5/28/09 DESERT STORM TAPS NO 37,38,39 FOR MONTH

AGES 42,44, 73,  Atmy Reserve, Air Force, Navy—-Again way too young to leave us so soon!

Full Honors……..Salute….21 Guns…..Taps

37. Murlin D. "Sonny" Franklin Jr., 73, of Newburgh, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at his residence  Army Reserve as a Command Sergeant Major.

38.  Thomas Edward Brown II, 44, of Rigby, died May 26, 2009, at his home. He was under the care of Aspen Hospice. Air Force

39.  William Charles "Bill" Tomes, 42, passed away May 21, 2009. He was born in Detroit. He retired after 20 years in the U.S. Navy having served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Bill was an active police officer for the Chesapeake Police Department

——————Special Recognition of next three  Non Deployed 

1.  SGT MAjor Chesley Ray Christensen  
 Chesley Ray Christensen 1929 ~ 2009 Family Liason for Guard after being turned down to go to Germany during DS.  Korean veteran  turned down commission–

2.  Richard Walker – After completion of his commitment to the Air Force in 1965, he accepted a civilian position with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Arlington, VA, embarking on what would be a career of over 30 years with that Agency. At DIA, he held a number of increasingly responsible positions and in 1985 was promoted to the DIA Senior Executive Service. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was the Director of the National Military Intelligence Systems Center at DIA. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades, to include the Secretary of Defense Award for Meritorious Civilian Service, for his work during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal for his 30 years of Intelligence Community service.

3.  Spero NICOLAIDES was an Army Veteran and dedicated the rest of his working life as physicist to research at the US Army Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J. He retired in 1990 and came back during the first Gulf War to serve Picatinny for an additional 2 years.—

Full obits follow

37.  Murlin D. "Sonny" Franklin Jr.  
Murlin D. "Sonny" Franklin Jr., 73, of Newburgh, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at his residence. He was born December 8, 1935, in Baskett, Ky.

Murlin was an Army veteran serving in the Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia, and Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Command Sergeant Major.

He had been employed at Whirlpool Corp. and retired after 32 years of service.

Murlin was a past member of the Newburgh and Chandler Jaycee’s and the Chandler Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the American Legion Kapperman Post #44 serving as past Commander and past 8th District Commander. Murlin was also a member of VFW Post #3618 in Boonville and the Local 808.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, MarGrette Franklin, in January 2008 and parents, Murlin D. Sr. and Annabelle Franklin.

Murlin is survived by his daughter, Ann Kroeger (Glenn) of Newburgh; son, Donnie (Laura) of Richland, Ind.; daughter, Debbie Hunt (Keith) of Newburgh; five grandchildren, Brian and Kaitlyn Kroeger, Christine and Walker Franklin, and Danielle Hunt; one great-grandchild, Emily Bryan; sister, Mary Anna "Sissy" Carroll; five nephews, Jim, Jeff, Jon, Jerry, and Joe Ubelhor; and one niece, Joy Beth Fissette.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Reno DeMuth with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery. Kapperman Post #44 will conduct military rites at the cemetery. Friends may visit today from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veteran’s Home in Marion, Ill. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261.http://obits.courierpress.com/CourierPress/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=127791821
 

38. Tom Brown II  
 
Thomas Edward Brown II, 44, of Rigby, died May 26, 2009, at his home. He was under the care of Aspen Hospice.

He was born Feb. 15, 1965, in Anaheim, Calif., to Thomas Edward Brown and Katherine Leda Hathaway Brown. He graduated from Rigby High School. He attended Ricks College, completed a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems at Idaho State University and received a master’s degree from City University in business administration. He served in the Air Force during Desert Storm.

He married Cecelia Ann Lindstrom on Aug. 15, 1986, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They lived in Frankfurt, Germany, for 31/2 years; Rigby, Idaho, for eight years; Buckley, Wash., for eight years; and returned to Rigby, Idaho, a year ago. Tom had also worked at the family heating and air conditioning business with his father before working as an information systems engineer in the Seattle area. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a mission to Bolivia. He served as the Young Men’s president, Elders Quorum president, Scoutmaster, Primary teacher and as a member of the bishopric.

He enjoyed playing the piano and trumpet, riding motorcycles, camping, dutch oven cooking, hiking with his children, water- and snowskiing and spending time on the computer. He loved spending time with his family and friends, laughing and joking.

Survivors include his wife, Cecelia Brown of Rigby; sons, Thomas E. "T.J." Brown III, serving an LDS mission in Milan, Italy, Joshua M. Brown, Zachary W. Brown, Jared V. Brown and Caleb J. Brown, all of Rigby; parents, Thomas E. And Katherine H. Brown of Rigby; and sisters, Annette Kaye (Harold) Streeper of Idaho Falls, Julie Gayle (Charles) Harris of West Richland, Wash., and Laura Lynn (Richard) McWhite of Anchorage, Alaska. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mike and Leda Hathaway and Earl and Ada Brown.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at the Ririe LDS Perry Ward, 285 Second West in Ririe, with Bishop Alan Myler officiating. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, both visitations at the church. Burial will be in Ririe-Shelton Cemetery with military rites. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
http://www.legacy.com/PostRegister/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=127764174

39. William Tomes  
William C. Tomes SUFFOLK – William Charles "Bill" Tomes, 42, passed away May 21, 2009. He was born in Detroit. He retired after 20 years in the U.S. Navy having served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. Bill was an active police officer for the Chesapeake Police Department and participated in the Big Brothers and Sisters Program. He was a member of Open Door Church and head of the security detail for the church. Bill was a member of the VFW Post in Oak Harbor, Wash. Bill is survived by his wife of 22 years, Diana Denise Tomes of Suffolk; daughter, Vannessa Marie Tomes of Suffolk; mother and father, Carol M. and Albert Tomes of Frederic, Mich.; brothers, Neil Tomes and Albert Tomes Jr., both of Frederic, Mich. A funeral will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Open Door Church with Pastor Tony Peaks officiating. Burial will follow in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery with military honors and police rites. Friends may join the family Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, and other times at the residence. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.http://www.legacy.com/PilotOnline/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=127571869

——————————————————————————– 
Chesley Ray Christensen  
 Chesley Ray Christensen 1929 ~ 2009 Chesley Ray Christensen, Mayor of Mt. Pleasant, was called home by his Heavenly Father on May 25, 2009 – but not until after attending Memorial Day services.Chesley was born on July 8, 1929, to Chesley Lynn and Lettie Christensen. He married Sharen Phelps on May 28, 1949. They were the parents of Kathy, John, and Chesley Lynn (CL). Sharen preceded him in death on August 1, 1997. He was an ever-so-devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He later married Alice Evans on June 5, 1998. Alice preceded him in death on December 13, 2002. Chesley joined the Army National Guard in 1947 and retired in 1989. He served in the Korean conflict and Desert Storm. Chesley was a First Sergeant in Korea and received a battlefield commission. He was made the battery executive officer but resigned that commission so he could fill a full-time position at the guard. He retired as an E9 Sgt. Major. He was the Top Recruiter in the National Guard. After he had retired, Chesley requested to go to Germany during Desert Storm. He was declined because of his age and retirement status, so he became the family liaison for the guard. He was active in the guard for another six months while the troops were deployed and then retired. Words cannot describe the deep commitment our Dad had to his country and community. He was always there for whoever needed him. Chesley deeply loved Mt. Pleasant. He was proud to be an ancestor of the first settlers of Mt. Pleasant. He has given selfless service to the citizens of Mt. Pleasant, even long before he was elected mayor he served in many capacities. In 1989, he was elected mayor of Mt. Pleasant in which capacity he served for 20 years. Chesley volunteered as a firefighter. He was the treasurer of the Pioneer Association Board. At the time of his death, he was serving on the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Board and on the UAMPS (Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems) Board of Directors (since 1992). He was the Government and Public Affairs Chairman for the UAMPS committee for six years. He served on the Audit and Budget Committee and represented Mt. Pleasant on all project committees. Chesley was serving as adjunct of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) at the time of his death and was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He was the first commander of VFW Post 9276 and had just returned from a convention in January. Chesley was the sitting chair of the Six County AOG (Association of Governments) Economic Development and had served as board chair for several years. He also served on the Six County AOG Board for many years. He served on the Utah League of Cities and Towns and Sanpete County Landfill Board, and also on the Aging Council and Mayors and Commissioners of Sanpete County. According to Mt. Pleasant City, "He has represented the city and its citizens so well and the city has received many awards because of Mayor Christensen’s hard work and dedication." He is survived by his three children: Kathy Paraskeva, Salt Lake City; John (Julie), Mayfield; and CL (Sharlotte), Mt. Pleasant. Grandchildren: Sonnie (Ryan) Jardine, Alice (Casey) Thurber, CJ (Tiana) Christensen, Jacob Christensen, Elizabeth (Martin) Oelofson, Hanna Christensen, Adam (Nikkie) Higham, Whitney (Cari) Higham, Kira Higham, Kayla McCoy, Miranda Christensen, Saige Christensen, soon to be born Brody Ray Christensen, and Zach Paraskeva. Great-grandchildren: Gracie, Meile, and Chloe Thurber; Benjamin, Brayden, and Madison Jardine; Kailee and Kurtis Oelofson; Erica Higham; Chesley and Ellie Christensen; Zoe and Annika Paraskeva. Brothers and sister: Jerry (Emiko), Farmington; Paul (Corrine), Aloha, OR; and Alice Lynn (Paul) Beck, Spanish Fork. Beloved pet – Daisy. Preceded in death by Sharen, Alice, and granddaughter Jessalyn Paraskeva. Chesley was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He cherished attending the temple each Friday night. He will be dearly missed. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Pleasant North Stake Center. Friends may call Sunday May 31, 2009 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. prior to services both at the church. Interment will be in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery  Published in the Deseret News on 5/29/2009

Richard B. Walker
Share
E-mail Visit Guest Book
Richard B. Walker – SAVANNAH – Richard B. Walker, 68, died May 19, 2009, at Spanish Oaks Retreat, Savannah, Georgia, under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. Richard (or R.B., as he was known to Washington, DC, friends and colleagues) was born on February 13, 1941 in Washington, DC, to Lillian Edith and Lowell Andrew Walker, both now deceased. At age 8, the family moved to Richland, WA, then back to Washington, DC, followed by Los Alamos, NV, then Albuquerque, NM, during the course of his father’s career with the Atomic Energy Commission. After high school and a year of college, Richard entered the U.S. Air Force for a four year tour of duty at Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. There he met and married Elizabeth Ann Jamison, who later gave birth to their three children, prior to her untimely death in 1972. After completion of his commitment to the Air Force in 1965, he accepted a civilian position with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Arlington, VA, embarking on what would be a career of over 30 years with that Agency. At DIA, he held a number of increasingly responsible positions and in 1985 was promoted to the DIA Senior Executive Service. At the time of his retirement in 1996, he was the Director of the National Military Intelligence Systems Center at DIA. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and accolades, to include the Secretary of Defense Award for Meritorious Civilian Service, for his work during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal for his 30 years of Intelligence Community service. He completed his B.S. in night school, becoming a 1971 graduate of The American University in Washington, DC and was one of the few civilians honored to be selected for the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA, class of 1977. Following the death of his first wife in 1972, and the courageous role of bachelor father for his three young children, in 1974, he married another DIA career civilian, Louise Claycomb Caldwell. They had a wonderful marriage, enjoying each other, the children and participating in all of their activities, notably soccer, basketball and swimming. His love of music, from classical to contemporary to country and blue grass, energized him to amass a huge, eclectic assortment of records and CDs. He was happy listening to Mozart or Motown, Bach or Beatles, Pachelbel or Dolly Parton. This love of music became a huge part of the children’s lives, thus explaining their extensive play lists today. He also enjoyed amusing himself thumping on the guitar. In 1996, the couple moved to The Landings and quickly became involved with golf, volunteer activities, and all the social events with their newly made friends and neighbors. Golf had long been a passion for Richard and he had enjoyed playing many world-renowned courses. He also loved fishing and everything outdoors; this, too, he passed on to the children and later to the grandchildren, and summer vacations in Idaho focused on fishing and picking huckleberries. But what he loved best of all was entertaining his friends with stories and jokes. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and incredible sense of humor. The life of the party! He also loved the Washington Redskins and often remarked that he had two favorite teams: the Redskins and whoever was playing against the Dallas Cowboys. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Louise; daughter and son-in-law Loretta Lynn and V. Michael Prencipe and their daughters Ciara and Holly of Alexandria, VA; daughter and son-in-law Linda Michelle and Todd Richardson of Coral Springs, FL; son and daughter-in-law Theodore Jamison and Jennifer LeCompte Walker and their sons Ryan and Reed of Olathe, KS; brother Thomas Andrew and wife Nancy Walker of Flower Mound, TX; devoted cousin Renee Norton Sullivan; and many other relatives and dear friends. He touched the lives of many people and will be remembered fondly by all. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, followed by a reception hosted by Nancy and Fred Loe at their residence. Interment will be at a later date in the Pioneer Cemetery in Horseshoe Bend, ID. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Assn., 201 Television Circle, Savannah, GA 31406, or other favorite charity. Please sign our guestbook on-line at www.foxandweeks.com Savannah Morning News May 24,, 2009 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .——————————————————————————-
 
Spero Nicolaides  
SPERO NICOLAIDES AGE: 74 HOPATCONG Spero Nicolaides, born May 13 1935, lost his battle with cancer on May 13, 2009. Spero was an Army Veteran and dedicated the rest of his working life as physicist to research at the US Army Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J. He retired in 1990 and came back during the first Gulf War to serve Picatinny for an additional 2 years. He was president of SIGMA XI, Picatinny Chapter, successfully conducted Picatinny Arsenal Fund Drives, and arranged US Army RD&E conferences on Energetic Materials and edited the Proceedings. Spero Nicolaides attended Cooper Union of New York City, City Colledge of New York and Rutgers University where he received his BS and MS degrees in physics. He and his wife were residents of Hopatcong and snow birds of the US Virgin Islands. Spero left his wife with beautiful memories and his amazing artwork. Spero is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ruth.http://www.legacy.com/DailyRecord/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=127760295