The Memorial Wall

On May 12, 2021, Harry Bondareff, age 57, died peacefully at his home in Portland OR surrounded by his loving wife, family, and life-long friends. He was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Alexandria, VA. A graduate of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, he played three varsity sports, was a class president, and received the St. Stephen's Medal. He obtained a BS in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon.

An innovative businessman and entrepreneur, he spent his career focused on sustainability and work that bettered the environment. Harry loved hiking, climbing mountains, rock climbing, camping, and international travel. He struggled valiantly with early-onset Parkinson's Disease and a subsequent stroke. He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Kerry Rae Connolly, his father, Dr. Erwin A. Bondareff, his sisters, Lisa Kemler (Tom), Karen Kalicka (Danny), and Suzanne Kahn, and his brother, David Bondareff (Brenda), four nieces and six nephews. Preceded in death by his mother, Harriet Lee Bondareff. Private celebrations of Harry's life will be scheduled at a later date.

Retired CIA officer and New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed "Red Sparrow Trilogy" Jason Matthews died on April 28, 2021, in Rancho Mirage after a long, courageous battle with a rare neurodegenerative disease. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, daughters Alexandra Matthews (Steve Souryal) and Sophie Baumann (Tim Baumann), and brother William Matthews (Sharon). He was 69.

Mr. Matthews was born in Hartford, CT to Charles and Aglaia Matthews. He attended Mount Hermon prep school (now Northfield Mount Hermon). After graduating from Washington and Lee University, he pursued a Master's in Journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia.

Fluent in Greek, Spanish, and French, he applied to the Central Intelligence Agency after grad school. As a CIA case officer, he served in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. In 1981 while on an overseas assignment, he met his future wife Suzanne who was also a career CIA officer.

Upon his retirement from the CIA in 2010, Matthews embarked on the writing of thrillers that drew on his long years of experience. Although he coyly joked that this effort was mere "therapy" for an ex-Agency officer, he threw himself into the effort, studying the work of other spies-turned-writers, conducting research, and dedicating long hours to his new career. He was meticulously attentive to details, whether it be how CIA operatives surveilled targets or the proper ingredients of a classic Russian borscht soup. Matthews delighted in deploying the spy-craft he used in the CIA to illuminate his books. His first book, Red Sparrow, won the Edgar Award for a best first novel and garnered high praise. "Relentless drama is just one of the high points of this sublime and sophisticated debut," said the Washington Post. Echoed the New York Times Book review, "A primer on 21st-century spying. Matthews former foes in Moscow will be choking on their blinis when they read how much has been revealed about their tradecraft… terrifically good." Red Sparrow was later adapted into the 2018 Twentieth Century Fox film starring Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton.

Mr. Matthews work and his life were animated by wry humor, ferocious patriotism and devotion to his family and the CIA. A life well-lived, he is fondly and forever remembered by his family, friends, professional colleagues, and the many admirers of his distinctive novels. A celebration of life will be held later this summer.

James Harold Sheehy was born June 1, 1945, and passed away peacefully on April 23, 2021. He had been suffering from Parkinson's Disease Dementia.

Jim was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York to Harold Duke Sheehy and Eloise Ashby Sheehy, and grew up there with his sister Elinor, who passed away last year. During his childhood Jim spent his time playing stickball with his "gang", experimenting with soon-to-be-considered unsafe chemistry sets, and taking part in the general sort of troublemaking to be expected from an NYC kid in the 1950s. A sign of his business endeavors to come, at age 10 he often went to Manhattan to buy handfuls of prisms that he resold in the neighborhood for a healthy profit. In his teens, Jim's father was shocked to discover he had $2,000 in his bank account.

Jim was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War but received a medical discharge due to his asthma. One of his first jobs in New York was with the American Broadcasting Co. He could recall seeing the Beatles first arrive to the US amid screaming crowds.

In the late 1960s, Jim moved to Northern Virginia with his first wife, Camille, where they raised their two daughters, Laura and Lisa. He started work in Virginia as a Customer Service Rep with American Airlines, which sparked his love for the travel business. After a series of other jobs, he returned to travel as a Sales Rep at the Air Transport Association before co-founding and heading sales for National Air Charters.

In 1982 he started at United Airlines, where he coordinated the Washington Redskins' away from football travel program, traveling on the team jet and attending games during the height of their franchise success with Joe Theismann as QB. Jim loved being on the field for their Super Bowl years and made lasting connections with members of the team and the organization.

It was during this time that he met his second wife, Kim Shanks, on a "fam" trip to Asia. They spent their first two weeks getting to know each other amid the romantic settings of Bali, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Within two months they were engaged and on September 20, 1986, they married in Pasadena, CA.

In 1991, their son, Ryan, was born in Virginia, and a year later they moved to Southern California where Jim purchased a travel agency in Pasadena. In 1999 he partnered with Protravel International, headquartered in NYC, and expanded the business to Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Palm Desert, where he, Kim, and Ryan relocated in 2001. He was a longstanding member of Virtuoso, a luxury travel consortium, and hand-picked as one of the 45 accredited agents authorized to sell trips to space with Virgin Galactic. While he sold the business in 2012, he kept the relationships and memories he forged traveling across the globe with his family and friends dear to him.

Jim served as an elder in the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, heading Personnel and helping the Church develop the Academy school. He enjoyed coaching his son in baseball and soccer, and actively assisted local Boy Scout Troop 131 where he was a merit badge counselor for some of his favorite hobbies like Astronomy and Fishing. If the Scouts had badges in good wine and food, he would have gladly helped with those as well.

Jim cared deeply for his family and is loved and will be missed by those close to him. Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 35 years, Kim, their son, Ryan, his daughters, Laura (Tim) Delaney and Lisa (Jimmy) Roach, and grandchildren, Anna, Connor, Cameron, and Alex.

Larry Cox of Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 19, while surrounded by loved ones. Larry was the son of Willard and Ethelyn Cox of Norman, OK.

Raised in Norman, Oklahoma, Larry worked with his father in their body shop and lumberyard before moving to Bend, Oregon. He and Anita moved around the northwest including Mulkiltea and Seattle, Washington. After his wife's death, Larry lived with his children, alternating between Seattle and Bend. Larry loved his family above all and was blessed to spend time with his children and grandsons who took time to listen to his many tales of days gone by. He was lovingly cared for by his son and daughter and their families in his last years battling Parkinson's.

Larry is survived by his son, Steven Cox; his daughter, Annette Adkins and husband, Brad; his three grandsons, Kelly Cox and wife, Sirikul, Dusty Adkins, and Corey Adkins and wife, Anapaula; brother, Mike Cox and wife, Marilyn; his sisters, Vicki Worster and Cathy Naifeh and husband, Clifton; along with several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was predeceased by his parents and his wife, Anita Cox, the love of his life.

Lawrence “Larry” Gay, 85, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021, at Hammond Henry Hospital, Geneseo, IL

Lawrence was born on January 1, 1936, the son of Homer and Vivian (Elliott) Gay in Rose Hill, IA. He married the love of his life, Margie Newport, on August 27, 1955, in Oskaloosa, IA. He graduated from Lacey Consolidated High School in Lacey, IA. Larry graduated from Iowa State University in 1957. Larry was employed at John Deere for 35 years as an agricultural engineer. As an avid agriculturist, Larry wrote four books about tractors. He retired from John Deere in 1992. Larry enjoyed bicycling and traveling with his lovely wife.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Margie, Geneseo; son, Steve (Zhongxi) Gay, Huntley, IL; daughters, Pam (Dennis) Coonfield, Omaha, NE, Marcy (Chris) Cox, Saugatuck, MI; brothers, David (Sue) Gay, Portland, OR; sisters, Patty (Ted) Winegardner, Colombus, SC; sister-in-law, Sandra Gay, Morton, IL; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Vivian Gay; and brother, James Gay.

What a life he packed into 88 years! Bob Johnson passed away on April 18, 2021, with Lois, his beloved wife of 65 years, near his side. He was born in North Park, Chicago, in 1932, to Walter and Florence (Sandstedt) Johnson. He first showed his independent-mindedness when, at five years of age, he chose not to attend his parents' Saron Lutheran Church, opting instead to walk three blocks with his five-year-old buddy to the nearby (Swedish) Evangelical Covenant Church. The family moved to Glendale, California, when Bob was nine, though he remained a Cubs fan for life. Bob earned his BS in Engineering at UCLA. He then served for two years in the US Army, working in radio electronics in the radar vans at Aberdeen (Md.) Proving Grounds, before returning to UCLA for an MS He remained an avid, lifelong fan of the Bruins.

Bob met Lois O'Loughlin at a Luther League Bible study and dance when he was 20 and she was 16, and he pursued her until she realized how much she loved him. They married and raised three children, each of whom he loved dearly and bragged about often. He always felt he could have done a better job of parenting, yet he was proud of how his children turned out, each successful in their own way and all lovers of people. Bob began his career with Collins Radio Company. With Collins and, later, Rockwell, he designed 14 patented electromechanical filters, presented uncounted papers at Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers meetings, and wrote the captivating(!) Mechanical Filters in Electronics.

In 1988, he and Lois traveled to Helsinki, Finland, for his induction as a Fellow of the IEEE – a recognition of his profound influence and many important personal and professional relationships in the field. When Collins moved to Newport Beach, Bob joined the YMCA to exercise during lunch hour. For a few years, he ran through the nearby hills and valleys. Along the way, he developed a great passion for track and field. He took family members to numerous track meets and Olympic trials over the decades. Eventually, his competitive spirit led him to play full-court, outdoor basketball at the Y, which he continued to do with players of all ages until he was 82.

When Bob and Lois moved to Tustin, they joined Trinity United Presbyterian Church and a new young-marrieds Sunday School called The King's Class. A person of deep faith and a lover of theology, Bob served Trinity as an elder and helped the church form its Community Outreach Committee. Through this committee, Bob helped Trinity and The King's Class become much more involved with the wider community, from greater Santa Ana to the hills above Tijuana, Mexico. Bob and Lois got involved in civil rights protests in the early '60s. Bob began volunteer work as a checker when he joined the Orange County Fair Housing Council in 1966. He joined the board of directors in 1968 and remained on the board until his death. He co-founded the Community Housing Corporation, a non-profit that develops housing for low-income families.

Through connections at Cal State Fullerton, Bob launched a project wherein he collected the oral histories of 22 Blacks who moved to or grew up in Orange County in the 20th century. This resulted in his co-authorship of A Different Shade of Orange: Voices of Orange County, California, Black Pioneers. Bob also served on the board of the Santa Ana Black Historical Society. He began developing Parkinson's Disease before he could publish his magnum opus on mid-20th century Black migration into Orange County, a substantial historical work his daughter Karen is editing and seeking a publisher for. Although Bob never wanted recognition for his work, he appreciated the OC Human Relations Council Legacy Award granted to him and Dorothy Mulkey in 2014 and the Fair Housing Volunteer of the Year award from the Community Relations Conference of Southern California in 1981.

Bob never thought he could save the world; rather, he believed in tackling doable projects – ones that assisted and empowered those marginalized from positions of power and wealth. Bob's way of doing things was moderation, but he had a backbone of steel. He had a profound faith, but he took to the apostle James's dictum that "faith without works is dead."

"Those grateful not only for their existence, but also for Bob's inspiration, include his predeceased grandson Nathan Bayati; his children Christelle (Adnan) Bayati, Karen Johnson (Bert Verrips), and Steven Johnson (Ellen Davis); and his grandchildren Jennah Bayati, Sydney Johnson, Kyle Verrips, and Maria Johnson Davis. He is also survived by his best friend and wife, Lois. In lieu of flowers, Bob would want you to stick up for others. A celebration of life is planned for June. 

David Maurice Mercier, age 81, passed away peacefully in his sleep after complications while battling Parkinson's. David is survived by his loving and devoted wife Tina, and his beloved children Justin, Suzanne, Jacqueline, and Caroline, grandchildren Madeleine and Alexander, siblings Gloria (Stewart) Cooper, Jim (Carol) Mercier and Fran (Adam) Rozyskie, and cousins, nieces, and nephews.

David ("Dave") was born in Vancouver on July 20, 1939. After a brief foray into the RCAF (which ended after the Avro Arrow jet program was canceled in 1959), Dave set his sights on the high-flying world of accounting. David articled with Griffiths and Griffiths, qualified as a chartered accountant and became a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC. He was a renaissance man when it came to business, with interests in oil and gas, real estate, and various other entrepreneurial endeavors that took him all over the world.

Dave's lengthy political career began in Burnaby in 1968. Dave served as the Mayor of Burnaby from 1979-1981, as a member of the BC Legislative Assembly from 1986-1991, in addition to various other leadership roles. In addition to his public service, Dave supported a number of charitable organizations and was a founding donor of Minerva BC in tribute to his mother Kathleen.

A natural athlete, David enjoyed rugby, running, golf, and skiing well into his twilight years. Some of his happiest memories were from his many rugby tours, family vacations, and time spent at the cabin in Point Roberts.

True to form, Dave put up a good fight until the end. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. Special thanks to the incredible nurses and doctors at VGH. Given this time of Covid restrictions, no funeral will be held. A celebration of Dave's life will be held at a later date.

James Earl "Jimmy" Cox, 79, of Sherwood, formerly of Marion and Horseshoe Lake entered his heavenly home on Monday, April 12, 2021, following a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia. He was born on August 28, 1941, in Hughes, Arkansas, to Robert Waring Cox and Jennie Mae Deaton Cox. He was the oldest of eleven children. Jimmy was a Christian and a member of the First Marion Baptist Church.

Jimmy had a kind heart and a passion for helping others. His toolbox was always near. The family and friends could depend on him to fix whatever needed to be repaired. Jimmy took great pleasure in building and remodeling houses for many years.
 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Tony Cox; brother, Bobby Cox and a sister, Betty Boozer. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Becky Cox; sons, James Earl "Stoney" Cox, Jr. and his wife Teresa of Etta Mississippi; Robert Paul "Robbie" Cox of Ripley, Mississippi; daughter, Erica Lynn Cox of Memphis, Tennessee; bonus son, John-Michael Purifoy and wife Allison of Brownsville, Tennessee; grandsons, Jacob Cook and Silas Muschong; and a bonus granddaughter, Ava Cook; brothers: Joe Cox (Judy) of Hughes, Billy Cox of Horseshoe Lake, Larry Cox (Gail) of Horseshoe Lake; sisters: Lela McCollum of Horseshoe Lake, Dorothy Mooney of Hughes, Virginia Cox of Solsberry, Indiana, Shirley Bailey of Paragould, and Debbie Clark of Franklin, North Carolina, and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.
 

The family would like to say a special thanks to Kindred Hospice as well as Dr. Love and his staff at Arkansas Hospice for their kind and compassionate care during the past few months.

Eugene "Gene" Creech passed away April 9, 2021, at his home in Indian Wells, California after a lengthy illness. He was born in Cumberland, Kentucky to Lewis and Matilda Creech, and was the middle child of six. The Creech family moved to Portland, Oregon where Gene attended Gresham High School and graduated in 1952.

Gene met and married Norene "Joyce" Ochsner on June 26, 1953, and they had two daughters, Trudi Lynn, and Patti Ann. The family relocated to Albany in 1959 when Gene became manager of Copeland Lumber Company. He remained there until 1966 when he left to begin his own business, Concord Development Corporation. He was instrumental in bringing the Boys and Girls Club to Albany and served as President. Gene was an active member of the Albany Jaycees and the Chamber of Commerce where he was awarded Junior First Citizen in January 1968. He was also active in the Toastmasters Club and served as an Albany City Councilman.

Gene and Joyce were divorced after 20 years of marriage. He relocated to Reno, Nevada to expand Concord Development Corporation in 1972. It was there that he met his future wife, Mary Johnson. They were married in 1993 and together until Mary's death in 2012.

Gene was a well-known builder in Albany and surrounding areas and developed commercial and residential property in upstate New York, New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Reno, Nevada. He invented and patented Eagle Scoreboard Systems, unique ceramic porcelain scoreboards, for well-known golf tournaments and golf courses throughout the U.S. and other countries.

Gene loved his family, traveling the world and flying his private airplane, in addition to being a licensed glider pilot. Other activities he enjoyed during his life were skiing, scuba diving, golfing, and collecting fine artwork. He was loved by so many family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Matilda Creech; wife Mary Creech; one brother and two sisters.

Gene is survived by his two daughters, Trudi (Creech) Jackson of Bend, Oregon, Patti (Creech) Steiger, and son-in-law Steve of Green Valley, Arizona; brothers Hubert "Dave" Creech of Rhododendron, Oregon and Elmo Creech of Blaine, Washington. He is also survived by stepchildren Ryan Daggett of Reno, Nevada, Danielle Bowen of Severna, Maryland, Christine Barton of Reno, Nevada; grandchildren Tiffany Simmons of Bend, Oregon, Clayton Morgan of Arlington, Washington and Cameron Morgan of Everett, Washington; step-grandchildren Ella and Austin Bowen of Severna, Maryland, Logan Barton of Reno, Nevada; five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

A special thank you to his wonderful caregiver Brianna of Hope Care Professional Caregiving, Palm Desert, California, and Family Hospice Care, Palm Springs, California.

James Hampton was an actor known for roles including the incompetent bugler Hannibal Dobbs on TV’s “F Troop.”  He died at his home in Fort Worth, Texas of complications of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 84. In addition to the bumbling bugler Hannibal Dobbs on F Troop, the prison inmate Caretaker in the original The Longest Yard he also played Michael J. Fox's furry father in Teen Wolf.

Hampton had just a handful of TV appearances before starring on “F Troop,” guest-starring on shows including “Gunsmoke,” “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.,” and “Rawhide.” It was “F Troop” that kickstarted his career as he played Private Dobbs, the bugler for a troop of Wild West soldiers – who couldn’t play his bugle very well at all. He went on to star as ranch hand Leroy B. Simpson on “The Doris Day Show.”

Hampton’s movie career began in the 1970s, and he starred as Caretaker in “The Longest Yard” (1974) alongside his friend, Burt Reynolds (1936–2018). In 1985, he starred as the father of Michael J. Fox’s character in “Teen Wolf,” a role he reprised in its sequel, “Teen Wolf Too” (1987) and in a voice role on the 1986 animated “Teen Wolf” TV series. Other notable films for Hampton include “Pump Up the Volume” (1990) and “Sling Blade” (1996).

Hampton continued appearing widely on TV throughout the 1980s and ‘90s in shows like “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Full House,” and “Melrose Place.” In 1989, he began a recurring role as the villainous Rev. Saul Taylor in “Days of Our Lives.” Hampton also directed TV episodes for shows including “Evening Shade,” “Grace Under Fire,” and “Sister, Sister.”