In Memory Archives for the year 2023
Richard James Warren
July 22, 1931 ~ December 10, 2022
Jim Warren died at home on December 10, 2022, two years and nine months after the passing of his beloved wife, Joan (née Pearce). Jim was born in Yuba City, and attended Yuba City Junior College before transferring to Sacramento State College (now CSUS), where he was student body president of the first graduating class (1954) and captain of the track team and boxing team.
After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Sacramento, where he married Joan. Jim worked at CSUS in Admissions & Records for over 30 yrs, until his retirement in 1990. He was known and respected for his student-centered approach to university matters.
Apart from that work, his life centered around his family and social groups associated with Fremont and Carmichael Presbyterian Churches. An artistic streak came out most prominently in his work with ceramics. He is survived by four children and four grandchildren, including son and dtr-in-law, Jim and Naiyana and their children Joanna and Nathan, son and daughter-in-law John and Daisy and their children Andres and Antonio, son Dan and daughter Nancy. He was much loved and will be much missed and remembered. A memorial service for both Jim and Joan will be held at Carmichael Presbyterian Church on Jan 27th at 2pm.
Remembrance of Jim Warren
by Larry Glasmire
I first met Jim when interviewing for a position as Systems Coordinator in the Office of Admissions and Records in the Fall of 1975. Jim was a member of the selection committee. I arrived at Sac State in January 1976 to begin my new job and was immediately welcomed by Jim and his entire staff. I consider Jim to be one of my mentors at Sac State. He was always ready to offer advice and encouragement and became a close friend and colleague. He was a very caring, humble man who provided a warm understanding ear when I felt a bit overwhelmed with the responsibilities of my new job.
Having moved across the US from Ohio to Sacramento, Jim and Joan were both so welcoming to my wife Kathy and me. We enjoyed their company at social gatherings outside of work and treasured their friendship. Aside from being a mentor, administrator and colleague, Jim also had an artistic flare. Although I can’t recall the occasion, Jim gifted me with two of his ceramic pieces – a mother and baby giraffe snuggling together and a little brown bear sitting on a log with the title “Computer Controller”, referencing my role as liaison between the admissions and records staff and the information technology staff. I still have those cherished pieces in my home today.
Jim’s death closes a chapter in my life and the life of the Sac State community after the death of long-time admissions and records director, Duane Anderson, almost a year ago. Jim and Duane were the best bosses, friends, and colleagues that anybody could ever hope to have. I miss them both very much.
Larry Glasmire, Retired
Judson Richard Landis
February 21, 1935 ~ December 16, 2022
Judson Richard Landis lived a glorious 87 years as an avid traveler, teacher, business owner, and loving son, brother, husband and father.
Born outside of Columbus, Ohio, Judson R. Landis was the eldest child of professors and authors, Judson Taylor Landis and Mary Green Landis, and brother to Janet Landis Summers. The family moved to Louisiana, Iowa, and then to a farm in Carbondale, Illinois, as Judson T. Landis pursued his doctorate and then took a job as a professor at Southern Illinois University.
Judson's formative years were spent on the farm, helping his dad bundle asparagus, collecting eggs from the hen house, and skating on the frozen creek. The family moved again to East Lansing, Michigan, before eventually settling in Northern California when the elder Landis accepted a job as a professor at UC Berkeley. Judson followed in his parents' footsteps, and after graduating from UC Berkeley and completing service in the Marines, went to Ohio State University where he received his master's degree and Ph.D. in Sociology.
He moved to Sacramento, California in 1963 to take a sociology professorship at California State University, Sacramento. As one of the longest serving professors in the history of the university, and the longest serving department chair, he was known for his elegantly prepared lectures, his dry sense of humor, his intellectual yet accessible books, and his notoriously hard tests! Loved by his students and colleagues, he taught criminology into his 80s.
He was married for 57 years to Sheron Chavoor Landis, who he met soon after he arrived in Sacramento. Devoted life partners, Judson and Sheron traveled to all parts of the world. Their early vacations tended towards the "European road trip" style of the 1960s and 70s; they often picked up a VW Van in Germany and set off to campgrounds and small inns all over France. Judson loved the world and all of its secrets, but Europe contained his favorite travel spots, places that he returned to over the years: Paris, London, the Cotswolds, Bavaria, Salzburg, Laguiole, and Provence. He was a lover of food and reveled in the romantic pilgrimage to unusual restaurants in far flung places. His office always had stacks of travel magazines, mixed in with "Sports Illustrated" and "Time".
Judson and Sheron raised three children, Jeffrey (53), Brian (51) and Kevin (47). Dad was a soccer coach, a Special Olympics cheerer, and a theatre aficionado, because that's what the kids loved, and he was devoted to their interests. Family summers were often spent at Fallen Leaf Lake, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, since it was an important spot for Judson as a youth. After he eloped with Sheron (in Carson City), they honeymooned at Fallen Leaf, and built a home on its shore in 1971. The Lake was the place for family, and there Judson and Sheron taught the kids to waterski, hunt for crawdads, drive the boat and have epic water fights.
Judson was a passionate entrepreneur and he and Sheron grew a family real estate business, Landis Properties, into a large portfolio of residential and commercial buildings, including the historic Eleventh and L building in downtown Sacramento. Judson ran the business his entire adult life, saying that one of his true professional joys, perhaps even more than his illustrious academic career, was being the bookkeeper of the business. After dinner he would work in his study into the night, making sure that the books were balanced to the penny, and that his lecture for the next morning was well rehearsed. During the day, he was often found at Sheron's Chicory Coffee and Tea, talking business and "kicking the tires" with employees, over a glass of orange juice and a cookie.
He was a lover of sports and a tremendous athlete, from his early years as a basketball player, to later pursuits at racquetball, soccer and cycling. He excelled at every athletic endeavor and, with Sheron's love of tennis, instilled that passion and dedication to athletic pursuits to his sons. From basketball games in the morning before the school bus arrived, to soccer practice in the back yard, to driving youth sports teams to tournaments all over California in the big yellow van, to bike trips in Southeast Asia, Jud was the ultimate athlete and sports fan.
Known by family, colleagues and employees variously as Judson, Jud, Juddie, Professor Landis, DrMrSir, Jud the Stud and El Señor, he was an idol to many, for his soft-spoken charisma, his intelligence, his incomparable, understated style (shorts, t-shirts, floppy hats and worn-out shoes), and his love of family.
Though slowed in the last decade of his life by Parkinson's, Judson never lost hope for the future and his passion for living life as fully as he could muster. In the past 18 months, he managed to travel to his beloved Paris, the south of France, Carmel, Fallen Leaf Lake, Mexico, and Colorado, where he died peacefully surrounded by family; traveling to the very end.
He is survived and deeply missed by Sheron, Jeffrey, Brian and Kevin, his daughter-in-law, Heidi, his sister, Janet, and their extended families. In his memory, the family asks friends and loved ones to travel, cycle, cheer on the 49ers, make root beer floats, cook stir-fries, go boating, walk on the beach, eat Jimboys tacos and gallons of Häagen-Dazs, and live life with the zest and passion of Juddie.
Lawrence Stanley Meyers
April 6, 1943 ~ October 25, 2022
Professor Lawrence Stanley Meyers, PhD. died peacefully in Sacramento, California on October 25th, 2022, after a 3-year battle with aggressive prostate cancer. Dr. Meyers or Larry as many knew him, is likely remembered by anyone who majored in Psychology at California State University Sacramento (CSUS) over the last 50 years.
Larry was born and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He received his B.S. in Psychology in 1964 from Brooklyn College after changing his major from Chemistry because, he said, "the math was too hard". He went on to get his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Adelphi University in 1968 and did a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship 1968 - 1970 under the sponsorship of Professor E.J. Capaldi. He apparently got over his aversion to mathematics at some point, (co)authoring several books on advanced statistical analysis and experimental design. Beginning his tenure at CSUS in 1970, side-effects from his illness forced him to retire in December 2021.
Larry is preceded in death by first wife (Ronni Lux) and second wife (Gail Barnes). He is survived by his daughter Erin Botsford, his stepson Edward Payson Hall (Mardell), his cousin Anne Roth, three grandchildren Paul Furst (Clarissa), Jennifer Maanao (Michael), Alexander Hall (Kelly), eight great-grandchildren, and many very good friends, colleagues, and students.
In addition to his teaching, Larry engaged in many other professional activities at CSUS to support students, the department, and the profession throughout his career. One of the activities he enjoyed the most was serving as graduate coordinator for the psychology program for 26 years. Many of the students he coached became and remained friends long after moving on to successful doctoral programs and careers all over the country.
His presence will be missed at family gatherings, the bridge game with close friends that started in 1975 and persisted in some fashion until just before his death, and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventures with his gaming cohort that began in the early 1980's and ran until they were curtailed because of COVID. His elven thief/wizard "Arth" will be given a Viking funeral.
The family wishes to acknowledge the great care and support Larry received from the Kaiser medical community, including his primary care physician Dr. Hwang, oncologist Dr. Patrick Linn and his team, his Palliative Care team headed by Dr. Gerald Cantelmi and the Hospice team (particularly nurse extraordinaire Elway). We also wish to acknowledge his Home Instead caregiver Sale who was a companion and an invaluable in-home support for Larry's final year.
Although a quiet man in many ways, he was actively engaged academically, professionally, and socially. "Grandpa Larry" as he was known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, enjoyed participating in family events and occasional road trips with friends and family. Always willing to lend an ear, Larry was thoughtful and unselfish with his time and resources. Many who knew him remarked on Larry's generosity, kindness, and wisdom and many have spoken of life-transforming support and advice he provided over the years. I think we speak for all who knew him when we say, "We are better for knowing you, Larry. Best wishes for whatever comes next."
Per Larry's wishes, there will be no memorial. Should you wish to honor his legacy, the family suggests supporting higher education (in general and CSUS in particular), cancer research and, of course, practicing kindness and generosity.
James Alvin Jolly
November 2, 1921 ~ February 5, 2023
James Alvin Jolly, PhD passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 at the age of 101. He was preceded in death in 2018 by his loving wife Rose Binkley Jolly. They were happily married for 73 years and are survived by three children, Mayeve, David and Heidi, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Dr. Jolly retired as a full Professor from CSU Sacramento, having also taught at the Naval Postgraduate School. He earned his undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Pacific and his MBA and PhD from the University of Santa Clara. His academic career was enhanced by more than 20 years of business experience as a manager of research and development activities in the Silicon Valley at Eitel-McCullough and Varian Associates. Dr. Jolly's consulting and research included work for the National Science Foundation, the National Academy of Science, the US Navy and the Department of Commerce. He is the author of more than 50 articles and books in the field of electronics, management and research application.
Jim Jolly was born in Oceanside, California and grew up in the central valley as one of nine children in a farming family. His family appreciates that he took the time to write a book, And So It Was, describing his long and interesting life. He was particularly proud of his service in WWII as a Merchant Marine radio officer on ships in the Atlantic and Pacific. He took great joy in being an active amateur radio operator, receiving his license W6RWI at the age of 18 in 1939 and signing on to his last net at the age of 101. His trust in the Lord gave him great length of days and called him to his eternal home. He is remembered by his family and friends as a beloved husband, caring father, and great American.
Martha Jean
May 7, 1949 ~ April 26, 2021
Martha was born on May 7, 1949, in Buffalo, NY. She graduated from Kenmore West HS and then earned her degree in special education from Buffalo State.
She moved to California in 1980 where she began a new adventure.
She worked as a schoolteacher for over twenty years and was constantly trying interesting and new opportunities. Martha enjoyed spending time with her family and was a wonderful mother, aunt, and friend. She is survived by her son, Jeff Bingel; her brother, David (Joan) Hammond; and many nephews and nieces. She is predeceased by her sisters, Susan Hardoby and Joanne Willson.
Shirley Rakestraw
September 5, 1938 ~ April 10, 2023
Shirley Jean Rakestraw, age 84, of Citrus Heights, California passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountVernonMemorial.com for the Rakestraw family.
Mary E. Summers
December 6, 1948 ~ January 14, 2023
Retired CSUS Nursing Professor Mary Summers passed away peacefully at home following a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was 74 and was surrounded by love, music and family.
She was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, and is also remembered for her engaging personality, keen sense of humor, adventurous spirit, great storytelling, sharp intellect and huge heart. "Mary fought so hard for so long," one friend recalled, "yet she always had that brilliant smile and a zest for life."
Mary E. Summers Drager, PhD, RN, enjoyed a 35-year career at California State University, Sacramento, as a professor of nursing, specializing in community health. In addition, Dr. Summers was the longtime director of a CSUS research center in which she conducted studies involving public health.
Along with her professional life, Dr. Summers had many lifelong interests and passions. In her spare time, she pursued a love of art and nature to become an accomplished landscape oil painter. She was also a devoted pet owner and an avid Newfoundland dog breeder. And always, she made time for family, taking special pride in her grandchildren.
Mary lived much of her adult life in the Sacramento area, but she always took pleasure in visiting scenic areas throughout the West. After her retirement from CSUS, she and her husband, Kerry Drager, moved full time to one of their frequent destinations -- California's Central Coast, first Cambria and then Morro Bay.
Her art career flourished at the coast, with two galleries representing her impressionistic seascapes and landscapes. One memorable solo exhibit was "Think Pink: How Cancer Colored My World," which was accompanied by Mary's picture-essay book of the same name. "My approach to painting," she once said, "is to follow the brush in order to record the rich colors, striking designs and wonderful textures of nature."
Another favorite pastime was the raising and breeding of Newfoundlands, and her kennel produced numerous champions in the dog-show ring. However, Mary appreciated other breeds as well. She and Kerry often received bemused looks from neighbors and passersby whenever they walked, side by side, their 150-pound-plus Newfie and their 5-pound teacup poodle.
Born in Weed, Calif., Mary Summers Drager graduated in 1966 from Louisville High School in Woodland Hills, Calif. Her education continued with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco, and in 1998, a Doctorate of Nursing from UCSF.
Survivors include her husband of 33 years, Kerry Drager; son Dan Summers Drager; daughter Kristin Pepper; daughter-in-law Kim Summers Drager; grandchildren Delaney, Lucy, Elias, Magnus and Conan; sister Catherine Straus and brother-in-law Rick Straus; three brothers; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Nina Pile.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will take place June 17, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., in Fair Oaks, Calif. For details, email kerry.drager@gmail.com .
David Covin
October 3, 1940 ~ June 3, 2023
On June 3, 2023, David died at home surrounded by his wife and surviving daughter. He had a life well lived and well loved.
David was raised in Evanston, IL by his parents Lela and Odell. He had a childhood filled with family, including his grandmother Ruby. He attended Evanston Township High School before earning his Bachelor's degree at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.
David continued his education at the University of Colorado, Boulder where he earned his Masters degree. It was there that he met and fell in love with Judy, his life long partner, who he married in 1965. He received his PhD from Washington State University in 1970 and then moved with Judy and their two daughters to Sacramento, where he began a career as a professor of Government at Sac State and later also served as a professor in Pan African studies.
During his tenure at Sac State, David became a renowned teacher, scholar and community leader. He also became a distinguished novelist, scholar, publisher and activist at the local, state, national and international levels. He was a founding member of the Cooper Woodson College Enhancement Program, Ethnic Studies and Pan African Studies at the University. He served as president and was an active member of the Conference of Black Political Scientists, founding co-principal investigator of the Race and Democracy in the Americas project and founding publisher of Blue Nile Press.
As author of over 50 scholarly articles, David was widely respected in his field. He contributed extensively to the legacy of community service and personal achievements of African Americans. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his scholarly and community service work, including the Cooper-Woodson College Medal of Honor, the John Livingston Annual Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award, the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Award, the Sacramento Observer Medallion for Achievement in the Field of Education, and many more.
David was an elected member of the Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Theta and Phi Beta Delta honor societies, at Washington State University, where he founded the Black Studies Program. His activism during the Civil Rights Movement was a source of pride for his family. He was co-chair of CORE in Boulder, participated in the the March on Montgomery and helped form the Sacramento Area Black Caucus.
David is survived by his wife Judy of 58 years and daughter Holly (Steve); grandchildren Nicola, Will and Claire; sister Jacquie (Mark) and niece Artemisia. He is predeceased by his daughter Wendy. He is also predeceased by his beloved dogs over the decades who gave him joy beyond measure - Sable, Midori, Kabuki, Sake, Kyoto, Nookta and Thor.
A memorial service will be held in Fall 2023. If you are interested in information, please indicate your interest at (a live hyperlink is available on Legacy.com):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchGw8UOZ5r63puknUGe_-lKmwzN9KodJIt03KpDCHiDd0qhg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
After completing the form, you will receive details once they become finalized.
If you are interested in making a monetary contribution in David's honor, the family recommends donating to one of three programs and Sac State that were important to David: The Cooper Woodson Scholarship Program, Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, or University Library Fund. You make select one of these programs at www.csus.edu/makeagift . To make a gift by check, please make it payable to "The University Foundation at Sacramento State" and indicate in the memo line which fund you with to support (or that the gift is in memory of David Covin) and mail to: Development Office, Sacramento State, 6000 J Street MS 6030, Sacramento, CA 95819.
Carolyn Tibbits Schaefer
May 29, 1922 ~ April 29, 2023
Caroline T. Schaefer (née Caroline Marion Tibbitts) was born in Alameda, California, on May 29, 1922, the eldest of the three children of Walter F.C. Tibbitts and Marion G. Tibbitts. She attended grammar school through high school in Alameda, graduating in June 1939 from Alameda High. She attended Alameda Junior College, and when the war started she went to work at the Alameda Naval Air Station. Through a co-worker she met Edward T. Schaefer at a dinner. They fell in love and married in August 1942. As so many of his generation did, Ed enlisted in the Army that summer. After completing basic training in California, the two of them drove Caroline's 1938 Packard - with a manual transmission, no air conditioning and no cruise control - across the country to Camp Gordon Johnston outside Apalachicola, Florida.
In Florida, Ed met the other two officers of the Army tugboat with whom he would be stationed in Europe; together they learned tugboat operations. Bonds forged in wartime create enduring friendships, and so it was here, as Caroline kept in touch with them over the next sixty or seventy years, literally for the rest of their lives. Following training in Florida they drove north to New York City for additional tugboat training, this time in Brooklyn Harbor. Caroline got a job at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, in the secretarial pool - as she told us, because she knew how to type: fast, and without errors. Following training in New York they headed back to California via "the northern route.
A second trip to Florida followed in mid- 1943, this time cross-country by train. Upon completing training they drove with another military family in his car from Florida back once again to New York. The men left Brooklyn for Europe by troop ship in late 1943, and Caroline, 21, took the train back to California. Following the war they lived in Alameda, Berkeley and then Sacramento. They did their part for the baby boom, and between 1946 and 1964 their eight children (Thomas, James, Paul, Melissa, Peter, Gabrielle, Mark and Karen) were born.
After her divorce in 1969, as a single mom to 6 kids still living at home, Caroline went to work at CSU Sacramento, first in the Sociology Department and then in the Music Department, once again on the administrative staff, and once again because she could type well. She could be found typing late into the evening after her workday for students who paid her .10 cents a page to type their theses! She also helped with horseback riding lessons, music lessons, and ballet lessons for her kids and grands. She taught us the love of great card games, word games, reading and grammar!
Her job at Sac State allowed her the whole summer off, and she looked forward to spending as much time as she could to enjoy the summer at the family cabin near Tahoe, packing up the grocery bags weeks in advance in anticipation of her time away in the woods. Her mother Marion, and her Grandfather Tibbitts had given her this love of the outdoors, as she shared with us that her Grandfather told her many times, how important it was for the opportunity to see and be part of the wilderness.
In 1990 she joined the Sacramento Choral Society to sing because as she told us, "I could read music" and was one of the founding members. That began a 20-plus year activity that kept her engaged and socially active throughout her retirement, and it included journeys to perform in Britain, Vienna, Prague, China, and Carnegie Hall. Her final trip was in 2015, to sing at Notre Dame in Paris and St. Paul's in London, all with the Sacramento Choral Society under the direction of Donald Kendrick, who along with choir director James McCormick became her two "adopted" Canadian sons, whom she loved dearly.
She lived on her own until she was 99 and drove until she was 97, and yes, it was a manual transmission, even in those later years. In 2020, as Covid lockdowns limited everything and everyone, living alone was very difficult, and she moved in with family for a year. In 2021 she entered a care facility, where she made a mark on the community with her bright cheerfulness and spirit. She was surrounded by others who, as part of the Greatest Generation, seemed to have figured out life, and how to do it well. She turned 100 in 2022, the first of her family ever to do so, with a large crowd of family and friends to celebrate with her.
She passed from this earth April 29, 2023, exactly one month shy of 101, and she died peacefully in her sleep. She was predeceased by her husband, and her son Peter, and by her brother Walter, his wife Beverly and their son Curt. She is survived by her other seven children, Thomas (Lynn), James (Margaret), Paul (Kathy), Melissa, Gabrielle (Mark), Mark (Jackie) and Karen, by her grandchildren, Tiffiny, Christopher, Sienna, Timothy, Joshua, Kelsey, Brielle, Clinton, Linnea, James: by her sister, Deborah Watson, and many nieces and nephews, as well as ten great grandchildren. The family asks for any donations to go to the Sacramento Choral Society, which gave her so much pleasure and so many enduring friendships in her later years, or to a charity of your choice. Please remember to always laugh and sing, and keep looking forward, as Caroline would want us to celebrate life with love and cheer in our hearts. We will hold a celebration of life in her honor later this year to remember all that she gave us, and to give thanks for all the time we had together.
Mary Jane Hamilton
April 26, 1939 ~ June 17, 2023
Dr. Mary Jane (Miggie or M.J.) Hamilton, died at home, Carmichael, CA, in her bedroom, over looking the American River at age 84. The cause of Miggie's death was obstructive pulmonary failure caused by double lung pneumonia.
Miggie was born and raised in a traditional Irish Catholic family in Rockford, Illinois. Her mother, Mary Jane Cannell Hamilton was a school teacher and her father Raymond Edward Hamilton retired from the U.S Postal Service. Miggie attended St. Mary's and Muldoon High School in Rockford.
One of MJ's most coveted Honors was:
"Doctor of Humane Letters, honors causa conferred upon Mary Jane Hamilton May 4, 1986 by Siena Heights College, Adrian Michigan: Mary Jane Hamilton, your dedication to high quality education and your concern that women be given every opportunity to fulfill their potential was nourished here at Siena where you received your Bachelor of Arts degree in history with minors in Latin, English, and music. You then received your masters and doctoral degrees in medieval history from the Catholic University of America where you were a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.
You began your teaching career in the California State University system at Sacramento where you taught history and criminal justice until 1979. You also served the University through your activity as officer in the Faculty Association and the Faculty Women's Association.
You completed a law degree at the University of California-Davis and have been a member of the State Bar of California since 1975. You have maintained your commitment to education by teaching criminal justice and law. After an administrative fellowship at California State University-Los Angeles, you assumed duties as assistant dean of the law school at the University of California-Davis.
Your talents have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities which provided a grant to study at Harvard and by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare which awarded you a National HEW Fellowship.
Your activities and publications speak of your concern for the effect of law on the status of women: you are concerned that women know their rights; you have specialized in family law which has an important impact on women's lives today; you have also been involved in issues affecting women attorneys.
Mary Jane Hamilton, for your commitment to the quality education of future lawyers and for your activities on behalf of women, Siena Heights College is proud to present you the degree Doctor of Humane letters, honoris causa."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even as a lawyer, Deputy Attorney General, State of California, (specializing in child support), MJ continued to nurture her love of history. She taught a night class on the History of Western Civilization at Sierra College and remained an active participant in the annual meetings of the American Historical Society. She was present at Martin Luther King's iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. She was in the crowd of over 1 million witnessing the funeral procession of President John F Kennedy on November 25, 1963 during her time at Catholic University.
Miggie traveled extensively, with her best friend/spouse Western/Delta Air Line Captain and "Wingman" (her term) Dave, and many family and friends, immersing herself in different cultures and indulging in her passion for art, history, symphony, opera, theater, ballet, and literature. She actively participated in multiple book clubs. In her retirement years, MJ volunteered as a docent at the Crocker Art Museum and enjoyed serving on the board of the Kingsley Art Club. She was a member of Preservation Sacramento.
One of MJ's proudest achievements was to see the first class at UC Davis School of Law admit over fifty percent women when she was on the Admissions Committee for admitting law students. She was a President of WLS, and on the Board of California Women Lawyers, as well as an active Member of Sacramento County Bar Association.
Miggie is predeceased by her siblings John, Sheila, and Joseph. She is survived by her "Wingman" and Spouse, Captain David L Reed, her sister Anne Rosaire Hamilton, and her nieces Carlene Ramus, Dr. Catherine Ramus (Dr. Didier Cossin), Christina Ramus (Brett Regan), Dr. Carrie Hamilton (Dr. Patrick Lenaghan), and Chris Svab (Jamie). She is also survived by her great-nieces and great-nephews, Madison and Michael Regan, Clark Cossin, Anna Svab, and Miranda and Ian Lenaghan.
Miggie has donated her body to science through UC Davis School of Medicine for the purpose of education and research. A memorial celebration will be held at the Crocker Art Museum, 216 O Street, Sacramento from 2pm to 4:30pm. Sunday, June 25, 2023.
Remembrance Memorials can be made to the Crocker Art Museum, Kingsley Art Club or Siena Heights College, Adrian Michigan.
Teresa Palmer
Passed away on August 7, 2023
From Sac State IRT: The Hornet Family and campus IT community is remembering the life and legacy of Teresa Palmer.
After a truly courageous two-year cancer journey, our good friend and irreplaceable pillar in the Sac State IT community passed away on August 7, 2023.
She was a model of looking adversity in the eye, staying positive, and savoring the gift of “more time” despite her diagnosis, a pandemic, and numerous health setbacks.
Teresa’s legacy shines in so many facets of the Sac State technology experience. For 18 years, she brought her passion and insights for technology’s transformative role in education to her life’s work at the university. Drawing from her student days (twice over “Made at Sac State”) she generated user-focused solutions across progressive roles including IT Support and Training Coordinator, Technology Consultant, Business Analyst, Project Manager, Director of IT Customer Services, and most recently, as Director of Print and Desktop Services.
Her experiential and innovative solutions, and ability to identify efficiencies strengthened the teams she served on, particularly enterprise technology implementations such as PeopleSoft ERP and Canvas, as well as the laptop checkout and campus print projects. To each project, meeting, and conversation, Teresa brought intelligence, institutional and industry knowledge, and calm. Her unflappable work ethic often found her sending emails late into the night, and her contributions continually raised the standard of what IT could – and should – be.
In her longstanding service to Sac State, Teresa likely worked with nearly every Hornet, and she will be best known for her dedicated and approachable leadership focused on ensuring the success of faculty, staff – and closest to her heart – students. Even throughout her treatments and hospital stays, she found a way to grace Zoom meetings and campus gatherings with her positive smile and a spirit of pure gratitude. Her quality of work and thoroughness wavered little, and she maintained her commitment to her team and campus virtually until the end.
Our prayers and thoughts turn to Teresa’s husband Brian and her family as they manage this incalculable loss. Teresa made an impact on so many lives both on and off-campus, and IRT plans to host a campus celebration of life – open to all – to share memories and remember the truly remarkable difference she made. Stay tuned for more information.
Rose Leigh Vines
July 7, 1945 ~ August 21, 2023
Rose Leigh Bilbrey Vines passed away in Nashville on August 21 after a brief illness.
Born in Cookeville on July 7, 1945, she was the daughter of Robert Lee Bilbrey and Rubye Rose Moore Bilbrey. She is survived by her sister, Melinda Swann (Ron), cousin Andrea Lee (Penny) Hooper (Steve), nephews Jeff Swann (Sarah), Ben Swann (Megan), and Robert Swann (Ashley), ten great-nephews and nieces, and a number of cousins.
After graduating from Tennessee Tech and the School of Medical Technology at St Thomas Hospital, Rose Leigh worked as a Med-tech for eleven years before earning her PhD in Anatomy from the University of Kentucky. From there she relocated to Sacramento, CA, and embarked on an illustrious thirty-eight year career in higher education at California State University, and later at California Northstate University. Rose Leigh returned to Cookeville in 2017 to be near family in retirement.
In addition to being a lifelong member of Cookeville First United Methodist Church, she enjoyed membership in numerous professional organizations, and was active in the local chapter of PEO.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Friday September 1 at the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. Dr. Kevin Conrad will officiate. Her family will welcome friends Friday from 11 a.m. until time of services.
In lieu of flowers, the family believes Rose Leigh would prefer donations to the university, scholarship fund, or charity of your choice.
James "Jim" Dragna
Passed away August 15, 2023
From a President's Update on 8/15/2023:
To All Members of the Campus Community:
It is with a heavy heart that we share that Dr. James “Jim” Dragna, executive director of University Initiatives and Student Success, passed away this morning after a long struggle.
Jim joined the Hornet Family in 2016 as our first “graduation czar” to lead campus efforts to improve student success. Thanks to his strategic vision, creativity, collaborative spirit, and steadfast dedication to student success, Sacramento State quickly became a model for improving graduation rates, not just throughout the CSU, but nationwide. As a trusted member of the President’s Cabinet, he collaborated on numerous student success projects that focused on ensuring a well-rounded approach to student needs and timely graduation, including Sac State’s Finish in Four and Through in Two campaigns. Under his leadership, Sac State’s four-year graduation rate rose by 212%, saving our students and their families an estimated $440 million. He was instrumental in transforming Sac State to a truly student-centered culture.
Jim came to Sacramento State from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he served as the director for Student Success. He held a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Notre Dame, and a master’s and doctorate in Counseling Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After clinical training as a psychologist at the University of Colorado at Denver, he spent time in private practice as a psychotherapist before moving into higher education as the director of the Center for Student Counseling and Personal Growth at North Dakota State University.
Jim was equity-minded, compassionate, and kind, and he cared deeply for our students and for his colleagues. He believed in our students and was committed to removing barriers to their success. He had a deep and lasting impact on countless lives.
Our deepest condolences go out to Jim’s wife of 37 years, Janine, and to his children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family has asked for donations to Stanford Sierra Youth & Families, where Jim served as a board member for many years.
We are grateful that Jim was a part of the Hornet Family, and he will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Luke Wood
President
Robert S. Nelsen
President Emeritus
Lincoln Beatty
June 21, 1949 ~ September 11, 2023
Lincoln Beatty, 74 years old of Sacramento California passed away on September 11, 2023. Born on June 21, 1949, in Sacramento California. Lincoln served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1969. Lincoln was a dedicated, hard-working man, he loved and cherished his family and friends. He enjoyed his 32 year career with Sacramento State University, while simultaneous working more than 35 years with the Sacramento Kings Organization.
Lincoln enjoyed his time with both organizations because of the lifelong friendships he made with colleagues and patrons. Lincoln was a kind, private man that loved and protected his family and friends. Although private, Lincoln touched the lives of those he met with love, and a sense of humor. Lincoln had a presence about him, that people remembered. He will be missed and remembered by the lives he touched. Lincoln is proceeded in death by his daughter Shauentay Beatty, mother Rozella Beatty, Brothers Wilmer (Monk) Beatty, Cleo Beatty, Roosevelt Beatty, and Walter Beatty, and aunt Dora Belle Thomas. Lincoln is survived by his wife Vickie, Daughters LaTreese Menefee (Melvin), Lenai Beatty (David Smith), Granddaughters DeJana Tomlin and Leila Smith, Grandson Exavier Lincoln Brown, Sister Dora Higgs (Curtis), Brother George Pliman and numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, friends and his beloved Dog Nelson (Nelsin).
In Lieu of flowers please donate to: VITAS Hospice - vitas.com, Sacramento SPCA 916-383-7387, St Jude Childrens Hospital - Stjude.org
John Skube
April 17, 1935 ~ September 20, 2023
John Skube beloved son, father, husband, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend was born on April 17th, 1935, in Pueblo, Colorado to John and Josephine Skube. He passed away peacefully on September 20th, 2023, at the age of eighty-eight.
John grew up in Pueblo with his four siblings, Donald, Theresa, Charlotte and Dorothy. He attended Pueblo Catholic high school and excelled in sports. While attending a local Junior College John was recruited by Sac State in Sacramento, CA to play football, where he was awarded the title of "Little All American" as best player. He graduated from Sac State in 1957 with a bachelor's degree.
After graduation, John worked for the Sacramento County Sheriff's department as a juvenile guidance counselor and for Vacaville High School as a football coach and as a teacher. He met his first wife Nancy Skube while working in Vacaville. They were married in 1961 and had four children together.
In 1963, John accepted a position Sacramento State University as a professor and football coach. In 1977 he started the Scuba Diving program at Sac State, certifying more than two thousand students over 21 years. For performing such an outstanding job in this program, John was awarded the Master Diving Safety honor from the State of California. John believed in higher education gaining a master's degree and then a doctorate in 1982. Along with his career at Sac State, John continued working for the Sherriff's department where he became a juvenile probation officer until he retired in 1995. He retired from Sac State in 1998 after 35 years of teaching.
John remarried in 1994 to Charlotte Lee, they resided in Sacramento until 2020. John loved spending time with his children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to travel and was an avid golfer. He enjoyed playing with his friends and colleagues.
John is survived by his sister Charlotte Cernac, (husband: John) son Michael, (wife: Maria) daughters Karen, (husband: Kevin) and Aimee, (husband: Bill), grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Donald, sisters Theresa and Dorothy, along with his daughter Pamela and grandson Ryan.
He will be remembered as a loving father, husband, brother and grandfather. We forever remember his witty personality and cheerful smile.
William Charles Kerby
January 17, 1938 ~ August 13, 2023
Dr. William (Bill) Charles Kerby passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 13th at the age of 85 after a brief but valiant battle with lung cancer.
Sacramento native and lifelong resident, Bill was born to William John and Lorene Elizabeth Kerby on January 17th, 1938. He attended Sacred Heart and Sacramento High School, graduating at the age of 17 as class valedictorian.
He was a commencement speaker and graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Business Administration from California State University Sacramento in 1959. He earned his Master's Degree in Economics at CSUS in 1961 before going on to the University of Oregon, obtaining a Ph.D. in Economics in 1971.
On a lucky day in 1964, Bill met Roseann Lavelle at his sister's Christmas party in Sacramento. The two immediately hit it off, fell in love, and were married at the Sacramento Cathedral on July 2, 1966. Inseparable since that day, Bill and Roseann built a home and raised three children in Greenhaven. Often seen with tools in his hand fixing anything and everything for anyone and everyone, Bill was a neighborhood fixture who may or may not have let his young children and grandchildren drive his Desoto "just around the block."
Dr. Kerby's career began teaching at CSUS. During his nearly 45 year tenure as a professor of Economics, he served as the Vice Dean of the University and as Chair of the Economics Department. He promoted Economic literacy through a foundation that generated hands-on curricula in area high schools. His most rewarding role was teaching students so they could leave the class with a real understanding of Economic principles, a favorite being that, "sunk costs are sunk."
Bill carried his passions for trains, education, outdoor adventure, and civic activism throughout his career and into his retirement. His full life included many adventures that spanned the globe. He toured Guatemala and Mexico on a motorcycle in the early sixties. He enjoyed hikes in the mountains with his family that often became epic feats of endurance for all since "we are almost there." He loved to race his 1940 DeSoto parallel to train tracks while chasing moving steam engines. He took his grandkids to beaches and Redwoods, State and National Parks, and to find the Loch Ness Monster by way of the Harry Potter train in Scotland. There was always a train ride to be had. Bill continued to advocate for high-speed rail expansion well into his retirement, acting as the treasurer for the RailPAC.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Roseann Lavelle Kerby, their children Matthew Kerby, Katie Henderson, and Ann Sharma, and their spouses Michelle Kerby, Joshua Henderson and Saurabh Sharma. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren (Aidan, Liam, Megan, Rohan, Devin, Amanda, Charlotte, Ryan, Alex and Erin) and a multitude of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews - all of whom he spoiled with Vic's ice cream and his famous homemade cookies and pies. He was incredibly proud of his close-knit family and in turn, he was a beloved and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.
William was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Brenda, and many beloved cats, dogs, rabbits, rats, turtles, and frogs, most of which showed up in his backyard knowing a kind soul when they found one and never left.
William will be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, patience, gentle spirit, and enormous generosity. The mischievous Irish glint in his eyes and incredibly strong brew of his coffee will be profoundly missed.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Loaves and Fishes or the American Cancer Society.
Donald Herman Gillott
August 25, 1931 ~ December 23, 2023
Donald Herman Gillott, Ph.D. a resident of Cameron Park, CA, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 23, 2023, at Mercy Folsom Hospital, comforted by his loving family. He was born in Connellsville, PA on August 25, 1931, to Herman and Elizabeth (Landy) Gillott.
Donald leaves behind his devoted wife of 66 years, Betty, daughter, Donna Monsoor (Matthew), son, Douglas Gillott (Michael), grandchildren Elizabeth Monsoor DePalma (David), Ian Monsoor, Zachary Gillott, Amanda and Dylan Gillott, and great-grandsons, Matthew and Thomas DePalma. He is also survived by his sister, Grace Gillott, and his brother, Howard Gillott. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Gillott, his son-in-law, Matthew, his parents, and his sister, Lenora Gillott.
After graduating from Connellsville High School in 1949, where in 2013 he was honored as a member of the District Hall of Fame, he earned his bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was also honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2014. After joining the faculty of his beloved Pitt and teaching for five years, Donald moved his family to California in 1968 to serve as the Department Chair of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at what was then Sacramento State College. In 1976 he became Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at what had become California State University, Sacramento.
Donald had a passion for all aspects of higher education and was especially focused on increasing the enrollments of women and ethnic minorities in science and engineering and was one of the architects of the State of California MESA program (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement). For these efforts, he received the Centennial Medal for Extraordinary Achievement by the International Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, among other awards. Donald was a registered Professional Engineer, was a member of numerous technical and professional organizations, was named as co-inventor on medical device patents, and served on local and international boards. He retired from CSUS in 1993 to serve for three years as Interim President of Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento.
Donald enjoyed his retirement years focusing on his family, both immediate and those in Pennsylvania. As a member of the Cameron Park Country Club he shared his love for golf with his grandchildren. He and his grandsons spent many happy hours on their guitars playing and singing country/western songs. He was blessed to have been able to spend precious time with his twin great-grandsons. We will all forever keep his memory alive. He also used his retirement as a time to design and build projects in his garage. He was an active parishioner of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and attended daily Mass.
The family would like to thank Dee Oalivutu, Kim Pierce, Marian Lowe, Dr. Helen Cheng and her staff who all provided loving care to Don. We are also thankful to church deacon, Dan Haverty and his wife, Terri, for their kindness and Sunday visits.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3111 Tierra de Dios, El Dorado Hills, with a luncheon reception to follow at the church. Burial will be private.
Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.