Life Tributes for the week of 4.23.19
Jean Pierre Loubet
Jean Pierre Loubet was born Sept. 25, 1929 in Los Angeles, California to Louis and Florence Loubet. He was raised in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, spending much of his early life in that region. He attended Loyola High School in Inglewood, California, Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, and San Diego State University.
Jean served in both the US Navy as well as the Army. In the course of his life Jean worked in the aerospace industry, notably working for the Aerojet General Corporation in Azusa, California for 17 years. In 1976, Jean returned to his passion, agriculture, and from 1977-2001 grew hay, grain and certified seed in Janesville, California as well as operating a successful custom farming business. Jean served in county government for three terms as a supervisor, running unopposed for his third and final term. Upon retiring from farming in 2001 he and Alice lived for a time in Reno, Nevada, in Oloron Saint Marie, France and again in Reno, Nevada before moving in 2005 to Cedar City, Utah.
In a college drama class in 1952, Jean met Alice Pertile. They fell in love and were married in 1953. They faced life together and would have celebrated 66 years of marriage this June 27 had he lived just a bit longer.
Jean and Alice raised five children and lived to tell the tale! They were wonderful parents and over the past several decades enjoyed the role of grandparents and great-grandparents as well. Jean’s faith in Christ characterized his life. He and Alice set both the standard as well as the example for their family. They are members of Christ the King Catholic Church where they have participated in the church community since 2005. They served together at “Ye Olde Catholic Thrift Shoppe” and in the church choir. Jean was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Jean is survived by his wife Alice of Cedar City, Utah; son, Anthony Loubet (Cindy), of Janesville, California; daughter, Teresa Loubet, of Des Moines, Washington; daughter, Jeannie Diermier (Rob), of Arlington, Texas; daughter, Valerie Orlemann (Andrew), of Parowan, Utah; nine grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by a daughter, Diana in 1980.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cedar City, Utah on 11 a.m. Friday, April 26. It will be preceded by a Rosary at 10 a.m. There will be a fellowship time to follow after the service at the church. Jean will be interred in the family plot at Janesville Cemetery in Janesville, California the following week.
The family requests that any donations made in Jean’s memory be sent to either St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to St. Joseph’s Indian School.
Elvira Estela Harrison
Lassen County native and longtime Susanville resident, Elvira Estela Harrison, passed away on April 11, 2019 at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.
Elvira and her twin brother, Oscar Garcia, were born on Oct. 21, 1940 in Westwood, California to Ascension and Josefina Garcia. Elvira had six siblings, Oscar Garcia, of Sparks, Nevada, Sue Garcia, of Reno, Nevada, Helen Moreno, of Carson City, Nevada, Ernie Garcia, of Tualatin, Oregon, Andy Garcia, of Red Bluff, California, and Ophelia Garcia. Ophelia preceded Elvira in death, passing away in June 1940 when she was a child.
Elvira went to elementary school and her first two years of high school in Westwood. In 1957 Elvira and her family moved to Susanville where she attended Lassen High School and graduated with the class of 1959. Elvira met her future husband, Ronald Harrison and they were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville on Sept. 4, 1960.
Ronald and Elvira had three children; Ronald Harrison Jr., of Walnut Creek, California, John Harrison, of Redding, California, and Suzanne Peery, of Milford, California.
Ronald and Elvira lived briefly in the Bay Area and then moved to Red Bluff where Elvira was a homemaker and raised her three children. In 1970, Ronald and Elvira moved to Orland, California after Ronald was hired as game warden with the California Department of Fish and Game. Elvira worked as a bilingual teacher’s aide for the Orland Elementary School District. Elvira loved working as an aide and often considered going back to school to become a credentialed bilingual teacher.
In 1978 Ronald and Elvira returned to Susanville where they would live for the remainder of their lives. Elvira worked for many years as a teller at the Bank of America in Susanville. In 1990 Elvira went to the California Correctional Center in Susanville where she worked as an account clerk II. Elvira retired from the California Correctional Center in December 2002.
After her retirement, Elvira and her husband Ronald spent time traveling and visiting their children, grandchildren and family members. Elvira became very involved with the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville. She was a member of the Susanville Elks Lodge, serving as a past chaplain and the Red Hat Society. Elvira was also very active with Beta Sigma Phi sorority (Laureate Theta Psi) as a member for 57 years.
Elvira was a wonderful cook and she would always host large gatherings for her children and grandchildren at her home in Susanville during the holidays.
Elvira was a very kind and giving person and her family and friends loved her and will miss her greatly.
Elvira was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Ronald Harrison, who passed away on Sept. 5, 2018. Elvira is survived by her son, Ronald Harrison Jr.; and his children, Sean, Emma, and Colin; son, John Harrison, and his wife Jennifer; and their children Rileigh, Ryan, Caleb; and Johnny with his wife Sindy and their children; John, Luke, and daughter Jennifer Harrison; and her children, Mason, Sydney, and Owen; daughter Suzanne Peery, and her husband Rob; and their children Tyler, Brandon, Nick; and Michael with his wife, Jasmine; and children, Lilly, Ollie, and Edelweiss; daughter, Scarlett with her husband Joel; and children, Caden and Chloe; and son, Chris with his wife Chinee; and daughter Katherine; and son, Joshua with his wife Fatima.
Elvira is also survived by her siblings; Oscar Garcia, Helen Moreno, Sue Garcia, Ernie Garcia, and Andy Garcia.
Elvira was preceded in death by her parents; Ascension and Josefina Garcia; and sister, Ophelia Garcia.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial which will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 120 North Union Street, Susanville, California at 11 a.m. Friday, April 26. A Rosary Prayer Service will precede the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Diamond Crest Cemetery, Diamond Crest Road, Johnstonville, California.
Elvira will be buried in the veteran’s section with her beloved husband Ronald. An opportunity to gather and express condolences to the family and celebrate the life of Elvira Harrison will be held at Monsignor Moran Hall following the interment. Food and beverage will be generously provided by the Sacred Heart Caring and Sharing. The family requests any donations be made in Elvira’s memory to Laureate Theta Psi c/o Barbara Tinston, 699-600 Oak Mountain Drive, Susanville, CA 96130. A Scholarship will be given in her memory.
Wayne Tezak
Wayne Tezak, born April 2, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois went to heaven April 12, 2019.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Helen of 63 years; sons, William and David (Monica); grandchildren, Rebecca Lowen (Brad), Mitchell, Austin and Madison; and great-grandchild, Braden.
Wayne enlisted in the United States Army and spent three years serving overseas during the Korean War as a sergeant.
He married the love of his life Helen in 1956, and moved to Los Angeles starting a family in 1957 and later relocated his family to Susanville in 1969 to open a United Farm real estate agency with his friend and partner Ben Finizio and retired in 2011.
Wayne enjoyed living at his Florida beachfront home and spending summers in the Susanville area. Wayne always enjoyed having breakfast at the Sunflower Café, spending time with his grandchildren playing UNO and always being there for his family and friends. He was always generous and enjoyed giving to others.
There was a memorial service held to celebrate Wayne’s life at 1 p.m. Friday, April 19 at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada.
Roger Albert Medici
Roger Albert Medici passed away April 1, 2019, at Enloe hospital in Chico with his family by his side.
Born July 26, 1939, the eldest of three children to Roger William Medici and Mary Rose (Leal) Medici in Martinez, Roger spent most of his nearly 80 years living in the Lake Almanor area.
Roger enlisted at a young age, choosing to serve his country as a United States Marine. Upon returning from service, he met Consuelo (Connie) Mendoza, and they married in 1960. During their union, a daughter, Lisa and son, Jack were born. Their union ended in 1979.
Roger was an avid snowmobiler in his younger days, competing in and winning many local competitions. He enjoyed and serving as ski patrol, and he was also an excellent water skier.
In 1979, Roger met and married Caroline Bosetti. Their union ended in 2007.
In 1965, Roger and his father started their own company, Roger Medici and Son. That business began with driving log trucks and eventually evolved into Medici Logging, which operated in Westwood for 30 years, employing many members of the community as well as four generations of the Medici family. Roger enjoyed taking his son and daughter to work in the woods with him, and later his grandchildren.
Roger was most at home in the woods, fearless in his endeavors and notorious for his no-nonsense attitude. Roger enjoyed hunting and fishing, and later his hobbies grew to include golfing, gold mining and competitive trap shooting.
He truly enjoyed life and will be remembered by family and friends for his booming laugh, the twinkle in his eye, the pride in his family, his strong work ethic, his crass jokes, his Christmas cioppino, and much more.
He is survived by his brother, Doug Medici (Dina), of Susanville; sister, Beverly Fiscus, of Susanville; daughter, Lisa Medici (Joe Mason), of Westwood; son, Jack Medici (Jane), of Westwood; grandchildren, Christopher Zamora (Veronica), of Sacramento, Shannon Medici-Brinkman (Richard), of Chester, Nick Medici (Lea Moss), of Sacramento, Stevie Lewis (John Cruz), of Susanville, Darrah Culver (Grant), of Lake Almanor, Ellen Medici (Ernesto Flores), of Lake Almanor, Mitch Medici (Adriana Vega), of Reno; seven great-grandchildren; as well as his “Main Squeeze” Judy D’Angelo, of Lake Almanor; and so many other loved and loyal friends whom he cherished like family.
The loss of Roger is like a tree falling in the forest, sudden, unexpected, crushing and shocking; he will be, and already is, deeply missed.
Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, April 26. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. April 27, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Lake Almanor, followed by a reception at the Westwood Community Center.
Robert “Bob” James Lunsford
Robert “Bob” James Lunsford, of Milford, California passed away at home surrounded by his family April 13, 2019. Bob was born in Oakland, California to Jack and Susanne Lunsford on Dec. 12, 1956. The love of Bob’s life was his mom, who was always by his side. Susanne referred to Bob as her special angel and would sing the song, “You Are My Special Angel” by Bobby Helms to him often. Bob lived in Milford for the past 33 years. He helped around Susanville Motors, the family dealership, for years. He would deliver mail and boss around the guys in the garage. The guys would learn to bring a candy bar or soda, to get on Bob’s good side. Bob loved cars and could recognize different models just from hanging out at the dealership.
Bob was also an honorary volunteer member of Milford Fire Department. He always helped when the fire department put on community dinners and fundraisers. Bob’s favorite activity was riding his John Deere fifth wheel all around the ranch. He even had a bridge named after him “Bob’s Bridge.” Bob loved animals of all kinds, and he loved watching pretty girls. He was a friend to all who knew him.
Bob is survived by his mom, Susanne Lunsford, and his dog Sam. He was lucky to have many brothers and sisters who will miss him. Pat Lunsford, of Milford, California, Theresa Lunsford, of Rocklin, California, JR Lunsford, of Janesville, California, Doug Lunsford, of Redding, California, and Susan Lisenby, of Reno, Nevada. He is also survived by brother and sister-in-laws, Dawn, Chuck, Melissa, Phyllis and Randy.
Bob was known as a wonderful and funny uncle to 12 nieces and nephews, Jenny, Matt, Jack III, Heather, Zachary, Josh, Jacob, Ashley, Joe, John, Dani, Cy and Matt. He also had six great-nieces and nephews, De Julio, Aurora, Everly, Jackson, Evie and Wes.
Bob was preceded in death by his father Jack Lunsford, Sr; and nephew, DJ Lunsford. They both were waiting for him with open arms in Heaven.
Until we see each other again Bobby, we will miss you every day, your loving family.
Memorial services will be held at Susanville Assembly of God Church, 3 p.m. Friday, April 26.
Patricia Ann Herndon
Patricia Ann Herndon, born April 15, 1935 to Clarence William Nelson and Marguerite Marie Wilson Nelson in Chicago, Illinois passed away April 18, 2019 in Susanville, California.
After she and her late husband, Buddy Herndon, married in 1954 they raised six children. Pat worked as an operator for Frontier Communications for many years. And along with husband Bud, helped establish Cornerstone Christian School, working there as a teacher. In later life she worked as a volunteer at Mama’s Crisis Pregnancy Center, regularly meeting and helping new parents and folding a lot of baby clothes.
Surviving are children and spouses; Steven and Robin Herndon, Keith and Rhonda Herndon, Stacy and Kevin DeRose, David and Marci Herndon, Karen Herndon, and Douglas and Julie Herndon. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Herndon, in 1998 and recently by her sister, Marguerite Marie (Peg) Ferdinand, in 2019.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mama’s Crisis Pregnancy Center at 472 Richmond Rd. Susanville, CA 96130.
We, her numerous and sometimes boisterous family, would like to extend our appreciation to the staff at Banner Lassen Hospital in Susanville for allowing us to be with her to the end. You are amazing. one and all.
Services will be at Standish Bible Church at a yet to be determined date.