Obituaries
Gail C. Ferguson
Gail C. Ferguson, 82, passed away September 03, 2015 in Brookings, Oregon. She was born May 24, 1933 in Houston, Texas. Gail was a secretary for the Yuma Police Department from 1964 to 1979. She retired from YPD so she could spoil her grandkids and travel the world. Gail was a resident of Yuma from 1964 to 2006.
Gail is survived in death by daughter, Cindy Williamson of Houston, Texas, Kathy (Phil) Hartsough of Brookings, Oregon; sister, Leonette (Gary) Welter of Santa Clara, California, seven grand children, ten great grand children, two great-great grand children, one niece and one nephew. Gail was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Ferguson; parents, Jerry and Edith Goins; son, Derek S. Collins.
Visitation will be held September 18, 2015 at Johnson Mortuary 1415 South First Avenue Yuma, Arizona at 4pm to 7pm.
Jose Luis Gonzalez
Jose was born in Morelia, Michoacan on March 26, 1939 and he passed peacefully at his home on September 15, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his wife Bella Gloria, his father Fidel Gonzalez Roa, his mother Maria Morelos Duarte, his brothers Enrique and Jose Manuel (Pepe).
Jose married, Bella on December 28, 1959. They had six children. Their first-born little girl lived three days. Everyone who knew Jose Luis saw him fall into a deep depression when his beloved Bella passed in 2007. Despite all efforts from his entire family, Jose could not find a reason to enjoy life any longer.
He is survived by his five children: Esthela Maldonado (Arturo) and their children Esthelita and David from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. AnaBella De Anda (Paul) of Yuma, AZ. Joe (Heather) and their children Owen (Michaela), Levi, and Seth of Jonesboro, AR. Jesse (Elizabeth) and their children Valerie, Jose Luis, and Jessy Eliana of Yuma. Gilbert (Mayra Judith) of Phoenix.
He is survived by three beautiful great-grandchildren: Aaliyah, Josiah, and Daisy. He is also survived by his siblings: Elvira Anaya (Frank), Carmen Borquez (Humberto), and Gonzalo (Carmelita) all of Yuma. And many nephews and nieces whom he loved very much.
Jose Luis’ family moved from Morelia to San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora in 1951 when he was 12 years old. He began a jukebox company in San Luis Sonora in his late teens. Jose sold his company to immigrate to the United States in hopes of giving his children an opportunity for a better life. He began working for Varner Motors and eventually at Houston Photo International until he retired.
Jose only had a 4th grade education but excelled and loved mathematics. He applied principles of math even when he was relaxing, whether it be playing pool at the Eagles Club or playing dominos at Lutes Casino. Jose was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Bella was often at his side at the Eagle Club.
If you were a regular customer at Brownie’s Restaurant since the 1960’s then you surely ran into Jose. He was there every morning having a cup of coffee. When he became ill and wanted to wander off, his children would ask him, “Where are you going dad?” He would answer, “Al café”. His children made every effort to continue taking him to Brownies; even if he could only take a few sips of his coffee; that was the only place he wanted to be other than his home. You could not get Jose out of the house until he had his wallet because he always believed in paying your own way. His family marveled that even with his long bout of dementia and emphysema he would not budge until he had his wallet in his pocket; he insisted on not being a burden to anyone.
The entire Gonzalez family wants to extend, a very deep and heartfelt, thanks to the entire staff of Hospice of Yuma for the love demonstrated throughout his care these past few months. Jose’s only wish was to stay in his home and this was made possible by the guidance of the Hospice of Yuma staff. In lieu of flowers please send your donation to Hospice of Yuma. They also want to thank all family and friends for the outpouring of love and encouragement given to the family in this difficult time.
A memorial service, officiated by Paul DeAnda, will be held Friday, September 18, 2015 at 1:00 PM at Johnson Mortuary followed by graveside service. Pallbearers will be: Jose Luis Gonzalez, David Maldonado, Frank Anaya, Jr., Beto Borquez, Jr., Enrique Gonzalez, Jr., Fidel Gonzalez, and Paul DeAnda. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Gonzalo Gonzalez, Humberto Borquez, Sr., Frank Anaya, Sr., Joe Gonzalez, Jesse Gonzalez, Gilbert Gonzalez, Arturo Maldonado, Owen Gonzalez, and Levi Gonzalez.
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Joel Kennith Perry
Joel Kennith Perry, 69, of Van Alstyne, Texas passed away of a heart attack on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. He lived most of his life in Yuma, AZ.
Joel was an incredibly intelligent man who worked hard his entire life. He was a soldier in the Marine Corps and fought bravely in the Vietnam War. He had a number of different jobs, but no matter where his career took him he had an incredible work ethic. It’s one of the many inspiring qualities that he passed down to his three grateful children who were and are absolutely nuts about him.
Joel was a very passionate person and had a strong love for his family and friends. He would give you the shirt off his back and if anyone was ever in need, day or night, Joel was usually the first on the scene, smiling and eager to help.
He had a life-long love affair with chocolate ice cream, cookies, biscuits and gravy, scratcher tickets, cars, all things fast and dangerous, cigarettes, metal trinkets that needed restoring, animals and finding AAA-rated RV Campgrounds.
He was excellent at rebuilding cars, making old things work like new, making his kids laugh uncontrollably and telling people to “shove it” if they hurt the feelings of someone he loved. He was a warrior for all the underdogs of the world.
He took extreme pride in his three children and his grandson Lennox. He spoke of them often and to anyone that would listen. He taught them to change a tire, select a quality hammer, to love each other, to work hard but not take life to seriously, to live within your means and to be thankful for what you have every day.
He will be greatly missed and thought of everyday by an abundance of people who had the great pleasure of knowing him and loving him dearly. He will live on in all of our hearts.
From his children: Dad, you were neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose LOVE has always shown us the way. We love you, we miss you.
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