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Raymond Cox
1938-2018
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Raymond Cox left our world on May 5, 2018. He was 79 years old.
Ray was a wonderful, hard working, loving and intelligent man.
He was raised in Stockton, Calif. After high school, Ray joined the Air Force. There he was part of a flight crew, working as a radar operator. He was stationed in many different areas of the United States.
In 1960 he worked in Manhattan Beach. Then it was onto several years in Las Vegas. In 1970 he attended Court Reporting School in San Francisco.
Ray and his son Chris moved to Lake County in 1972. He worked primarily with the firm later known as Adair, Potswald and Hennessey. At this time Chris was nearly 8, and Chris was enrolled at Lakeport Elementary School; he was in Joan Goodwin’s third grade class.
In 1980, Joan and Ray were married; Joan brought Sarah and Shelly to the marriage. While the kids were young, their lives were filled with friends (wonderful friends), dance recitals, theater plays and musicals, ball games (with many victories over Kelseyville), reading and traveling (primarily home exchanges).
Twenty years ago, they bought a run-down 1920s bungalow in Lakeport. Ray worked on it for two years before they moved in, making it a very special place. He continued this labor of love for many years to follow. It is geared toward grandchildren with a water tower hideout and a playhouse, a miniature replica of their bungalow.
In 2016, Ray wrote a letter to his beloved grandchildren; here are a few excerpts:
“I want you to know that I love each and every one of you. Every one of you is beautiful, bright and kind and funny and want to do the right thing. You’re a delight every time I see you. You’re lucky to have the parents you have loving you, giving you a rock solid foundation and showing you the way. I know beyond question you’re going to live full, happy and productive lives.”
“You will make mistakes. There may come a time when you catch a bad break and you find yourself in a situation you can’t do anything with. You can’t control what other people think and do. A friend may disappoint you. Bad things can happen. Things don’t always work out the way we would like. You should know that the bad/sad/hurting times will pass. Talk to your family, do what’s right and keep marching. As you get older you will become more confident in your choices and some of the self-doubt will go away.”
“You aren’t always right. What’s best for you may not work for other people. There is always another way to look at things. Be honest with yourself. Don’t let your friendships fade away. Your words matter. Do what you say you’re going to do. If you say you will call, make the call. It’s hard to feel good about yourself, if you don’t keep your word.”
He finished the letter with: “Here’s a quote I like from a Quaker missionary: ‘I shall pass this way but once. Any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being: let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’”
Ray leaves behind his loved and loving family: Joan Cox, Chris (Liz) Cox, Sarah (Dell) Thompson, Shelly (Chad) Lyon; grandchildren, Isabella Ray Cox, Quincy Joan Suzanne Lyon, Grant King Raymond Lyon, Nora Dell Thompson and Sammia Lizet El Allie; siblings, sister Frances (Don) Penner; and brother, Jim (Amelia) Cox.
A memorial will be held on August 25, 2018. If you wish to attend please email
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Seral Phillip "Phil" Ashley died peacefully at home on March 29, 2018.
Phil is predeceased by his older sister, Nancy, and his only son, Seral Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Betty; his daughters, Roxanne Nelson, Stephanie Thompson, Holly McKenzie and Stacy Ashley; his older brother, Joe Ashley; younger sister, Louise Goodman; and younger brother, Kenneth Ashley.
He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Brianna, Shannon, Jeff, Nicole, Isaiah, Mariko, Cody, and Sera; nine great-grandchildren, Jayshon, Joey, Ashlyn, Amber, Daniel, Avery, Axel, June and Jessamine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Phil enlisted in the US Navy for four years immediately after graduating high school. After he was discharged, he worked as a civil engineer and draftsman for many years and ran a small contracting business, from which he retired.
Phil enjoyed being in the outdoors, whether it was camping, fishing or sailing his small boat on Clear Lake. He also tried his hand at gold mining and running a saloon in Copperopolis, Calif.
A memorial service will be at the Sterling Shores Estates Clubhouse on Monday, June 11, at 1 p.m.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thomas Steven Schefcick, “Tom,” born in San Francisco on Feb. 5, 1948, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2018, in Witter Springs.
Tom graduated from Upper Lake High School in 1966 and shortly after he was drafted into the Army, where he was deployed to Vietnam, where he served our country for two years.
Tom worked as a general contractor for many years. Tom discovered that he had a "green-thumb" and he became an accomplished gardener, he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, deep-sea diving, making beef jerky, riding motorcycles, three-window Chevy coupes, 1967 to 1969 Chevy Camaros and driving fast.
While relaxing, he watched “Gunsmoke,” “Married with Children,” “The Three Stooges” and “The Lone Ranger” (especially the new movie version), also the new movie version of “Dennis the Menace.”
When he was not watching television, he always had a radio on playing classic rock. His favorite groups were The Doors, Rolling Stones and he recently discovered Tom Petty.
Tom was kind-hearted, generous, always helpful to anyone, quiet, and reserved. Very few members of his family or friends ever seen his great sense of humor.
Tom was a lifetime member of the Lake County Historical Society. He collected rare vintage photographs of Bartlett Springs, Upper Lake, Witter Springs (Bachelor Valley) and Blue Lakes.
Tom is survived by his beloved companion, Georgine Hunt; son, Jason (Heather) Hunt; grandson, Danny Hunt; sisters, Linda Alexander, Marge Ransom, Marsha Schefcick, Jeanne Hadley, Cindy Schefcick, Patricia Schefcick and Helen (Kip) Theno; nieces and nephews, Allen, Peter (Jennifer), Steven, Tommy, Danny, Mark, Doug, Jessica, Christine, Jake, Finn, Roan, Harper, Brandon and Devon; numerous great nieces and nephews; his cherished extended family, Ady, Les, Angel and Junior Christianson; and his closest friends, Frank Hodge, Carl Petersen and Ralph Gambonini.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Pete Schefcick.
By request of Tom, there will be no memorial service.
Tom was loved by all and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1235 South Clark St., Suite 910, Arlington, Virginia 22202.
Rest in peace, we love you Tom.
Arrangements and Care entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311, www.jonesmortuarylakeport.com, 707-263-5389.
