McGowen, Deane FUHS 1944

McGowen, Deane  FUHS 1944

Deane Arnold McGowen passed away peacefully at his home in Apple Valley on April 17, 2019. Deane was born in Santa Rosa, California on August 17, 1925 to Archie Lee McGowen and Ruby Faye (Evans) McGowen. Deane spent his early childhood living in Forestville. While Deane was still in grammar school, the family moved to Orange County settling in Fullerton. Deane proudly served in the Merchant Marines during WWII, postponing his graduation from Fullerton High School until after the war. Upon his return from service Deane married Beverly Logsdon in 1946. They raised their three children, Gayle, Karen and Timothy to adulthood but subsequently divorced. Deane later married June Hughes McKerlie. Deane worked in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry during his working life. Generous with his time and many talents, he volunteered with many civic organizations, most recently with the Victor Valley Museum, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and the Lewis Center for Educational Research.

A deep Christian faith guided Deane always. He was a hard working humble man of the highest integrityand moral character. He was very generous and reached out to those in need. His fond memories of the Forestville Church of Christ he first attended as a child remained with him throughout his life.

The essay he wrote many years later for the church’s centennial celebration was published by the Forestville Historical Society. After moving to Orange County the family joined extended family at Church of Christ congregations throughout the area. In his final years, he and June were active in the Hi-Desert Church of Christ in Apple Valley. He particularly loved to join with his Christian family in the singing of Hymns, often leading with his beautiful baritone voice while June added her lovely soprano.

Deane will always be remembered for his unique sense of humor always ready with a joke or witty remark. His stories are legendary evoking laughter (and a few groans), no matter how many times it had been told. His were the original “dad” jokes.

Words cannot convey how deeply Deane will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. With love he leaves a legacy of faith, hard work, love of family and let’s not forget, laughter.

Deane was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruby Deter; and brothers, Archie McGowen and Glade McGowen. Deane is survived by his wife, June; his children, Gayle Nobbs (Chuck), Karen Adams(Darwin), Timothy McGowen(Cindy); his brother, Gordon McGowen; as well as seven grandchildren, seven great Gandchildren, one great, great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by stepchildren, Cheryl McKerlie, Laurel Laird, Scott McKerlie and Richard McKerlie.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 am Friday May 3rd at Hi-Desert Church of Christ, 22332 Eyota Rd, Apple Valley.

Orange County Register, April 28, 2019

2019 POW WOW PHOTOS

Here are some photos of 1953 classmates at the April 29, 2019 Pow Wow.

Birdie, Lovice, Shirley with (Terry O'Brien in background) all Class of 1953.

Richard Hodson and Terry O'Brien (both Class of 1953).

Connie Stafford Van Horn and Terry O'Brien.

Connie Stafford, Terry O'Brien, Lovace, Richard.

Art Schade and Terry O'Brien

Shirley McFarland Tardie and Ed Houghton (Rosemarie Bagby Houghton spouse.

Connie Stafford Van Horn and Sharon Smith Gibson.

Lovace, Rosemarie Bagby Houghton and Connie Stafford Van Horn.

Connie Stafford Van Horn,

Terry and Lovace.

Connie Stafford Van Horn and Earlene Boyd.

WYNELLE HOLBROOK, FUHS 1938

Wynelle Holbrook

 (1920-2019) 

Wynelle Holbrook, 98, passed away at home in Fullerton, Tuesday evening, March 5th, 2019 of pneumonia. Wynelle was born in Visalia, Calif. on October 13, 1920. She lived on the family ranch with with her father, William Fuller Holbrook and her mother Hazel Haas Holbrook, and her two younger sisters, Marian and Jean. In 1930 the family moved to Glendale and then to Fullerton, Calif. and settled at 223 N. Yale Street. Her father was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1935 and Hazel raised the three girls on her own, never remarrying. After graduating from Fullerton Union High School in 1938, Wynelle enrolled at UCLA and lived with her uncle and his wife on Harvard Avenue in Hollywood. She graduated in 1942 with a BA in History and worked for the Army Air Force for the remainder of the war. She worked for the Atomic Energy Commission beginning in mid-1946 and later as a part of the Manhattan Project until 1953. In August of 1953 she was hired by the Whittaker Corporation of Simi Valley as a senior buyer for the company where she rose to be the chief purchasing manager for the $700 million dollar company at a time when women never held such positions, and she held that position until she retired 42 years later in 1995. She had always loved to see the world and after retirement she traveled even more, to Europe, North Africa and throughout Asia and Central America, usually alone or with one of her sisters. When she could no longer easily get around, she volunteered at the Fullerton Friends of the Library and Fullerton Arboretum for many years. She survived being at the epicenter the 1994 Northridge Earthquake though many family heirlooms were destroyed by the quake. Wynelle was an avid sports fan and closely followed the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. She was a devoted follower of the L.A. Dodgers, the Lakers and the Rams (until they left for St. Louis) and she knew her sports facts. Wynelle was a strong, independent woman, did not marry, and was never lonely for company. She devoted much of her long life to being a terrific aunt and great aunt, never failing to hike the rugged trail with the kids in the Sierra Nevada, find the rainbow trout hidden in the American River, or help out when someone needed financial aid. She was selfless to her many friends throughout the L.A basin. Wynelle was a lineal descendent of Edward Fuller and Governor William Bradford of Plymouth of the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower. She is survived by her sister, Jean (95); four nephews, Kenneth Jr., Lawrence and William Hoffman, Mark Oliver; a niece; Lynne Prechel; and many great nephews and nieces. Her sister Marian preceded her in death. Her remains were interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale. No service is planned.

Published in Orange County Register on Apr. 13, 2019