Obits
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Patricia Dye-Howell, was born Sept. 25, 1947 in Michigan to her loving parents John and Pat Dye.
Patty, as she was affectionately called by friends and family, passed away on March 27, 2025, after bravely facing down several daunting health issues over the years.
Her will to live was very strong, a reflection of her tenacious soul.
Patty spent a few years of her childhood in Connecticut before her parents moved to Southern California. Patty grew up on the beach and graduated from Newport Beach High School. As an adult she moved to the beach in Oxnard, California, where she would make many lifelong friends.
Patty was a spirited, adventurous woman who was an avid sailor along with her husband of 34 years, James (Jim) Howell. Both were active in the Anacapa Yacht Club in Oxnard, California, for many years, sailing in weekly races and preparing delicious feasts for the many events hosted by the club.
A love of sailing brought Patty and Jimmy together. Patty and Jimmy were introduced by Patty’s brother John and sister-in-law Debbie, who were a part of Jim’s longtime sailing group. It was one particularly beautiful summer day while out sailing on a friend’s 70-foot schooner that they caught each other’s eye. The rest was history.
Patty was a talented cosmetologist. She worked for many years in salons in Newport Beach and Oxnard, California. Patty was ready to shift gears when a client suggested that Patty would make an excellent para educator.
Patty pursued her second career and worked as a para educator for over 20 years with at-risk teenagers in both Oxnard, California and at W.C. Carle Continuation High School in Lower Lake, California. Patty was loved by her students and colleagues. She cared deeply for her students and was always there to lend a loving ear and wise guidance.
Patty and Jim did not have children but they did have a beloved fur baby. One day Jim came home with a rescue dog that appeared to be a purebred chocolate Labrador Retriever. It was love at first sight. Patty named the dog Bosco, after the old chocolate drink. Bosco was their beloved “son” for 14 years. Bosco had a loving effect on everyone and brought Patty a lot of comfort and joy.
Patty loved her home overlooking Clear Lake. Happy to escape the hustle and bustle of southern California she never tired of the beautiful views from her home and the ever present hummingbirds.
Patty had many interests. She was a voracious reader and she loved to travel, especially on cruise ships. She also loved live music and enjoyed many concerts throughout her lifetime.
Patty will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Patty is survived by her husband, James Howell; her brother, John Dye and sister-in-law Debbie Dye of Oxnard, California; and her beloved Aunt Cheri.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — It's with great sadness that we announce that John Herbert Davis, beloved father, husband, “papa,” son, uncle and friend passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025.
Born in Lakeport, California, on Sept. 30, 1948, and raised in Kelseyville and Finley, John lived a full life and took tremendous pride in his military service, his family and his roofing business.
He was born to Lola and John Davis as one of 10 children, and in 1967 joined the Army where he proudly served his country with honor and dedication as a combat engineer in Vietnam. He served alongside many other brave people he could call friends and has undoubtedly reunited on the other side with his true friend and "brother" Wayne Mullinix whose passing left a devastating impact on him.
John opened and ran his own roofing company called Davis Roofing for 25 years with his wife Debra, where he took great pride in his workmanship. His employees affectionately nicknamed him The GOR (God of Roofing). Those who got a new roof by him got a quality one they could trust was completed with genuine skill, craftsmanship and pride. If it was a roof done by him then he wanted it done right. He loved what he did and worked hard every day to support his family.
John is survived by his wife, Debra; daughters, Sandy (Dan) Johnson, Sarah Davis, Rachel (Nate) Thomas and Katie (Juan) Salguero; and sons, John (Wendy) Davis and Josh Davis.
He is also survived by his many grandchildren: Jacob, Rebecca, Cassandra, Cole, Hunter, Grace, Lola, Briley, Salomon, Nando and Erza; as well as siblings Buddy Davis, Leonard Davis, and Betty (Don) Harr. John also has many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends that he sadly leaves behind.
John was predeceased by his parents Lola and John Davis, as well as brothers Kenneth, Bobby, Billy, Jerry, James and Frank.
John's life was defined by his love for his family and his passions. He loved fishing, camping, reading and was an avid sports lover who supported his children and grandchildren in all arenas and often bragged about them all to whomever would listen. His presence at family gatherings and sporting events will be greatly missed. He never missed a Giants or Niners game, even if it meant catching it on the am radio.
John, having been born and raised in Lake County, went on to raise his own family in Kelseyville. He never met a stranger and seemed to know people everywhere he went. He lived life to its fullest and his warmth, humor and strength will live on in all those whose lives he touched.
A celebration of life will be held at the Clear Lake Grange #680 at 1510 Big Valley Road in Finley at 1 p.m. on June 7, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to a veteran's charity or organization in his honor.
We miss you terribly Dad, but we know you're with us always and forever, until we meet again.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our dearly beloved Charles Lee Gitchell Sr. passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Lakeport, California, on Nov. 20, 2024.
He was born on July 6, 1939, in Colorado to his parents John "Jack" William Gitchell and Lillie Grace Hamilton (Gitchell). He was one of 12 siblings.
There must have been a great reunion as he joined with loved ones awaiting him. He was predeceased by his grandparents, parents, one son, Dale Charles Gitchell; brothers, Lynn, John, Frank, and Roger; sisters, Mable and Lillie.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Donna Wright (Gitchell); brothers, Michael and Curtis; sisters, Ellen, Barbara and Linda; children, Dawn, Robin, Charles Jr. and Sandra; grandchildren, Larry, Royce, Erik, Thomas, Joseph, Vance, Christopher, Mary, Alexandra, Ammon, Natalie and Samantha; seven great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Charles had a deep love for all of his family and has been well known among his many friends to be very caring and giving and always ready to lend a helping hand. He would often use his expertise of loading trucks and tying off loads to help friends and neighbors who were moving. He has directed the safe loading of large pianos onto U-Haul trucks.
He loved visiting family and friends and attending many social events. He especially loved attending local Native American events and being involved in the gathering and preparation of traditional material used by the Pomo Indian tribes in basket making and even learned to make the baskets.
He loved working in his yard, as well as making things with his hands to give away and make people happy.
He worked in many various industries, logging, saw mills, fishing, agriculture dairy, construction labor and much more.
He enjoyed having fun with his family camping, fishing, cutting firewood, going to the ocean, playing cards and board games, his favorite was chess, watching sci-fi movies, working in the yard and most anything that the family could do together.
We wish to invite all to a celebration of life for Charles to be held on Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 600 16th St. in Lakeport.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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