Obituaries for April 12, 2007
Noted guitarist Gene Lamarr Syrios dies
Having played with the greats in the music world, such as BB King, Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Gaynel Hodge and Gary Puckett, Gene Lamarr Syrios of Poway shared their passion of putting heart and soul into his music.
Syrios, who used “Gene Lamarr” as his stage name, started his musical career in Los Angeles during the late 1950s.
He let his fingers fly from rockabilly to jazz, blues and country as he massaged guitar strings, pleasing audiences everywhere he went, including those in San Diego and Poway, said his family.
The 37-year resident of Poway “left his mark on something he enjoyed and loved so well,” said his best friend, Rick Lochead, also of Poway.
Syrios, 65, who was born in Georgia, died Easter Sunday, leaving behind his wife of 44 years, Donna, along with two grown children, Gina and Troy Syrios and one grandchild.
His first major hit was “That Crazy Little House on the Hill,” written by famous songwriter and friend, Gaynel Hodge of The Penguins, who later penned another popular song known to generations as “Earth Angel.”
Syrios played “Happy Birthday Blues,” along with “A Thousand Stars” with Kathy Young and The Innocents, but that was only one of many stepping stones in his career.
During most of his 20-year stint as a guitarist with several groups, he joined Puckett and Dwight Bement of the Union Gap, Bob Mosley, Ron Armstrong and others.
According to Lochead, the San Diego Musician’s Union once claimed Syrios as “the best, most versatile guitarist in the San Diego area.”
Syrios shared his talents with a new era of young musicians in Poway and the San Diego region imparting “an invaluable and everlasting affect on the next generation and their music,” Lochead added.
Having his own recording studio, along with a new band, Syrios was working on releasing a new CD, a range of music styles he loved so well, which several friends and family members listened to in recent months, before he died.
Funeral arrangements were being finalized this week by the Poway-Bernardo Mortuary with internment planned for El Camino Memorial Park later this week.
Wayne D. Anderson
Wayne Deforest Anderson, 87, died Saturday, March 24, 2007 in Carlsbad surrounded by his family. Born Oct. 25, 1919 in Manilla, Iowa, he lived in Arcadia, Calif., for 40 years before retiring the past 12 years in Rancho Bernardo.
He joined the Army Air Force in 1942 and graduated in class 43D as a P-38 fighter pilot. He was sent to Guadalcanal in the Pacific Theater where he flew numerous combat missions.
Mr. Anderson met his wife, Joan, while on leave in Sydney, Australia, and was happily married for 63 years. He left the military in 1946 but stayed in the Air Force Reserves until 1968, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
He pursued a singing career for many years and was lead singer and master of ceremonies for the Hollywood Follies in 1951, which traveled throughout Asia.
On a trip to Australia, he and Joan brought back a bamboo hoop made by the Aborigines. They refined its use and gave it a charming name. They sold the idea to Wham-O Co. in 1958 and the Hula Hoop became an instant success.
Upon settling down in Los Angeles, he started So. Calif. Machinery Co. in Irwindale and ran it for 40 years.
Mr. Anderson enjoyed dancing, golf, and tennis.
Besides his wife, survivors include their three sons Warren, Carl, and Gary; daughter Loralyn; and five grandchildren.
Private memorial services were held April 9 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
The family suggests donations to San Diego Hospice, 4311 3rd Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 or UCSD Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Drive #0987, La Jolla, CA 92093.
Betty E. Crispen
Longtime Rancho Bernardo resident Betty E. Crispen died March 1, 2007 at the age of 76. She was born in Athol, Kan., and lived in Rancho Bernardo for 30 years.
A retired bookkeeper, Mrs. Crispen loved to play bingo.
Survivors include her daughters, Jeanette Bates, Debbie Stolz and Renee Votel, all of San Diego and Elana Slesnick; her son, Brian Slesnick of Caldwell, Texas; her sisters, Phylis Cecil of Glendora, Calif., and Lylah Deford of Yakima, Wash.; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Burial was at sea through the Telophase Society.
Virginia M. Dickinson
Longtime Poway resident Virginia May Dickinson died April 6, 2007 at the age of 90. She was born in Fargo, N.D., and lived in Poway for 29 years.
Retired from clerical work in the grocery industry, Ms. Dickinson enjoyed oil painting and gardening.
Survivors include her nieces, Carol Jaque of Sun City, Calif., Nancy Hamilton of Long Beach Calif., and Dacotah Faught of Absaraka, N.D.; three great-nieces; and one great nephew.
Services are private.
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Genevieve F. Dolan
Genevieve Faye Dolan, mother of Msgr. Neal Dolan, pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Poway, died April 5, 2007 at the age of 95. Born in Marshall, Minn., she was a resident of Manor Care in Poway since 2003. Previously she lived in Riverside, Calif., for 35 years.
Mrs. Dolan, also known as “Gene” and “Big Ma,” graduated from Marshall High School and attended the University of Minnesota. She enjoyed the stage, directed several plays, played the piano and sang in church choirs for more than 40 years.
She lived baseball. Her husband, Mark “Shanty” Dolan managed baseball teams in southern Minnesota for more than 25 years. He died in 1992 at the age of 90. They were married for 62 years. Her first son, Bobby Dolan, played in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization for nine years. He died in June 1990.
Besides Msgr. Dolan, survivors include her other sons, Mike Dolan and Tom Dolan, both of Reno, Nev.; her daughters, Nola Dolan of Rancho Bernardo, Darlene Loomis of Riverside, Calif., and Cathy Fritz of Reno, Nev.; 23 grandchildren; and 44 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and son, she was preceded in death by another son, Pat, who died in September 1995 at the age of 55.
The funeral Mass was celebrated April 10 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego.
The family suggests donations for a memorial to the Holy Family Center be sent to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064.
Poway-Bernardo Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Imy Donovan
Imy Donovan of Rancho Bernardo died April 3, 2007 at the age of 89. Born in Knockerra, Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, she lived in Rancho Bernardo for 18 years.
Mrs. Donovan was a bank supervisor for Citi Bank for 35 years. Before she became blind in 1999, she was an avid reader. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and listening to talk radio. Known for her generosity and being a great listener, Mrs. Donovan was also known for being a very spunky woman.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy Weston of Rancho Bernardo; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Donovan, who died in 1989; her son, Tom Donovan, who died in 1990; and 11 siblings.
Services were held April 6 at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church. Burial was at Dearborn Memorial Park in Poway.
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido handled the arrangements.
Edward J. Pearson Sr.
Edward James Pearson Sr., a longtime Poway resident, died March 21, 2007 at the age of 77. He was born in Los Angeles and was a resident of Poway for 43 years.
Mr. Pearson retired as a quality control engineer from SAIC in 1989. During World War II, Korea and Vietnam he served in the Navy, retiring in 1970 as a Master Chief Petty Officer E9 after 24 years of active duty service. In 1978 he received a bachelor’s degree from National University in San Diego.
Mr. Pearson was a member of the Poway VFW Post and the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 70 in Poway.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; his daughters, Theresa Adams-Pearson of Jacksonville, Fla., Carrie Perkins of Melbourn, Fla., Sherry Bravo of San Diego and Donna Baldwin, also of San Diego; his sons, Edward Pearson Jr. of Poway, John Pearson of Escondido and Steven Pearson of Melbourn, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Marie Pearson in 1999.
A Memorial Mass was celebrated Wednesday, April 11 at San Rafael Catholic Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo followed by inurnment with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
The family suggests donations to San Rafael Catholic Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128 or San Diego Hospice, 4311 3rd Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.
California Funeral Alternatives in Escondido handled the arrangements.
Derrick L. Higgins
Derrick Lindsey Higgins, 59, died April 1, 2007. Born in Akron, Ohio, he had been a resident of Rancho Penasquitos for 14 years.
Mr. Higgins retired from Federal Aviation Administration in 2006 after 35 years of federal employment. He was a member of Mesa View Baptist Church, where he served on the usher and the trustee ministries. He also participated in the Big Brothers and Sisters Organization of San Diego as well as various other organizations.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen Higgins; his daughters, Kellie Higgins of San Diego and Tonya Higgins of San Francisco; his father, Hammond E. Higgins; his brother, Martin Higgins of Akron, Ohio; and his sisters, Elaine Higgins and Lorraine Gibson, both of Atlanta, Ga.
Services have already been held.
Lois C. Stolley
Lois Catherine Stolley, 91, a resident of Rancho Bernardo since 1971, died on April 7, 2007.
Born in Davenport, Iowa, Mrs. Stolley was a homemaker.
She is survived by a son, Stephen Stolley of San Diego; a daughter, Sue Dyas of San Diego; a sister, Lucille Weber of West Palm Beach, Fla., and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death in 1991 by her husband, Norman Stolley.
A private burial at Dearborn Memorial Park is planned.
The family suggests memorials to the Rancho Bernardo Historical Society, P.O. Box 27314, San Diego, CA 92128-7314.
Poway Bernardo Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.
Philip C. Tolles
Services were to be held today (Thursday) for longtime Poway resident Philip Charles Tolles, 82, who died April 7, 2007.
A native of Tacoma, Wash., Mr. Tolles retired from the Army Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. During World War II he flew B-17 bombers. He lived in Poway for 32 years and owned Poway Glass from 1974 until 1987. His hobbies included gardening and RV traveling.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Joan M. Tolles; a son, Philip C. Tolles Jr. of San Diego; a daughter, Sally J. Tolles of Indio; a brother, Wallis J. Tolles of Indio; a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
Services we scheduled for 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Poway Bernardo Mortuary with his daughter officiating. Burial will be in Dearborn Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to a favorite charity.
James Underwood Jr.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday for James Thomas Underwood Jr. of Rancho Bernardo, who died April 10, 2007 at the age of 88.
Born in Newburyport, Mass., Mr. Underwood came west with his family as a young boy and grew up in Pacific Beach where he met and married his first love, Ellen Marie Mattey. Together they had three children and enjoyed what he fondly called a “39-year honeymoon.”
Mr. Underwood was a waterfront pioneer, building one of the first marinas on Shelter Island in San Diego in 1952 with the help of friend and mentor George Kettenberg. It was his livelihood for the next 25 years. After retirement, he and his second wife, Mary Ellen Holz, enjoyed traveling the world. Following her death six years ago, Mr. Underwood moved to Rancho Bernardo and spent the last two years of his life with his wife, Karren.
During World War II, Mr. Underwood served in the Army. He also served as an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many capacities. He was known for his sense of humor, positive attitude and gentle wisdom.
Besides his wife, survivors include his daughters, Barbara Sandberg of Austin Texas, and Jan Cameron of Salt Lake City Utah; his son, Tom of Rancho Bernardo; his foster son, Richard Peshlakai of Las Vegas Nev.; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grand children.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Saturday April 14 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15705 Pomerado Road, Poway.