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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Gary Jay Shepherd, loving father of six and passionate grandfather of 10, passed away in his bed at 70 years old.
Gary, a disabled Vietnam veteran, was born on May 11, 1948 in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Jay Dee Shepherd of Kansas and Beverly Jean Clippert of Wisconsin.
He was drafted into the United States Army on Dec 5, 1968, where he served in the 3rd Battalion head of heavy artillery 4th Infantry in Vietnam until Jan. 20, 1970, when he was awarded an honorable discharge certificate, a National Defense Medal and a Vietnam Service Medal.
After service, he married his second wife and worked as a union carpenter local 25 with a door hanging business while living in Los Angeles and with help from his dad sometime after 1980 became a licensed contractor. He and wife Eileen moved to Northern California and together they raised six children before divorcing 23 years later in 1995.
Gary was an inventor, a builder and an amazing storyteller. With his powerful imagination and mastermind way of thinking he could create marvelous mechanical contraptions for his own and others amusement. He loved sharing his gift of building with everyone, passing along his trade to not only his children but in-laws, nephews and many others.
He strived to be a father figure to those he felt lacked one. In his younger years he was the neighborhood dad that every kid wished was their own. He was fun-loving and always had the funnest toys and coolest home built machines.
After retirement, most days he could be found in his garage where his gifts of fantasy could run wild. He loved tinkering with many things. He welded and built water wheels, whirly-gigs, electric bikes, scooters and carts with great joy.
Gary had an unusual way of seeing the world and would sometimes unabashedly flaunt his eccentricities. His family and close friends often held their breath when he spoke in mixed company and raise their eyebrows after he had spoken. He was known for his adventurous spirit, his inappropriate jokes and his highly animated story telling.
He threw himself into every endeavor wholeheartedly with great enthusiasm but never was too busy to help a friend or family member in need. He had an outrageous, boisterous personality and infectious laugh that made all our lives more colorful. He never complained, never gave up and never stopped loving.
He found laughter in almost every situation even if it was dangerous, sad or downright scary at the time. He believed there was always a silver lining and God would bless him with fortitude and never put something in front of him that he couldn’t handle.
He taught us to always know where our hands and feet are at all times, to work safe, never give up and making mistakes is part of life but strive to never make the same one twice.
He was a strong capable man with enormous hands. When he hugged you, told a story or got angry at you it was with great passion and you knew (maybe not in that moment) how much he loved you.
With his giant hands he could perform even the most minute tasks, making him the best splinter remover that has ever lived. He wasn’t perfect; he wasn’t always tactful but he was a great man with great love for his family.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Jay; his mother, Beverly; his first wife, Patricia; and two grandchildren, Kressa and Kai.
He is survived by his ex-wife and friend Eileen; his six children, Jason, Michael, Jonathan, Christine, Lisa and Jacqueline; his six siblings, Pam, Marcia, Donald, Dawn, Shelli and Jedidiah; eight grandchildren, Elias, Shadin, Bailey, Logan, Coben, Koen, Lucas and Kellen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 31, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery 5810 Midway Road in Dixon at 12:30 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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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Henry D. Krukoff
March 24, 1940 - May 22, 2019
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Henry passed away after a brief illness. He was born and raised in Nikolski, Alaska, the son of Daniel and Zina Krukoff.
Henry was a survivor of a World War II Japanese concentration camp. He met his loving wife of 56 years, Freeda Maye, in Oakland and together they moved back to Alaska where he was a welder by trade and worked on the Alaskan Pipeline. Later he had his own business, Kru’s Cleaning.
Henry had a passion for his dogs, he was an avid dancer and enjoyed family nights – Chinese dinner and a movie afterwards. One of his favorite pastimes lately was playing at the casino.
Henry leaves behind his wife, Freeda Maye Krukoff; daughter, Colleen (Gary) Pete; sons, Douglas (Susie) Duncan and Kyle (Jackie) Crandell; 20 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded by his sons, Dwayne (Jimmy John) Duncan and LaVerne Duncan.
Visitation will start at his home in Nice on Tuesday, May 28, at 2 p.m. until Friday morning, June 1, when he will be moved over to Robinson Rancheria gymnasium for funeral services starting at 10 a.m., with final viewing from noon to 1 p.m. with burial at Robinson Rancheria Cemetery at 2 p.m.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Richard Bailey of Clearlake passed away on May 18, 2019, after a long illness.
Born and raised in Saratoga, Richard spent many childhood summers vacationing in Lake County, where he fell in love with Clear Lake and the area’s natural beauty.
After graduating from Cal State, Chico with a degree in accounting, Richard decided Clearlake was where he wanted to make his home.
He owned several local businesses over the years, including Clearlake Lumber, Aggrelite Rock, Lake Limousine and TriStar Brick & Block.
Richard will be remembered for his fervent love of Clear Lake, collector cars, working in the yard, barbecuing chicken and spending time with his family. In his later years, he became an avid builder of intricate wooden model boats.
Richard is survived by Janice, his wife of 45 years; five children, Kelly (John), Bryan, Ken, Kristin (Erica) and Scott (Laurel); as well as his beloved grandchildren.
At Richard’s request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, the Bailey family requests donations be made to Hospice of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport CA 95453.
Care and arrangements entrusted to Jones and Lewis CLMC FD 800, www.jonesandlewismemorialchapel.com , 707-994-6417.