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At random: "When you shoot at a destroyer and miss, it's like hit'in a wildcat in the ass with a banjo” -- Chief Officer Steward Dogan on the USS Gurnard during WWII

Obit Messenger results for 07/13/08 Moderators: Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page]
Forums-> Submarine Discussion	Message format

Pig

Posted 2008-07-13 9:06 AM (#17539)

Plankowner

Posts: 5024

Location: Gulfport, MS

Subject: Obit Messenger results for 07/13/08

DRUMMOND, John Franklin, 83, known as "Bulldog" by his submarine veteran friends and many others, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 4, 2008, in Folsom. As one friend said, "I'm sorry John's no longer with us, but he was a real American patriot and if he had to go, this is the day he would have picked." John resided in Folsom for the past nine years with his loving wife Betty. They moved to California in 1957 and lived 12 years in Rancho Cordova where they raised their two children. John was a letter carrier for the Rancho Cordova Post Office for over 29 years. Prior to his early retirement, John and Betty built a home in Shingle Springs where they lived for the next 26 years before moving to Folsom. John joined the Navy in October 1941 at age 16 and entered the submarine service. His claim to fame is that he was the radioman on duty when the "Cease Fire" message came in at the end of WWII, and he ran the message to the bridge. John was an active member of the Submarine Veterans of World War II organization in Sacramento for many years. Born April 14, 1925, in Memphis to Guy and Inez Drummond, John was the sixth of seven children. They moved to East Prairie, Mo., where a young Betty Lou Jenkins kept tabs on the house next door to watch Johnny's comings and goings. After returning from the war, John found the "kid" next door was all grown up and it wasn't long before they became Mr. and Mrs. John Drummond on January 1, 1948. Their children were born in Cairo, Ill., in 1949 and 1951. John was known for his intelligence and sense of humor. Until he slipped into unconsciousness just two days before his death, he was still making people around him laugh. He loved a good story and could tell a joke better than most. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jean Anderson, and his brothers Thurston, Blue (Harold), Roy, and Finis, and is survived by his brother George of Henderson, Nev. He is also survived by his beloved and devoted wife of more than 60 years, Betty (Jenkins) Drummond, his children Phyllis Drummond of Santa Rosa and Gary Drummond of Folsom; and two beautiful granddaughters, Kristin Drummond of Folsom and Amber Donnelly of San Jose, and brother-in-law Curly Pebworth of Mountain View, as well as many loving nieces and nephews in California, Nevada and the Midwest. A memorial service will be held at Miller Funeral Home in Folsom on July 21 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at John and Betty's home in Folsom. Friends are invited to send donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation. The family wishes to thank the many wonderful people at Folsom Convalescent Hospital who gave John a quality of life for his last few months that benefitted all of us, who treated him as their own "Grandpa", and showed him tender loving care.

HOWE, Melvin Edwin, 77, passed unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, June 12, 2008, in Bothell, Washington. "Mel" was born in Sacramento, California on August 2, 1930, the eldest of three boys. During the depression he helped raise his brothers with his beloved aunt, Zayda Hook, until he entered the US Marines as a Medic in 1948. When his tour of duty with the Marines was completed he entered the US Navy as a submariner in 1950. The Navy initially confused his orders with that of another serviceman and his first assignment was spent aboard the USS Toledo, a heavy cruiser. Mel served proudly in the "Silent Service" as a radioman during the Korean War, Vietnam War and the Cold War in both diesel boats and nuclear powered boats, on board the USS Tang (SS-563), USS Pomfret (SS-391), USS Gudgeon (SS-567), USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624), USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), and the USS Dace (SSN-607). Through the years he was stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard (Vallejo, Ca.), Point Loma Submarine Base (San Diego, Ca.), Lake Mead Base (Las Vegas, Nv.), Charleston Naval Station (Charleston, SC), Pearl Harbor Submarine Base (Honolulu, Hi.), and New London Submarine Base (Groton, Ct.), where he taught submarine school. He retired from active duty in 1972 as a Radioman, Chief Petty Officer. Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey personally thanked Mel for his service in an inscription in his book "Thunder Below". They had served a patrol together and Admiral Fluckey wrote......"A super Submariner who served the United States of America above and beyond the call of duty in one of our most important wars, 'The Cold War'; Congratulations on winning it! Good Luck and God Bless". Mel was honored to be a member of the Submarine Veterans of World War II and is registered in the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. After retirement from the Navy he became a Sheriffs Deputy in Fresno, California. Mel attended California State University, Fresno while working fulltime, earning his bachelor's degrees in criminology and psychology. He served under Sheriffs Melvin Willmirth, Guy Langley, Harold McKinney, and Steve Magarian. During his time with the Sheriffs Department he was instrumental in developing a work-furlough program, which he wrote, obtained the first grant and was honored by the Board of Supervisors. He retired from the Sheriffs Department in 1988 as a Lieutenant. Mel met his beautiful wife Ann Louise Dodsworth at a USO dance on Treasure Island in San Francisco in 1951. They were married on June 7, 1953, and spent 55 adventurous years together. They were traveling through life together and had just recently returned from one of their many Hawaiian vacations when Mel was called to take this newest adventure alone. Mel will be greatly missed by his family and legion of friends but will be remembered always with love and laughter and remain forever in our hearts and memories. "May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. Until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand". He is survived by his wife Ann, his daughters and sons-in law, Julie Ann and George Kerr of Napa, Ca., and Melissa Jane and Clif Brown of Woodinville, Wa.; his grandchildren, Thomas Michael Dorian of Kailua-Kona, Hi., and Hans Eric Onsum of Woodinville, Wa.; his brother, Robert Lee Howe and his wife Luanne Howe of Sacramento, Ca.; his nephews and niece, Steve, Susie and Scott Howe of Sacramento, Ca.; and his devoted friend and "Brother of the Phin" for over fifty years, Emmet Mustin of Crystal Beach, Tx. A Celebration of Mel's Life will be held in the Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Chapel in Lynnwood, Washington on Saturday, August 2, 2008, at 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorials to his memory may be made to establish a plaque on the wall at the Navy Submarine Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.: The Melvin Edwin Howe Memorial Fund, c-o Ann Louise Howe, P.O. Box 13915, Mill Creek, Wa. 98082.

KOPPEN, Henry Burns, 89, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, was called home to be with our Lord on June 19, 2008. He was the backbone of a strong and loving family and enjoyed having his family around and knew they were at his side at his time of death. Henry was born in New York, November 5, 1918. He joined the Navy in 1939, and made seven submarine war patrols on the USS Perch (SS-313) and was promoted to Chief Radioman during War World II. As a member or our "Greatest Generation," he proudly served our country for 20 years. After his Navy retirement in 1959, he began a 17 year career with Loomis Armored Transport. On July 2, 1943, Henry married Wally Welzhofer in New York. They were blessed with two daughters, Jean and Priscilla, and made a home on 4th Sreet in National City, CA, where they lived for 58 years. Henry spent many hours in his garden, playing golf, ocean fishing on his boat, and fishing in the mountains during family vacations. His faithful canine companion remained by his side for the last 16 years. For the last 2 years of his life, Henry and Wally resided in Fillmore, CA near their daughter, Jean, and son-in-law, Clay. His wife, Wally, daughter Jean Westling and husband, Clay, daughter, Priscilla Neel, grandchildren, Kurt Laxson, Kimberly Kent, Chris Robertson and their families, will miss him. A full honor Military Service will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at a later.

MOORE, Jack Lavern, 89, of Colorado Springs, and formerly of Aiken, S.C., died June 6 from a sudden heart attack. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bettie "Judy" Moore; a son, Patrick Moore; daughter-in-law, C.J. Moore; two grandchildren, Matt Moore and Meighan White; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Mike Moore, in 2002. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Jane, Joan, and Shirley, all of California; and beloved nephews and nieces in Kansas and California. A native of Moline, Kansas, Moore enlisted in the U S Navy in 1940 and served in combat submarine operations in Pacific waters throughout World War II. He completed 12 combat war patrols and was awarded the Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation, among other decorations. Commissioned an ensign in 1944, he rose steadily through the ranks to become commanding officer of the USS Queenfish (SS-393) in 1956. He also served four years as Naval Liaison Officer to the Venezuelan Navy. He retired as a commander in 1970 after 30 years of service. After retiring from the Navy and moving to Aiken, he obtained two Master's degrees in Spanish from the University of South Carolina. He taught Spanish and was a licensed contractor through the early 1990s. Moore was a contemporary Renaissance man, learning Italian and German and traveling to Costa Rica before he and his wife moved to Colorado Springs in 2005. A private memorial will be held this summer in San Diego, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting System, 1089 Bannock St., Denver, Colo. 80204

MULLINS, David Lynn, LCDR, USN, Ret., 68, of Point Loma, died at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas on Thursday, June 12, 2008. While riding his bicycle on Saturday, June 7th, David experienced a life-threatening cardiac ventricular arrhythmia and collapsed. Although a passerby performed CPR and called an ambulance, David's brain was deprived of oxygen too long, and severe, irreversible brain damage occurred. He never regained consciousness. He was removed from life support on Thursday, June 12th. David was born in Kansas City, KS, on March 21, 1940, and graduated from Wyandotte High School in 1958, the year he and Ed Soule won the district debate championship, placed 3rd in the state championship, and won the Topeka Invitational. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1962. As a young Ensign, he entered the highly competitive Nuclear Power Program, under Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, and became a Qualified Nuclear Submarine Officer. Commander Mullins served on the USS Jack (SSN-605), USS Lafayette (SSBN-616), USS Von Steuben (SSBN-632), and USS Puffer (SSN-652), as well as on submarine staffs in Holy Lock, Scotland, Pearl Harbor, and San Diego. While stationed at Pearl Harbor, he received a M.B.A. from the University of Hawaii. After retiring from the Navy, David earned a M.A. in Counseling Psychology and became a certified Bioenergetic Therapist and Gestalt Therapist. It was in counseling that David found his strength. For 13 years, he staffed the Life, Death and Transition Workshops for Elisabeth Kubler Ross, M.D., in the United States, Canada, England, Ireland and Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. He has continued to staff workshops on grief, loss, trauma, and childhood abuse. As a leader for Support Services for Animal Care Professionals (SSACP), he was one of the developers of the Compassion Fatigue Workshops for animal shelter staff and animal control officers. His tenderness, compassion, and caring, touched and enhanced the lives of us all. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Winters Mullins of San Diego, a daughter, Deborah Lynn Mullins; a son, Michael Scott Mullins; two sisters, three brothers, 22 nieces and nephews, and 34 great-nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 1, 2008, at 10 a.m. at Old Mission United Methodist Church, 5519 State Park Road, Fairway, Kansas 66205, (913) 262-1040. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Avila Retreat Center (for the David Mullins Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Life, Loss and Healing Workshops offered there every March), 711 Mason Road, Durham, NC 27712, (919) 477-1285. Condolences and fond memories may be shared with the family at: www.kccremation.com

PUDIL, Sr., Thomas Paul, 79, passed away February 28, 2005. [correct year of death] He was born January 16, 1926. He is survived by wife, Doreen. He is a WWII veteran of the US Navy Submarine Service. Military Ceremony, Fort Snelling Cemetery, Bloomington, MN on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 12:45 PM prompt. Luncheon to follow at Minnehaha Falls Pavilion. Local 9 Elevator Contractors, Bowlers, Golfers, Friends, Relatives welcome.

RAES, Kristian Benedict, 58, passed away June 28, 2008. Born March 29, 1951 in Canandaigua, Kris graduated from Canandaigua Academy. He attended the school of engineering at the University of Vermont and then served with the US Navy aboard the nuclear submarine USS Jack (SSN-605). He is survived by his son, Kurtis Raes of Pompano Beach, Fla.; parents, Donald and Beatrice Raes of Keuka Lake; sisters, Kathryn Raes of Grandy, N.C. and Kimbra Pradhan of Norfolk, Conn.; and lifelong companion, Nadine Jacobs of Dania Beach, Fla. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Florida.

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