Laguna Federal Highlights

A MAN CALLED ISAAC

By Mildred Yorba MacArthur

Isaac Jenkinson Frazee could have been the first artist to make a sketch of Laguna Beach, according to his widow, who has just written her memoirs which she calls, “Journeying Through The Years.” She signs herself Mrs. Isaac J. Frazee, which she was, for 57 devoted years. Publication date has not yet been set.

Isaac first say Laguna in 1873, as a boy of 15 when he came with his parents, and they camped in the beach. He was entranced by the sun, the sand and the hills that rolled down to the sea., It was in Laguna that he made his first sketch, which he kept and later gave to his bride, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. She has kept it ever since. Isaac went on the become one of California’s finest and most collected artists.

The Frazees built a life for themselves in the back country of San Diego County, near Bonsall, where they reared their seven children.  It was there in 1915 that he wrote and produced his Indian Pageant called “Kitshi Manido.” The entire village helped him build a 500-seat amphitheater near his home. The cast was made up of neighbors, and his daughter Arlitta (sic)* has a lead part, as Majella the Wood Dove.

Musicians were brought in from Los Angeles and they were trained and directed by W. M. Bower, a noted violinist and composer. The production was a sellout. People came in buggies, hay wagons, on horseback or on foot, and some even ventured in by car, churning up the dust in their wake.

“In 1921,” writes Mrs. Frazee, “We loaned our pageant to the Art Association of Laguna Beach and all that summer the artists dropped their work and joined with us to produce it for six nights, with great success. It was given in a magnificent eucalyptus grove and over $3,600 was taken in at the gate.

“After the overhead was paid, a nice little sum of nearly $1,000 was given to the Art Association to help build the beautiful Art Gallery which now adorns Laguna Hills.  The Art Association presented us with a life membership and a lot in Laguna.  Again in 1927, the Pageant was produced for 21 nights, by this same community group.”

That certainly was a great success in the days when many artists made their homes in tents. Cows were tethered on empty adjoining lots, and bawled vociferously when ready to be milked and their owner had overslept. Streets were short and ran in all directions, coming to dead ends, much as they still do. There was evidence of much visiting among artists where they left their paths through the green grass of spring or the dust of summer. There were no street lights so most people carried lanterns. There was no highway.

On Saturday nights the artists gathered at a little art gallery to admire or criticize their fellow painters. There was a small dance hall, Mrs. Frazee recalls, with a sign over it that said, “Clean Dancing Every Night Except Sunday.”  J. N. Isch owned the village grocery store and one corner of the room was reserved for the post office, over which Mrs. Isch presided.  Long lines of people gathered each day for the mail to be brought in, via stage.  The waits were long, but the visiting was most enjoyable.

Nell Gail Moulton told me that her happiest memories were of her horse-driven carriage, with her two tiny daughters, Charlotte and Louise. She took lessons from that great teacher and artist Anna Hills, while the children romped on the beach.

The Frazees finally settled in Laguna for good in 1927. By then it was a haven for artists from everywhere, including William Wendt, Julia Bracken Wendt, Edgar Payne, William Griffith, Joseph Kleitch, Frank Coprien, Alice Fullerton, David Criesbach, Donna Schuster, Clarence Hinkle, Mary Sherer, Charles Patridge Adams, Thomas Hunt, Gail Moulton, Irving Manoir, Anna Hills and Karl Yens.

Most were friendly, but I like the story that is told of the young artist on his first day in Laguna, who came upon a fellow artisan and he said, “Hello there, brother. I’m an artist too, just in from Chicago yesterday. My name is . . .” The old-Laguna-hand said, “What of it?” and he picked up his canvas and walked off.

Another visitor, a plump little person, fared better. She sided p to an artist and stood so close that he could barely move his brush as she overshadowed his canvas. Finally the artist glanced up and said, “What do you think of it?” Without hesitation she replied, “Oh, I guess maybe it will look better when it dries, won’t it?”

In 1968 one of Isaac’s earliest paintings was given to the Santa Barbara Mission. It was painted in 1898, of a Franciscan Friar, Joseph O’Keefe, of Mission San Luis Rey at Oceanside, where the Frazees then resided.  They and all the other families thereabouts helped with the restoration of the Mission. An interested onlooker was a duck that swam in a small nearby pond and became very attached to Father O’Keefe. Artist Frazee sketched the scene, which he later painted.

I shall now turn to Elizabeth Frazee Worsley’s final communication in 1968. She was the eldest daughter of the Frazees. She and her husband, Christian, delivered the painting to Padre-historian, Rev. Maynard Gieger at Santa Barbara Mission. She said, “I had a distinct feeling that all is well, and that my ‘Padre With a Duck’ had at last come to his right resting place.”

She continued, “You can see many of Father’s paintings at Chapman College at Orange, Laguna Beach Museum of Art, Bowers Museum at Santa Ana, Laguna Federal Savings and Loan Association’s home office, and the Serra Museum at San Diego. The latter also has two big scrapbooks about him, and his old desk. Shipped around the Horn in 1849, it was once the property of California’s renowned Circuit Court Judge Benjamin B. Hayes. His history-laden scrap books I gave to the Huntington Library at San Marino. He and Mother lived a full life among their friends in Laguna, he with his painting and Mother with her writing.”

Isaac Jenkinson Frazee, the gentle man of many and varied talents, left his lasting imprint upon his beloved California where he came as a youth in 1873. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 3, 1858. (sic)** He died in Laguna Beach on June 23, 1942. Lest we forget, he brought Laguna its first Festival in 1921.

* His daughter, Helen Frazee Bower, had the same role as Arlitta a famous opera singer who performed in the 1927 edition of the pageant.

** Isaac's birth date was November 30th, 1858 His place of birth isn't clearly identified in the records. I have Winchester, Indiana - which is near the Ohio border. Google also mentions an obsolete location called "New Winchester" which was 18 miles west of Indianapolis. Isaac's grandmother, uncle, and cousins were all living near Rushville, Indiana about 30 miles south east of Indianapolis. They are listed in the 1860 Census as living in Decatur, which is also near the Ohio border, but up near Fort Wayne.  His father did, just before moving to San Bernardino in 1873, own a book and stationary store near the center of Indianapolis.

Huell Howser's California Gold - The Ranunculus Field Episode

I can't tell you why Mr. Howser only interviews Mike Mellano and Paul Ecke Jr. back when this was filmed in Spring of 1994 as both Ed and Bob Frazee were alive at the time, but because of that, he doesn't get any of the history or the production of the flowers.  Our loss.

The segment on the Flower Fields begins after 11:30.

To open the page click on the photo of the ranunculus.

Michael O'Bannon Bower - 2421

Bower, Michael O'Bannon

Michael O'Bannon Bower, 68 years old of Fountain Valley, formerly of Buena Park, passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2017, after several years of battling diabetes, congestive heart failure and dementia. He was the loving husband of Jennifer Louise (Robison) Bower who passed away on March 11, 2016.

Mike was born on June 13, 1949 in Los Angeles, California to the late David and Barbara (O'Bannon) Bower. Mike grew up in Norwalk, California, and attended Anna M. Glazier School, Los Alisos Intermediate School and graduated in 1967 from Norwalk High School. At that time, he continued his education getting his A.A. at Cerritos Community College, his B.A. from California State University, Fullerton, and his M.A. from the University of Southern California. All of his degrees were in the fields of communications and public relations.

Mike was employed by the American Cancer Society, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District and Walnut Valley School District as a public relations officer. He also spent 19 years owning his own public relations and marketing company, Bower Communications, Inc. He also spent several years as a professor at Vanguard University, Pepperdine University, and Biola University and as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, Rio Hondo College and California State University, Fullerton and Dominguez Hills campuses. In the 1970s he had a television program called Sports Mike in Orange County as well as a Sports Mike column in local newspapers. He won many awards for his work in journalism and public relations.

Mike was an avid sports fan especially for all USC teams, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and Rams. He spent many hours collecting baseball cards and other memorabilia and eventually opened his own sports shop, Sports Mike, in Cypress, CA. If possible, he never missed a game whether he could attend or watch on television. Mike also coached his son's baseball teams in Buena Park for many years.

Mike loved musical theatre and spent many years acting in musical productions held throughout Orange County including Curtain Call Dinner Theater, Huntington Beach Playhouse, La Habra Depot and Vanguard University. Some of his favorite roles included Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Arvide in Guys and Dolls, and Lazar Wolf and the Rabbi in Fidder on the Roof. Mike was well known as Santa Claus throughout Southern California where he spent each Christmas season being Santa Claus to many children with Definitely Dickens and Clowning Around. You could find him at corporate parties, South Coast Plaza, Macy's and many other venues.

Mike was a devoted Christian who was very involved in the churches he attended throughout his life. He sang in the choirs, was a soloist and taught Sunday School. He attended St. John's Presbyterian Church in Compton as a child. He and his wife raised their children at New Life Community Church in Artesia and attended Christ Community Church in Buena Park in their later years.

Mike is survived by his three children and their spouses, Timothy and Mariah Bower, Jonathan and Erin Bower, and Kimberly and Jonathan Proctor. He was blessed to have been able to enjoy his four grandsons, Isaac, Elias, Miles and Jude. He was looking forward to the birth of his 5th grandchild this fall. He is also survived by his two sisters and their husbands, Jennifer and William Collins, Debi and Hector Garcia, nephews Christopher Robison and Cody Garcia, and niece Katina Robison.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at Christ Community Church at 6575 Crescent Avenue, Buena Park, CA. Luncheon following at the church. Donations may be made to The Izzy Foundation, P.O. Box 2326, Providence, RI 02906 in memory of his great-niece, Isabelle Wohlrab who lost her battle with cancer at 3 years of age.

Published in Orange County Register on June 25, 2017

May Steensma Frazee - 111S2

Life Story

May Steensma Frazee

March 9, 1924 – February 20, 2016

Willeta May Rickabaugh was born on March 9, 1924, in Alhambra, California. Her mother had delivered a baby girl named Harriet Elizabeth. The doctor was searching for a placenta, thought he had found it, but it was a second baby girl! She wouldn’t cry and was laid aside so the doctor could attend to mother when an elderly retired doctor poked his head in the door of the surgery suite and called out, “Need any help in here?” 

“Yes, take care of that one over there stat!” Prepping quickly, the old doctor grabbed a can of ether and threw some on her chest. Baby May spontaneously screamed her shock and disapproval!

Thus began the interesting lives of identical twin girls. May and Betty had three older brothers – Max, Al and Don – who were close in age, so their dear mother had 5 children in 5 years! There were times growing up when even the parents could not be sure which girl was Betty and which was May! But their brother Don always knew and clarified.

The twins had happy memories of their childhood – lots of camping trips, homeschool that included a few other children as well, a family orchestra that practiced regularly and played often for churches and other events. May had about 9 years of piano lessons. She played piano or organ for church services most of her life until she was past 80.

May and Betty graduated from high school at La Sierra Academy, and both enrolled in Pacific Union College to take pre-nursing. Their beloved father had waited until all the children were gone from home to fulfill his pre-determined plan to divorce his wife and start a new life with a new wife! The twins beloved mother moved out of her home and joined them at Pacific Union College.

In two years May and Betty graduated from PUC after which Mom and the twins moved to Boulder, Colorado for the girls 4-year nursing course. They all loved hiking together in the Colorado Rockies! Mom had a beautiful high soprano singing voice. They loved going up Boulder Canyon where Mom would sing at the top of her lungs, accompanied by Betty on her violin and May on her accordion.

After 2 years of college and 3 years of nursing school, the girls both took a much needed break. Mom’s good friend, Elder Meade McGuire, recommended she take the girls to a new little place in northern Georgia called Wildwood Sanitarium and Medical Missionary Institute. The year was 1945. Both girls benefitted by almost a year of the program at Wildwood.  Their mother spent the rest of her life, 40+ years, at Wildwood. She became best friends with Mother Frazee, who did not enjoy the best of health. She passed away in 1950. In 1952 Dad Frazee proposed marriage to his late wife’s best friend. So the twins became step sisters to Bill Frazee, since their mother married his father!

Betty and May both finished their nursing degrees and became Registered Nurses. Betty finished at Greeneville, Tennessee, while May preferred to go back to Boulder, Colorado to finish her course.

May then began her nursing career as an operating room nurse in Porter Memorial Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She was church organist for the SDA Church in Arvada, a suberb of north Denver. She noticed a handsome young man who attended regularly with two little boys in tow. All were so neat, clean and trim, she was well impressed! Apparently he also took note of the beautiful organist as a friendship soon developed into romance and a wedding date was set for March 25, 1951.

May took her beloved fiancé, Henry Steensma, all the way from Colorado to Wildwood, Georgia, for the wedding. Betty, a year earlier had married Dr. Alan Harmer, the first Medical Director here at Wildwood. Betty was very near to delivering their daughter, Sylvia, on March 27!

Back in Denver the happy couple set up housekeeping in an apartment near Porter Memorial Hospital where Henry secured a job in the maintenance department, while May continued her work as an O.R. nurse.  After 3 months of settling into married life,  Henry’s two little boys, Henry Jr. and Ray, joined them. The boys had spent the previous 4 months with Henry’s mother, their Grandma Steensma.

Just before Henry and May’s first wedding anniversary, Baby Dona arrived on March 14, 1952. Dona was only three months old when her father, Henry, decided to move his family, from Colorado to northern California. This move was prompted by the doctor telling his mother that if she wished to live much longer, she must move to a lower altitude climate.  Grandma Steensma’s health flourished in California where she lived well into her 80’s.

The Steensma family lived near the St. Helena Sanitarium, not far from Pacific Union College for about six years where Henry, a builder by trade, built and sold a couple houses and helped build the new large Sanitarium Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1956 Nancy was born, rounding out the family with 2 boys and 2 girls! In 1958 they accepted a call to move to Healdsburg, about 40 miles away to help build Rio Lindo Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist boarding high school. In 1962 the Steensma family accepted a call from Wildwood to move back to Colorado to help build Eden Valley Institute, a medical missionary training institute in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Loveland, Colorado.

May worked as Director of Nurses at Eden Valley and Dona and Nancy attended the Eden Valley Elementary School. Every other weekend during the summer months, Henry took his family on weekend camping trips way up in the high mountains. We have many happy memories during those years, of camping, hiking, cooking over  campfires, singing and family worships around the campfire.

By late 1969 Henry was diagnosed with colon cancer, underwent emergency surgery to remove it, followed by rapid recurrence and death by May 14, 1970, at the early age of 47! Henry had made arrangements with Bill Frazee to watch over his girls: May, Dona(18) and Nancy (14). The boys were already on their own. Henry died in peace and in the Blessed Hope of the resurrection.

 With the passing of May’s beloved Henry, May and Dona and Nancy moved from Colorado to Wildwood. Dona was just graduating from high school and had already accepted an invitation from Uncle Bill Frazee to train in as his personal secretary. Nancy at 14 pursued her education. And May gradually became more and more involved in the Frazee’s ministries. So Bill and Helen Frazee along with May and Dona Steensma were a team of 4 in ministry both at home and abroad for 16 years until Helen was suddenly taken from us in 1986.

I wonder who was most surprised when a year later Bill Frazee proposed marriage to May Steensma!  He was considerably older than May, and about 12 years into the development of Parkinson’s disease. But he truly loved her, and they had 9 productive years together before he quietly passed to his rest in 1996 at 90 years of age.

May was still 72 years young. She began filling in the much-needed position of managing the WDF sermons ministry, including re-mastering sermons from original reels to cassette masters for duplicating. She was a great one to visit the lonely, the sick, the discouraged.  She played the organ for church. She mowed her own lawn and kept a small vegetable garden as well as flower beds. She was a life-long hiker. May was a life-long caregiver. For over 35 years May and Dona shared the care of 1-3 elderly folks at a time in their Wildwood home, taking turns driving the Frazees to his speaking appointments. May possessed the gift of helps, the gift of listening, the gift of encouragement.

May would spend her last 10 years requiring care from others due to severe and multiple and recurring compression fractures in her back! Many young people who cared for her would be influenced for life by her faith, her love, her personal interest in them, her confidence in God’s love for each one personally and in the power of the Word of God to restore health in all dimensions. She had life-long habits of memorizing scripture and teaching others the powerful benefits of doing likewise. May passed peacefully on February 20, 2016, of natural causes due to age and confinement.  She was ready, she was at peace. 

Blessed rest, dear May! 

John C. Frazee - 4321 & Family "The Very Early Years"

Beatrice “Betty” Elizabeth Frazee - 211S

Beatrice “Betty” E. Frazee

Beatrice “Betty” E. Frazee, a resident of Bend since 1981, died July 23 at a local foster home following an extended illness. She was 79.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. July 28 at Bend Church of the Nazarene, of which she was a member. The Rev Ron Wells will officiate. A graveside service will be conducted at 1:15 p.m. July 31 in Riverside (Calif.) National Cemetery.

The daughter of Harris and Ruth Lillian (Moore) Butters was born in Lansing, Mich., on Sept. 26, 1916.

She married Wilton J. Frazee in San Marcos, Calif. on Aug 4, 1979. He survives at the family home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Shirley Ann Day of Bend; two sons, Loid Leo Watts of Hacienda Heights, Calif., and Bill Frazee of Arizona, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Frazee was preceded in death by a son, George and a brother, Leo.

Memorials to Hospice of Bend, 1303 NW Galveston Ave., Bend 97701, would be appreciated.

Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bend Bulletin July 24, 1996 p. C-10

Ruth Woudstra Frazee 231S

RUTH FRAZEE

ONTARIO – Ruth W. Frazee, 73, of Ontario died Sept. 15, 1997, at San Antonio Community Hospital, Upland.

She was born May 6, 1924, in San Diego and lived in Ontario eight years.

She was a homemaker.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Ontario.

She was a member of Holt International Adoption Services, Upland Traveler’s, Traveler’s Aid, Ontario, and Friends of the Airport, Ontario.

Mrs. Frazee is survived by a son, Steven Frazee of Upland; two daughters, Kathleen Kinley of Ontario and Peggy Gregory of Hanford; three granddaughters; and two great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 12:15 today in Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area No. 2.

Services will be at 3 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Traveler’s Aid, Ontario.

Richardson-Peterson Mortuary, Ontario, is in charge of arrangements.

Inland Daily Bulletin on September 18, 1997, page B5

Roderic Alan Frazee - 231

RODERIC FRAZEE

Roderic Alan Frazee, 68, of Ontario died Jan. 29 at Ontario Community Hospital.

A quality assurance inspector for 20 years, he was a native of San Diego and an Ontario resident for two months.

He was a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Kathleen Kinley of Ontario and Peggy Frazee of Bakersfield; a son, Steven of Ontario; a brother, Malcolm of Valley Center; a sister, Joan Smith of Renton, Wash.; and two granddaughters.

Friends may call at Richardson-Peterson Mortuary from 10 a.m. to noon Friday.

Memorial services will be held at noon Friday at Richardson-Peterson Mortuary Garden Chapel. Interment will be in Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside.

Richardson-Peterson Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Ontario Daily Report on January 31, 1990, pg. B8

Susan Isabel Frazee - 3

Susan Isabel “Sadie” Frazee was born on Friday, April 13, 1860, her lucky day she would explain. Her family, led by parents William and Rebecca Frazee moved from Indianapolis to a large ranch near San Bernardino, California in 1872.  With her little sister, Minnie, dying before the move and her mother dying four years later, by 16 she was the only woman and level head in a family of four adventurous, creative men*.  Her first California schooling was at Downey Academy and by 1878 she was teaching school at the Coahuila Indian Reservation near San Jacinto.  Later she moved to the back country of San Diego as she called her home near Oceanside.  In the 1880’s she began her course of study at Los Angeles Normal School, later taking work at Stanford and the University of California.

She began teaching at Pasadena High School in 1902, retiring in 1934.  She said, “I was supposed to be teaching English, but I was not, I was teaching life, preaching sermons, teaching what is life.” And then she added that her brothers taught her more than what she learned in college.  With gleaming eyes, she said, “Teaching is a joy when you make it a fundamental of truth.”

She wrote three books, one for fifth and sixth grades, one for grammar, a sort of dictionary for grammar, and one for grammar and practice written in collaboration with Professor Wells of the University of California.  Since her retirement, she has written pamphlets on education.  She was very proud to live to ninety-seven.  She died at the Rose Garden Convalescent Home in Pasadena on October 28, 1957.

To read her book Grammar and Practice from 1921, click on the title.

* her baby brother Frances is known to have outlived his mother, but died sometime before 1880.

Friday Night Habit - Mike, Pat, Tim, Tom - 4441, 4442, 4443, and 4444

Chain Linked By Wendy Hinman The Frazee brothers have been working the Carlsbad High School football sidelines for more than 25 years. This Lancer tradition has kept one of Carlsbad’s first families…Chain Linked.

Working on the chain gang wasn’t their idea. Like a real chain gang they were volunteered. High school football chain gangs used to get paid like the refs. When that changed the Carlsbad football coaches were scratching their heads about who would do the job. Mama Frazee worked in the cafeteria and over heard them. “My boys will do it” was how Tim Frazee paraphrased his mother’s offer to help. Whether you read the word ‘will’ as leaning toward the boys’ enthusiasm or Polly’s possessive pronoun depends on how well you know the persuasive powers of Polly Frazee. The job grew on the Frazee brothers. Growing up half a block from Krcmar Field (When Coach Swede Krcmar was in his glory days) they already had a Friday night habit. Carlsbad was a small town then and the high school football game was sometimes the biggest thing going. On homecoming, “The whole town would stop for the parade,” Mike Frazee said. Even if you didn’t attend the high school, the football game was a city thing to do. In their own high school years, the Frazees were one of those CHS dynastic families. For almost 15 years there was one Frazee or another at CHS. Their Carlsbad roots are some of the deepest. They are Marrons (and Romos) on their mother’s side. (The Marrons held the original Spanish land grant for what is now most of Carlsbad). And Osuñas on the Frazee side. The Frazee side being responsible for a lot of flowers in Carlsbad. Their family tree is historically mind-boggling. Large families are often pigeon-holed by the oldest child’s achievements, but none of the succeeding Frazees had a problem filling the shadow cast by Mike. Though the family brand was sports, only Carolyn, the lone Frazee sister, was voted most athletic. Mike was Best Looking among the Lancer Laurels. Tim was Biggest Flirt. Tom got Car of the Year. But it was Carolyn who won the Iron Lancer her senior year in 1981. Carolyn was a four-year letterman in three sports; the baby of the Frazee family seemed to be saving the best for last. For the rest of the story and photos

Dorothea Elizabeth Walker - 221

Ojai - Dorothea Elizabeth Walker

Dorothea Elizabeth Walker age 86 of Ojai died Monday Dec. 13 1999 at home following a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Walker was born May 5 1913 in Orange County Calif. She went on to study literature at UCLA where she met her husband Rodney A. Walker of Ely Nev. She was a junior high school teacher in the early 1940s and a writer for House Beautiful magazine in the early 1950s.

She and her family moved to Ojai in 1956. In addition to raising five children she served on the boards of several community organizations including the Ojai Music Festival the Ventura County Symphony the Ojai Art Center and Happy Valley School.

She and her husband Rodney ran several businesses together including shops in Ojai and Montecito and a condo rental business in Hawaii.

Her passion was music. She founded the Southern California Recorder Society in the early 1950s and played cello in the Ventura County Symphony between 1961 and 1979. In the early 1960s she hosted several Ojai Festival concerts in her home including concerts by cellist Gregor Piatagorsky composer Lukas Foss and may other top musicians.

She is survived by her sister Sue (Jack) Ramsey of Glendale; five children Bruce (Delores) Walker of Westlake Village; Ellen Langston of Reno; Lisa Kaufman of San Rafael; Mark (Peta) Walker of Melbourne Australia; and Craig (Debi) Walker of Ojai; six grandchildren Bonnie and Rebecca Walker of Westlake Village; Charles Langston of Phoenix Ariz.; Brooke Walker of Australia; Rhett and Dylan Walker of Ojai; and one great-grandchild Aerielle Langston of Phoenix.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rodney who died in 1986.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Neptune Society. At Mrs. Walker's request there will be no funeral or public service.

Ventura County Star - December 15, 1999

Dr. Wanless Ray "W.R." Mann - 243S

DR. W.R. MANN, 69, RETIRED PHYSICIAN, DIES

CAMPBELLSVILLE -- Dr. Wanless Ray "W.R." Mann, a retired longtime family practitioner, died of cancer Monday at Taylor County Hospital. Dr. Mann was 69 and lived on Columbia Road. 

He retired as a physician in January after practicing for more than 39 years.

Dr. Mann had been a Campbellsville College trustee and had been a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Campbellsville Baptist Church.

He was a Taylor County native and a graduate of the University of Louisville medical school. Dr. Mann had served in the Army Medical Corps during World War II.

Surviving are his wife, Becky Bower Mann; two daughters, Dr. Barbara Freeman of Anchorage and Beth Reynolds of Campbellsville; two sons, Patrick Douglas Mann of Campbellsville and William Alan "Bill" Mann of Greenville, S.C.; a sister; a brother; and nine grandchildren.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Campbellsville Baptist Church. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today at the church.

Contributions are suggested to the Dr. W.R. Mann Pre-Med Scholarship Fund at Campbellsville College.

Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) - May 6, 1992

1946 All Stars vs. Campbellsville Cokes

Best story ideas sometimes come through our front door - 1946 All Stars vs. Campbellsville Cokes

Central Kentucky News-Journal, The (Campbellsville, KY) - July 10, 2014

Maybe I’m thinking she’ll have a popcorn ball in her vehicle. But, every time I have the luxury of seeing Nell Wise, it makes my day.

One day last week, Ms. Wise came to see me with an old article she found after reading the article on the Campbellsville Cokes.

The story that I’ll run in its entirety below came as a preview of a Sunday, Aug. 30 game that happened in 1959.

I told Ms. Wise, who I refer to as one of the mayors of Spurlington — my hometown, that I wanted to use the article but it would be almost impossible to the aged newspaper photo. (I used to want to go to her and Bob’s house two days before Halloween and two days after to get some of her delicious popcorn balls.)

Then later that day, I ran into Don Shaw at Jeff’s Food Mart and he told me “I’ve got that picture.”

A day later, Shaw brought me that photo which you see below that has he and his brother, Russell, in it. (Don looks more like his youngest son, David, who I know wasn’t around in 1946.)

Ironically, on Monday, Bobby Shaw, Russell’s son, was in the office as he was wrapping up some things at his mother’s place. Liz Shaw was buried on Saturday.

He told me that another player in the photo, “Twister” Garrison, resides in Frankfort like he does.

The 1954 article, which was entitled “Old-Timers of 1946 to return to action against Cokes on Sunday”, read:

“Spectators should be treated to a rare spectacle Sunday, Aug. 30 when the Old Timers team composed of stars of the 1946 Campbellsville Bluegrass league club meet the present Coke team in a contest of skill and stamina on the city high school diamond.

“If the “old-timers” can hold out, they should be able to teach their successors a few tricks. But, wind and skill may have been tapped by that time. However, the game will continue as long as the former stars can manage to wiggle up to the plate.

“Included in the 1946 team lineup will be Paul Coop, Dr. Wanless Mann and George Wright, pitchers; Turney Harding and Paul Cooley, catchers; Russell “Twister” Garrison, Polk Ewing, Paul Campbell, Russell Shaw and Merlin Campbell, infielders; and David Mitchell, Ray Knifley, Frank Ramsey and Romulus Gibson, outfielders.

“Porter Hord and Oliver Crouch will return to their old accustomed posts on the coaching lines and will take another fling at managing and coaching.

“The occasion will be a homecoming for several of the former Lions team members, many of whom are now residents of distance climes.

“The Coke lineup will include Wayne Smith, P; Willard “W.D.” Wolford, C; Willard Smith, 1B: Bob Coakley, 2B: Lanny Parrott, SS; James Thompson, 3B; Johnny Pierce, LF; Eddie Claycomb, CF; and J.D. Underwood, RF.”

Still quite an interesting story nearly 55 years later!

• Caption: The stars of the 1946 Campbellsville Bluegrass League, pictured at right, played the Campbellsville Cokes in an all-star game in 1959. The 1946 squad was, from left, front: batboy Don Shaw. Middle: Ray Knifley, Romulus Gibson, George Wright, Russell “Twister” Garrison, Merlin Campbell, David Mitchell and Jack Hord, bat boy. Back: manager Porter Hord, Paul Campbell, Dr. Wanless “W.R.” Mann, Russell Shaw, Paul Coop, Frank Ramsey, Polk Ewing, Dick Crouch, Paul Cooley and manager Oliver Crouch. Absent from this photo is Turney Harding.

Rebekah Frazee Cochran - 1111 - Officially Missing

Rebekah Frazee b. 1934-1941 1945 in either Utah or Louisiana Georgia She married (Charran Glendenning Graham b. 5/1/1942 and) Mr. Randy? Cochran and they lived in Portland, Tennessee in 1986.

Rebekah and Mr. Cochran Graham had two children who are also missing

11111. Wilmonte Cochran, Graham b. 1951-1970 and 11112. Anita Cochran Kay Graham b. 1951-1970

Between the two children and their unknown spouses, they had one child named Michael.  1111X1. Michael ? b. ? He (Bill Frazee later) married a woman named May ? who had four children from a previous relationship.

Their names are Dona, Nancy, Henry and Ray

Michael causes a special problem in that he is not mentioned in the 1986 obituary of his great grandmother, but by the 1996 obituary of his great grandfather, he is married with four kids.  (Again, it wasn't Michael, it was Bill, his great, grandfather who married May) No doubt that was just an oversight on the person who wrote the obituary. 

The existence of Michael would tend to push the birth dates of his parents and grandmother earlier, as it is unlikely that May would have married a teenager.  If he were 26 in 1996, so born in 1970, Wilmonte or Anita were most likely born around 1952, and Rebekah born near 1934 as Rebekah's parents (Wilmonte and Helen) were married in 1933.  His existence also pushes Rebekah's birth location out of Georgia and back to Utah or there's a small chance not until Louisiana.  (See what happens when you misunderstand the wording of an obituary.)

However, this pushing births into tighter and tighter windows and the fact that the people don't show up in those windows tends to make me think that; Rebekah might have been adopted, Rebekah might have been divorced and her first husband and father of her children was not named Cochran, and that Michael could also have been adopted.

Update: Thanks to an email contact with Dona, I have found Becky and can clarify this a bit- whereas the obit says "his great grandson Michael, his wife May and her four kids" It should be clarified that May was not Michael's wife but Bill's second wife. Therefore Rebekah was able to have been born much later - which she was - Rebekah Helen “Becky” Frazee b. 7/18/1945 in Wildwood Georgia d. 10/7/2012 in Fort Oglethorpe, GA and is buried near Calhoun, GA married Graham then Cochran then went back to Graham.

I have added notes to W.D.'s obituary to clarify things and now I would like to find Beck's obituary to add it as well,

Georgia Collins Hughes 1311 - Officially Missing 2017

Georgia Collins Hughes and her four children and five great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild are "missing" - out of reach.  The great grandchildren were possibly all born between 1994 and 1999.  There are several more great grandchildren likely born since 1999.

With the number of generations between her parents: Richard Hill Collins 4/4/1908 to 9/21/1999 and Helen D. ?  12/22/1911 to 2/27/1994, it is unlikely that the 1940 Census for Richard is accurate.  It says that he is 32, single, living with his aunts in Phoenix. For four generations to be born in 58 years, Georgia has to be born in 1941 and for there to be three consecutive 19 year splits.

There was one Georgia G. Hughes, born 5/13/1932, who was connected to Camp Verde, Arizona - the last town Richard and Helen lived - but she did not pan out as a Frazee.

Arizona birth records are sealed for 75 years, and there were no Georgia Collinses born in Arizona before 1942.  Using a phone directory search, there are at least ten Georgia Hugheses born between 1941 and 1944 who were alive in 1999.  None of them have a connection to Arizona.  In 2022, if the Arizona birth records prove fruitless, when the 1950 Census is released, I should be able to narrow the date of birth and return to the search.

Finding Helen's surname has also been a problem.  She was born in Watson, Arkansas. The census area for 1920 is known as Red Fork. There were 1830 residents in Red Fork district in 1920.  Helen Wheeler was born in 1911, but her sisters are Esther and Bernice, not Lola and Ann and she probably married an Acie Dickerson, No other Helens born in 1911/12 appear in the 1920 Red Fork census so it is likely that the family moved before then.  Hopefully, her surname will also be available once the Arizona birth records are unsealed.

As the 1950 Census has come out now, Richard Hill Collins is listed with Helen Collins born in Pennsylvania in 1913 (although I can't find her there under that name) and Georgiana Collins was born in 1934 in Illinois.  The Arizona marriage records say that Richard marries Helen Barlet in 1948.  Given his 1940 Census record, the marriage and the age of Georgia, I highly suspect that she is adopted by Collins and her birth name would be Georgiana Barlet, in Chicago.  There is a George Barlet in Chicago in the 1940 census, living alone with his parents, but he is married.  If only I could find any other source record for that man.

In Lola Raydar's obituary, it lists Helen Collins, so it shows that at least one of Richard's wives was Helen Dickenson born in Watson, Arkansas in 1911.  It would seem that Georgia was the daughter of another of Richard's wives, Helen Barlet born in Pennsylvania in 1913 but, I don't know whether Barlet was Helen's married name (the opinion of several contributors to Familysearch who believe that Helen Dickerson (Dickenson) of Arkansas for some reason lied about every detail in the Census as well as changing the spelling of her maiden name.

Dr. Carl Henry Eckart - 27S

I have been able to find a few biographies and encyclopedia articles on Dr. Eckart, husband of Edith Louise Frazee, but what follows is the only obituary I have found.  Despite his importance to San Diego, an obit was not published in the San Diego Union. 

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri May 4, 1902 to Will and Lilly Hellwig Eckart.  UCSD says that he married  Eda Lou Major while at Princeton, which suggests that Eda Lou was married prior to meeting him, but I have not been able to find any verification of this. The marriage lasted 18 years and was briefly described in his biography on Page 209. 

In 1958, a decade after the divorce, he married the widow of his good friend, John von Neumann. Karla Dan von Neumann died in 1963 drowning in the Pacific.

Carl Eckart

Carl Eckart, a geophysicist at the University of California, San Diego, died on 24 October. He was 71 years old.

Eckart was the founder and first director of the Marine Physical Laboratory of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He also served for a brief period as director of the Scripps Institution (1948-1950) before returning to his former post with the Marine Physical Laboratory.  Eckart was recently awarded the Pioneers of Underwater Acoustics Medal by the Acoustical Society of America (see PHYSICS TODAY, November 1973, page 75) 

Physics Today - January 1974 p. 87

Isaac Jenkinson Frazee - 2

Death Closes Painting Career Of 

Isaac J. Frazee, Laguna Artist 

LAGUNA BEACH— Death yesterday claimed another of Laguna’s famous artists in the passing of Isaac J. Frazee, 84, of 495 El Bosque street, frequently mentioned as the dean of the artist colony.

Born in Winchester, Indiana, he first came to Laguna Beach Aug. 15, 1878, when he camped on Main Beach for several days on what he described as a pioneer painting expedition. With his wife they returned here in 1921 to make Laguna Beach their permanent home.

Frazee erected a studio home which has been the rendezvous for many of Laguna’s and visiting artists. Father Frazee, as he was familiarly known, had devoted a lifetime to his profession as poet and dramatist. Shortly after settling here in 1921 he wrote, produced and directed a pageant-drama (Great Spirit! -"Kitshi Manido”) the proceeds were collected for the erection of Laguna's art gallery.

His paintings were widely known for a delicacy of composition rarely attained by his contemporaries.

Isaac J. Frazee is survived by his wife, Bettie Dickinson Frazee, whom he married June 27. 1885.  Had he lived they would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Saturday

Mrs. Frazee is now reported in poor health due to a constant vigil at his bedside during his two-weeks illness.

Mr. and Mrs. Frazee were members of a family group who recently attended a birthday celebration for Mrs. Julia Bracken Wendt, the wife of artist William Wendt who died Monday.

Survivors include Mrs. Christian A. Worsley, Fullerton: Mrs. William M. Bower, Los Angeles; Mrs. Samuel M. Wheeler, Los Angeles: Mrs. Paul L. Moses, Ontario, Mrs. Carl Eckart, La Jolla and William C. Frazee, Twin Oaks, California.

Funeral services are announced for Saturday, June 27, at 11 a. m. at the Laguna Beach Funeral Chapel. Efforts to contact Rev. Raymond I. Brahams, pastor of the Community Presbyterian church, to conduct the services had not been completed. Interment will be at Loma Vista Cemetery, Fullerton.  

 (Photo Caption)

Isaac Frazee, pioneer painter of the Orange County scenery, whose death took place at Laguna Beach yesterday, is shown standing beside a huge painting of Laguna Beach as he first saw it on an 1878 camping trip. The Painting, which later won first prize in a San Diego exhibit, shows travelers on the crowded Coast Boulevard—winding between eucalyptus trees sheltering a scattered group of cabins. One of these in the foreground occupies the present site of the big Laguna Hotel. The wagon driver on the trail is Joseph Thurston, pioneer Laguna Beach developer hauling a load of melons to market.

Santa Ana Register - June 24, 1942

Robert "Knobby" Burge Tyler - 445S

Robert "Knobby" Burge Tyler 

OCEANSIDE --

Robert "Knobby" Burge Tyler, a long time resident of Oceanside, California, passed away on Monday, August 23, 2010. He was born April 21, 1926 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Helen Tyler.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Alma Mae "Beebs" Tyler; his daughter, Dorothy Paopao and husband, Joe; his son, Robert Tyler and wife, Gayle; his grandchildren, Tyler, Andrew, Kristin, Carson Paopao, and Veronica, Robert Tyler. 

Knobby loved life, and lived it to the fullest. He attended Oceanside-Carlsbad High school where he met the love of his life, Beebs, developed his love of athletics, and made many lifelong friends. 

He served his country in World War II, and loved hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be missed dearly by the many whose lives he touched. He had a true appreciation of the little things in life, an undying love for his family, and his vibrant personality will be remembered by those who had the opportunity to share a moment with him. He was, without doubt, one of a kind. 

Mass and a memorial service will be held on Friday, August 27, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Oceanside. 

Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com

North County Times - Aug. 25, 2010 

Bethany Anne Mann - 243A21

Bethany Anne Mann

July 21, 1980 – June 22, 2011

Bethany Anne Mann of Campbellsville, daughter of Pat Mann and Pam Holmes Russell, was born July 21, 1980, in Taylor County, Kentucky. She died at 8:45 P.M., Wednesday, June 22, 2011 in Campbellsville as the result of an automobile accident. Age: 30

She professed faith in Christ and was a member of the Campbellsville Baptist Church. She was a 1998 graduate of Taylor County High School and attended Eastern Kentucky University. She was employed as a construction equipment operator.

She is survived by her father, Pat Mann and wife, Jamie of Campbellsville; her mother, Pam Holmes Russell and husband, Jerry of Campbellsville; two brothers: Joshua Douglas Mann of Bowling Green and Caleb Alexander Mann of Campbellsville; paternal grandmother, Becky Bower Mann of Louisville; maternal grandparents, Samuel Carl and Ella J. Holmes of Campbellsville; special friend, Kevin Munday of Campbellsville; several nieces and nephews many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Dr. W. R. Mann May 4, 1992.

The Louisville Courier-Journal on June 24, 2011

Woman dies in crash, driver charged with her murder

Driver accused of driving under the influence of alcohol.

By Calen McKinney

Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 8:11 am (Updated: June 24, 4:51 pm)

She was someone who loved animals, the outdoors and smiling. That's how friends and family members say they will remember Bethany Mann.

Mann, 30, died Wednesday at 8:38 p.m. after she was ejected from a vehicle during a crash. The driver of the car, William Mayes, 29, has been charged with murder, as he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to a Taylor County Sheriff's Office report, Mayes was driving a 1993 Ford Escort east on Spurlington Road. He lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and struck a tree.

Mayes and two other passengers - Shalen Followell of Russell Springs, 24, and Jonathon Raikes, 23, of Elk Horn - were also injured.

Taylor County Coroner Terry Dabney pronounced Mann dead at the scene. On Thursday, Dabney said Mann died quickly of multiple blunt force trauma.

Taylor County Sheriff's Detective Brian Pickard and Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy Tim Coppage are investigating the crash.

Pickard said he doesn't believe Mayes was traveling a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. However, he said, none of the four people in the vehicle were wearing seat belts, though there was evidence that they had all been drinking. He said alcoholic beverages were found inside the vehicle and scattered at the scene of the crash.

All were thrown from the vehicle after the crash, Pickard said, and each suffered cuts. He said Mayes was the least injured.

Followell, Raikes and Mayes were transported to Taylor Regional Hospital where they were admitted for treatment of multiple injuries. On Friday morning, the three were listed in stable condition at TRH. Mayes was released Friday from TRH at about 1 p.m.

The sheriff's report states that Followell and Raikes both underwent surgery early Thursday morning.

Pickard said law enforcement officials were guarding Mayes at his room while he was at TRH. He was transported to the Taylor County Detention Center for booking on Friday afternoon. As of Friday afternoon, there were no court dates set.

Mann had dated Campbellsville resident Kevin Munday off and on for the past eight years.

"She was a great person," Munday said. "She loved everybody."

Munday said Mann loved horses and dogs and floating in the river. He said he will always remember her smile and her laugh.

"She was a happy-go-lucky person," he said. "She'd do anything for anybody in the world.

"I just hope everybody always remembers her. She was a great person. She got in the wrong car."

Mann's cousin Jeff Reynolds said she was an outgoing, fun person who loved life.

"She always had a smile on her face," he said.

Reynolds said Mann and a group of her friends and family members enjoyed camping together. He said he believes she had been studying to become a physical trainer.

"[I'll remember her] laugh and smile more than anything," he said. " ... Just a free spirit."

Lifelong friend Jeremy Caulk said Mann was a great friend to him. He said she was a hard worker and will be terribly missed.

"She was the all-around best girl friend I ever had in my life," he said.

Caulk said the two were neighbors and grew up together. They once dated, he said, but soon decided they were as close as a brother and sister.

He said he will miss her attitude toward life.

"There wasn't much negative to her," he said. "She was always about the good things. She would never want to be down."

As the driver of the vehicle, Mayes has been charged with murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and DUI, with an aggravator, and driving on a license suspended for DUI, both second offenses. Detention center records also list him as being charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance.

Mann was the daughter of Pat Mann and Pam Holmes Russell. She was a member of Campbellsville Baptist Church, graduated from Taylor County High School in 1998 and had attended Eastern Kentucky University. She worked as a construction equipment operator.

Funeral was Saturday at Parrott & Ramsey Funeral Home in Campbellsville. Burial followed in Campbellsville Memorial Gardens. Dr. James Jones, who is a family friend, performed the ceremony.

Last week, Jones said he knew Mann as a young girl. He said she was pretty and very intelligent.

"Bethany was just a sweet girl," he said, "one of the sweetest girls you'd ever want to meet."

Jones said he had baptized her when he was pastor at Campbellsville Baptist Church.

Though he lost contact with Mann as she grew up, he said he remains a close friend of the Mann family.

Survivors also include her stepmother, Jamie Mann of Campbellsville; her stepfather, Jerry Russell of Campbellsville; two brothers, Joshua Douglas Mann of Bowling Green and Caleb Alexander Mann of Campbellsville; and her grandparents, Becky Bower Mann of Louisville and Samuel Carl and Ella J. Holmes of Campbellsville.

She was preceded in death by a grandfather, Dr. W.R. Mann on May 4, 1992.

Central Kentucky News-Journal – June 23, 2011

Karen Elizabeth Rollins Hurd -2451

Karen R. Hurd

Karen R. Hurd age 51 of Canal Fulton died following an extended illness. Born May 13, 1951 in Los Angeles, CA, she was a member of Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship, a member of Sigma Theta Tau and was selected to Who's Who of Health Care Professionals in 1988.

Preceded in death by her mother, Lois Rollins in 1989 and one sister, Kathy Rollins in 1971. Survivors include her son, Mark Hurd of the home, one daughter and son- in -law, Kimberly and Scott Traylor of Lynchburg, VA, Karen’s pride and joy, her grandchildren Channing and Braydon Traylor and her father, William Rollins of North Canton.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10:00 am in the Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship Church, 2021 Locust St. S, Canal Fulton. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park. Calling hours in the Reed Funeral Home Tuesday (TONIGHT) 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Canal Fulton Christian Fellowship.

Akron Beacon Journal - November 25, 2002

William Columbus Rollins, Jr. - 245S

William C. Rollins Jr.

William C. Rollins Jr., 84, passed away quietly on Friday morning, Feb. 12, 2010, after a distinguished and valiant life of service to our country. William served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger in the Special Forces during WWII and was awarded the distinguished Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart, amongst many other awards for his acts of courage and bravery in battle.

He was born in Kansas City, KS, on March 15, 1925, but resided in Ohio for most of his life.

After his service to our country, William began a long and dedicated career at the Goodyear Company; although William retired from Goodyear after over 40 years, it will be his talents as an artist which he will be remembered best. Over the last five years, William has created close to 300 charcoal portraits of veterans killed in action for the families of our servicemen and women.

Despite suffering his third heart attack in 2000, William believed his continued artwork to be his mission in life. His artwork has been recognized by President Obama and the former President Bush for his service in honoring the fallen heroes of the armed services and a permanent exhibition of his wonderful works is displayed at the Summit County Veteran's Service Commission Center in Akron, Ohio.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Lois Rollins and two daughters, Karen Hurd and Kathy Rollins. Survivors include his loving wife of 14 years, Carol Rollins of the home; a brother, Dick (Sandi) Rollins of Arizona; a sister, Wilnita Bratten of California; grandchildren, Mark (Kathy) Hurd, Kim (Scott) Traylor, Chad and Nick Brannan, Derek (Elisa) Sisterhen, Sarah Hadley, and Shayna Jackson. There are seven great-grandchildren, three step-children, Doug (Jennifer) Albert, Cindy (Bruce) Hadley, Debbie (Jeff) Brannan, also surviving. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Honor Flight Network, Attn: Tom O'Neal, 300 E. Auburn Ave., Springfield, Ohio 45505, or www.honorflight.org

Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Reed Funeral Home Canton Chapel with Pastor Berry Carter officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Burial Park. Calling hours will be on Monday evening from 5-7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Akron Beacon Journal - February 14, 2010