Life Tributes for the week of 10/2/19

William “Bill” Barth Jr.

William McKenzie Barth Jr. (Bill), age 69, of Cody, Wyoming, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at his home in Cody.

Born Jan. 9, 1950, to William and Lorna Barth he was reared in Chico.

He graduated from Pleasant Valley High School in 1968, went on to Chico State College where he opted out to do a tour in Vietnam, 1969 – 1971. He served in the Army with the 221st Aviation Brigade patrolling the Mekong Delta and was decorated eight times during his tour of Vietnam and Germany.

He was an armorer and weapons specialist, company mailman, and crew chief on 01 birddogs and flew night missions over Cant-hoe and Soc Trang and worked with the 5th Special Forces and SEAL teams.

From 1975 – 1980 he was a sports writer for the Green Mountain Gazette and the North Valley Sporting Journal and also did a radio program called the “Outdoor Report.”

In 1981 – 1983 he led and was chairman of the Quincy Chapter of Ducks Unlimited and also taught hunter safety for 20+ years. He enjoyed working with kids and introducing them to the outdoors. He was also the caretaker of the Hang Town Duck Club, and later went to work for the Quincy Sports Center where he left to pursue his business Sierra Safaris Gun Club and Guide Service.

From 1994 to 1995 he was a California fish and game commissioner for Plumas County.

In 1990 he married the love of his life, Rhonda. They moved to Quincy in 1991 where he managed Sierra Mountain Sports. In 1995 he moved his family to Cody and was employed at Rocky Mountain Discount Sports and Liquor, from 1995 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2005 at Sierra Trading Post as a supervisor where he retired due to health issues.

Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved the outdoors and moved to Cody so he could enjoy all the hunting he could. He loved to teach kids about fishing and hunting and when given the opportunity would teach anyone who wanted to learn.

Sporting goods ran in Bill’s blood, growing up in the business with his father and uncle in the family business of Barth Sporting Goods of Chico that was started by his grandfather in 1908. Bill was also a member of Yellowstone Baptist Church. He also enjoyed participating in the Young Life sporting clay shoot every year.

He is survived by his wife, Rhonda; a son, Jonathan; and the three blessings of his life, his grandchildren, Chloe, Odin and Pixie, of Cody; and a sister, Brenda Barth, of Chico; nephew, Colin Sizelove, of Chico; a brother, Robert, also of Chico.

Services were held Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Cody House of Prayer Evangelical Church.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cody Young Life and Wyoming Normal.01

Nancy Lee LaSarte Ray

Nancy Lee LaSarte Ray, age 82, of Quincy, passed away on Sept. 14, 2019, with family at her bedside. She was born to the late Felix Aleman LaSarte and Geraldine Josephine LaSarte in Portola in 1936. Nancy graduated from Portola High School in 1954, and married the love of her life, the late Don K. Ray, in 1956. Family and friends knew her as Nonnie.

Nancy is survived by her two sisters, Betty L. Maccoun, of Roseville, Jacqueline D. Yoacham, of Quincy and her brother, Bernard R. LaSarte, of Pollock Pines. Together Don and Nonnie are survived by their four children, Jeffrey D. Ray, of Quincy, Felicia A. Beck, married to Denis J. Beck, of Oceanside, Joseph A. Ray, of Moreno Valley and Kristin S. Wells, married to Michael L. Wells, of Auburn. Nancy took great pride in her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Nonnie was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind cherished memories and beautiful relationships.

Nancy spent many years serving the local medical community working in many doctors’ offices making sure patients received the care they needed no matter the day or time. Both she and Don owned and ran the Mountain Anesthesia Corporation that served Northern California hospitals. She was a lover of high school sports, spending many evenings cheering on the Quincy Trojans on the gridiron or basketball court. On Saturdays in the fall Nonnie enjoyed cheering on her favorite Ol’ Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish took the field. As a lifetime resident of Plumas County, Nancy took pleasure in all the beauty and splendor offered by the area’s nature.

All are welcome to celebrate Nancy at a Mass to be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 pm. This will be immediately followed by a graveside ceremony intended for family only. The Ray family thanks the community of Quincy for always supporting high school athletics and insists that in lieu of flowers, please continue your support and do what you can to bring back football to QHS.