GARCIA, BRIAN JOHN
August 23, 2010
passed away August 14, 2010 in Scottsdale at the age of 25. Brian was born May 17, 1985 and grew up in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix attending Hopi Elementary School, Ingleside Middle School, Arcadia High School, the University of Southern California and University of Arizona. Brian had worked with Lee & Associates for two years and was currently continuing his education when he was unexpectedly taken from us. Though Brian’s time with us was short, his presence touched many lives. Brian was passionate about everything in his life, especially famil and friends; he was an avid fan of most sports, but his true passion was golf where he found friendship, laughter and serenity. He loved a good debate and was a kind and committed friend. Brian will always be remembered by his infectious smile and hearty laugh. Brian is survived by his parents Ernie and Joanne Garcia, brother Ernie and sister-in-law Carlie, grandfather, aunts uncles, cousins and many friends. Services celebrating Brian’s life will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church at 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix at 10:00 am on August 19th, 2010. Our memories of Brian are everlasting. Brian’s strong faith was his foundation. God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Andre House, P. O. Box 2014, Phoenix, AZ 85001-2014.
DEW, MARJORIE J
August 23, 2010
Born September 4, 1916 in Visalia, California went to be with Our Lord Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Marge was the beloved daughter of Tad and Leah Wells and is survived by many loving family and friends. A Visitation will be held Friday, August 27, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm with a Rosary at 7:00 pm at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. A Graveside Service will be held Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 am at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., Phoenix.
ALLEN, PAUL D.
August 20, 2010
Paul D. Allen passed away August 14, 2010. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41+ years Mary Kay, his daughter Kelly and his two sons Brendan and Patrick, his three siblings Michael, Mary, Joanne, and his mother Francis. Paul was born April 29, 1944 in Youngstown, OH. He spent his early childhood in San Francisco and his teenage years in the Los Angeles area. He attended Arizona State University. After graduation he headed to New York City to begin a career on Wall Street. He then headed back to California for a number of years before settling in Arizona in 1990. He spent the majority of his career working in the Money Management business. Paul touched everyone he met with his Irish wit. His humor was truly a gift. His quick smile and fondness of telling a joke or story, and positive outlook on life will leave a lasting impression on all of our lives. A man who was truly a legend will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 10:00 A.M., on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. A Visitation will be held on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. with a Rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Gardiner Home Hospice of the Valley.
ACEVEDO, DOLORES O
August 11, 2010
Passed away August 8, 2010 at the age of 74. Survived by her brother, Libby O. Acevedo, sisters, Katy (Angel) Jimenez and Emily Dominguez. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:00 am, with a Rosary at 9:30 am, and Funeral Service at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 12, 2010 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
FREEMAN, JAMES RUSH
August 11, 2010
Prominent residential and multi-family home builder, civic leader and philanthropist died in Phoenix, AZ on August 4, 2010. Born in Savannah, TN April 2, 1943, Jim graduated from Columbia Military Academy, Georgia Tech, and Harvard Business School and served in Viet Nam as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army from 1968-70. Following his Army commitment, Jim worked as a developer in Los Angeles and Portland before being recruited to Phoenix by Lincoln Property Co. Over the next 30 years, he became Regional Partner of Lincoln Property Co, CEO of Gemini Development and President of Keepsake Homes. In addition to his significant professional career achievements Jim reached out to respond to community needs by servingon many community boards including Junior Achievement, Brophy College Preparatory, Foster Care Review, Arizona Multi-Housing Association, the Phoenix Symphony, Delta Dental Foundation, and the Harvard Business School Alumni Board. He chaired Junior Achievement, the Arizona Multi-Housing Association, the City of Phoenix Block Grant Program. In addition, Jim was active in Habitat for Humanity and on many government nonprofit task forces and oversaw capital construction projects at the Arizona Science Center, Junior Achievement, and Brophy College Preparatory. Although Him was an avid hiker, tennis player, and golfer, it was flying that captured his heart. He earned his single engine, IFR, and multi-engine ratings and was a seasoned and experienced pilot of 38 years. Him’s favorite trips were cross-country flights from Phoenix to his NC summer home and his SE roots as well as to Oshkosh’s Annual Airshow. A passionate traveler, he loved seeing the world at ground level as well as looking down through the clouds. Above all, Jim cherished family and friends. He was a devoted husband and found great pleasure in coaching his daughter’s softball teams and supporting the projects of friends. Warm, trustworthy and loyal, his memory will always be treasured by those who were fortunate enough to know this remarkable man and be blessed by his unfailingly kind, generous, and gentle spirit. He is survived by his wife and life partner, Barbara (BJ) Freeman, daughters Kate Sheffield Freeman and Robin Stanley Freeman, sisters Anne Freeman Trejo and Julia Freeman Guy, mother-in-law Jean T. Brown as well as numerous inlaws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and nephew/shared son Stuart Brown Evans. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Monday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m. in the Great Hall at Brophy College Preparatory, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. To honor Jim’s memory and acknowledge his enduring commitment to education, the family has established the James Rush Freeman II Fund at the Arizona Community Foundation to provide enriching educational opportunities for at risk youth. Contributions can be sent to ACF, c/o the Fund, at 2201 E. Camelback Rd., Ste 202,. Phoenix, AZ 85016.
KLEIN, ELLIOTT KURT
August 11, 2010
Elliott Kurt Klein was born March 23, 1949 and passed from his delightful position on planet Earth August 1, 2010. Elliott was 61 years old. Elliott started his journey after being born in New York, New York and his roots in Arizona go all the way back to 1955 when his father retired early and moved the family to Phoenix.
Elliott had two primary loves in his life. His wife Nancy, whom survives him, and a lifelong passion for radio broadcasting. At the tender age of just 12 years old, Elliott Klein was destined to become famous or possibly infamous in the annuals of broadcasting when he was “busted” by the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) for building a “pirate” radio station for his science project. His science project included conscripting fellow classmates as “on air talents” to deliver a generous selection of music and news broadcast from a playhouse turned “studio” and Elliott taking a role as the “pirate” program director.
While Elliott’s talents were always “gifted” from a technical side, he always loved the “on air” aspect of the business. Starting as an “on air” talent under various names like “Gordon Richards and Don Elliott with stations like KENT, KDOT, KUPD and KRIZ, Elliott grew to love the programming side of the business starting in the 1960s.
The technical bug would never leave Elliott, however. He “jocked” his way through college and graduated with an engineering degree in 1971. Elliott’s peers and coworkers in the broadcast industry have always maintained that when Elliott was engineering the “stations never sounded better”.
Since 1967 he has held the positions Director of Engineering for Buck Owens, Broadcasting group (building the famous Bakersfield stations), consulted for Belo Television, Bonneville International, NRC Broadcasting, Merv Griffin Stations Group, Scripps – Howard Broadcasting, ABC-Disney, Magic Broadcasting LA, American General Media, Styles Media Group and Liberman Broadcasting along with a host (300 stations strong) of lesser known facilities.
Elliott was the creative genius behind the engineering design for the first satellit6e delivered radio programming network known in the 1980s as Transtar (broadcasters today know it as Westwood One), he held a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, he was a member of the I.E.E.E., and an Associate Member of the Association of Federal Communication Consulting Engineers (A.F.C.C.E).
Elliott was the managing partner for FM Idaho Company in Boise, Idaho and Locally Owned Radio in Twin Falls, Idaho with partner and friend Wendell Starks where he implemented the idea of bringing “fun” back to radio over eleven stations in two markets. Both clusters have enjoyed impressive and in some cases “massive” gains in terms of revenue and ratings since he started managing the clusters in July of 2008.
While it can be said his second love was broadcasting, Elliott was an ardent hobbyist when it came to model trains. In fact his entire basement became an O Gauge layout featuring a hi-rail tour of Arizona. Built by a master model maker from Universal Studios, the O Gauge layout was featured in a 2004 edition of Classic Toy Trains magazine and was recently voted on as one of two of the best designs by readers of Classic Trains in March of 2009. Elliott loved to show off his trains while wearing an authentic “railroad cap”.
Elliott’s “boyish” nature and humor will be missed by friends and family alike, while the broadcast industry will struggle to fill his shoes in terms of his technical savvy and optimism.
Elliott Kurt Klein lived by the motto, “If it is worth doing…It is worth overdoing” and said recently, “I live a charmed life and love very minute of it”.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Paradise Valley, AZ, his Mother, Adair Jackman of Scottsdale, AZ and stepson Daniel Schroeder of Scottsdale, AZ.
A Memorial Service celebrating Elliott’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 3:00 P.M., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, Az.
STONE, ADDISON W
August 11, 2010
Retired Colonel USAF – 89 of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on August 8, 2010, at Brighton Gardens. He was born on April 13, 1921 in Glenns Ferry, ID. He joined the Army Air Corp in 1942 (which later became the US Air Force) where he served for 31 years. He was a transport pilot, Squadron commander, and held various Airlift Headquarters staff positions. He received numerous awards including the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit Medal. After he retired, he served as Unit President (1978), then Region 10 President of the Wally Byam Caravan Club (WBCCI). Addison is survived by his wife Norma Stern Stone, daughters Katherine Hall, Margaret (Carlo) Hansen, Anne Barnes; sons William (Sandra) Stone, Thomas (Janette) Stone; stepchildren Linda (Charles) Bergstrom and William (Jennifer) Stern; fifteen grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Elbert and Clara Stone, first wife Theresa Dvoracek Stone, and brother Elbert Stone. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Salt Lake City, UT.
RIBBLE, HELEN MARIE (ROMLEY)
August 5, 2010
October 12, 1931-July 29, 2010. Helen was born in Tucson to Margaret Pettid Romley and Elias M. Romley while her father was attending the UofA Law School. After his graduation, her parents returned to Phoenix and lived there the remainder of their lives. Helen passed away in Bakersfield, CA. Her parents were born in Phoenix in 1908 and 1909, before Arizona state-hood, and passed away in Phoenix in 1946 and 2001. Her grandparents, on both sides of the family, came to Arizona in the late 1800’s. Helen grew up in the family home at 4900 N. St. Francis Place (now First Street) in Phoenix. Her folks built this home on pasture land, next to St. Francis Church, in the 1930’s. At that time, people asked them “why are you building way out in the country”? Helen graduated from St. Francis Grammar School and Xavier College Preparatory. She attended the UofA and upon graduation, she returned to Phoenix. On August 5, 1954, she married George Eugene Ribble, who was an engineering student at the UofA. She taught school in AZ and CA. Helen and George have lived in Bakersfield most of their lives. Helen is survived by her husband, George (Gene) Ribble and daughter, Beverly Layman. Their son, Arthur, passed away in 1987. In addition, she is survived by their grandchildren, Shelby and Brandon and great-grandchildren, Calen, Jamie and Cadence. Helen was a fun-loving, adventurous lady who loved to travel and play tennis. Family and friends were an important part of her life. Helen will be missed greatly by all who knew her as she was a kind soul. Survivors also include her 4 siblings, Maggie Mikkelson (Eugene), Scottsdale; Barbara Eischeid, Tucson; Mary Anne McKone (Jack), Phoenix; and Arthur Romley, Phoenix. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, August 10th at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd. Interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests contributions in Helen’s name to Xavier College Preparatory, 4710 North Fifth Street, Phoenix, 85012. Please remember Helen in your prayers.
ROMERO, LOUISE
August 5, 2010
Louise Romero,
85, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away July 29, 2010, at The Gardiner Home surrounded by Family. Louise was born January 26, 1925 in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Huntington, Long Island, New York, the daughter of late the Luis and Maria Ambrosio. She was the youngest of 7 siblings and is survived by her brother George. In 1956 she married her second husband and companion Frank Romero, who survives. Louise moved from Huntington with her sister Rose, brother-in-law John, and their 6 children to Phoenix in 1951 She was worked for Mountain Bell in various capacities for 34 years and retired as a network engineer in 1984, and was a member of The Telephone Pioneers for Retirees’. Louise is survived by son Danny, son Marc and daughter-in-law Diana, son Craig and son Gary; grandchildren, Michael, Kevin, Daniel Jr., Ryan, Cori, Sean, Kevin, Gary II, Kristin, Steven, Ian; great grandchildren Ariel, Madison, Hayden, Michael and Amara, as well as being an Aunt, Great Aunt and Great-Great Aunt.
A private service was held Wednesday, August 4 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers and gifts the family request that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley in Mrs. Romero’s name in gratitude for the help and care they provided to Louise and her family.
WREN, EDWARD JAMES
August 3, 2010
passed away, surrounded by those he loved, on July 31, 2010. He was 68. Born in Syracuse, NY, to Edwin Francis and Helen Beatrice Wren, Ed grew up in NY and Florida. He graduated from Florida State University in 1964. After graduation his work would take him from Florida to our nation’s capital, and in 1975 landed him in Phoenix, Arizona, where he would become a prominent and respected lobbyist. Ed ran Wren & Associates, an influential public and governmental relations firm in the Valley. During his 35 years in Arizona he tirelessly dedicated himself to his work and charitable organizations. He was a founding member of the Board of Phoenix Children’s Hospital and served on the Fiesta Bowl Advisory Committee. In particular, the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) was a cause very personal and dear to which he gave his heart and soul. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Ed held various positions in Washington DC, including Press and Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Lou Frey, Jr. (R-FL). Most notable was his service in the Nixon Presidential Administration, where he served as Deputy Director of Public Affairs in the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) at the White House. During his time at the White House he also worked alongside former Vice President, Dick Cheney, where they were special aides to Donald Rumsfeld, who was Director of OEO and a counselor to President Nixon. He later served two years as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the federal government’s then largest agency, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
Ed was an avid lover of movies and music and most enjoyed time well spent with his family and friends. His friends will miss him dearly, and his family will miss him desperately. He is survived by his children Chip, Louisa, Beth, Allison, and Chris, their families and seven grandchildren, as well as his brother Bill and his sisters, RhiONA and Mary Anne. He goes into the embrace of his mother, father, and two brothers, Dennis and Sanford, who passed away before him. The family is planning a Visitation at the Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., from 5pm – 8pm on Wednesday, August 4th, and a Memorial Service for 11am Thursday, August 5th at The Brophy Chapel, 4701 North Central Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International.