Obits
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Jessica Colleen Knight Thompson was born in Lake County, Calif., and moved to St. Louis, Missouri with her family when she was in third grade where she met her best friend Barbara Tucker and her husband Bernard “Buck” Thompson. Nothing was more important to her than her family and friends.
Jessica loved music, and she loved to go dancing. She mixed with the best of them in St. Louis in the 1960s … James Brown, Tina and Ike Turner, Bobby “Blues Boy” Bland at Club Imperial.
However, her most prized accomplishment was giving birth to her daughter Twaya Tyleen Thompson.
Jessica was also a proud to be a member of Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians.
She is survived by husband, Bernard; daughter, Twaya; mother, Charline Knight; sisterm Lydia Knight O’Riordan; brothers, Bradford Knight, Bryan Knight, Jeff Knight and Ivan Knight; best friends, Barbara Tucker and Linda Hall; and many, many loved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.
Services will be held on Wednesday, May 9, at 5 p.m. at Middletown Rancheria Tribal Hall Rancheria Road, Middletown, Calif.
A dinner in her honor will be held immediately following services and burial.
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Janis Entler Paris died following a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday, April 29.
Janis was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She survived and escaped a troubled family, and made a life that anyone would be proud of.
A star student in high school, she found her way in to college by entering and winning the Miss Scott County pageant, which came with a scholarship. She eventually earned two master of arts degrees, in psychology and theater arts.
She lived for nearly 10 years in French Canada and taught high school while there. When she returned to the U.S. she settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a top book editor and project manager.
Janis made herself a master of PhotoShop, and was able to restore many old and damaged photographs that few would have been able to work with.
She became a political activist, helping to organize opposition to the Iraq war from its beginning in early 2003.
She contributed in many ways — with her ideas, her artistic ability, and sheer shoe leather and sweat — to local political issues, and helped make Lake County a better place to live. She was resolutely, and not always conveniently, committed to honesty and justice.
But her true passion was music. All the way back to her teenage years she fronted a band, and over the years she became an accomplished songwriter, singer, and bandleader.
There were many people who saw this beautiful, petite woman and were then astonished at the big voice and raw blues power that she delivered.
She completed one album with her band Paris and Frindt and Friends, and had material ready to begin work on a second album when illness forced to put the project on hold.
She leaves her husband Paul Frindt, her beloved stepdaughter Brittany Skrzypek, two sisters in Iowa, and many, many friends who will miss her very much.
To quote the song she often used to close shows, “There’s a hole in the world tonight.”
There will be an informal get together of friends to mark her life and passing at her house at 1946 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. Light food will be provided. Please bring only your memories and thoughts to share.
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Rod passed away on the evening of April 30, 2012, at his home in Scotts Valley with Donna, his wife of 13 years, by his side.
Born on Sept. 23, 1927, in Willows, Calif., Rod was the son of Marion and Robert Riley.
After graduating from Willows High School, Rod joined the Navy and proudly served aboard the Destroyer tender, USS Whitney, during World War II.
He began a long career with US Forest Service in 1950, working on the Mendocino National Forest in Willows, Covelo and Upper Lake, and the Six Rivers National Forest in Willow Creek, and retiring from Eureka.
In life, Rod was active in Boy Scouts, a volunteer fireman and a Master Mason for more than 60 years. He loved duck hunting, diving for abalone and rock fishing on the coast, and motor homing all over the United States.
Rod was quick to smile, quick to laugh, quick to joke and larger than life in most aspects.
Rod was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Ethel, and daughter, Karen. He is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Shirley; sons, Bob, Tim and Mike; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Saturday, May 5, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Hospice of Lake County.
The family wishes to thank David Parsons, D.O. and his wife Natalie for their help and care.
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