Obituaries
Woodrow Thorn
Woodrow Thorn, 87, passed away January 21, 2004 at Yuma Regional Medical Center. He was an old-timer in the Yuma-area cattle business. As an old cowboy has said, 'Woodrow was a real cowboy, not a dude cowboy.'
Woodrow was born August 17, 1917 in Deming, New Mexico, and moved to the Yuma area in the 1930's, where he worked with many ranchers in the Yuma valley and Wellton. He was known for his horsemanship, breaking and training cow horses, as well as his branding skills. For more than twenty years, beginning in the 1940's, Woodrow and long time friend, Vernon Webb, competed in rodeos in calf roping and steer roping events. In the 1950's he was the Animal Control officer for Yuma City and County. In his later years, Woodrow worked in the hay business operating hay swathers, rakes, and bailers until his knees and legs gave out from the hard life of a cowboy, and he finally retired.
Woodrow has been the subject of several printed news articles, highlighting his skills in cattle raising and branding, as well as his longtime friendship with fellow cowboy Vern Webb. He has appeared in several old westernsfilmed in the Yuma and Sand Dunes area, including Under 2 Flags, Last Outpost, The Phoenix, and others.
Preceding Woodrow in death are his parents, Martin Luther and Laura Gray Thorn; brothers, Mack Thorn, Walt Thorn, Jess Thorn, Bob Thorn, Leo Thorn; sister, Willie Mae Watley; and his daughter, Hazel Marie Gist.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Thorn, Woodrow is survived by son, Rusty (Linda) Thorn of Buckeye, Arizona; daughters, Glenda Treat of Yuma, Bonnie Miller of Sun City, Arizona, and Laura Ann Bethel of Wilcox, Arizona. Woodrow also leaves 11 grandchildren, David Thorn, Stephanie Thorn, John Cranford, Ronald Gist, Amy Gist, Shana Quintero, Robert Weathersby, Tammie Navy, Brandon Treat, Lacy Treat, and Ashley Treat, as well as 13 great-grandchildren.
'Woodrow will be missed by many-
and replaced by none.
You're back in the saddle again Grandpa-
Give 'em heck in heaven.'
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 7, 2004 at the Bard Church of Nazarene, 1499 Ross Road (Hwy. 24) in Winterhaven, California.
Honorary Pallbearers are Vernon Webb, Roger Gist, Tim Quintero, Ernie Jordan, and Dan Navy.
Harold Edward Wright,Jr.
Harold Wright, Jr., 57, passed away on February 1, 2004. He was born on April 23, 1946 in Bellowfalls, VT.
He was a Foreman for Zellers Paving and Excavating, he also was a Sergeant for the Yuma Police Department for 19 years.Harold was also co-owner of The Mine Shaft. Harold was also a member of the Yuma Bassmasters, Ducks Unlimited, and the Rod and Gun Club.
Harold is survived by his sons, Mark (Toni), of Yuma; Kevin, of Phoenix, and Jon (Laurie), of Yuma. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Mark, Jr., Jordan, and Dylan.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne J. Wright, and father, Harold E. Wright, Sr.
Visitation will be held at Johnson Mortuary on Thursday, February 5, 2004 from 5:00pm-8:00pm, with the rosary taking place at 7:00pm.Funeral services will take place at 10:00am on Friday, February 6, 2004 at 10:00am at Johnson Mortuary. Father Crinowill officiate the service. Harold's final resting place will be Desert Lawn.
Pallbearers will be Mark and Brice Zeller, Harvey Crouch, Kenny Nelson, Ron Vogt, Tommy Chappell, Marshall Millner, Bill Ball and Dean Burrow. Honorary bearers will be Mark, Sr., Kevin, Jon, and Mark, Jr. Wright.
In lieu of flower, please send donations to AEA Federal Credit Union, Acct #16511, 1780 S. 1st Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364. Donations made will go to help with funeral costs.
Francisco Bravo Vargas
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:1-2
Francisco Bravo Vargas was born on July 14, 1947 to the late Jesus Bravo and Sara Vargas in Panindicuaro, Michoacan. He moved to the United States at the age of 11. He had 2 sisters and 3 brothers.
On August 26, 1975, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Lucia Martinez.
Francisco (Pancho) Vargas departed this life 12:40 p.m., Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. He was 57 years old. He passed in peace, knowing he was ready to meet his maker.
He leaves behind to cherish his memories, 3 sons; Ronald Anthony Martinez and Michael Joseph Vargas of Yuma, Arizona; Raul (Jessica) Bravo of San Fernando, California; two daughters, Lucia (Alex) Hales and a very special Jessica Marie (Guillermo) Medina, both of Yuma, Arizona; four grandchildren, Tino Hales, Whitney Hales, Isaac Bravo, Giuseppi Bravo and a host of relatives, friends and many very good neighbors that always tried to steal his home grown chilis!
We believe Pancho is in heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He prayed for forgiveness of sin on December 16, 2004 with his son in law, Alex Hales and friend, Juan Sanchez. He now has everlasting life according to the word of God. There is no more pain, no more suffering, only sweet fellowship with God, the Father, forevermore.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, February 8, 2004 from 1:30p.m.-3:00p.m. at Johnson Mortuary. Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church on Monday, February 9, 2004 at 9:00a.m. Interment will follow at Desert Lawn.
Pallbearers will be Ronald Martinez, Roger Martinez, Guillermo Medina, Carlos Medina, Tino Hales and Alex Hales.
Anne Elisabeth Wolsey
Anne Elisabeth Wolsey, 41, beloved and courageous daughter of Marion J. Wolsey of Yuma, broke through the bonds of suffering and pain, and passed from this earth on January 20, 2004.
Anne was a Certified Nursing Assistant, and worked in Texas, Arizona and California. She touched and cared for thousands of patients in home healthcare, convalescent homes and retirement communities over her 20 year career. Anne was a diligent worker before contracting severe disabilities, becoming permanently disabled with torturous, constant pain the last 2 years of her life.
Everyone that met Anne loved her sense of humor and her diligence of care for others. She had traveled widely throughout the United States and Canada with her mother, and was often referred to as her mother's 'Navigator and Co-pilot' on their adventures.
She was born in Canada on May 23, 1962 and moved to Arizona with her family in 1967. She attended school in Tucson, Arizona, Prince & Princess Pre-Kindergarten; Anne RogersElementary School; Rincon High School; and Pima Community College. She was working academically on her LPN when sickness overcame her. She had many dreams and goals for her life. Anne always wanted people around her to be happy. She always went out of her way to help others. Today she lives on in the hearts and minds of thousands of people she served.
Anne is also survived by her father, Edmund Wolsey; brothers, Edmund II and David Wolsey; nephew, Edmund Jr.; nieces, Anne Elizabeth Wolsey White, Joy Ellew, Jenny Lea and Veronica Wolsey; grandnieces, Crystal and Erika White; grandnephews, Jesse and Brandon Wolsey of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.
Anne became an American citizen April 1, 1974 and moved to Yuma to be near her mother in 1998. At the time of her death, although suffering, she was engaged in helping her mother and other community members on plans for a women's center in Yuma. Her legacy is outstanding and the planning for theAnne Elisabeth Wolsey Memorial Women's Center will continue.
I will always love you 'Lovebug' and you will always be in my heart. Love, Mom.
Lillian May McClure Bartlett
Lillian May McClure Bartlett, 85, passed away on January 31, 2004 at Life Care Center in Yuma. She was born on December 27, 1918 in Huntington, West Virginia.
Lillian lived in West Virginia from 1918 to 1930, where she then moved to Nogales with her mother and four brothers. She lived in Yuma since 1955 where she was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and Carmelites.
'Aunt Lilly' to many nieces and nephews, 'Gramma Bartlett' as she was know to many, Lillian was always active and involved with her children's and grandchildren's activities, especially sports.spent a great deal of time and traveled many a mile in support of the Yuma City and area schools athletic teams.
She is survived by her son, Ernest (Elva) R. Bartlett, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; daughter, Barbara (Bobbie) L. Bartlett Jones, of Yuma; six grandchildren, Jeff (Shelly) Bartlett, of Yuma, Tom G. Jones, Jr., of Yuma, Julie (Robb) Roberts, of Mesa, Arizona, Gregory (April) M. Bartlett, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Lori Jones, of San Diego, California; and Jayme Jones, of Flagstaff, Arizona. She was also survived by 11 great-grandchildren.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and five brothers.
An informal drop-in reception will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2004 at Bobbie Jone's home.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Francis Church on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 at 9:00 am.
We're missing 'Gramma's' sympathetic ear and comfort, wisdom, support, sense of humor and great cooking!
