Obits
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jack de Vine, a “Star of Lake County” has passed.
Jack de Vine passed from this life Nov. 15, 2013. He was born October 25, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He is survived by his life partner of 47 years, JJ Jackson. He is also survived by his niece, Debbi (Mark) Robertson and her children and grandson (Jenny, Chris, Sarah, Daniel, Jake and Cory).
At the age of 3, his mother and father, Ida Mae and Merrill “Andy” de Vine, moved Jack and his sister Diane to Hollywood, California.
Jack graduated from George Washington High School and attended USC majoring in marketing, while also finding time to excel in theater lighting.
He served in the US Army during 1956 to 1959 and was stationed in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the American Consultant Corp. One of his duties was helping Emperor Haile Selassie’s son learn and speak English.
After the Army, Jack became a widely recognized bartender known as “The Host of the Valley.” A Jack de Vine party was described by the LA Times as “an intimate gathering of 3,000 close friends and a host of others.”
As a general manager for Nash Enterprises, Jack was in charge of The Purple Lion, Ali Baba’s, The Farm, and The El Dorado Steakhouse.
In 1972, he became general manager of the World Famous Seven Seas Supper Club across from Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
During this time, he assisted his father, and succeeded him, with the family business, A.D. Filmbooking Service, delivering short subjects to theaters throughout the 11 western states.
Also, the side business of de Vine Feathers provided fancy feather work to entities and stars like Ice Capades, Bob Mackie, Carol Burnett, Cher, Ann-Margret, Roberta Flack, Diana Ross and Mitzi Gaynor.
While visiting family in Northern California, Jack and JJ took a detour through Lake County and fell in love with it.
In 1982, they began their adventure at The Bungalow in Clearlake Oaks. Jack quickly acclimated to the community and became very active in civic affairs.
Throughout the years, he served as the president of the Lions Club and the Ka Ba Tin Civic Club. He became the general manager of the Robin Hill Restaurant in Lakeport.
After this, Jack worked with the senior centers, the tribal communities, community outreach, Senior Support Services and delivering “Meals on Wheels.”
In 2003, he began working for California Indian Manpower as elder’s coordinator at Robinson Rancheria. In April 2013, he began volunteering at Lakeport Senior Center as a Meals on Wheels driver up until his last day.
In 1999, Jack received the very first “Star of Lake County” presented as Senior of the Year.
Throughout Jack’s life endeavors, he was always involved in many organizations that impacted the community.
He was a people person and blessed many with his caring and charming personality. In his presence, you always felt welcomed and loved.
Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Upper Lake Cemetery, Upper Lake, Calif.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .
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- Written by: Editor
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Nov. 17, 2013, we suffered a tremendous loss. We lost the life of a beautiful young lady.
Gayle Smith, in her short 18 years of life, touched so many hearts. Everyone who she ever crossed paths with will always remember her huge smile and outgoing personality.
Gayle loved to have fun spending time with her family. She will be greatly missed, always loved and never forgotten.
She is survived by her parents, Tessa McCloud and Michael Smith; grandparents, JoJo Gomez and Philip McCloud; siblings, Zelda, James and Jordan McCloud, Anjoline Gomez and Crystal Smith; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins that love her very much.
She is entered into rest with Ramona, Emil, and Zelda McCloud, and Martin and Moose Smith.
Traditional viewing at 595 Yellow Hammer Lane, Lakeport from Tuesday, Nov. 19, until Friday, Nov. 22.
Graveside services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at St. Mary's Cemetery.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .
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- Written by: Editor
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Wallace Dyer Macomber, 78, of Kelseyville died on June 24, 2013, at his home, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Family and friends surrounded him.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce Weston Macomber Sr. and Dora (Long) Macomber and brother Bruce Weston Macomber Jr.
He is survived by his former wife Jean Macomber; daughter, Molly Stanley of Weippe, Idaho; and son, Matt Macomber and wife Lisa of Napa, Calif.; and grandchildren, Joe and Jillian Stanley and Carson and Ella Macomber. He also leaves behind his youngest brother, Tom, and wife Anna Macomber of Kelseyville.
Wally spent most of his childhood in Lake County but graduated from Berkeley High School. He went on to attend San Francisco State University and graduated with a degree in physical education.
At this time Wally was drafted into the US Army and completed his tour to Japan finishing with an honorable discharge. Wally then obtained a master's degree in education with teaching credentials.
He began his teaching career in the Richmond School District then settled with his family in Napa, teaching high school math and science. Wally was instrumental in upgrading the driver education program for the district and retired from teaching in 2004.
A true Pittsburgh Pirates fan, Wally loved baseball but his true athletic talent was discovered at San Francisco State where he set several records in swimming and water polo. Wally attended the Olympic trials for Water Polo and his records still stood until the program was discontinued. Wally was inducted into the San Francisco State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Besides his family, Wally had two other great passions – deer hunting and old Caterpillar tractors. He was happiest in the hot, dry Lake County brush in August, accompanied by his canine partners, and riding atop one of his “Cats” pushing dirt in the hot sun.
Wally was a man’s man, with the soul of an old Native American medicine man.
For sharing of stories about Wally visit www.bigwmacomber.blogspot.com .
A memorial celebration will be held for family and friends on Saturday, Nov. 23, at his ranch in Kelseyville. If you would like to attend please RSVP to Molly Stanley at 208-827-0663.
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- Written by: Editor
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