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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Kay Hancock went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 16, 2025, and also joined her loving husband John Hancock in heaven.
She was 83 years old. Kay was born in Rainier, Washington on September 26, 1941, and grew up on a small farm with a single mother as the youngest of four siblings in Forest Grove, Oregon.
While growing up she always pretended to be a teacher, which turned out to be her career for 42 years.
At age 8, she started picking strawberries for money and worked other jobs even in the summers, as a young adult, to compensate for her teaching salary.
She taught in Oregon, Washington and California. She genuinely cared about each student she taught, which was strongly reflected in the Lucerne, California, community she taught in for the majority of her teaching years.
Kay deeply loved God, her many friends and family. In fact, if you were her good friend, in her eyes you were considered family. Kay was a very loving mom and grammy. She loved to play cards, cook and have a genuine conversation about you, not her.
Kay is survived by her son, Aaron Hancock; her loving daughter-in-law, Bethany Hancock; amazing grandkids, Lillian and Luke Hancock of Wilton, California; sister, Jo Vermilyea of Tillamook, Oregon; numerous nieces and nephews from Oregon; and honorary sons, Brian Stempe of Santa Rosa, California, and Chad Love of Glenhaven, California.
Kay touched the lives of many students, friends and family. She will be deeply missed.
Kay’s celebration of life will be delayed due to the renovation of her church. Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, at noon at Rancho Murieta Community Church, near Sacramento. The address of the church is 14670 Cantova Way, Suite 101, Rancho Murieta, CA 95683.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Todd Walter Burkhead, age 61, passed away Aug. 9, 2025.
He was the son of Watson and Claire Burkhead; husband of 27 years to Karen Burkhead from Kelseyville, California; brother to Tammy Murphy of Glasford, Illinois, and Lori McLaughlin of Hidden Valley Lake, California; and father of Shaley Rivera.
Todd worked for the Department of Parks and Recreation in Clearlake, Standish Hickey and
Richardson Grove.
Todd had a passion for wildlife and the great outdoors. He will be missed.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit chapelofthelakes.com.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Fred Paul Hickman, 80, passed peacefully on July 14, 2025 in Lakeport.
In his final days, he was surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Born on Aug. 22, 1944, in San Francisco to Al and Carlotta Hickman, Fred lived life by his own rules.
Stories from his life paint a picture of an athlete, a rebel, a mountain man, and a gruff bear of a man with a quick wit and a soft heart. He was unyielding, fearless, resilient, disciplined, formidable and full of purpose.
Whether lacing up his gloves for the title of the Novice Golden Gloves Championship, shaping beauty in his workshop, finding peace through countless adventures in his mountains, or standing firm in what he believed, Fred showed up with heart, courage, and unbreakable dedication. He never broke, and never backed down.
Fred wasn’t just respected — he was legendary. Fred left behind a legacy of integrity, resilience, and quiet greatness. He was deeply loved, cherished, and impossible to forget. He will be missed more than words can say. He will live on in the stories we tell, the lessons he taught, and the love he gave. May he rest in peace.
Celebration Of Life will be held at the Lakeport Yacht Club at 15 Fifth St. on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit chapelofthelakes.com.