Rest in Peace Thomas Becker

Thomas F. Becker passed away peacefully in his home on 12/3/2013 surrounded by his loved ones. As He wished, He received Last Rights from Father Garcia from St Anthony’s of Padua (Manteca). He also, received additional prayers from Pastor Brandon Stearns & Gary Mangano, of Potter’s Touch Church (Copperopolis). 

Thomas F. Becker was born on January 7, 1940 in Norman, Oklahoma, to Grace and George Becker. He lived in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and The countries of Columbia & Venezuela as a child. He was fluent in Spanish and was a well-educated man. Tom graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in Fairbault, Minnesota which paved the way of his career in the Armed Forces. Tom served first in the U.S. Air Force 1959-1963, then the U.S. Coast Guard 1963-1983. He was highly decorated officer and a Marksman (Retired Coast Guard CWOII).

Nelson Mandela dies at 95

(CNN) -- Nelson Mandela, the revered statesman who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid, has died, South African President Jacob Zuma announced late Thursday.

Mandela was 95.

"He is now resting. He is now at peace," Zuma said. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father."

"What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human," the president said in his late-night address. "We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

Mandela will have a state funeral. Zuma ordered all flags in the nation to be flown at half-staff from Friday through that funeral.

Read more at CNN

Remembering Gerald Linstedt

Gerald L. Linstedt (Jerry)

September 18, 1938 – May 18, 2013

Resident of Copperopolis

Jerry Linstedt, age 74, passed away peacefully at his home in Copperopolis, CA, two months after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Jerry was born in Turlock, CA the youngest of three children.  He graduated from Gilroy High School in 1956 and from UCLA in 1960.  He entered the US Navy in 1960 and achieved the rank of Commander before being retired in 1981. He was a Navy Cryptologist and during his career made significant contributions to the U.S Intelligence Community.  He was a recognized authority on computer systems.  The Navy recognized his skills and early in his career ordered him to The American University where he earned an MS degree in Computer and Information Systems.  His assignments with the Naval Security Group took him on tours to Japan, Germany, Cyprus, Spain, and Ft George G Meade, Md.

Following his Naval career Jerry worked for GTE Government Systems in Mountain View.  He retired, after 18 successful years in industry, from Lockheed Martin as the Vice President of Mission Ground Systems, San Jose, CA.

Patrick Rowe memorial service - Big Trees State Park

A memorial service for Patrick Rowe will be held on May 11, 2013 at 4pm in the picnic area behind Jack Knight Hall in Big Trees State Park. Carpooling is highly encouraged, as parking will be limited on a busy Saturday. A potluck dinner will follow, so please bring your favorite dish.

If you would like to donate a favorite photo of Patrick, please bring a copy for us to have.

Graduation pic of Patrick...courtesy photo.

Mike Council has sadly passed away

Mike Council passed away in his sleep January 5, 2013. Mike was best known recently for his service to the community of Copperopolis through his online comprehensive news site Copperonline. However, many know him through his work at SCC and McCartys as well as his service to our country as a United States Marine.

More information will be posted as it is made available.

Courtesy photo.

Richard 'Dale' Laughlin - Gone but not forgotten

Richard “Dale” Laughlin

Dale Laughlin was born in Oakdale, CA on Feb. 20, 1932 and passed very peacefully with his family and friends at his side in Modesto, CA Dec. 15, 2012.

Dale grew up in Waterford, CA where he and his family were ranchers. He graduated from Oakdale High School. Later he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1951 to 1954. He lived in Oakdale for many years and worked for Hunt & Wesson Foods for 36 years. He lived in Copperopolis, CA for the past 32 years where he had 20 acres, and loved the quiet there. He raised some cattle and cured olives every year, that he shared with his family and friends.

 

 

Dale Laughlin has sadly passed away

Dale Laughlin passed away today, 12-15-12, at 5:15 pm.

 

The Copper Gazette will update you as soon as more information is received.

Floyd Thionnet passes away

Memorial Services for Shirley Lutes

Wednesday,  April 4, 2012

10am - 12pm MEMORIAL SERVICE      Heuton Memorial Chapel
     400 S Stewart St, Sonora
             209-532-7121
 2pm  CATHOLIC SERVICE & BURIAL         Copperopolis Cemetary
           764 Reeds Turnpike
              Copperopolis
REMEBERANCE GATHERING TO FOLLOW          Copperopolis Armory
               695 Main St
             Copperopolis

Michael J. Coons passed away

         Michael passed away on November 26^th in Walnut Creek. He was born in Modesto, CA on October 14, 1942 to Walter and Edythe Coons. He grew up in Walnut Creek and graduated Las Lomas High School, class of ’61. He earned a BA degree at Armstrong College and attended graduate school at Golden Gate University.

Michael worked as a CPA for more than 40 years before retiring.

He married his loving wife Barbara in 1990 and for the past 16 years Michael and Barbara have also called Copperopolis home. Michael enjoyed fishing, boating, travel, gardening, cooking, reading and most of all the company of wonderful friends.

Michael is survived by his wife Barbara; sons Mark (fiancée Melissa), and David; step-sons Matthew (wife Tena), and Timothy; grandchildren Cassie Carter, Griffin Carter, and Olivia Coons.

A Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, December 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Hull’s Walnut Creek Chapel, 1139 Saranap Avenue in Walnut Creek. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Michael’s name to Copperopolis Elementary School, 217 School St., Copperopolis, CA 95228.

 

 

Ralph Stockard of Angels Camp passed November 25, 2011

Ralph Stockard died Friday, November 25, 2011 after suffering a heart attack.    He was 91 
Ralph Stockard was born July 3, 1920 in Ovilla, Texas.    He grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area until his family moved to Kerrville, Texas when he was in his late teens.    There, he met and married Veronica Klein.   Their two sons were born in Texas.  In 1942  Ralph and Veronica moved their family to Southern California during WWII to work in the defense industry.   Ralph served in the Philippines with the U.S. Army.    He retired from Data Products Corp in Southern California as a Senior Design Engineer.  In 1989, Ralph and Veronica moved from Southern California and built a  home in Stelte Park in Angels Camp to be close to their sons.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Veronica;  two sons;  Michael Stockard of Valley Springs and Don Stockard of Jackson;   three grandchildren;  Stacy McGee of Anaheim Hills, CA:  Wendy Figueroa of Moorpark, CA:  Todd Stockard of Broomfield, CO;   six great-grandchildren:  Mark Figueroa,  James and Kate McGee, and Michael,Ava, and Jack Stockard..
Memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society
207 East Alpine Ave.
Stockton, CA 95204

Leonard Baxter of Angels Camp has passed away

Leonard T. Baxter, born November 16, 1939, passed away November 7, 2011 at his residence in Angels Camp, CA. Before retiring Leonard was a bank manager for 25 years. He is survived by his loving wife Nancy Baxter of Angels Camp, CA, and his sister Mary (Robert) McFetridge of Lake Forest, CA. Leonard was preceded in death by his daughter Jodi Anne Baxter in 1982.
   
Leonard was a veteran  of the U.S. Navy, a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, American Legion post 0376, Angels Gun Club, and a life member of the California Historical Society.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Inurnment will be at the Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, CA

In lieu of flowers Family requests donations be made to the Hospice of the Sierra, 2100 N. Cedar Rd. Sonora, CA 95370