'73 Classmates and Friends
In Memoriam
Oct 13, 1954 – Nov 30, 1987 (Sparks, NV)
Services for Deborah Ann Peterson were held December 4, 1987 at Richard Pierce Funeral Service, with the Reverend John Mortensen officiating. Internment was at Tulocay Cemetery.
May 15, 1955 – Dec 13, 2014
Napa County sheriff’s officials have identified a passenger who was killed in a vehicle crash Saturday on state Highway 29 north of Napa as 59-year-old George Horvath.
Horvath, a Napa resident, was the right front passenger in a 1998 Chevrolet Prizm that was traveling north on Highway 29 south of Darms Lane around 5:20 a.m. Saturday, California Highway Patrol Officer Anna Paulson said.
The Prizm driven by a 46-year-old Fairfield man was struck by a 2005 Ford F-150 truck that was traveling south on Highway 29, Paulson said.
The Ford driver, Natosha Gutheridge, 23, of Napa, struck the concrete center divide and crossed into the northbound lanes of the highway, Paulson said.
The Ford then struck a guardrail on the east side of the highway, causing the rear of the truck to briefly rise in the air and land on the right front passenger area of the oncoming Prizm, Paulson said.
Horvath was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Prizm driver and Gutheridge suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Paulson said.
Gutheridge was booked into Napa County Jail on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.
The collision blocked the northbound lanes of Highway 29 for more than three hours, according to the CHP.
Feb 10, 1955 – Oct 12, 2020
Douglas Lee Kirk, Also known as Papa, Grumpa, Daddy Doug, Uncle Poogie, and Cousin to name a few. Passed away on October 12th, 2020 surrounded by family and friends. Doug was born to Wanda and Bufford Kirk on February 10th, 1955. He lived in Napa his 65 years of life.
Doug wore many hats over the years. From Surgical tech to Pepsi cola as a driver then district manager. He then changed course and went on to learn the painting trade with Dean’s Painting. With his will to learn and desire to do more he went on to get his contractor’s license and Doug’s painting was developed.
Doug loved camping, boating with family and friends, fishing at Hat Creek, rolling dice at the Moose, Nascar, football, spending time at the family ranch, and especially riding his Harley with his long time buddies.
He belonged to the Native Sons and Napa Moose Lodge. As the past governor, he spent many hours at the Moose which was like a second family. No one was ever a stranger to Doug. He would stop and talk to anyone and everyone.
He is survived by Angela Joan Kirk, his wife of 43 years. His two children Cameron Kirk (Linnea) and Kaylynn Francisco (Derick), Leanne McDowell (Dan) who is like a second daughter. Six grandchildren; Taylor, Emma, Sierra, Adaleigh, Svea, and Austin. His brother Garry Kirk and sister Linda Hovis and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased in death by his parents Bufford and Wanda, brother Larry Kirk, niece Deanna Ludaescher, and his little buddy Harley Monster. He was a wonderful man who was loved by many. He will be greatly missed.
Services were held at Napa Valley Memorial park/Treadway and Wigger on Saturday November 21, 2020.
Aug 22, 1953 – Oct 02, 1990
Robert Stephen Hopkins Sr., 37, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home.
Mr. Hopkins was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 22, 1953 to Anthony W. and Emily (Buettner) Hopkins. He was raised and educated in Erie until 1963 when the family moved to Napa.
From 1973 to 1975 he served in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, Mr. Hopkins returned to Napa. He was employed at Gelow’s Exxon Service Station on Redwood Road.
Mr. Hopkins is survived by his daughter, Brenda Marie Hopkins of Oroville; his son, Robert Stephen Jr. of Butte County; his mother and stepfather, Emily and Derl Sandwick of Napa; two sisters, Sandra Marie Riley of Vallejo and Romona Kay Cronk of Cotati; two brothers, Anthony Wayne Jr. and Keith Edward Sr., both of Napa; and numerous nieces and nephews. His father passed away in 1979.
Robert’s funeral service was held October 9 at Richard Pierce Funeral Service. Interment was at Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo.
May 14, 1955 – Oct 08, 2019
My big brother Mitch died October 8, 2019 at the age of 64. He was born and raised in Napa, graduated NHS 1973, and earned a BS in Biology from Sacramento State in 2000. He will be remembered in a way unique to each person who ever knew him. Through several conversations over the past 15 years, I will remember him as: the proudest father on the planet of his three sons, the giddiest grampa ever for his granddaughter, and the most opinionated curmudgeon to trudge among us. All this, and a SF Giants fan to the end!
During his many years in Sacramento, Chuck (as he was known there) enjoyed attending Giants games with his friend Percy and exchanging riveting banter which his friend and neighbor Rick. And always, through thick and thin, his very good longtime buddy Ray was there for the nearly everyday phone call to shoot the breeze. My brother once confided in me that he hoped in the long run that he had done right by his family and close friends. He had trouble expressing this endearment to those who needed to hear it most; perhaps, the sentiment will linger for awhile as we remember him, each in his/her own way.
Mitch was predeceased by our parents, Jackie D. Henderson and Charles W. “Bill” Henderson. He is survived by his sons Charles Benjamin (wife Linea and their daughter Naomi), Charles Zachary (wife Tanisha), and Charles Joseph Henderson; his brother Tracy Henderson (wife Tori and their son Ross), myself, his sister Cassi (husband Don Tynan) and several cousins. Inurnment was at Tulocay.
Brother, go to where the air is cool and your tread is light: this is the Peace you seek to rest your weary head in the forever evening.
Nov 08, 1955 – Oct 26, 1980
Patricia Ann Hard, a native of Napa, died Sunday following a lengthy illness.
Miss Hard was born in Parks Victory Hospital November 8, 1955. She graduated from Napa High School and Napa College and attended Chico State University.
She enjoyed all outdoor sports, especially snow and water skiing. She loved swimming and taught it for several years at the local junior high schools.
Survivors include her parents, Robert and Beverly of Napa; her sister, Kathryn of Napa; her brother James who is a school teacher in Missoula, Montana; two grandmothers, Adeline Cummings of Vallejo and Dorothy Bearden of Palmdale; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
At the request of Miss Hard, no services were held.
Michael “Mickey” Wayne Gourley, 61, of Napa, passed away peacefully at home on February 13, 2017 in Clearlake Oaks.
Mickey was born at Parks Victory Memorial Hospital in Napa to Pauline Gourley on June 10, 1955. He worked for many years as a machinist and opened his own screw machine shop in 1990, Pacific West Machining, with his father-in-law, Maurice Holt. He was a devoted father and cherished the time he spent coaching his daughters’ softball teams. He enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, and playing the guitar and piano. Mickey will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.
Mickey is survived by his wife, Debbie Gourley; his daughters, Heather Johnson and Mikali Rinehart; his siblings, Jerry Prince, Shirley Mickens, Jean Vannatta, and Denise Price; his granddaughters, Addesyn Rinehart, Poppy Johnson, Daisy Johnson, and Hazel Johnson; his niece, Melody Kramer; and many other family and friends.
Mickey is predeceased by his mother, Pauline Gourley and stepfather Del Gourley.
Memorial service and celebration of life were held February 24th at Napa Valley Memorial Park.
Jun 28, 1956 – Mar 24, 2014
Our brother Timothy John Trzesniewski was taken from us suddenly on March 24, 2014, in his home state of Washington. Timothy, known to all affectionately as Tim or Timmy, was born June 28, 1956, to Wanda and Stanley Trzesniewski in Vallejo, Calif., moving to Napa not long afterward. A son of a first-generation Polish-American family, Tim was extremely proud of his Polish heritage.
Being the fourth child in a family of five children, Timmy made his mark early as the mischievous, funny and lovable person that he was then, and continued to be throughout his life. He attended school in Napa, receiving his education at St. Apollinaris, Redwood Middle School, Napa High, and was a member of the first class to graduate from Vintage High School.
Often referred to by his brothers as the smartest guy in the family, Tim had a mind like a steel trap. Anything he read, observed or saw performed was immediately absorbed and could be repeated, or done with ease. Because of his unbelievable intellect, Timmy could talk on any subject, and was always willing to enter a debate, or argue a point of contention.
Tim’s diverse skill sets allowed him to be adept at many, and all things he put his mind to. His abilities ran the gambit of master mechanic, fabricator, welder and heavy equipment operator. These interests led to a number of career paths throughout his life that included mechanic, equipment operator, sales and management.
Timmy had the soul of an adventurer, always up for trying something new. He was intensely loyal, and if wronged, fearless in exacting justice. There was no one better to have your back should the need arise. The old saying, “I’ve never met anyone I didn’t like,” was a perfect quote for Tim. He was generous to a fault, literally willing to give you the shirt off his back, or move a mountain if need be to help. He was the friend everyone should have at least once in their life.
A member of the Elks Lodge, Moose, E Clampus Vitus, Tim always enjoyed social gatherings. He was always the first guy to buy a round; he was also well known for his cooking skills, which would bring folks from miles around.
Tim is survived by his two children, Justicia and Clayton Trzesniewski and his wife Fran, of Aberdeen, Wash., who was his soul mate and the love of his life. He also leaves behind his sister, Sandra Pete, his three brothers, Thomas, David and Matthew Trzesniewski, and their families. Rest in peace Timothy John Trzesniewski, there will never be another like you.
A private family memorial service took place at Tulocay.
