barbershop choruses in Pasaacoa, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Davis. He also volunteered his work as an educator at various senior and retirement centers in Santa Rosa and Davis, teaching on a variety of subjects.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family appreciates the care and support given to him from the staff at Sierra Health Care Convalescent Hospital and the Yolo County Hospice.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Luana W. Clawson of Davis; his daughter, Leslie Clawson of Davis; and sons Byde Clawson of Castro Valley, Reed Clawson of Oceanside, and Ross Clawson and Bruce Clawson, both of Bellingham, Wash.
He is further survived by 12 grandchildren.
Remembrances may be made in his name to Yolo Hospice at P.O. Box 1014, Davis, CA 95617.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Chapel.
