Remembering those who passed in 2020
So many beloved Solano residents, too many to name, were lost in 2020. All were valued and all remain in our hearts.
Here, we recognize those whose contributions significantly impacted the Solano community. We apologize if we missed anyone.
Shawn Tutt
Shawn Tutt, a longtime Dixon High School teacher, was killed in a vehicle accident in March. He had been at Dixon High since 1997. “Mr. Tutt was a beloved teacher, friend, colleague and leader in Dixon and we are all grieving,” Principal Stephanie Marquez wrote in a Facebook post.
Brian Dolan, superintendent of the Dixon Unified School District, had been principal during Tutt’s early years. Tutt, he said in an earlier interview, was beloved by his students.
“He was a guy who built really happy, positive relationships with kids,” he said.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and five children.
Hondo Pratt Solano County Sheriff’s K-9 Hondo, 16, who served his community for 12 years, died in May.
When not on duty with his partner, Deputy Randy Pratt, he traveled widely, rode in classic cars, romped on his ranch and kept his family in line.
His advanced age and related health issues, Randy said, permanently ended Hondo’s adventures. He now rests below a willow tree on his family’s property, a marker being crafted to memorialize him.
“He was such an exceptional dog,” he shared. “He wasn’t just my partner. He was my family, he was my best friend.”
They were inseparable both on and off the clock.
“I know I’ve come home safe several times because of him,” the deputy mused. “He never called in sick, didn’t complain about anything. There was never a doubt that he’d have my back.”
Hondo was about to officially retire when he died. But just prior to that, he met his “brother” and Randy’s new partner, Kev.
“He will never be replaced,” the deputy said of Hondo, “but I think Kev could rise to the occasion.” B. Gale Wilson
B. Gale Wilson, who served as Fairfield’s city manager during a period of growth and business development, died at his home in Auburn in September. He was 91.
Wilson served as the city’s top executive from 1956 to 1988, when Fairfield’s boomed to almost 77,000 residents. He is credited with bringing Solano Town Center, Busch, Jelly Belly, Fairfield Civic Center and two public golf courses to town.
In 1966, he traveled to the Pentagon with then-Mayor Arne Digerud to annex Travis Air Force Base and helped purchase land that became Rockville Hills Regional Park.
“He was just a true, simple visionary and quality person,” Gary Falati, who served as mayor from 1976 to 1993, told The Reporter in September.
Charles Long, who served as city manager for eight years after Wilson, credited Wilson with giving the city its identity.
“(He created) an identity for Fairfield that had to do with jobs and quality development,” he said at the time.
Walt Whitman Horace Tufts “Whit” Whitman, a former Vacaville school board trustee, died in September. He had served in the Air Force and as a commercial airlines pilot
he 77 year old served as a trustee for nine years, ending in 2018. He was known for his strong opinions but also his generosity of time, spirit and money related to school district matters.
A family spokeswoman said Whitman had battled depression and had committed suicide.
“He leaves behind a legacy of love for students and support of public education,” Elaine Kong, a spokeswoman for the district, wrote in an email message addressed to district staff that was posted on the district website.
Vacaville City Councilman Nolan Sullivan, who served on the school board with Whitman for three years, described Whitman as “a character” to The Reporter.
“He was kind of a largerthan-life personality,” Sullivan said. “Whit and I sometimes disagreed on some things, but you never guessed where he was coming from. He always showed his cards. … He was a good person to argue with. You would end in a place where you agreed to disagree but you could also find common ground.”
Greg Coppes
Greg Coppes, 65, a Dixon Air Force veteran and veterans advocate, died in October in a motorcycle crash in Fairfield.
Known for his dry wit, plain speech and work on behalf of military veterans, he was also a devoted family man with a huge heart and care for the community.
“He’s really been our only true friend in Dixon,” said friend and former Dixon City Councilman Ted Hickman at the time. “He’s been with us through thick and thin.”
The men served together for years in the American Legion. During their time, Coppes secured a liquor license for the veterans hall and started serving food and beverages there. He also brought in bingo, which proved popular with players coming from throughout Solano for a shot at winning.
Coppes was a fighter, speaking up when he saw any perceived injustice. He made a bid for the state senate in 2016, running as a Republican. He also participated tirelessly in fundraisers for veterans and the community, served in various capacities including commander with American Legion Post 208, and was heavily involved with the Napa Solano Veteran Riders Motorcycle Club.
Coppes is survived by his wife, three children and several grandchildren. Russ Cayler
Dixon Air Force veteran Russ Cayler, 79, died in October after a long illness.
His niece, Celia Fulfs Finnen, described him as “one of the kindest souls I know.”
Former Dixon mayor Jack Batchelor, now a senior field representative for Congressman John Garamendi, D- Solano, called Cayler a true patriot.
“He was a decorated helicopter pilot during Vietnam and was involved in the Jonestown recovery mission and he served our country,” Batchelor advised in an earlier interview. “He was a good person overall.”
Cayler’s wife of 56 years, Kay, spoke of her husband’s love of flying.
“He always wanted to f ly, since he was a little boy,” she said at the time. And then he did, and saved lives. “He loved flying and he loved flying helicopters. He loved the hum of the helicopters.”
Russ was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Vietnam War and the Distinguished Flying Cross, among others. Chad Glashoff Suisun metal sculpture artist Chad Glashoff, 36, died in October.
He was described as an outgoing, talented sculptor of large metal art.
In an obituary, sculptor Phil Glashoff, his father, said his son “was born to a life on the road, with a deep connection to the Suisun Valley and the developing Sculpture Ranch. The natural beauty of the valley inspired Chad and cradled his artwork throughout his life.”
Phil said Chad had a natural talent.
“One wonders what beauties would have come next,” Phil said. “We will always wonder. Chad was a blueeyed shining light, traversing across the Earth on an elevated plateau. Just passing through.”
Guido Colla
Guido Colla, a longtime former Suisun City resident who served as a local superintendent, 26 years on the Solano Irrigation District’s Board of Directors and two terms as the city’s mayor — died in November at his Green Valley home. He was 96.
City Councilman Mike Segala said Colla was very knowledgeable about Solano’s history and loved to share stories.
“Just being around him was exciting,” he shared in a November interview. “Getting to know Guido was like I’d lived here for years, and we’d only gotten here in 1976. Listening to so many stories about this area was just fantastic.”
Colla is survived by his wife, two sons and four grandchildren. Kelliann Leli Travis Air Force Base physician Capt. Kelliann Leli, 30, deployed overseas, was killed in a non-combat related vehicle incident in November.
The New Jersey woman was serving with the 60th Medical Group, David Grant Medical Center, at Travis. She had been deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
“Our entire Travis family is beyond heartbroken over the tragic loss of our teammate, Kelliann,” said Col. Corey Simmons, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, in a press statement. “We are thinking of and praying for all her loved ones during this unfathomable time.”
Don Erickson Former Dixon Mayor Don Erickson, 84, died in December.
The Air Force veteran was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia, earlier this year.
Ericson wore many hats throughout his life. He was also a dentist, had served as a Dixon school board trustee and founded the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee.
Jack Batchelor, a former Dixon mayor, remembered him “as just a very kind and gentle individual.”
Former Dixon City Manager Warren Salmons praised Erickson.
“He was a wonderful, good, grand and great boss,” he said in a previous interview. “He was interested in what I was doing — without giving me explicit instructions. He was delightful. People loved him. He was friendly.”
Erickson, Salmons said, was instrumental in encouraging Cardinal Health to come to Dixon and was a key figure in the evolution of the fire department.