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Obituaries for December 16, 2007
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Myron J. Valdez
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Myron J. Valdez
Myron Julian Valdez, 29, passed away Dec. 3, 2007 in West Sacramento. He was born Aug. 14, 1978 in Sacramento to Mary Bernice Brown and the late Tommy “Shotgun” Valdez.
Myron spent a lot of time with his grandma Leota, Uncle Pat and brother Richard. He graduated from Ellen Feickert Elementary and attended Joseph Kerr Jr. High.
Myron was proud of his Miwok Indian heritage. His great-grandfather William (Bill) Franklin, Sr. founded the California Indian Dance & Cultural Group some 50 years ago. Upon discovering the dance group, you couldn’t keep him away. He traveled to many places with the dance group, including Reno, Nev., and the Bear Dance in Yosemite. Myron cherished the time he spent with his great-grandfather and the other dancers.
He also studied martial arts at his Uncle Pat and Aunt Kristy’s Elk Grove Martial Arts Academy with his brother Richard and cousin Tony. He trained hard six days a week, three to four hours a day, and reached the level of green belt, two belts from black belt. He also competed in many tournaments in both sparring and forms. He always finished in the top 10 percent.
He worked many jobs to provide for his family, including fencing with his Uncle Louie, and tree trimming with his Uncle Myron “JR”.
Myron loved the family outings and all the family gatherings. He loved his family and was a happy person, always having a smile on his face.
Surviving him are sisters, Roxanne “Smiling Face” Ragudo of Florida, Celeste Arranda of Hollywood; brother, Richard James Lee Ragudo of Sacramento; grandparents, Leota Brown Bryan and the late Myron Brown, who died at age 27 in 1963; stepfather, Richard Lewis Radugo and stepsisters and stepbrothers, Yolanda, Renee and Richard Ragudo, Jr.; long-time partner, Melissa Riddle, her son Salvador, and their 11 children, Richard, Myron, Mark, Adrian, Mario, Robert, Jordan, Theresa, Angelo, Milena and Leah, all of Sacramento; plus uncles, aunts and cousins.
Funeral services were held Dec. 13, followed by interment at Hicksville Cemetery in Galt and a potluck dinner at Moose Lodge #225 in Sacramento.
In lieu of flowers, grandmother Leota Bryan is accepting donations toward funeral services at 916-689-8340.
Brenda Kelso
Brenda Kelso, 54, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6, 2007 in a Lodi hospital. She was born May 20, 1953 in Gardena.
Mrs. Kelso grew up in Galt, attending Galt grade schools and graduating from Galt High in 1971.
Surviving are her daughter, Latasha Caldwell of Stockton; son, Guss Jennings III of Lodi; mother, Alice Kelso of Galt; siblings, Pam Mittelstadt and Joe Kelso Jr. of Galt and Vickie Kelso of Lodi; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her father, Joseph Kelso, preceded her in death.
Services are pending.
Lori A. Self
Lori A. Self, 47, of Herald passed away Dec. 12, 2007. She was born June 15, 1960 to Frank and Carol Stegmiller.
Lori is survived by her parents, Frank and Carol Stegmiller; sister, Julie Loeffler; son, Josh Self; daughters, Annette Kelly and Danielle Self.
Her grandparents, Frances and Lee Siebold, preceded her in death.
A celebration of life was held Dec. 15 at the Stegmiller home. Committal was private. Lodi All Faiths cremation assisted the family with arrangements.
Kimberley Thomas
Kimberley Thomas, 46, of Lodi died Dec. 12, 2007 in Stockton following a two-year illness. She was born on Oct. 17, 1961 in Delano.
Mrs. Thomas lived in Galt 16 years and in Lodi 20 years. She was a grocery checkout clerk at Safeway Stores in Lodi and enjoyed spending time with her children and friends.
Surviving are her children, Ashley Papp and Cody Thomas, both of Galt; mother, Nancy Evans of Stockton; father, Percy Kelley of Valley Springs; sister, Peggy Mule of Stockton; brother, Stephen Kelly of Lodi; grandmother, Ruth Kelley of Galt.
A chapel service was held Monday at Ben Salas Funeral Home with committal following at Galt Cemetery. Ben Salas Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth A. Graves
Elizabeth Ann Graves, 72, died Dec. 16, 2007 in Lodi. She was born in Westbrook, Texas in 1935 to Otis and Martha Rich.
She married Robert Graves in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Aug. 31, 1974. They made their home in Odessa, Texas for a short while, moving to Southern California in 1975. In 1986, they moved to Galt.
Betty was a real estate agent for 20 years. She enjoyed sewing, crafts, travel, RVing and fishing. She was a longtime member of the Women of the Moose and an active member of the Lodi Elks Roamin’ Grapes RV Club.
Surviving is her husband, Robert Graves of Galt; and brother, Jack Rich of Midland, Texas.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Otis and Martha Rich; sisters, Ida Rich, Gwendolyn Locker, Juanita McAbee; and brothers, Billy Rich, Otis “Buck” Rich and James Rich.
A graveside service will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi on Friday, Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. There is no visitation.
Memorial tributes may be made to the American Cancer Society or charity of donor’s choice.
A virtual register book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared.
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