Arnic, Gwendolyn “Gwen”
On May 10, 2011, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Faye Arnic of Tolleson, AZ went to her final resting place. She was born June 26, 1948 in Luling, TX to James Wright and Ola Mae Foster. She spent most of her life in Texas where she attended and graduated from nursing school and dedicated her life to helping others. She moved to Arizona in 1986 but was a Texan at heart.
She is survived by three daughters Darrilyn Brooks (“Brooks”), Karlyn Haymore, Vanessa Granison (Luis) and two granddaughters who were her pride and joy, Melissa Wright and Aja Haymore. She is also survived by five sisters Beulah Steen, Evelyn Williams, Ola Mae Alexander, Bernice Ellison, Toni Wright and one brother, James Wright. She was preceded in death by her parents James Ray Wright and Ola Mae Foster and her beloved sister, Laura McGarity. She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Gwen was a true Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching all sports on TV. What she enjoyed most in life was bragging about her granddaughters, Melissa and Aja. She was very special and will be missed by all. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 2: 00 pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel located at 926 S. Litchfield Rd in Goodyear, AZ.
Atkinson, Darlene
Darlene Dawn Atkinson (Walker), 79 of Waddell, passed away October 27, 2010 in Peoria, AZ. She was born September 23, 1931 in Lake Andies, South Dakota and moved to Arizona in 1942. She was a Certified Public accountant and Owner/operator of Walkers Liquor Stores. She was a past member of St. Andrews Episcopal church and a current member of St. Peters Episcopal Church.
She leaves behind a loving husband, four sons, three daughters, numerous grand children, great-grand children and great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Monday, November 1, 2010 from 5-8pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. Funeral services will be held Tuesday November 2, 2010 at 10:00am at St. Peter Episcopal Church, 400 S. Old Litchfield Rd. Litchfield Park. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery 6290 W. Northern Ave. Glendale.
Ault, Bud
Cecil “Bud’ Ault, 83, of Litchfield Park, AZ passed away September 26, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. He was born October 25, 1927 in Shadyside, Ohio to Cecil and Pearl Ault. Bud served in the United States Navy during WWII. He moved to Arizona in 1962. He was a procurement officer for Goodyear Aerospace/Lockheed Martin. He was a member of Alleluia Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
Bud is survived by his wife Elaine A. Ault, his daughter Becky Loeffers (Ken), his sister Dorothy Greenwood, and his grandsons Sean and Ryan Loeffers.
Visitation for Bud is from 9:00am to 11:00am Monday, October 10, 2011 at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel. Friends and family are welcome to arrive anytime between 9:00 and 11:00 to pay their respects. The service for Bud begins at 11:00am, Pastor Jose Valenzuela from Alleluia Lutheran Church presiding. Memorials may be made in Bud’s honor to any of the Phoenix Animal Shelters.
Avey, Kenneth
Kenneth Avey, 55, of Goodyear, AZ passed away March 17, 2012 in Goodyear at home. He was born in Morango Valley, CA November 28, 1956 to Wayne and Carol Ann Avey. He grew up in Casa Grande, AZ, left to go to California and moved back to Arizona in 2010. He owned an underground utility company. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Doras; his sons Brenton Don Avey and Trenton Wayne Avey; his parents Wayne and Carol Ann Avey of Casa Grande; his sisters Rene Manning (Mike) of Queen Creek, AZ, Susie Avey of Chandler, AZ and Shirley Tate (Tim) of Casa Grande. He is also survived by his nieces Renae Myers, Erica Manning Openchaw, and Torrie Tate-Dominy, and nephews Jason Dale, Jerrod Dale, and Justin Petty. A celebration of Kenneth’s life will take place March 31st at 10:00am at Trinity Baptist Church, 1100 E. Trinity Place, Casa Grande, AZ.
Baker, Delmer
Delmer Baker
Sunrise: May 4, 1930 & Sunset: December 27, 2010
Delmer was born May 4, 1930 in Crockett, Texas to the late Lee Baker and Josie Robinson- Baker. Delmer also goes on to precede in death his late wife Betty Lou Baker, sister Hattie Mae Williams, three brother’s Frank Baker, Grady Baker, Buster Baker, a niece Annie Mae Williams and a great-nephew Anthony D. Williams.
Delmer worked for the city of Phoenix for 22 year’s retiring in 1999. He was a member of the Morning Star Baptist Church where he servedon the Brotherhood board until his health started to fail. Delmer also enjoyed the following during his retirement; fishing, cooking, collecting western movies, and going to the casino to past time.
Delmer leaves to cherish his memories a sister Louise Peterson where about are unknown, a brother M.L. Baker of Texas, four nieces Lorine, Frances, Virginia Williams of Avondale, Rosetta Williams of Phoenix and two nephews Luther & Leslie Williams of Avondale and Melvin Williams of Tucson. Also five great nieces Candy Allen of Delaware, Karen Marinos of N. Carolina, Tiffany Williams of Las Vegas, Kimberly and Dominique Williams of Avondale, six great nephews Johnny, Lamont, Marlo, Tony, Antwone and Eric Williams all of Avondale. And a sister-in- law Bobbie Bailey and special friend Tommy Lee Washington. And a whole host of great- great nieces and nephews and distant cousins.
Join the family in celebration of Delmer’s life at Thompson Funeral Chapel 926 S. Litchfield Rd, Goodyear, AZ on Tuesday January 4, 2011 @ 11:00am. Burial service to follow at Holy Cross Cemetary 10045 W. Thomas Rd, Avondale, AZ
The family will receive guest afterward completion of services at Lorine Williams house.
“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
-1 Peter 5:10
Banner, John Richard
John Richard Banner, 87, of Buckeye died April 5, 2011 at home. He was born June 11, 1923 in Erwin, TN to David and Altha Banner. John was brought to Arizona as a very young child and spent his life here. . He was a carpenter for Del Web Construction and at Greenway High School in Glendale.
John is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughter Yolanda, his sons Rick, Victor, and Ray, 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Services for John are Friday, April 8, 2011 at 11:00am at Lighthouse Fellowship, 3015 N Jackrabbit Trail, Buckeye, AZ 85326. You may send the family condolences at www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com. Under the direction of Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel.
Barraza, Maria
Maria Barraza, 33, of Goodyear, AZ passed away September 20, 2011 at home. She was born December 25, 1977 in Yuma, AZ to Francisco Javier and Dunia Barraza. She was a Mortgage Broker’s Assistant in the South West Valley.
Maria was funny, giving and friendly. She chose to live life to the fullest and not only did she love to travel but along the way made lifelong friends. From East to West Coast, Maria was proud of working in the mortgage industry and truly enjoyed the benefits. Family and friends always came first and she will be terribly missed.
Maria is survived by her parents, Fco. Javier and Dunia Barraza, sisters Laura Soto (Alonzo), Luz Rodriguez (Danny), and Dunia Valenzuela (Ricardo), brothers Javier Barraza II, Carlos Barraza, and her twin Jose Barraza (Nicole).
A memorial service to celebrate her life took place Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ at 5:00pm. The rosary will be at 5:30 and a scripture service of music and sharing will begin at 6:30. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, September 24, 2011 in Wellton, AZ at St. Joseph Church.
Bash, Norah
Norah Bash, 83, of Goodyear, formerly of Paulding, OH, passed away March 12, 2012 while under care of Hospice of the Valley. Nora was born in Warrington, England March 18, 1928, to Albert and Catherine Shay. Nora moved to Arizona in May of 1997. Nora was a Certified Nursing Assistant. Nora was a parishioner at St. John Vianney Catholic Church and love to bake Christmas cookies.
Nora is survived by her daughter, Patricia Mayer of Pipe Creek, Texas; two sons, David Bash of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and Christopher Bash of Tuscon, Arizona. Nora is also survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Nora is preceded in death by her husband Lester Bash.
A service for Nora was held Thursday, March 15, 2012 at Thompson Valley West Funeral Chapel, Goodyear, Arizona. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Hospice of the Valley.
Bateman, Michelle Marie
Michelle Marie Bateman, loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, 34, of Buckeye, formerly of Altus, OK and Rapid City, SD, died March 5, 2011 in Peoria, AZ. Michelle was born February 22, 1977 in Okinawa, Japan to Alvester and Nitaya Broughton. She moved with her family to Arizona 7 months ago.
Michelle touched a lot of lives. She was a Certified Nurse’s Assistant working towards her LPN. She graduated from Kaiser University in South Dakota. She married Estevan Miguel Bateman November 19, 2002 and they became the proud parents of 5 beautiful children.
Michelle is survived by her husband, Estevan, her daughter Cerelianna, her sons Jamal, Jalen, Kaitano, and Antonio, her mother Nitaya Little, her father and step-mother Alvester and Nadine Broughton, her grandmother Eddie Mae Broughton, her sister Latarsha Little, her brothers Alvester Broughton III, James Graham Jr., Eldridge Graham, Kevin Little, Eddie Jo Broughton and Quincy Broughton. She is also survived by her mother and father-in-law Trinidad Aguilar and William Bateman Jr., her sisters-in-law Yolanda Tripodi, Carissa and Evita Bateman, and her brothers-in-law Gilbert Aguilar and Diego Bateman.
Visitation is Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 1:00pm with the service to begin at 3:00pm at Thompson’s Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85338. Please contribute memorials in Michelle’s honor to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Bates, Jay
Jay Harrell Bates died Friday, July 22, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the tender age of 75.
Jay started his journey on April 21, 1936, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, as the fourth and final child of Violet Simmons Bates and Jay Harrell Bates. He attended Idaho Falls High School where he played basketball on the Idaho Falls “Tigers” team that won the state basketball tournament for several years running. The 1953 team on which he played finished the season 26-0 and was honored in 2005 by the State of Idaho’s High School Activities Association as one of the Legends of the Game.
Jay attended Utah State University on a football and basketball scholarship, but decided after his freshman year to focus his talents on Aggie basketball, where he played four years. While attending Utah State, he graduated from the Army ROTC program. He was chosen as one of the top 15 Personalities on Campus four years running and in his senior year was elected Senior Class President and chosen as one of 12 students to serve in the honorary organization Alpha Sigma Nu on the motto “Outstanding in Every Way.”
Jay married his junior high, high school, and college sweetheart, Irene Lagos Bates, on June 24, 1956. Upon graduating from Utah State in 1958, Jay was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and he went on to serve in the Army National Guard for several years, eventually reaching the rank of First Lieutenant. After leaving active service, he settled with Irene in Idaho Falls, where they started their family and Jay earned his PGA card as Assistant Golf Pro under George Orullian at Pinecrest Municipal Golf Course. In 1964, Jay and Irene purchased a grocery store in Idaho Falls called Jay’s Mini Mart. In 1967, they moved their family to Logan, Utah, and purchased Skanchy’s Market. Together, they ran Skanchy’s Market for over 32 years before selling it and retiring to Goodyear, Arizona.
Jay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. He was an avid Aggie, and was active in the Big Blue Club before retiring to Goodyear. He loved the game of golf and was a member at the Logan Golf and Country Club for many years. Even after he was forced to give up golf for health reasons, he enjoyed the friendly interaction and banter with other golfers while serving as course marshal at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Goodyear. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he cherished many loyal friends in Logan, Idaho Falls, and Goodyear.
Most of all, Jay, or G-Paw as he was known to his grandchildren, embodied many of those attributes that have gone missing in this world, including a wonderful sense of humor and compassion for all of the people with whom he interacted. It is a fitting tribute to Jay that he left this world in full possession of the qualities with which he was born: humility, respect for family and friends, and the capacity to love and care about people from all walks of life.
Jay is survived by a sister, Patti Bates Curnutt, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, his wife, Irene Lagos Bates, of Goodyear, Arizona, his sons, Jay Michael Bates (Leslie France) of Prescott, Arizona, Douglas Scott Bates (Patti Jessen) of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Christopher Kent Bates (Martha Ochoa) of Phoenix, Arizona, his son-in-law Todd Christensen of Logan, Utah, and eleven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Violet Simmons Bates, father Jay Harrell Bates, brothers Kent Bates and Gene Bates, and his daughter Peggy Jo Bates Christensen.
Gravesite services will be held at Logan Cemetery on Friday, October 7, 2011. A memorial service will be held in Goodyear on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at the Tuscany Falls Ballroom in Tuscany Falls. The family requests that you send donations in lieu of flowers to The Peggy Jo Bates Christensen Scholarship Fund, Utah State University Development Office, 1420 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah, 84322.
