Obituaries

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Robert Edward Wilson

January 25th, 1933 – March 19th, 2022

Captain, Doctor, President, Eagle Scout, District Governor, Papa Bob

Bob was born in Emmaus, Pennsylvania at his parents’ veterinary hospital. In his childhood, Bob was active in scouting and attained scouting’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Allentown High School he attended the University of Pennsylvania.

Following graduation from Penn’s veterinary school in 1957, he was commissioned as a captain in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Paine Field in Everett, WA. While at Paine Field, he served as the base veterinarian, chief food inspector, mountain rescue team leader, traffic safety officer and most importantly met the love of his life, JoAnn. In 1959, Bob was honorably discharged from the Air Force and started practicing veterinary medicine in Lynnwood, WA.  He and JoAnn were married in 1960 and recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in January.

Bob took the Rotary International motto ‘Service above Self’ to heart. He served as presidents of the Veterinary Medical Associations of Snohomish County, Seattle, and the State of Washington.  He received the John L. Fluke Award for his contribution to the Snohomish County business community. He owned and operated the Lynnwood Veterinary Hospital for 35 years. After retirement, Bob was Santa Claus at the Alderwood Mall Nordstrom. Bob thoroughly enjoyed working with the Rotary Club where he served as club president in 1993.  With enormous help from his good friend, John Burbank, Bob went on to become District Governor for the 50 clubs in the Rotary 5030 District. One of his many Rotary International projects included traveling to Kiev Ukraine to help found their first Rotary Club in 1991.

Bob and JoAnn raised three sons in Edmonds, WA. Every summer the family would take extended boating trips around the Northwest. Bob was the skipper of the family’s 23 foot boat the “Son of a Gunn” and in 1975, they were named – Northwest Boating Family of the Year. In 1977 Bob and his sons took the “Son of a Gunn” up the inside passage to Alaska. JoAnn wisely chose to stay at home. Bob and JoAnn were active in the Edmonds Yacht Club for 35 years.  Some of his favorite places to cruise included Princess Louisa Inlet in British Columbia, the Hood Canal, and the San Juan Islands. In retirement, Bob and JoAnn spent their winters in sunny Surprise, Arizona.

Bob’s desire to see the world was legendary. Bob and JoAnn traveled throughout the world together. Among the many places they visited were: Thailand, Europe, Russia, Argentina, Africa, South America, the Galapagos. Bob and JoAnn also visited India and Ethiopia to administer Polio vaccines in rural communities. While at home Bob rarely stood still. Other activities included: acting in community theater, piloting airplanes, studying history, Toastmasters, skiing, reading & fishing.

Bob is survived by his wife JoAnn, sister Virginia, sons Jeff (Tina), Jim (Elizabeth), and Doug (Deborah), and granddaughter Tara, sister-in-law Jean and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Vivian and sister Mary Vivian. Bob valued his relationships with his friends and family above all.

A memorial service will be held in his hometown of Edmonds WA this summer.

As a tribute to Bob, please perform a random act of kindness for a family member, friend, stranger, or animal.

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Gail W. Demarest was taken from this world on March 4th, 2022. She was born on March 15th, 1944 to Ralph and Grace Whitney in Trenton New Jersey. Gail was a loving wife and mother of two.

She spent approximately thirty years of her life working selflessly to help guide and educate the students at Bordentown Regional High School in New Jersey before her retirement. She had many artistic hobbies and endeavors including Stained glass creations, painting, and ceramics.

Gail will be remembered by the many people whose lives she touched and those who she helped on their journey in life. She is survived by her husband, Charles Robert Demarest, her son Keith Dwayne Demarest and her daughter Cheryl Lynn Demarest.

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It is with heartfelt sorrow that we share the sudden and untimely passing of our beloved family member, colleauge and friend, Kevin Howard Scott, on Saturday March 5th 2022.

 Kevin is survived by his daughter of 28 years, Meghan Nichole Scott; sister Kelly Urtso (husband Greg, children Elizabeth and Maddie), twin sister Kerry Almos (husband Travis, children Luke and Andrew), brother DG Scott (husband Marc) and parents Mary and Don Scott.

 Kevin lived a very accomplished life of 56 years with determination, conviction and love. He gave over 25 years of dedicated service to Costco, and was a dearly loved and appreciated manager and coworker. He enjoyed hiking in his home state of Montana and spending time in Glacier Park. The light of his world and greatest joy was his devoted daughter Meghan, and he made the most of all the quality time they could spend together. Helping people was Kevin’s priority and every day he endeavored to make someone’s life better. His improvement of the lives of others continued after his passing by him becoming a multiple tissue donor.

 Kevin will be immensely missed and the void left by his premarture departure is immeasurable. His endless supply of unselfish acts and kindness will be his enduring legacy.

 On Friday March 11th at the Rio Vista Recreation Center in Peoria, a celebration of life ceremony will be held. For those many family, colleagues and friends wishing to attend, the gathering will start at 2:00 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kevin’s name to either St Judes or to the Red Cross.

 The family wishes to thank: 

 -The Medical Staff of Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital for their kind and professional care in Kevin’s final moments.

-Costco for their immense generosity of food donation for the service, and the many years of love they gave to Kevin. 

-All of the kindness, love, and special stories of how Kevin touched the lives of others by those who have reached out in support. 

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Mr. Gregg Toland, 78, of Peoria, Arizona passed February 28^th, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. Gregg was born August 15, 1943 to James and Dolores Toland, in Glendale, California.

He is survived by his wife Kim Toland, married for 40 years and three son’s Brion, Blake and Blair Toland. Gregg graduated from Birmingham High School Van Nuys, California in 1961, where he excelled in track and football. Gregg served in the US Army from 1967-1973.

Gregg’s occupation was a Landscape Architect from 1971, until he retired in 2020. He specialized in custom residential design. He loved physical fitness and completed two, 26-mile marathons. Civil War history, nutrition, and animal welfare were his other passions.

Gregg had many special clients including: Semler Family Wines, Greynald Family Developers, Larry Dinovitz Developer, Frank and Luanne Wells (Disney) and Jack Kent Cooke (Washington Redskins)

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Our son Jared Michael Anderson of Surprise, Arizona went home to be with Jesus on March 5, 2022. He died doing what he loved on his motorcycle.

Jared was such an amazing young man that loved life, his friends, and family. He was a mama’s boy whose passing has left a huge hole in everyone’s heart and in our lives. He was born May 31, 2001 to Chad Arcadia and Susan Arcadia in Phoenix, Arizona. He is survived by his sisters Jordan Williams, Emily Arcadia, his brother Isaac Arcadia, and his parents Susan and Chad Arcadia.

Services for Jared’s Celebration of Life will be held at 6:30 pm on Friday, March 25th at Church for The Nations Surprise.

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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mrs. Cleopatra Mary Tamayo – Aktas, 95, of Surprise, Arizona. Cleo died on February 17^th, 2022 in Surprise, Arizona after a battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born on June 28^th, 1926 to Felix Tamayo and Lena Mestas in Cokeville, Wyoming

Cleo was a fierce woman, holding fast to her beliefs, defending those she loved. A “Wild Child” growing up. Some would say she had a “Free Spirit”; hence her nickname “Butch.”

Cleo grew up in Kemmerer Wyoming with seven siblings. She rode horses, played baseball & was known to beat up a boy or two for pulling her braids. After High School, Cleo moved to San Diego, CA where she studied to become a Cosmetologist, this was a trade she was able to use throughout her lifetime.

Cleo was a mother to six children, a grandmother to five generations, & an aunt to four generations.

Cleo enjoyed watching movies; a few of her favorites were “Gone with the Wind” & any westerns starring John Wayne. She had a love for music, she was always singing & tapping her toes. Cleo was known to participate in dance competitions with her older sister Ida dancing a jig.

Cleo’s favorite saying was “That’s Life” she believed in not stressing over the small stuff. She was a woman of faith which made her a warrior.  Cleo valued loyalty, honesty & authenticity. At 95 years old, Cleo was still witty throughout her battle with Dementia. She would always banter & laugh with you over silly things.

Cleo loved her entire family, despite their quirks.  She worried about them, cheered for them, protected them, prayed over them and forgave them. She loved unconditionally.

Our beloved Cleo will forever be known to us as “Ms. Hollywood.” Much like one of her favorite artists, Frank Sinatra’s song “My way”, she lived her life “Her Way.”

Cleo was one of a kind, full of grace and a beautiful soul. To be loved by her was to be “Truly Blessed”.

Cleo is survived by her daughters Jeri Smith (Guy Smith), Ellen Derting, Sureyya Aktas-Gomes (Gary Gomes) her son James R. Derting (Teresita Derting), her sisters Celia Muniz, Julia Tamayo, twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and one great-great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband Galip Aktas, son Robert Earl Derting, daughter, Joan Stronjy, brothers Alfred Tamayo, Jerry Tamayo, sisters Mary Martinez, Ida La Bleu, and niece Cleo Louise Arvin.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 18^th, 2022 at Thompson Funeral Chapel 926 S. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear, Arizona 85338. The family suggests that donations be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association

Nonie’s Remembrance Ceremony Time: Mar 18, 2022 01:00 PM Arizona Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86336154590?pwd=UXNaL3Vvb0dHN0ExVTA4d3B3TzhZQT09 Meeting ID: 863 3615 4590 Passcode: 380477