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Obituaries for January 17, 2007
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Jack Tone
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Jack Tone
John Harold (Jack) Tone III was born, passed on, and will remain forever at his beloved home, Jack Tone Ranch on Jack Tone Road, the “longest straight road” in San Joaquin County.
A good and a great man, Jack was the first-born son of Grace and John N. (Jack) Tone and grandson of pioneers, John H. (Jack) Tone and Alice Walsh Tone, and Margaret and Patrick Talbot.
His older sisters, Margaret and Alice, called him Buddy (brother), and the name stuck.
Jack is the last of his generation, preceded in passing by his parents, brothers, Richard and Theodore (Tiger) and sisters, Margaret, Alice and Mary, and his son, John Patrick.
Crazy in love for more than 75 years, Bud met his love, Marjory, at a baseball game. They were married Sept. 5, 1932 at St. Michael’s Church. Jack became known as Uncle Bud upon the birth of his first grandchild, when he declared he was too young to be a grandfather.
Uncle Bud is survived by his beloved wife, Marjory; their daughters, Jacqueline, Joanne, Kathleen, Susan and patricia; 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild who are blessed with the joy of knowing that Bud passed peacefully at his beloved home on the ranch with sweet Margie nearby.
The family is eternally grateful to Kathleen for caring tirelessly for Bud through these past years of turmoil and suffering, through the end and beyond.
Valley farmer and rancher, Bud began ranching with his father as a young boy. He drove the teams of workhorses, milked the cows, cared for the animals and performed every kind of job around the ranch.
Bud became an outstanding rancher, innovative and hard working, and a leader in his community. He worked the ranch through the dry farming years with his father and brothers. Through the most difficult times of the Great Depression, they nearly lost everything.
Bud was the only Tone of his generation with a passion for the ranch and farming. At that critical juncture, he developed a detailed 10-year plan to rebuild the ranch. With Marge’s help, incredible work and dedication, Bud succeeded in transforming Jack Tone Ranch from a struggling family farm into a modern 20th century ranch.
Jack was first elected in 1979 and first elected in 1979 and served four terms as a director of the Stockton-East Water District (SEWD) Board, including terms as president and vice president of the board. Bud was an untiring advocate for farmers and instrumental in establishing local water policy. Jack was a renowned water expert, consulted by many, and widely appreciated for his work at SEWD.
Inducted into the Northern California Handball Association (1984) and Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame (2003), Jack was a great handball player – one of the best. One of Bud’s proudest moments was his induction into the Northern California handball Association (NCHA) Hall of Fame in 1984 for his skill and sportsmanship at his great game. Bud was inducted into the Stockton Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 for his handball and other accomplishments in sports.
In 1952, Marge and Bud finally went on their first vacation to Southern California. They visited Knott’s Berry Farm and the McCoy’s Arabian Ranch, where they first saw Fadjur. Bud bought Fadjur for Marge for her next birthday, and the three of them will go down in history as a team.
Marge’s great horses, Fadjur and Saki, were named Living Legends, World’s Most Popular, and they were both inducted into the Arabian Horse Hall of Fame for their contributions to the breed.
All over the world, Bud had friends from every walk of life. He loved to travel and, if he didn’t have a friend in the crowd, he would make some new ones. One of the most important things he taught was to never judge a friend – to accept and enjoy them as they are – because, if we waited for the perfect friend, we would never have one at all.
Bud was blessed with “magic hands.” He was able to heal, to relieve pain and to take fevers away from the sick. Bud appreciated his gift tremendously, and offered it to all who needed help. He helped people and animals all around the world. Whenever Bud knew of any sick or injured person, he always went to visit them and help them with his magic hands.
Bud wrote his “OverTones” column for many years, with his trusty Penny-Pen-Pen. Bud’s great wit, storytelling talents, and funny turns of phrase brought enjoyment and wisdom to many. “More next week, God willing,” was his closing refrain.
He is missed so much already – his humor, heart, friendship, intelligence, character and soul – but God’s will is for him to now join His legions of angels. We’ll see Bud again someday, God willing.
A memorial Mass was held Thursday, Jan. 11 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Stockton, followed by a brief gathering at Jack Tone Ranch in Stockton.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joachim’s Church, P.O. Box 232, Lockeford, CA 95237; St. Michael’s Church, 5882 Ashley Lane, Stockton, CA 95215; Jack Tone Ranch Historical Foundation, P.O. Box 1392, Lockeford, CA 95237; or to Jack Tone Ranch, 9749 N. Jack Tone Road, Stockton, CA 95215, to establish a handball award.
Russell G. Comer
Russell G. Comer (80) of Galt died in Lodi on Jan. 2, 2007 of natural causes. He was born May 1, 1926 in Roanoke, Va.
Mr. Comer moved to Norwalk, Calif., in 1944 and to Galt in 1999. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II from 1944-1947. He worked as a truck driver and had a great love for all trains. He enjoyed reading, especially westerns, and was a big John Wayne fan. He also enjoyed golfing.
Mr. Comer attended the Grace Brethren Church of Norwalk for 47 years and Galt Bible Church for eight years.
Surviving him are his wife of 60 years, Wilma Comer of Galt; son, Wayne Comer of Washington; daughter, Sharon Volkman of Galt; brother, Paul Comer of Arizona; sister, Evelyn Stevens of Torrance; five grandsons of Galt and numerous nieces and nephews.
A daughter, Patsy Comer, and brothers, Robert Comer and Harvey Comer, preceded him in death.
A viewing and funeral services were held at Galt Bible Church on Jan. 8, officiated by Pastor Aaron Graves. Committal was at Galt Cemetery. Ben Salas Funeral Home handled arrangements.
Elva Esparza
Elva Esparza (48) of Woodbridge passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 5, 2007 in a San Francisco hospital. She was born Sept. 6, 1958 in Zacatecas, Mexico to jesus and Raquel De Santiago.
Mrs. Esparza worked for All State Packers in Lodi for the past nine years as well as various Lodi packing companies. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and enjoyed cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She will best be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and will be dearly missed.
Surviving her are her husband of 25 years, Jose Esparza of Woodbridge; son, Jose Esparza, Jr. of Woodbridge; parents, Jesus and Raquel De Santiago of Woodbridge; brothers, Dagoberto and Jesus De Santiago of Woodbridge; sisters, Maria Herrera of Galt, Lidia De Santiago of Woodbridge, Mary Reveles and Raquel Garcia of Lodi, Ester Perez and Leticia Gonzalez of Mexico; granddaughters, Monique and Andrea Esparza of Galt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A sister, Sylvia Duran, preceded her in death in 1999.
A church service was held Jan. 15 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, followed by interment at Cherokee Memorial Park Cemetery. Lodi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Leo G. Sanzonie
Leo G. Sanzonie (79) of Herald died Jan. 6, 2007 at a Sacramento hospital from natural causes. He was born Feb. 22, 1927 in Sacramento and has lived in Herald the last 16 years.
Mr. Sanzonie served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he retired from the County of Sacramento after 20 years. He was an avid golfer and fisherman and will be missed by his faithful Dalmatian, Sparky.
Surviving him are his three daughters, Donnie Daves of Herald, Lynne Wade of Sacramento and Diane Sanzonie-Hillsman of Wilton; two grandchildren, Michael Daves and Sara Daves; and devoted companion, Bonnie Fisher.
No services are planned at this time. Ben Salas Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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