McCutcheon, onetime trainer, dies

Former trainer J.R. McCutcheon, better known by his nickname, "Coach," in honor of his previous career as a football coach, died Friday after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 83.

McCutcheon is survived by two daughters, including Sally Valenti, the widow of one of California's most prominent owners and breeders in the 1980s, Pete Valenti. McCutcheon's wife, Dorothy, died earlier this year.

McCutcheon, who served in the Army during World War II, owned and trained for 39 years after an accomplished career as a head football coach at the high school and college levels in California. He won four California Interscholastic Federation championships and was a longtime coach at Antelope Valley (Calif.) Junior College.

As a trainer, McCutcheon won 319 races.

According to Valenti, a memorial service for McCutcheon will be held Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at The Fountains Mobile Home Park, 3530 Damien Ave., La Verne, Calif. Handicapper and journalist Gordon Jones will deliver the eulogy.

In lieu of flowers, Valenti requested that donations be made to the Antelope Valley College Foundation, 6215 Edna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93402.

Nancy K. Beck


Nancy K. Beck, age 64, formerly of Manitowoc, died on Sunday, Dec. 2, of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at her home in Eau Claire with her loving family by her side.


Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd., Eau Claire.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4611 Commerce Valley Road, and also one hour prior to service at the church. Interment will be later in Cable.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family and will be given towards ALS research.

Angelo Plaez
PLAEZ, ANGELO , 69, passed away Wednesday, November 28th at Florida Hospital, Altamonte Springs following a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Angelo was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and worked in data processing and later in sales. With a real estate license he worked in time share sales and leasing and his favorite pastime was watching sports. He leaves behind Lillian, his devoted wife of over 40 years and a sister in Argentina, Aida Scheinfeld. He was a wonderful, loving father to the late Debbie Armstrong Gray and Alicia (Chris) Kovar, grandfather to Jessica (Scott) Long, Brendan Kovar, and
uncle to Jorge and Ricky Scheinfeld of Argentina. He will be greatly missed. Graveside services will be held Monday, December 3, 2007 at 11AM at Congregation Ohev Shalom Cemetery with Rabbi Aaron Rubinger officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to ALS Foundation, Hadassah, Congregation Ohev Shalom or JCC. A gathering for all will be held immediately after the services at the home of Lillian Plaez. Services entrusted to Beth Shalom
Memorial Chapel, 640 Lee Road, Orlando. 407-599-1180
Published in the Orlando Sentinel on 12/2/2007.

Francis Damaris BurnettBOULDER, Colo.

Francis Damaris Burnett April 25, 1925- November 28, 2007

Dear Ones,

Family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, it is with joy that I write to let you know that I have overcome the disease ALS, known as Lou Gehrig's Disease and the challenges of life on earth; and passed into life eternal with my heavenly Father.

Reflecting on this journey is a reminder of how much has happened in my life of over 82 years. I was born on a dry land wheat farm near Mullinville, Kansas in 1925 to Zula and Bert McFadden. My brothers Kenneth, Wilber and sister Mildred survive. My husband of over 62 years, Duane, was born on a neighboring farm. We attended grade school together and grew up friends. I attended Kansas State University where I studied accounting. Duane and I were married in 1945 while he was in the Army Air Forces. After the war, we moved to Boulder with our infant daughter Tena Suzanne, now Mrs. Fred Engelman Jr. I made a home for our growing family while Duane studied architectural engineering at the University of Colorado. Before he graduated in 1951 we had two sons, Larry Dee and Brian Paul, both are life-long residents of Boulder. Our family has worked at building construction and land development in our growing community. I was employed at the CU College of Engineering for over twenty years, eventually becoming the administrative assistant to Dean Max Peters of the College of Engineering. I have been blessed with five grandchildren, four of whom, Roger Burnett, Alex Burnett, Scott Engelman, and Rick Engelman, have earned degrees from the University of Colorado. My beloved granddaughter, Betsy Burnett, is presently a student at CU.

In the 1950s I was among the charter members of Mountain View United Methodist Church, which has been my church home ever since. There I have enjoyed the fellowship of many friends in the body of Christ and I am again with those who have gone before. Remember me as one who valued personal integrity, high standards, and hard work towards noble goals through gentle perseverance and steadfast love.

Please join my family in celebrating my life at a funeral service on Saturday December 8, 2007 at the Mullinville United Methodist Church at 10:00am, followed by interment and dinner.

In lieu of flowers, my family requests donations for The ALS Association Rocky Mountain Chapter, 1201 East Colfax Ave., Ste. 202, Denver, CO 80218 or a charity of the giver's choice.

David Bruce Colby

GAMBRILLS, Md. — David Bruce Colby, 71, lost his courageous three-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) on Nov. 20, 2007, at his home in Gambrills, Md., with his beloved wife Judith Rice Colby at his side.

After his retirement in 1996, they spent summers at their home in Kennebunkport.

Born in Littleton, N.H., on May 1, 1936, Dave was the son of the late Reginald Merton and Margaret Bedell Colby.

He pursued his love of science and sports while attending Bates College in Lewiston on a Union Carbide scholarship. An outstanding baseball pitcher, he received a contract offer from the Cleveland Indians. Dave chose to forgo baseball in his final year at Bates to concentrate on his studies, graduating with honors in physics and mathematics in 1958.

A week after graduation Dave wed his college sweetheart, Judith Ann Rice, before heading to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., where he received his Master's Degree in physics in 1960.

In 1961 Dave began a distinguished 35 year civil service career, with the last 25 years at the senior executive level. Starting at the former Naval Weapons Laboratory in Dahlgren, Va., his career encompassed assignments at the Office of Telecommunications, Executive Office of the President, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dave was preceded in death by his son Stephen Rice Colby in 1985; and sister Carolyn Colby Ellis in 2004.

He is survived by his wife Judy; sister Susan Colby Sumadi of San Antonio, Texas; daughter Linda Colby Pautsch of Severna Park, Md.; son Glenn David Colby of Hollywood, Md.; nephew Scott Colby Ellis of Kennebunk; niece Margaret "Peggy" Ellis of Astoria, N.Y., niece Sarah Sumadi of San Antonio, Texas; and 11 grandchildren.

Service notice — Memorial Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. in the Severn Run Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1624 Millersville Road, Millersville, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to: Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Arrangements by Barranco & Sons Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneralhome.com.

Steven Walter Saxon


Steven W. Saxon, 54, of 4218 South 12th St., Sheboygan, died Sunday, December 9, 2007 at St. Nicholas Hospital of Lou Gehrig's Disease.


He was born March 28, 1953 in Chicago, the son of Richard and Judith (Hoffmann) Saxon. He attended Joliet High School.


Steven was a Limo Driver. He lived with Laurie Hening, his spouse under God. Steven was a member of Bethany Reformed Church in Sheboygan.


He was a die hard Harley Motorcycle person and loved animals. He was loved and adored by his family.


Survivors include his parents, Richard of Chicago and Judith Reese of Sheboygan; three daughters, Shyanne Engstrom of Sheboygan, Jessica Lynn (William Boettcher) Hening of De Pere, Heather Hening; two sons, Waylon Saxon of Sheboygan, Steven S. Saxon of De Pere; two grandchildren, Maylena Ione Neuaone, Liam James Boettcher; two sisters, Laura (Richard) Ramminger of Sheboygan, Cherise Grisa of Sheboygan; one brother, Richard (Sheri) Saxon of Sheboygan; nieces and nephews.


He was preceded in death by his grandparents; a brother-in-law, Ken Grisa; and a cousin, Eric Gustafson.


A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 14, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls. Friends may greet the family on Friday, from 2:30 p.m. until the time of the service.


A memorial fund will be established in his name.


Online condolences may be sent to wenig@wenigfuneralhome.com.


The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is serving the Saxon family.


The Sheboygan Press


December 12, 2007

JIM WILKINS
Male, 64 years
Poynette, WI

Received some bad news last night about 6 p.m. that our neighbor down the road, Jim Wilkins, died sometime Sunday night or early Monday morning. He is the one you were corresponding with on the ALS chat site. How ironic that he died almost two years to the date he was diagnosed with the incurable disease. Jim went in about 4-5 weeks ago to get a neck brace because he couldn't keep his head up straight any longer. He then had a problem breathing last week and went in to have a tracheotomy done. He wasn't doing too well with the trachy so they re-operated to stop some of the bleeding. Some friends of ours went up to the hospital last week to visit him and Carol said it seemed that he was just giving up and had enough. Jim was then transferred to a Hospice care place and that is where he died. I think the funeral will be on Friday but haven't heard anything for sure.

http://www.patientslikeme.com/forum/show/4540?page=1

A pause, this evening...
A few comments to an earlier post (as well as a couple of well-meaning emails) have tweaked me slightly for, *ahem* showing off (regarding either current project mobility and/or high-profile acquaintances), and to be perfectly honest, that was exactly what I was doing.

Someone in my family died today, and I'm trying not to let it settle in. So I'm posting about Lazy Sunday stuff, and sending Christmas presents, and several pages of silly fun comics.

He was the person that began teaching me Tae Kwon Do when I was twelve; and he died today of Lou Gehrig's Disease.

And others in my family are more affected, today, because I'm not done processing it.

This journal is my news source, and soap box, and personal stage - and I rarely share personal things here, unless they're important.

And, for those other family members and friends who are reading this - it seems only appropriate now, that the scrappy character in THE INDIGO KING is named 'Fred'. But it's killing me that he'll never get to read it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Post a new comment)


klwilliams
2007-12-17 07:04 am UTC (link)
I'm so sorry. My best friend died at the end of September, and I still haven't dealt with it. I'll think of tae kwon do when I read about Fred in THE INDIGO KING.
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coppervale
2007-12-17 07:15 am UTC (link)
Well, that did it. I just burst into tears reading that.

Fred (the people Fred) introduced me to SF in large part as well. He was an Andre Norton buff, and a Darkover fan as well.

My Fred (the badger Fred) is smarter than others realize.

And that's just two thoughts colliding in my head, and I totally get the 'not dealing with it' thing, and I appreciate the comment, Karen. A lot.
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rosefox
2007-12-17 07:12 am UTC (link)
I'm very sorry for your loss.

I hope you get every opportunity to handle and express (or evade or deny) your eventual grief in the ways that feel right to you. It's your journal. Don't worry about what other people think.
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coppervale
2007-12-17 07:17 am UTC (link)
Thank you.

There will probably be a chance in a week or so - he and his wife gave me my favorite Christmas present ever: THE SMITHSONIAN BOOK OF COMIC BOOK COMICS.

Still have it. Still adore it. Still think of them when I read it.
(Reply to this)(Parent)


copperwise
2007-12-17 07:29 am UTC (link)
I'm very sorry for your loss.

And showing off is a perfectly acceptable use of your journal. Personally, I love it when my art/writing/music friends post tantalizing things. It gives me something to look forward to. You are on my very short list (with Theo Black, Tony DeTerlizzi, and Ari Berk) of people whom I hope to someday have illustrate something of mine. Show off more!
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coppervale
2007-12-17 07:32 am UTC (link)
Thank you - on a couple of counts!

(Hope your recovery continues apace!)

'Tantalizing' was part of my thought process (on the public side of things) as in: what IS he up to with those Henson people?

Among other things.


(Reply to this)(Parent)


translatorius
2007-12-17 07:48 am UTC (link)
Usually not at a loss of words, I can now only say that I'm very sorry of your loss and offer you my deepest condolences. Oh my ...

Neither do I know you in person ("only" through your work and the journal here) nor did I get the chance of knowing Fred personally, but I'm sure he ignited a lot of things in you that still thrive and flourish in you and are part of the wonderful person and artist you've become.

And unless these things in you die away, you can be sure that Fred will always be with you - and thus also with us, your readers and fans.

I thank Fred for that.


(Reply to this)(Thread)


coppervale
2007-12-17 07:50 am UTC (link)
Thanks for this.

It's been coming a while, and he's gotten bad just in the last few weeks (as in, needing around the clock care), but it's still rattling to the core. He wasn't sixty, yet. Way too young.
(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)


translatorius
2007-12-17 08:04 am UTC (link)
If you love somebody, it somehow always will be to early if he has to go, regardless of age. And the circumstances are not of real importance. It's one of the bad bargains we get from being alive. Loss ... Everything, literally, only being temporarily ...

But on the other hand there's always the memory of the things one has shared with the person that isn't there anymore. And if you do not give these precious feelings and memories, you'll cut something out of that bad bargain - preserving something from being temporary by making it everlasting.

I'm sure you can do the trick.

So sorry, but I'll have to sign off for now - have to leave for work; gonna be a little late already, but that's ... temporary :-).

Best wishes,
translatorius aka Michael

(Reply to this)(Parent)


victoria_lane
2007-12-17 11:34 am UTC (link)
.........yeah. Successful people aren't allowed to mention their good fortune because it might make insecure people feel insignificant.

Those people need to get a grip.
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zalena
2007-12-17 12:53 pm UTC (link)
My grandmother succumbed to ALS after conquering breast cancer. It is such a terrible disease it makes me angry that we still know so little about it and that research for it is underfunded. I'm sorry for your loss.
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_stranger_here
2007-12-17 01:32 pm UTC (link)
I'm so sorry. I hope the holidays will give you some time and space to mourn your loss.

As for the showing-off thing: don't sweat it. It's nice to see people doing well and enjoying it. I read your tone as shared (and a bit fanboy-ish) glee that professionally, you were having a good year, which made me smile.

(Reply to this)


godswraith
2007-12-17 01:40 pm UTC (link)
Ah, so sorry to hear of your loss.I am a firm believer in things going on, of good never being dinminished just changed. But for all that, our sorrow is real, and I am sad for yours.
(Reply to this)


tltrent
2007-12-17 03:13 pm UTC (link)
Agh, very sorry to hear. Do what you need to do to feel better, whether it's showing off or lazing around. Personally, I always love knowing who people know and reveling in the fun they have. So, no worries. Grieve well.
(Reply to this)

http://coppervale.livejournal.com/124520.html

Fairfield Man Dies After Battle With ALS




FAIRFIELD (NEWS CENTER) -- Al Hendsbee was featured in a NEWS CENTER Special Report last month. We first met Hendsbee in November 2006.


Hendsbee's wife tells NEWS CENTER her husband got a respiratory infection and wasn't able to fight it off. She says he died peacefully Sunday morning.

Doctors diagnosed Hendsbee with ALS four and a half years ago, and he slowly lost the ability to use his muscles. Hendsbee was confined to chair and couldn't move on his own.

Until the end, Hendsbee kept his faith and his sense of humor. Al Hendsbee, a former Maine State Police detective, was 58 years old.

Hendsbee's funeral will be Friday at 2pm at the Faith Evangelical Free Church at 250 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville.

http://www.wcsh6.com:80/news/article.aspx?storyid=76641

Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19 for Brad T. Schoon, 47, of Geneseo, Ill. Brad died Sunday, Dec. 16 following a five-month battle with Lou Gehrig's (ALS) disease. He was surrounded by his family.
A "Celebration of Brad's Life" will be Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. in the Geneseo High School Gymnasium. Per his request cremation rites have been accorded. Vandemore Funeral Home, Geneseo is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests donations be made to the "Brad Schoon Memorial Scholarship Fund", c/o Central Bank, 101 North State Street, Geneseo, IL 61254. The fund will annually benefit a deserving Geneseo High School college bound senior.
Brad was a loving and caring husband and father. He was a considerate and helpful son, thoughtful brother, and a great friend to many. He was a dedicated high school science teacher for 23 years, the last 12 at Geneseo High School in Ill. He was respected by his colleagues and loved by his students.
Brad is survived by his wife, Renada and daughters Lindsay and Sara, his parents Neil (Pate) and Pat Schoon of Anamosa and his brothers Cris (Nancy) Schoon and Todd (Jennifer) Schoon.
Following the "Celebration", family and friends are invited to the Geneseo High School cafeteria for a time of reflection and sharing. Food donations will be welcome at the "Celebration".

http://www.zwire.com:80/site/news.cf...&PAG=461&rfi=9