Life Tributes for the week of 1/15/20

Edwin P. “Pat” Bright

Longtime Greenville resident and loving father, Edwin P. “Pat” Bright, passed away on Dec. 22, 2019. He left us peacefully, while sitting in his favorite recliner by the warmth of a fire with the love of his life and soul mate, Linda, by his side in their Greenville home.

Born in Kilgore, Texas, on Aug. 30, 1934, Pat moved to Greenville with his mother Salina at the age of 4-years-old. He attended school in Greenville, graduating from Greenville High School in 1952. Nicknamed “Bomba,” Pat was a standout football player who was recruited by the University of Texas Longhorns. Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from fulfilling this dream. He instead sought new challenges and career opportunities in the timber industry, the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department, as an independent forest contractor, and in mining. Pat loved the mountains and was a steward of nature long before environmental awareness was commonplace. He had a love for wildlife and scenic beauty, especially within his beloved Plumas County. Pat understood the fragile, yet bountiful relationship between man, nature and the environment.

For those who knew Pat, he was an impressive figure, a real-life Paul Bunyan. His physical strength was legendary amongst those he worked with. His muscular physique was only surpassed by the immense size of his heart and the strength of love for his family. Pat was a kind and caring man who worked tirelessly to raise four daughters during a time when single men rarely did so. Pat was an Indian Valley legend. He was a renaissance man who possessed a keen sense of human nature and spirit. Pat was an avid reader, writer, an accomplished artist, a conversationalist, an intellectual, and a philosopher. Sadly, Pat’s passing signifies the closing of a chapter on a generation of tough, enduring, self-made mountain men who once filled small Sierra communities like Greenville.

Today, thoughts and memories of Pat may be sad and difficult. The family requests you not grieve over Pat, rather, rejoice in knowing we were blessed by Pat’s love and friendship for 85-years.

Rest assured, Pat is now standing alongside Jesus watching over his family and friends as our guardian angel. With him is his loving mother, Salina; brother, Mike; his sisters, Nellie and Hazel; and daughter, Zella, all of whom preceded and welcomed him into heaven.

He is survived by his beloved life-partner, Linda; daughters Sally, Eulalia and Sandy; stepchildren, David with his wife, Tracy, and Jamie, with her husband, Bruce; grandchildren, Brittany, Chad and his wife, Maggie, Simeone, Maria, Heather, JR, Cariann, Eddie, Alicia, Maddie, Colt, Joey, John, Josh and his wife, Theresa, Amanda, Lynda and Sarah; great and great-great grandchildren, Deaglan, Scarlet, Allen, Klarsen, Robert, Belle, Elias, Ryan, Anthony, Arizabeth, Kayla, April, Precious, Mia, Emily, William, Jordan, Kain, Bodi, Preslee, Dallas and Trayton.

A celebration of Pat’s life is forthcoming and will be announced.

Michael Hidde II

Michael was tragically taken from us too soon the morning of Dec. 23, as a result of a car accident. Our lives will never be the same.

Mike grew up in Portola, played high school football (Go Tigers!), joined the Marines when he graduated and shortly after that became a father. He was a hard worker and was very knowledgeable in many trades. If you knew Mike today you would know to find him at the job that he enjoyed the most, tending bar at the Bank Club. He loved his customers and his coworkers like family. He was proud to still have his best friends from school and the new ones he made along the way.

He loved his family with all his heart especially his children and grandchildren, they will never truly know the love he had for them. He grew up very close to his sister and brothers and was lucky enough to be close to his mom and dad throughout his life. Losing him has been truly heartbreaking for us all.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Hidde; his aunts, Marilyn (Ken) and Carol; his uncles, Jack (Kathy) and Richard (Sarah); and his cousin, Cindy.

Michael is survived by his father, Michael Hidde Sr.; his sister, Michelle Peralta (Mario); brothers, Charles Hidde (Jenn) and Cody Hidde (Erin), all of Portola; his sons, Michael Hidde III, of Portland, Oregon, and Mitchell Hidde (Alani,) of Washougal, Washington; daughters, Amanda Chaney (Tim), of Manteca and Ashley Rezzonico, of Fillmore, Utah; his grandchildren, who were his whole world and always put a smile on his face, Aubrey, Austin and Madelyn; his nephews, Donny, Steven, Ricky and Jeremiah; nieces, Alayna and Piper; his aunt, Joanne (Mike); and uncle, David (Patsy); and cousins, Kenny, Karen, Debbie, Cathy, Shelly, Lynette, Joey, Mark, Kris, Brian and Sarah.

If you knew Mike, you know he wouldn’t want us to cry. He would want us to celebrate and remember all the fun times, share a memory and laugh. His laugh was contagious, you couldn’t help but to have a good time when you were around him, he was truly larger than life.

We will be celebrating Mike’s memory on Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Portola Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Food will be provided; the family is asking that you bring a side dish or dessert to share, if you can.

Rest in peace, Mike. We love you!

David Frank Laplander

David Frank Laplander, 68, of Quincy, passed away peacefully in his home on Dec. 9, 2019.

David was born in Quincy to Howard and Rose Laplander on April 25, 1951. He attended Quincy High School and from there he went to work in the local lumber mills. In his earlier years, he spent his time fishing, hunting, getting wood with his brother and gold panning. He would spend time with his nieces and nephews teaching them valuable life skills and exploring the mountains by taking them on adventurous jeep rides. David was a very talented artist and often spent hours creating beautiful colored pencil artwork. In his most recent years, his favorite hobbies were spending time with his sister Gerri, gambling, tending to his colorful garden and taking care of his pets: Snowball, Cutie and Pugsy.

David was preceded in death by his father and mother, Howard and Rose Laplander, of Quincy; brother, Butch Laplander, of Quincy; brother, Ronald Laplander, of Quincy; brother, Rick Laplander, of Durham; sister, Sharon VanOrnum, of Quincy; brother-in-law, Connie Mason, of Quincy.

David is survived by his sister, Dorothy Mason, of Quincy; brother, Mike (Marcia) Laplander, of Del Norte, Colorado; sister, Esther (George) Potter, of Greenville; sister, Debra (Greg) Green, of Fernley, Nevada; sister, Gerri Laplander, of Quincy; brother-in-law, Doug VanOrnum of Ely, Nevada; along with 10 nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as a large extended family.

Our brother was a kindhearted man who will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Rest in peace, Brother!

Private services will be held in the spring.

Barbara Jones Nelson

Barbara Jones Nelson was born on July 14, 1931, to Ethyl and William Jones in Seattle, Washington. Her family moved to Reno, Nevada, in 1941. She was a student at Orvis Ring grade school, Northside Jr. High School and graduated from Reno High School in 1949.

In 1952 Barbara started her employment with Bell of Nevada. She retired as a Personnel Manager on July 15, 1981.

In 1970, Barbara married Willis G. (Bill) Nelson. They both retired from the telephone company in 1981 and moved to their summer home in Graeagle, enjoying golfing and traveling for many years. Bill passed away in January 2007.

Barbara had two children, son David Wing (deceased) and daughter Sandra Jo Sans.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Jo Sans (Paul) in Yerington; stepchildren, Susan McQuaid (Bob), Eric Nelson (Monika); four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and her dear long-time companion, Harold A. Thompson.

At her request, no services are planned.