Obituaries for the week of Dec 7, 2016
Peggy Lucille Horton Phelps
From the moment Dewayne Phelps spotted Peggy Horton during sixth grade, he knew that she was the one for him and recognized how remarkable she was. In 1960, she married Dewayne and, for 47 years, they shared life while taking pride in their two sons. During those years, Dewayne was her constant source of love, support and strength. On Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, while surrounded by her loved ones, Peggy peacefully passed away into the loving arms of her Savior, and reunited with her beloved Dewayne, who passed in 2007.
Born in Bell, on May 4, 1941, Peggy’s early years were marked by accomplishments in the classroom and through her extracurricular activities. She was named Valencia High School’s Outstanding Student and received numerous scholarships and accommodations. Especially important to her was 4-H. She was a member through high school, and then served as an adult leader for 14 years.
Education was important to Peggy. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Fullerton Community College, and then a BA from CSU Long Beach. For the next 50 years she would use elements of that education to serve thousands of people during her career as a high school home economics teacher, business manager and owner, and finally as an assistant social worker with an emphasis on older adults.
Perhaps the value that marked her work, and her life, was the preservation of dignity. As a teacher she taught there is dignity in being a homemaker or in pursuing a career; as an employer she emphasized the dignity in doing a job well, whether it was working as a line cook, waiting tables or catering an event; and as a social worker she found great value in sustaining the dignity of older adults, especially those suffering from dementia and other age-related health issues. Finally, through her service at Woodland Christian Church (where she was a member), Peggy spearheaded a dignified solution in housing the homeless, who had a special place in her heart.
Over the course of her life, Peggy empowered people to be their best and live to their full potential. She received numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2016 Distinguished Service Commendation from U.S. Congressman, John Garamendi. Her heart for service was a true inspiration to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and expansive community.
She is survived by her children James (Deborah) of Grass Valley, and Thomas (Denice) of Chico; grandchildren Andrew (Caitlin), Christopher, Jaclynne, and Shannon; great-grandchild, Olivia; and her sister Patricia (Bob) Mayhall of Upland.
She is preceded in death by her parents Herbert and Gladiola Horton, brother Herbert Horton, and her loving husband, Dewayne Phelps.
A memorial service will be held at Woodland Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 509 College Street, on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m., with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Woodland Christian Church – Homeless Project, or to Yolo County Adult Day Health Center for the creation of the Peggy Phelps Caregiver Resource Center.
Loren Brose Poore
Loren B. Poore, 79, of Folsom, passed away on Nov. 17, 2016. Loren was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Redding, spending his teenage years in Quincy where he met Mary Barnes, his wife of 60 years.
Loren graduated from Quincy High School in 1955 only to begin a career a short time later with the California Division of Forestry (CDF). In 1963, his lifelong work quickly centered on the focus of his position in the newly developed, temporary, Fire Education and Investigation program. Loren was part of the first wave of wild land arson investigators for the State of California, Arson Investigative Unit Badge #42. In that capacity, he wrote several of the states’ arson laws that still stand, developed the concept of “defensible space” around houses to protect them from wild fire, and impacted the science of wild land arson investigation and fire prevention techniques significantly enough to be awarded the Silver Smokey award in 1989 — the nation’s highest honor for such work.
After his retirement from CDF, Loren continued to serve his community as a member of the Placer County Grand Jury for four years, acting as Foreman during his 2000 – 2001 appointment. Upon completion of his time with the Grand Jury, Loren spent time volunteering the with City of Rocklin’s Police Volunteer Program. Working with the public was what he loved, serving to keep people safe.
Loren was also a long-standing member of Free and Accepted Masons Santa Rosa-Luther Burbank Lodge No. 57. Loren was a Master Mason and Past Master of Luther Burbank Lodge No. 752. He was recognize as having earned the rank of 32nd Degree and was a member of the Ben Ali Shrine, the Scottish Rite and York Rite.
Most important about Loren was that he loved his family. He was father to all and enjoyed making them smile. He was Smokey the Bear in elementary classrooms and never passed an opportunity to make the world magic if he could. Long Sunday rides to the coast to see the ocean happened because of him. Papa made the world better.
Loren is survived by his wife Mary; son Mike (Beth); and daughter Mary Kathryn Hudson (Bill Canning); grandchildren Amanda (Sam) Wetherbee, Daniel (Jen) Hudson, Sean (Samantha) Poore, Steven (Jenelle) Poore; and six great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brothers Robert (Nancy) and Sam (Doris) Poore; and sister-in-law Georgia Walper.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the UC Davis Burn Center or the Shriners Hospital for Children in Sacramento.
To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Loren Brose Poore, please visit our Tribute Store (miller-funeral-home.tributecenterstore.com).