October 28, 2005

Dr. Ed Harris

Yavapai College announced the death of District Governing Board member Dr. Ed Harris. Harris died Oct. 25, 2005, at Prescott Samaritan after a prolonged illness. He leaves his wife, Yvonne (Bonnie), two children and one grandchild.

Harris was a lifelong professional educator and held a doctorate in business education. He retired to Prescott in 1991 after 30 years as a professor and administrator with the Northern Illinois University College of Business. He was first elected to the Yavapai College District Governing Board, representing District 3, in November 1994 and served as board chair from 2000 to 2005.

"My philosophy is simple: think of the students," Harris once said of his job on the board. "The ultimate goal is to always think of the students and what is best for them. I've lived by that throughout my entire 50 years in education."

According to Board Chair Herald Harrington, Harris will be remembered most for leading the community effort in support of the college's $69.5 million bond for its master plan. In November 2000, more than 59 percent of the voters gave YC approval to proceed with the master plan, which included numerous expansions and renovations.

"Ed Harris is essentially the reason we have the bond and are building these buildings on our campuses. He headed up the fundraising and put together all the meetings to solicit support for bond," Harrington said. "He devoted his life to getting that bond passed."

Yavapai College President Dr. James Horton also recognized Harris's contributions to the college. "I've heard from many people about the great work Dr. Harris has done on the college's behalf, and I'm sorry I did not have the chance to work with him more," Horton said.

Horton began his tenure at Yavapai College on Aug. 15.

Harris also contributed to the strategic planning and implementation of innovative programs such as those offered at the Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking in Sedona, the Chino Valley Agribusiness & Science Technology Center and the Northern Arizona Regional Skill Center.

In 1996, Harris helped lead the board toward adopting many of the principles of policy governance, as prescribed by John Carver. The process included the development of a mission for the college ­ "to provide high quality, cost effective, convenient learning opportunities for the diverse populations of Yavapai County" ­ which Harris helped create.

Harris was committed to community service and volunteered his time to numerous organizations. In addition to the YC board, he served on the board of directors of the 20/20 Forum, and Homeowner's Citizens Council, and was a member of the City of Prescott Alternative Services Delivery and General Plan Committees. He was a member of Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Leaders in Education, Who's Who in America and Who's Who in Community Leaders.

"Ed was one of the most kind and caring men I've ever known," Harrington said. "He was willing to put himself on the line for the good of the institution and truly had the best interest of the college at heart."

The funeral is Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 630 Park Ave., in Prescott. The public is invited.

Carol Larson

Carol Larson, 71, of Camp Verde, died Oct. 22, 2005. Carol was born Sept. 2, 1934, in Clarkdale.

Carol was a retired U.S. Forest Service worker.

Carol is survived by daughter Suzan Fisher of Camp Verde, stepdaughters Sue Engle of Camp Verde and Linda Masters of Colorado, and son Clint Larson of Camp Verde. Carol is also survived by her sister Helen Waller; grandchildren Aron and Ryan Fisher, Shelby Dunlap, Jennifer Michaels, Marc and Amy Maestas, and Eric and Sarah Engle; great-grandchildren Madison and Sage; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her parents Collis and Pauline Godac Boyer, her husband Gordan and son Logan Dunlap precede her in death.

A Memorial Service will be at the family home at 888 W. Salt Mine Road, Camp Verde, on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m.

J.D. Pender

Jervie Dee "J.D." Pender, of Cottonwood, died Oct. 24, 2005. He was born March 13, 1925.

J.D. was a noble man, born and raised in Broken Bow, Okla. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as an amphibious landing craft captain. His bravery and vital judgment assisted in the defeat of the Japanese in the South Pacific.

After the war, J.D. moved to Flagstaff. There he spotted and won over his beautiful wife Geraldine Mae Allen (1925-2004). They married in 1948. In their first years together, J.D. worked as a lumberjack in Happy Jack. They enjoyed dancing at Mormon Lake Lodge and fishing in local lakes.

In 1950 Carol Lee, their first daughter, was born, followed by Jervie Leon in 1951, and finally Janet Rae in 1957. By the time Janet was born they had relocated in Cottonwood. Here J.D. began work for the Phoenix Cement Plant. He offered his hard work and dedication, retiring after 28 years. During his employment he unearthed a mammoth skeleton, which now resides in a Flagstaff museum.

After his retirement J.D. continued to enjoy fishing, boating, traveling and gardening. He loved being with his 13 grandchildren. He was their idol and life's teacher. He is also survived by his sister Francis Augustine of Modesdo, Calif., and his 26 great-grandchildren. J.D. was a model husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He was an expert on living a life of love. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Funeral services for Mr. Pender will be Saturday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m., at the Evangelical Worship Center on Mingus Avenue in Cottonwood. His viewing will take place today, Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood.

William J. Duncan

William Duncan 93, eldest son of John and Clara Duncan, died Oct. 16, 2005, in Boerne, Texas.

He graduated from Northwestern Missionary and Training Institute in Minneapolis, Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., and Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago. He went to Japan as a missionary under the Japan Evangelistic Band in 1949. After serving there for five years, he met his wife, Betty. They were married in 1957 and served in Japan together until 1975. Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church in Camp Verde. He was most recently residing in Boerne, Texas, where he and his wife moved to be near their daughter and her family.

He is survived by his wife Betty and four children, Philip Duncan (Japan), Rachel Sanelli (Phoenix), Paul Duncan (New Berlin, Wis.), and Carol Rugloski (Boerne, Texas). Other surviving family members are two brothers, Robert Duncan (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and Howard Duncan (Wheaton, Ill.) and two sisters, Olive Koopmans (Freedom, Calif.) and Lily Beth Volkman (Calistoga, Calif.). He also has 11 grandchildren who have brought him great joy.

Charles A. Barbee

Charles A. Barbee, 75, died Oct. 22, 2005, in Pittsburg, Mo. Charles was born June 28, 1930, in Henderson, Ky.

Raised in Cottonwood, Charles attended Clemenceau Grade School. He spent two years in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War vet. Charles was retired from Reynold Metals and attended Pittsburg Baptist Church.

Charles is survived by his wife Floy, sons Randy, Craig and Shawn; two brothers, Muriel and Billy. He is preceded in death by his parents Jim and Mina Barbee and three brothers and two sisters.

A Memorial Service will be Nov. 5, at 2 p.m., at Meadows Baptist, 3701 W. Beardsley, Glendale.

Mildred Fischer

Mildred Marie Loux Fischer died on Oct. 20, 2005. She was a long-time resident of Flagstaff and for the past 29 years lived in Camp Verde.

Born in Waverly, Kans., on Sept. 28, 1918, to Amos Emil Loux and Theresia Maria Servatius. Her parents owned several farms where they raised a family of 11 children. Mildred was the 10th child.

Mildred graduated from Ottawa High School in 1936. After graduation she worked at Woolworth's department store, and saved her pennies to purchase a cedar "Hope" chest. She met future husband Stephen Fischer through friends. They courted and were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa, Kans., Oct. 4, 1939. They farmed in the Ottawa area from 1939 to 1951. Mildred's primary job was caring for her family. When working outside of the house she was a baker. Her last baking job was for Saga Foods at Northern Arizona University from 1963 to 1976. However, she continued to make chocolate chip cookies for her grandchildren and pecan pies for family and friends.

Mildred and Steve were married 53 years and parented six children: Lawrence, Shirley, Johnnie, Harold, Karen and Pamela. Steve died in 1996. Her three sons preceded her in death. Also, a granddaughter, Tawnya Dawn Knight and two great-granddaughters, Kaycie Lyn and Laurel Kay DeWitt precede her in death. She is the last of the Loux children to pass from this world.

Mildred is survived by daughters Shirley Gorton and her husband, Clyde; Karen Fanning and her husband, Robert "Driz"; and Pamela Patterson and friend, Mike Hartman. All of the daughters live in Camp Verde. Mildred is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

In 2000, Mildred moved in with the Fannings. She enjoyed the activity of a busy household, especially the holiday season. She became known as "Millie" in the Fort Lincoln neighborhood. She was a regular at the Eden Center, where she was the "Queen of BINGO" and enjoyed a good game of Skip-Bo with best friend Dixie.

Mildred was a loving, giving woman who took life as it happened without complaint. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services took place on Oct.22 at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, in Camp Verde. Interment was later on the same day at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Flagstaff.

A Memorial Mass will be said for Mildred at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 1.

Donations in Mildred's memory may be made to the Cottonwood Terrace Adult Day Care Center, 195 S. Willard St., Cottonwood AZ 86326.

Hepler Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.


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