Month: December 2022

Ruben Gomez (1953-2012)

Dec 07, 1953 – May 21, 2012

Ruben Gomez, 58, was called home May 21, 2012. He was born in Juarez, Mexico to Manuel and Maria Gomez, Dec. 7, 1953.

Ruben served proudly in the U.S. Navy as a medic during the Vietnam War. While in the Navy, he learned seven languages. He earned an associate’s degree and worked at Safeway.

Ruben enjoyed music, camping, hiking and being with family. He was a very generous man and was always on time. He will be remembered as a man who loved his God, family and country.

He is survived by his wife, Emilia, four daughters, five sons, 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, nine brothers and three sisters.

Services were held May 26 at Hopewell Baptist Church. He was buried with military honors at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery on May 30.

Tulocay Cemetery Memorial

Find a Grave Memorial

Evelyn (Leal) Gragg (1955-1991)

Sep 17, 1955 – Jan 13, 1991

A memorial Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday morning, Jan 15, 1991 at St. John’s Catholic Church for Evelyn M. Gragg, 35. She died Sunday at Stanford University Medical Center from cancer.

Born September 17, 1955, in Raton, New Mexico, she came to Napa in 1967 from Colorado. She was a member of the first senior class of Vintage High School, graduating in 1973. Following graduation, she became a retail clerk and was employed by Safeway Stores and Vallerga’s Markets in Napa. Recently she became a homemaker and as a hobby attended classes in flower arranging at Napa College and made floral arrangements for friends.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Gragg of Napa; her parents Joe and Rose Marquez, and two brothers, Paul Leal and Joseph Marquez, all of Aurora, Colorado, and her grandfather, Joe E. Marquez of Aguilar, Colorado. She also leaves numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Colorado and New Mexico.

Pastor Tim O’Sullivan officiated at the Mass, under the direction of Claffey and Rota Funeral Home. Evelyn was cremated at Tulocay Cemetery.

Stuart Everett (1955-1977)

Jan 19, 1955 – Jul 28, 1977

Staurt Everett, 22, of Napa, died in Vallejo at a local convalescent hospital 13 months after a car hit his bicycle June 27, 1976 on northbound Highway 29 north of Green Island Road.

Mr. Everett was born in Evanston, Illinois on January 19, 1955 and attended schools in Northfield, IL and in Napa. He graduated from the Carlmont High School, San Carlos, in 1973.

He is survived by his mother, Anne Clark (French teacher at Redwood Junior High School) and his stepfather, (Aubrey) Charles Clark of Napa; a brother, John of Fresno; a sister, Ellen Sue Armijo of Napa; a grandmother, Mrs. Sue Swan of Danville, Kentucky; one niece; three aunts; one uncle; and 14 cousins.

Interment will be in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Find A Grave Memorial

Richard St. Clair (1954-2022)

Apr 22, 1954 – Nov 13, 2022

Richard Lee St. Clair was born on April 22nd, 1954 to Jerald & Melvalee St. Clair, and passed away on November 13, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Richard was born and raised in the beautiful San Francisco Bay area, and spent most of his life enjoying every minute of being a California boy. He embodied the fun-loving, charismatic, and adventurous spirit of the rolling hills of Napa, and the busy city life of San Francisco.

As a young man, he entered the navy after graduating from Vintage High School in Napa. He found the military to be a bit too structured, which lead him back home to the Bay area where he went to work for the Sonoma Developmental Center. There, he excelled and eventually obtained his Pharmacist license and really enjoyed mixing and preparing medications for the clients. During this time, he would meet his first partner of 17 years, David. He and David could be seen out in the city dancing at the many clubs every weekend and enjoying the disco life.

Richard would work for the center for 33 years before retiring to Nevada. It was here he would meet his husband of 13 years, Cimarron, whose Native American Culture he embraced whole-heartedly. Richard enjoyed his retirement to the absolute fullest from volunteering as a tour guide at the Haunted Washoe Club of Virginia City, to off-roading in the Nevada Desert with his husband and many, many, friends. He had a passion for history and a knowledge of classic cars which would astound any enthusiast. Being from Napa he also loved drinking wine and entertaining. He could walk into any room and make instant friends with his charming wit, and fearless observations. His personality was bar none, and energy and candidness were simply addicting.

Richard’s infectious love of life and spontaneity, would curate amazing lifelong friendships and exciting experiences. He loved traveling to new places and was an enthusiastic foodie. His beloved family and friends will cherish the many memories made, and will miss him beyond measure.

Richard is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Gary St Clair, and David. He is survived by his husband, Cimarron Sam, his brother Guy St Clair, nephews Jeff and Robert (Hillary) St. Clair, great nephews Jordan(Becky) and Connor St Clair, great niece Lexi St Clair, and numerous other family members.

A celebration of life and spreading of his ashes occured in the spring at Lake Almanor, CA.

Richard’s Facebook page

Mark Williams (1955-1981)

Dec 20, 1954 – Dec 08, 1981

Mark L. Williams, 26, died Tuesday at Queen of the Valley Hospital after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Williams was born in Alameda in 1954 and moved to Napa with his family in 1971. He was a 1973 graduate of Vintage High School and attended Napa College.

He enjoyed outdoor sports, including snow and water skiing. He was a member of the Viticultural Association of Napa County and the New Life Tabernacle of Napa.

He is survived by his parents, Margaret Hunter of Napa and Les Williams of Oakland; three brothers, Paul, Leslie and Chuck, all of Napa; one sister, Rebecca of Napa; and his grandmothers, Myrtle Williams of Oakland and Laura Wilson of Hayward.

Services were held December 10 at Treadway and Wigger Funeral Chapel with the Reverand Paul Price of the New Life Tabernacle officiating. Mark was buried at Napa Redwoods Cemetery on Mt. Veeder.

Find A Grave Memorial

Donald Van Dyke (1955-1999)

Apr 8, 1955 – Dec 07, 1999

Donald Bentley Van Dyke, a member of Vintage High School’s first graduating class, died Tuesday at his Napa residence. He was 45.
Mr. Van Dyke is survived by parents Beverly and Kenneth Van Dyke, sister Carolyn Van Dyke, and brother George Van Dyke, all of Napa.
Services were held Dec 14, 1999 at Treadway and Wigger Funeral Chapel in Napa. Interment occurred at Tulocay Cemetery.

Find A Grave Memorial

Jeff Steele (1954-2013)

Nov 12, 1954 – Aug 31, 2013

Born Nov. 12, 1954, in St. Helena, to Mert and Maxine Steele, Jeffrey Steele left this world on Aug. 31, 2013. He was in the first graduating class of Vintage High School. He participated in 4-H, and went to work for his father at a young age at the Silverado Meat Market.

In 1974, Jeffrey married the love of his life, Debbie, and they were inseparable. Their family was complete with the birth of daughter Jeanette in 1977. They moved to Vacaville in 1992, and in 1996, he began his dream job as a long-distance truck driver with Debbie traveling with him for the 17 years and 2 million miles he drove. They made friends all over the country, from New York to Florida.

They loved long road trips and bowling with the Monday Night Mixed League at Napa Bowl. He loved watching Dodgers baseball and was a diehard 49ers fan. Jeffrey was a selfless man, never making enemies — only friends. A loving father and wonderful husband, he will be missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his daughter, Jeanette, both of Eureka, Calif.; sister, Pat Ludwig of Akron, Ohio; his aunt, Billie Milne of American Canyon; and numerous cousins and other family members all over the country. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Pam and brother John.

A memorial service was held Sept. 14, at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel in Napa.

Jeff’s Facebook page