Jesus Figueroa, 62, died unexpectedly on October 5, 2016. He was born August 24, 1954 in Napa to Valerian and Mary Figueroa. He lived and worked in the Napa Valley his whole life.
He is survived by his sister, Anita; brothers, John, Jim (Sue), and Dave (Sally) Figueroa; neices, Ana, Kristy, Ashley, Amanda, Lisa, Matilda and Jen; nephews, Juan, Trino, Bruno, Brian, Mike, Gabe, Joe, Donny, Hunter, Dom; great nieces, Haley, Nyalah, Leanne, Liliana, Jazzlyn, Aubryanna, Nevaeh, Dalila, Iyana, Mirajia and Ashanti; and great nephews, RJ, Sebastin, Gabriel, Jayden, Ricky and Angel.
A funeral service was held on October 21, 2016 in the Tulocay Chapel, followed by graveside committal at St Helena Public Cemetery.
John Drew, 59, born Nov. 1, 1955, in Stockton, California, to John and Beverlee Drew, passed away Nov. 3, 2014, in Fairfield, California.
A graduate of Vintage High School, class of 1973, John was a carpenter for more than 30 years. He was an Oakland Raiders and San Francisco Giants fan.
He is survived by his sisters, Kimberlee Gavette, Kristin Drew, Kerin Cook, Kellee Drew; brothers Matthew Drew and Hector Avalos and family; and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded by his parents, John and Beverlee Drew.
A memorial service for John was held on Nov. 15, 2014 at Tulocay Cemetery.
Jose (Pepe) Luis Veliz, 63, our beloved son, brother, and uncle passed away on December 5, 2017 in Henderson, Nevada. He was born on February 2, 1954 to Arnulfo (Arnie) and Celia Escamilla Veliz in Mexicali, Mexico. Jose graduated from Napa High School. He received an Associate’s Degree in Electronics from Napa Community College.
Jose was raised in Napa, California and later moved to Los Angeles, South Bay and then Nevada.
Jose was preceded in death by his mother; Celia Escamilla Veliz. Jose is survived by his father; Arnulfo (Arnie) Veliz of Napa, California and his eight brothers and sisters; Jorge Velez of Anderson, California, Margarita Ayala (Carlos) of Woodland, California, Yolanda Schonbrun (Larry) of Berkeley, California, Ramon Veliz of Anderson, California, Armando Veliz (Lynda) of Dixon, California, Rosy Veliz of Napa, California, Susy McGovern (Jack) of Petaluma, California, and Violet Waschuck of Vallejo, California.
Jose is also survived by nieces and nephews; Cassandra Torento, Jorge Velez Jr., Karla Ayala, Carlos Ayala, Arnie Ayala, Joaquin Ayala, Vanessa Luna—Shannon, Ricardo Luna, Armando Veliz Jr., Alexiz Veliz, Alyze Bellucci, Ashley Pimentel, Josh Gore, Jessica Gore, Jordan Gore, Chloe Welch, Alexander Risley, Ana Waschuck and numerous great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held December 18, 2017 at Tulocay Cemetery, followed by a graveside service.
Robert Dale Uran, passed away suddenly on July 19, 2013. He was born July 22, 1955, to George Dale Uran and Margot Green in North Hollywood, Ca. He had one sister, Leslie Uran (Tiffany Wicken). Bob’s family moved to Willits, Ca, when he was a young boy, with his two step brothers, Lee Uran (Shaun and Kathy) and Steve Uran. He moved to Napa, Ca at 16 years of age. Both of his parents preceded him in death.
Bob worked for the Napa County Department of Corrections for 22 years, retiring in 2007. He had received many accolades through the Department of Corrections, including Officer of the Year in 1996. He also owned his own business, Bob Uran Computer Consulting. His business served various prominent medical groups in the community, both personally and professionally.
Bob loved fast cars and loud music. . He was involved in racing in some way or another. Whether it racing cars and motorcycles as a youth, racing people throughout the streets of Napa, as an adult or working with his friends on a racing crew.
He loved to work with his hands. He was able to fix cars, make furniture, grew amazing gardens, built computers and many other things through the years. His ability to learn and his hunger for knowledge combined to help create an amazingly wide variety of skills and interests.
Humor, compassion and honesty were just a few of the core values Bob lived by. He was always quick with a joke and had a way of making anyone laugh. He had an amazing way of relating to people that allowed him the opportunity to befriend people from all walks of life. People will always remember him for his genuine personality.
Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Bob knew that his heart was his most important quality. Evidenced by his career at NVDC, his years as a foster parent, his mission trip to Brazil, where he helped build a church and finally his computer consulting business, through which, he helped people with their various technology choices (Did you turn it off/on before calling?) He was like an Oreo cookie, with a rough tough exterior and an incredibly soft center.
Bob met Ruby (Brown) Uran in the fall of 1977 and they were married October 7, 1978. He is survived by his wife Ruby Uran and two children, Joshua Morgan Uran (Walnut Creek, CA) and Mallory “Peanut” Elise Uran (Napa). Bob would always say that his family was his life’s work and constantly reminded them, “All we need is each other, me, mom, Josh and Mal.” That unit is not broken by this profound loss, it has only been made stronger by the love we were able to share as a family.
Bob is also survived by his extended family (extended only by travel time) Cousin Dianne Diaz (Ashley and Tyler), Cousin Gil and Shay Green (Ryan), Aunt Charlotte Green and some very special children added to their family along the way: Leslie (Kyler, Kendrick, Katie, Max), Monica (Chris, Mailai, Charles), Patty, Heather.
A Celebration of Bob’s life was held July 27, 2013 at Tulocay Cemetery.
Thomas William Thorp, 27, died Tuesday at Queen of the Valley Hospital.
Mr. Thorp was born in Oakdale, California on March 7, 1955 to Susie and Gilbert Thorp. He attended Silverado Junior High School and graduated with the class of 1973 at Napa High School. He married the former Susan Gravatt on November 18, 1979.
Mr. Thorp was employed by Hewlett-Packard in Santa Rosa at the firms electroplating facility. He enjoyed motorcycling, wood working, fishing, and hunting.
He is survived by his wife, Susan of Napa; his parents, Susie and Gilbert, both of Napa; a twin brother, Timothy John of Napa; two sisters, Elizabeth Durrer of San Jose and Susan Cooper of Island of Provo, Turks Caicos Islands; two nieces and two nephews.
Funeral services were held under the direction of Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel. Interment was at Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakdale.
NAPA – Michael Raymond Salmon, age 52, passed away suddenly at his home in Napa on Feb. 8.
He was born Dec. 30, 1954, in San Francisco to his parents, Raymond and Evelyn (Quinn) Salmon.
Michael has lived in Napa Valley most of his life and has worked at Robert Mondavi Winery, the Culinary Institute and owned his own business for a while.
Michael took great pride in his Harley-Davidson and enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Granitville.
His children, a grandson, his sister and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends, survive him.
Graveside services were held Feb 14 at St. Helena Cemetery, with Father John Brenkle officiating under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Robert Cal Ruha was born February 22,1955 to Cal and Ines Ruha. He attended Napa schools and graduated from Napa High in 1973. He went on to U.C. Fullerton and graduated with a degree in accounting. Later he worked for an oil company in Saudi Arabia as one of their accountants. He was also an Air Force veteran. He lived in Sonoma County until his death from cancer.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, a nephew and 2 Brothers-in-law. He is survived by his sisters Carol Abeel, Barbara Hudelson (Tim), Linda Ghisletta, 1 niece, 4 nephews, 2 Aunts and many cousins.
Maria M. Rubio, 18, died Tuesday at her home. A native of Napa, born on July 23, 1955, Miss Rubio was a 1973 graduate of Napa High School. She had been employed at the Pacific Telephone Company for the past year as an operator. Miss Rubio is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vincente Rubio of Napa; two sisters, Emily K. and Maria A. both of Napa; four brothers, Roberto, Ignasio, Vincent, and Phillip all of Napa; a grandmother, Christina G. Rubio of Mexico. Numerous aunts and uncles also survive. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held April 26, 1974 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church under the direction of Claffey and Rota Funeral Home. Internment was at Tulocay Cemetery.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Alexander (“Alex”) Roman Reynoso, beloved husband, father, brother and uncle. Surrounded by his loving family, Alex passed away – far too soon – on March 4, 2022, from cancer.
Born in Albany, California on July 16, 1955, the third child of Dario and Elodia Reynoso, Alex lived in Albany and Oakland until 1964, when the family moved to Napa. He was at heart a Napa native, attending Shearer Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, and Napa High.
While working at a gas station, he attended Napa Valley College, where he thrived in math and science courses. He was accepted at U.C. Santa Cruz, earning a B.S. in Biology, while also making many friends, playing club tennis, and meeting the love of his life, Jean (née Olague) Reynoso. They married in March 1980, while both were still students, and remained happily married for 42 years.
They moved to San Diego in 1981 where Alex attended U.C. San Diego Medical School, and there, welcomed their first child, Anna. Alex so loved being a father that when he graduated in 1985, he carried Anna in his arms while he received his diploma. As a first generation Mexican-American, he was proud to achieve his parents’ life-long dream of having a doctor in the family.
Alex then did a three year residency in Family Medicine at Kern Medical Center. In 1988, he joined Kaiser Permanente Vallejo in Family Practice; that same year his son David was born. After caring for many long-term patients who loved and respected him, Alex retired from Kaiser in 2015. His name is engraved on a brick outside Kaiser Vallejo.
Alex dearly loved, and was loved by, his family. He loved nothing more than to entertain them with his wild stories. His house was the center of life for the extended family of the Reynosos and their friends. They gathered there on the weekends to eat and watch tennis or, his favorite, Raiders football. Sometimes, they just stopped by because being around Alex was fun. He made you laugh and made you happy.
Alex had several hobbies and interests: sports (particularly the Raiders), music, and camping at Donner Lake. But tennis was his passion. As a young child, he learned to play tennis from his father Dario. Alex and his brother John were tennis-doubles partners, and over the last 45 years played in local and regional tennis tournaments, winning many but always having fun and eager to play more. Alex also played on the Napa Valley Tennis Association’s over 55, 7.0 tennis team, which played against other regional teams in an invitational tournament in Surprise, Arizona.
Alex had two “shrines” in his family room. The first was to the Beatles, whose lyrics he knew by heart and played on his guitar. The second was to the Raiders, whose games and tailgates he attended in Oakland.
We have many fond memories of family camping trips at Donner Lake, which Alex planned every summer around his birthday. There, he brought the extended family together to fish, explore and sit around the campfire listening to his stories.
Alex and Jean were long-time active members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They participated in many church activities and their children attended elementary school there.
Above all else, Alex loved being a husband and father. He and Jean had one of the happiest marriages, making each other laugh every day, just as in love in their sixties as they were in their twenties. He always encouraged his children to follow their dreams and explore their passions. He and Anna loved watching sports, discussing current events and caring for animals. He and David loved long talks about anything and everything, listening to records, and brewing beer. He also loved his dogs, Elvira, Dewey, Tootsie and Ruby.
Preceding Alex in death were his parents, Dario and Elodia Reynoso and his beloved nephew Aaron Paddock. Surviving Alex are his wife Jean and children Anna and David Reynoso; his siblings Clara Willis (Steve), Victor Reynoso, Sarah Reynoso-Palley (Mark), John (Kristy) Reynoso; and many nieces, nephews, and their children.
A Rosary was held at Claffey & Rota on March 29, 2022, with funeral services at St. John the Baptist Church on March 30, 2022.
