Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Sunday, 27 December 2020 01:08; 27 December 2020

Betty Lou Bunch

Betty Lou Bunch
Aug. 10, 1928 – Dec. 17, 2020

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Betty was born in Bentonville, Arkansas. She moved to Lake County with her husband William in 1978 after he retired from the military.

She enjoyed travelling, crafting, and playing cards with friends. She was a longtime member of Grace Church in Kelseyville.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Bunch; son, William E. Bunch Jr.; and brother, Floyd Campbell.

She is survived by daughter, Elizabeth (Darell) Odom of Kelseyville; sister, Mary Plueddemann of Ohio; five grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

Private interment will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County or Gideons International.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Sunday, 13 December 2020 00:01; 13 December 2020

Mildred Pickersgill

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mildred Elizabeth (Mancha) Pickersgill was born on Feb. 12, 1924, in Mill Valley, California.

A child of the Great Depression, she remembered taking the ferry to San Francisco before the Golden Gate Bridge was built.

Mildred was raised by a single mother along with her five siblings and worked at the local movie theater to help make ends meet. Here she ran into Clayton Lawrence Pickersgill (who apparently watched the same movie multiple times in order to chat up the pretty usher).

Clayton was soon drafted and sent off to boot camp, and then went AWOL in order to marry Mildred before being shipped off to fight in World War II.

During the war, Mildred worked as a draftsperson; she refused to learn how to type as she did not want to become a secretary.

After Clayton returned home, they ultimately moved to Lake County where she designed and drew up the blueprints for their family home. Always practical, she bragged that in 27 years she never paid a single cent of interest on her credit cards!

Mildred was always civic-minded and never hesitated to march down to the Board of Supervisors to give them a piece of her mind.

She played violin and was very active in the leadership for the Lake County Community Orchestra. She served as president of both the historical and genealogical societies.

She loved and supported her children and grandchildren without fail. Many of them received homemade stuffed animals – Pooh-bears and Piglets being family favorites.

Mildred was a pillar of our family and died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, at 96 years of age.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Thea Mancha; sons, Howard and Bill; many grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be no ceremony: any charitable donations may be made in her name to the Lake County Symphony Association at www.lakecountysymphonyassociation.org.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 08 December 2020 01:53; 08 December 2020

Terry Lee Cook

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Terry Lee Cook was born May 21, 1947, in Ticonderoga, New York, to Edward and Agnes Cook.

He survived myriad close calls in Vietnam and other places, only to die on Dec. 2, 2020, in north Lakeport when an encounter with a car ended an autumnal bike ride.

Lee grew up as one of the free-range kids on Water Street in Ti, exploring the creeks, lakes and hills of his hometown. In Ticonderoga, he carried on the multi-generation family tradition of volunteer firefighting. He graduated from Ticonderoga High School in the class of 1965.

Following graduation, Lee joined the military. While stationed at Naval Air Station Alameda Lee met Denise “DeeDee” Rimes, his first love. They married in 1968 and moved to Ticonderoga at the end of his enlistment. Their son, Darby, was born in New York.

Lee rejoined the Navy in 1972 and served at a number of duty stations around the country. DeeDee died at Naval Air Station Memphis in 1981 from multiple chronic medical conditions.

He was not alone long. Through DeeDee Lee had met George and Lenore Clark, whose daughter Janice became his second love. Lee and Jan were married in 1982, and he became a dad again when Eleanor was born in California.

Lee retired from the Navy in 1988 and the family moved to Lakeport to be near Jan’s family.

He always preferred wrenches to gavels, and could often be found wielding tools at such places as Lakeport Speedway, the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum, Konocti Rod and Gun Club, Konocti Fiddle Club performances, the Falling Leaves Quilt Show, and the Joy Madeiros Veterans Museum. His friends knew they could count on him for help and advice with their equipment, vehicles and life in general.

Lee was a member of the Lake County Historical Society, Vietnam Veterans of America, North Coast Racing Association, Lake County Symphony Association, the Lake County Civil War Round Table and the National Rifle Association.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; son and daughter-in-law Darby and Jennifer Cook of Stanwood, Washington; daughter, Eleanor Cook of Klamath Falls, Oregon; sister, Barbara Lindsey of Florida; brothers and spouses, Francis and Jerri Cook of Crown Point, New York, Don and Judy Cook of Florida, Tim and Patty Cook, and Jeff and Joanne Cook, both of Ticonderoga, and Steve Cook and Jenny Larmore of South Carolina; grandchildren, Emily, Jaren and Edwin of Stanwood, Washington; brother-in-law, Gordon Abare of Ticonderoga; sister-in-law and husband, Elaine and Trett Bishop of Lakeport; nephew, Russell Bishop of Lakeport; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins around the country.

He is predeceased by his first wife Denise; parents, Ed and Agnes Cook; and sister, Norma Abare.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Lake County Historical Society’s blacksmith shop project. Contact LCHS, P O Box 1011, Lakeport CA 95453.

Due to pandemic restrictions, there will be no services at this time, but plans are being made for a memorial service when conditions permit. Arrangements are by Chapel of the Lakes, Lakeport.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 19 December 2020 02:03; 19 December 2020

Geraldine Brown Johnson

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Geraldine Brown Johnson of Sulphur Bank entered into rest on Dec. 14, 2020, in her home Elem in Clearlake Oaks, California.

Geraldine was the firstborn of seven children to Jim Brown II of Elem and Elvina Hopper of Big Valley and the Hawaiian Islands.

Geraldine was born in Lakeport, California, in the month of June 1940. She was raised in the Catholic Church and her traditional Native American culture. Geraldine was the first in her family to graduate from Lower Lake High School in 1959.

Geraldine had a beautiful singing voice and used to sing at the Lower Lake Theatre House before the showings began. She was an avid musician and studied classical guitar, played piano and was inspired by her love, Elvis Presley.

Geraldine moved to Oakland, California, to attend Heald Business College and after graduating she was employed as the executive secretary of the superintendent for Oakland Public Schools. She was the president of the Native Woman’s Club she helped her mother organize in Oakland.

Geraldine married her beloved husband Hason Johnson in 1975 in Nevada.

Her interests include traveling to many continents following the Grand Prix. Geraldine was a devoted Raider fan, a longtime Bay Area Oakland A’s and Golden State Warriors fan.

Her tribal civic duties included Lake County Tribal Health Charter Board Member in 1982, a part of Elem Indian Colony’s first casino on tribal lands in 1994, and Elem tribal government’s first chairwoman from 2008 to 2010.

Geraldine was a role model, possessed a strong work ethic and high standards in education. She was known to have such style and grace, she gave the very best gifts, she loved the holidays and was a mother to all her nieces and nephews.

Geraldine Brown Johnson is survived by her husband of 45 years, Hason Johnson; her daughter, Jessica Brown; brother, Jim Brown III; sisters-in-law, Gail Brown and Carol Brown; her granddaughters, Virginia and Angela; her grandsons, Xalya and Ryan; her 23 nieces and nephews and over 100 great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews who called her Grandma Gerri.

Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents, Jim Brown II and Elvina Hopper Brown; brothers, Raymond, Marvin and Cecil; sister, Sharon Brown; granddaughter Niyla Anita Brown-Gonzalez; and her beloved fur baby Elvis.

A traditional ceremony will be held for Geraldine Brown Johnson at Elem in Clearlake Oaks.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: The Pascoe Family; Posted On Tuesday, 08 December 2020 23:35; 10 December 2020

Michael Alvin Pascoe

VIEWER WARNING: Only PATRIOTIC Grown-Ups may be able to handle the following …

Son, brother, cousin, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grand pop pop, coach, patriot, dog lover, music aficionado & friend to many …

Michael Alvin Pascoe (born April 27, 1943) passed away in his Lake County, California, home on Nov. 18, 2020, from a sudden heart attack.

He was the only son of Thornley Alvin Pascoe and Betty Lois Hamilton and brother to three sisters, Judith Usher (husband: Hugh), Donna Bickel (husband: Carl), and Debra Commons (husband: Dan).

He was an uncle and substitute father figure to a plethora of nieces (Cheryl, Beth, Janice, Jennifer, Sonya, Tamara, Alexa and Teresa).

Husband to Jeanette Pascoe and father to Michael A. Pascoe (wife: Sylvia) and Meredith A. Noyer (husband: Jon). Grandpapa to Joseph Denier, Justin Noyer, Brodie McCarthy (wife: Amanda), Brendon McCarthy (wife: Jamie) and Kieron McCarthy (wife: Fallon). Great grandpop pop to Melanie McCarthy, Theodore McCarthy and a soon-to-be-arriving great-granddaughter. He was a “Friend” to almost all who knew him …

Born in Sacramento, California, one may have thought young Michael would have turned to a life of crime in his adulthood, for he was known to steal cans of black olives out of the pantry and eat them under his bed.

He eventually grew out of that type of nefarious behavior and ended up being a world-class Special Agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS.

In the time span between his days of larceny and the final days spent on “his mountain,” Mike’s life was full of adventure.

“The Animal,” as he was called while attending Encina High School, excelled at wrestling, track and was one of the star players on the football team. Even with a full schedule of classes and playing sports, he somehow also found time to participate in a singing group and (according to him) attempt to impress the members of the opposite sex with his many talents.

After graduation, Michael went on to attend American River College, Humboldt State University and San Jose State University, where he continued to play football, wrestle, work in a lumber mill and tend bar.

As international events ramped up overseas, he enlisted in the Navy (one week before a scout from the San Francisco 49ers notified him they wanted him to show up to training camp … a path he always wondered where it may have led).

While in the Navy, he was assigned to San Diego, El Centro, Exmouth Australia (where he met Jeanette) and one final deployment upon the aircraft carrier USS Ranger.

Upon completion of his Navy commitment in 1970, he returned to California and married Jeanette. He immediately went back to school and applied for multiple peace officer positions.

It didn’t take long before he was hired as a deputy sheriff for the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department in 1971. On his first day of the job as a solo deputy, he “earned” a safe driving award from his co-workers for completely destroying a patrol vehicle while investigating the burglary of a 10-speed bicycle via a doggie door (contact his son for more details on that little incident).

While he was working shifts as a patrol deputy during the night, he attended more courses at Sacramento State University and Golden Gate University during the day, respectively earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice and public administration. He even managed to find time to help bring his son and daughter into the world.

After almost five years of fun and games with the sheriff’s department and earning the nickname of “Deputy Mustache” by the local constituency, Michael decided a life of world travel and adventure would be just the ticket for him and his family, so he applied for the then-named “Naval Investigative Service” to fight crime (and communism) around the world.

He was hired in 1976 and began his career at the Treasure Island field office in San Francisco. After a short assignment there, his next tour took him and his family to Okinawa in 1979. While in Okinawa, he became a Third Degree Mason (like his father before him) and a Shriner, he joined a power-lifting team (setting at least one lifting record that lasted for years on “the island”), obtained his scuba certification and worked diligently with local law enforcement agencies to combat both military and international crimes taking place on and around the islands of Okinawa and Japan.

In 1982, he and his family moved to LaPlata, Maryland, where he was assigned to NIS Headquarters, in Washington D.C. He helped rewrite and update NIS’s firearm and use of force programs, was involved in the weapon and defensive tactics training (aka: NIS-Fu) at the NIS Academy and was known to occasionally “toss” a cadet or two around on the first day of class.

In 1986, after his tenure as an instructor at the academy, he was tasked with another overseas assignment (likely due to complaints from a few recently bruised young agents). This time, he and his family would move to Keflavik, Iceland.

While in Keflavik, he quickly befriended a number of local law enforcement officials and started investigating crimes, organizing and running protective service details and participating in Cold War counter-surveillance work (details that can’t be printed here, but let’s just say he had a number of opportunities to don his leather “Spy vs. Spy” cloak and “Inspector Clouseau” hat).

He played an integral role in the security planning for the historic Reagan/Gorbachev summit in 1987.

In 1988, he and his family made their final journey to Benicia, California. While always adhering to the mantra of “KEEP IT FUN,” he worked undercover stings, organized more international protective service details and ultimately retired as the assistant regional director of the western United States.

Not one to just ride off into the sunset, he immediately started coaching the local high school JV football and wrestling teams, ran the Benicia High School boosters club, created a private consultation and firearms training business and bought a Harley Davidson.

The purchase of the motorcycle and his love of the public service community eventually melded into what would become his second family, the Iron Warrior Motorcycle Club. He was given the moniker “BuffaloMan” based on a comment about his size made years ago by a fellow NIS agent and even more so, because of his resemblance to the shaggy bovine.

He eventually became president of the East Bay Chapter, where he helped recruit more public safety personnel to join the club, thus expanding his second family to many other parts of the country.

In 2003, he moved to Lake County where he bought a house in the hills on 18 acres so he could be close to his son and daughter (and their families), both of whom had also followed in his law enforcement footsteps.

He rode and partied with his newest brothers and sisters, rang the “Pascoe Family” cowbell at his grandkid’s football games, volunteered with the local sheriff’s department as a Range Safety Officer and member of the Disaster Aid Response Team (DART), became a member of the Konocti Road & Gun Club, went camping and fishing when he could and hung out with his dogs. He rode his motorcycle as much as he could until age caught up with him and he couldn’t ride any longer.

Although he didn’t attend church on a regular basis, he was never far from one of the many family Bibles he had strategically placed throughout his home.

He doted on his grandchildren and encouraged them to become solid citizens of this Constitutional Federal Republic, to study and understand the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights and to be courteous whenever possible.

One of his only regrets in life was that he didn’t spend enough time running out the “commies” within our own borders, but then again, during the time he was operational, he was under the belief that those “other” agencies with three-letter acronyms would have been all over it (you “suits” had to know that was coming).

No matter, he knew his patriotic genes had been passed down successfully when on one occasion a couple of years ago, his youngest grandson returned home from school complaining that his fourth-grade teacher had been spouting socialist drivel all day. This provided him comfort in knowing there may be actual “hope” for the future of the country he loved so much.

Mike cherished and often spoke lovingly about his family, fellow athletes, the athletes he coached, close friends and co-workers and about the adventures they had all shared together. Although he was a sailor and admired all veterans, he had a tremendous amount of respect for Marines, taking their motto “Semper Fi” to heart.

Mike strove to live his life with honor, valor and truth. He was grateful for having had the opportunity to meet and interact with so many quality people in his life who had left a positive impact on him. His only hope was that he may be remembered as fondly as his memories and feelings were of them.

Anyhow (a word Mike used regularly to let you know he was about to wrap up a conversation) … If you’re so inclined, turn on ZZ Top’s “La Grange,” sit back with a cigar, pour yourself a couple fingers of your favorite bourbon and reminisce back to all of the good times you spent with “Big Mike, the Animal, BuffaloMan …”, he’ll be sitting there right next to you, smiling and enjoying the moment.

He will be interred with his parents at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, in Dixon California, sometime early next year (we are shooting for April 27).

Any donations can be made to Warrior Foundation Freedom Station or your local Shriners Hospital for Children.

PS: Dad wanted everyone to know that if his name were to someday show up on a ballot with a vote for a democrat candidate, it would be the most solid evidence of voter fraud ever available.

PPS: If you were offended by anything in this obituary, Mike would’ve said (while patting you on the head), “It’s all right snowflake, you’ll be OK … winter’s coming.”

PPPS: Dad enjoyed black olives to the very end, but we think he missed the challenge of sneaking them out of the pantry.

PPPPS: Mike’s family sincerely appreciates all of the condolences, cards, well wishes and offers of support from friends, family and those folks who have expressed sadness at hearing the news of his passing. We have also enjoyed the stories you have shared with us as to how he impacted your life. Thank you.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 05 December 2020 02:59; 05 December 2020

David Frease Jr.

David ‘Little Man’ Leroy White Frease Jr.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – David was born Aug. 25, 1976, to Winifred White and David Frease Sr.

He was born and raised in Woodland, California, by his loving native family.

His son, David White-Beltran, was born in 1995. In 1998 he moved to Lakeport with family.

He married his wife, Lynn White in 2005 and had their first daughter, Alexis White that same year, and their second daughter, Amanda White, in 2007.

David was very close to his sister, Buffy Jimenez. He also has a brother, David Frease, and a sister, Dave’t Frease, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters (cousins).

David loved comedy live or recorded, music played loud and good food. He was always up for a good laugh, taking a drive or just staying home and relaxing.

He was a friend to everyone regardless of stature. We will miss him very much.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit wwwchapelofthelakes.com.

Obits

Betty Lou Bunch

Mildred Pickersgill

Terry Lee Cook

Geraldine Brown Johnson

Michael Alvin Pascoe

David Frease Jr.

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