Remembering Hanford neighbors: Recent obituaries
Read through obituaries from The Sentinel
Frank F Azevedo
1944-Oct 15, 2019
Frank Azevedo passed away Oct 15, 2019 in his home in Los Osos, Ca. after a year long battle with lung cancer. He was born in Hanford, CA, served his country in Vietnam, and worked 20 years for the Kings County fire department.
He was an avid fisherman and golfer. He was an optimistic and honorable man.. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Tina Azevedo, and 4 children, Christine (Keith) Love, Sandy Azevedo, Steve (Suzanne) Dunton, and Greg (Angela) Azevedo , his sister Sandra (Tom) Jackson, 9 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren.
Gary Leroy Souza
June 28, 1961 – October 30, 2019
Gary Leroy Souza was born on June 28, 1961 to Leroy and Valera Souza in Hanford, CA and he passed away on October 30, 2019. He is now at peace.
Gary grew up in Lemoore, CA where he attended school and worked on the family's Christmas tree farm. He was involved in FFA and showed animals at the county fair. After moving to Hanford, Gary worked alongside his father for years at Souza's Enterprises in Hanford making many friends in the agricultural community along the way. Gary was a hardworking man and had a passion for agriculture.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Leroy Souza.
He is survived by his mother Valera Souza, children, son Cody Souza, son Jared Souza (wife Taetum), daughter Mikayla Souza, three grandchildren, Camden and Cori Stratton and one on the way. His sisters Tanya Barros (husband Stan) of Kingsburg, Debbie Orsaba (husband John) of Hanford, also many friends in sobriety who helped him throughout the years.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. at People's Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA.
Family and Friends are invited to view Gary's legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel and send condolences to the family.
Services by People's Funeral Chapel 584-5591.
Donald (Don) Allen Ayers
September 20, 1955 – October 27, 2019
Donald (Don) Allen Ayers passed away suddenly in Hanford on October 27th, 2019 at the age of 64.
Born to Glenn and Marian Ayers on September 20th, 1955, Don was a third generation Hanford native following his paternal grandparents who settled in Hanford in the 1930's from Bedford County, Tennessee. Don was the middle child of three siblings, with an older brother David and a younger sister Diane.
Growing up in Hanford, Don was very active in the community. He participated in scouting, both the Cub and Boy Scouts and was active in Boy Scout Troop 400 with his father Glenn as the Scout Master, and participated on the AAU swim team. Once in high school, Don was active in many areas, especially in sports. He continued his aquatic activities as a member of both the swim and water polo teams for all four years at Hanford High. He graduated in 1973. He briefly attended the College of Sequoias in Visalia to pursue his Associates of Arts Degree. After a couple of semesters at C.O.S. Don decided that higher education was not for him. He left C.O.S. and started working full time.
Don went to work for McClard Masonry Construction and became a skilled craftsman in mason and stone construction. He went on to become a crew and project lead working in Hanford and the surrounding area. Much of the stone and mason work around Hanford was built by Don and his crew. In 1986 Don met the love of his life, Jo Ann Moore and they married on New Year's Eve, 1991. With his marriage to Jo Ann, Don became a loving and supportive father and grandfather to his new family. He took great pride in his home and spent many hours making his house a welcoming home for his friends and family. It became the social hub for many family gatherings and celebrations over the years. All were welcome at Don and Jo Ann's.
After a 20 year stint at McClard, Don left the construction world and went to work for Valero Oil with the responsibility for maintenance and operations of most of the retail outlets up and down the state. He retired from Valero in 2016. After his retirement, Don continued to be active in the community such as the Elks Lodge as well his circle of friends and family.
Don is survived by his wife Jo Ann Ayers of Hanford and his children Patricia Stockton of Hanford and Earl Moore of Visalia, his grandchildren, Brandon Moore, Cody Zeafla, Saige Stockton and Jeremy Pomeroy, his brother David Ayers of Hanford and his sister Diane Ayers of Sacramento. He also leaves behind his son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 15th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at People's Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty St., Hanford. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 10:00 a.m. at the Hanford Pentecostal Church of God; 323 E. Eleventh St., Hanford. A reception will be held following the service to share memories of Don's life.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be sent in Don's name to the American Liver Foundation.
Family and Friends are invited to view Don's legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.
Services by People's Funeral Chapel 584-5591.
Ervin Joseph Gruntorad
June 21, 1930-October 30, 2019
Ervin Joseph Gruntorad passed away peacefully on October 30, 2019 after an extended illness. He was born in Elm Creek, Nebraska on June 21, 1930 to Henry Joseph Gruntorad and Susie Kathryn (Thinnes) Gruntorad and was the second of 9 children born to this hard-working family of sharecroppers.
Ervin lived most of his early life in and around the Dawson County, Nebraska area; Elm Creek, Overton, and Lexington. Much to his father's dismay, Ervin quit school in 9th grade because there were many mouths to feed.
Ervin was drafted in 1951 during the Korean War. Like many veterans of his generation, he rarely spoke of his time in the service. We were blessed, however, when we learned of the Veterans History Project, in which veterans are interviewed and their story lives on as part of the Library of Congress. One story he told during the interview was about how he “chose” his branch of service. There were 4 other local boys drafted at the same time; they thought they could all stay together if they chose the same branch. One thought the Marine Corps was the pick. Unfortunately, for Ervin, he was the only one of the group who was sent overseas. As he always recounted, it was the “longest 11 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days he ever had”.
Ervin returned to Lexington where he continued to farm with his dad and brothers.
It was in Lexington, driving past a one-room schoolhouse each day, where he spied a lovely schoolteacher named Lois Baker. They married on January 4, 1958 and immediately set off on their trek for a life that didn't involve farming or brutally cold winters. They ended up in San Diego and made their home there for almost 20 years. While in San Diego, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter Susan. Ervin worked in the dairy industry, first with Foremost Foods, and then with both Arden Farms and Carnation.
In 1976, the dairy industry moved out of San Diego and the family moved to Lemoore, a small farming town in the Central Valley. It was here that Lois, Ervin, and Susan settled into a lovely home and made lifelong friends through their work in the community and church. After retiring from the dairy industry in Lemoore, Ervin could not sit still at home and took a job as foreman for the local cemetery.
Ervin was very active in the Kings County Marine Corps Detachment League, where he, along with Corky McFarlane and Bill Hatfield, played an integral part in the annual Avenue of the Flags Memorial Day Service at Grangeville Cemetery. He took great pride in this event every year.
Another highlight of his life was having the opportunity to build several Habitat for Humanity houses alongside his hero, former President Jimmy Carter, on the annual Habitat for Humanity Work Project in LaGrange, Georgia in 2003.
Ervin was a self-less and devoted husband to Lois, especially after she underwent a life-saving kidney transplant. After retiring, they enjoyed countless trips to San Diego to visit Susan, along with travels to Arizona and Nebraska to visit family. Two of their favorite places to visit were Yosemite National Park and the central coast of California.
In 2013, his beloved Lois passed away. They had just celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. Ervin continued to spend time in Lemoore working to make sure he had the best-looking yard in the neighborhood, taking care of his prized 1954 Chevy Bel Air, and working with his best friend, John Gordon. It was in 2015 when Ervin moved to San Diego to be closer to Susan and her husband Jeff.
During his last few years in San Diego, Ervin enjoyed spending time with his cherished (and VERY spoiled) dog, Bella, along with outings to the zoo, the Midway Museum, and of course, to see the giant horse at the Del Mar Fair each year. As Ervin's health declined, he moved to Belmont Village, an assisted living facility, and was blessed with some wonderful caregivers that provided companionship to him.
Ervin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lois, stillborn babies James Stanley and Merry Ann, and his siblings: Agnes, Donald, Robert, Joseph and Hank. Ervin is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and Jeff Balch, dog Bella, grand dog Torrey, sister Kathryn (Don) Lessig, sisters-in-law Luanne Williams, Karen Gruntorad, and Janice Bollish, numerous nieces and nephews, and his best friend, John Gordon.
We would like to thank the wonderful private caregivers that provided companionship to Ervin: Natalie Poland, Rita Hughes, Rita Avalos, Angel Carrasco, and Sergio Espinosa. We would also like to thank Dr. Andrew King, the wonderful staff of Belmont Village/Cardiff, Encinitas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Seasons Hospice for their care of Ervin.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 22nd at the Little Chapel of the Roses at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, Bonita, CA. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity/Jimmy Carter Work Project, or the Veterans History Project. Please feel free to share any remembrances or pictures at www.glenabbeysandiego.com.
Gary Leroy Souza
June 28, 1961 – October 30, 2019
Gary Leroy Souza was born on June 28, 1961 to Leroy and Valera Souza in Hanford, CA and he passed away on October 30, 2019. He is now at peace.
Gary grew up in Lemoore, CA where he attended school and worked on the family's Christmas tree farm. He was involved in FFA and showed animals at the county fair. After moving to Hanford, Gary worked alongside his father for years at Souza's Enterprises in Hanford making many friends in the agricultural community along the way. Gary was a hardworking man and had a passion for agriculture.
Gary is preceded in death by his father, Leroy Souza.
He is survived by his mother Valera Souza, children, son Cody Souza, son Jared Souza (wife Taetum), daughter Mikayla Souza, three grandchildren, Camden Souza and Corie Bryant and Stratton Souza. His sisters Tanya Barros (husband Stan) of Kingsburg, Debbie Orsaba (husband John) of Hanford, also many friends in sobriety who helped him throughout the years.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at 11:00 a.m. at People's Funeral Chapel; 501 N. Douty St., Hanford, CA.
Family and Friends are invited to view Gary's legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel and send condolences to the family.
Services by People's Funeral Chapel 584-5591.
Paul Mark Richards
March 12,1952-October 10, 2019
Paul Mark Richards, 67, passed away the morning of October 10, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ due to injuries and complications from a hiking accident. Paul was born March 12,1952 in Corona, CA and spent much of his childhood and formative years in Lompoc, CA. Paul joined the Navy and retired after 22 years with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. Most recently, Paul was a resident of Prescott, AZ.
Paul was preceded in death by his father Francis, wife Barbara and stepdaughter Tambra Lynn. Paul is survived by his daughter Christie, stepsons Robert, Dennis and Scott, grandchildren Kayla and Steven and great grandchild Cameron Paul. Paul is also survived by his mother Velda and siblings Kathleen, Charles, Rick, Timothy, Michael and Jeffry.
A service will be held at Lemoore Cemetery on November 12. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yavapai County Search and Rescue Team (YCSRT).
Early P. Ray
April 15, 1933 – November 3, 2019
Early P. Ray passed away in Hanford, CA on November 3rd, 2019. Early was born in Paragould, Arkansas on April 15th, 1933. The Ray family moved to Hanford, California when Early was 8 years old and he graduated from Hanford High school in 1951. In 1953, Early joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of First Sergeant in a very short time working as a Cryptographic Specialist in Europe during the Korean war. Upon being discharged in 1958, Early returned to Hanford where he met and married Shirley Ray and where they raised two children Rebecca (Becky) and Steven. Early went to work for Kings County rising to become the Purchasing Manager for the County of Kings and retiring after 37 years. Early couldn't stop working completely and went to work for Enterprise Rental Car and worked another 19 years before finally enjoying being retired. Early picked up playing the Banjo and singing which helped keep him busy in his later years. He was a member of both Glad Tidings and Calvary Christian Center churches. He spent countless hours volunteering his time and skills at both.
Early was preceded in Death by his loving wife Shirley Ray, parents E P and Georgie Ann Ray, his sister Lucille Parks, and brother Earl Ray. Early is survived by his sister Ann Hodges, his loving friend and companion Betty Easterwood, daughter Becky Thompson, son in-law Peter, son Steven Ray, daughter in-law Cara and grandchildren Trent (BryAnn), Tristan, Forrest, Aaron (Breann), Lacey (Joseph), Logann, and Lauryn along with great grandchildren Casen, Grey, Braxton, Beckett and Kori.
A Memorial service will be held on Friday November 8th at 10:30 a.m. at the South Valley Community Church in Lemoore, followed by a lunch reception. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements under the direction of Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home, Hanford.
Luciana Rodriquez Perez
January 7, 1931 - October 22, 2019
Luciana Perez, 88, Selma, passed away on Tuesday the 22nd. A visitation is on Monday, November 4, 2019 from 5-7 at Farewell-Page Funeral Chapel, 2014 Arrants St in Selma. A wake will be the same evening at 6pm. Her funeral service will be at the chapel the next day at noon with burial at Floral Memorial Park.
