Charles R. Jackson Charles Richard Jackson, better known as "Charlie" in Modoc County, realized his dreams with a determined spirit and dedicated work ethic, before he passed away peacefully at his home in Alturas on May 8, 2005. He was 85. A Modoc resident for 55 years, he was one of 10 children, known as "Sonny" in his native Macclesfield, Cheshire, England where he was born on April 6, 1920. He served with the British Royal Navy for 5-1/2 years on the destroyer, "HMS Amethyst," during World War II. After his military service, he operated a produce route with his Lorrie [cart] and horse. On January 26, 1948, he married neighbor girl, Violet Smith and the two have shared 57 years of marriage. On July 30, 1950, Charles and Violet left England for better opportunities in the United States. They worked hard to make their dream of one day owning a ranch in America come true. The Jacksons traveled seven days on the HMS Parthia, across the Atlantic for Ellis Island in New York. They had left behind "Jackson's," the General Merchandise Store they had owned for 2-1/2 years and worked hard at before they sold the business. As store proprietors, the two worked tirelessly from sun up to sun down, also running a catering business and cooking in the wee hours of the morning to serve a hot meal by noon each day, for the factory workers in town which had contracted with them for the meals. After making application to move to the United States, they waited 18 long months to get "on quota" to enter the U.S. and were only allowed to leave England with $55. They took their beloved German Shepherd with them. Another requirement was to have a sponsor in the U.S. who would vouch that the new residents wouldn't become a burden on their new government. Through a mutual friend, Vi had corresponded with Don and Ida Kinkaid of Modoc County who offered to sponsor the couple. After their arrival at Ellis Island, the Jacksons boarded a train for a three-day trip from New York to Reno, where the Kinkaids of Canyon Creek Ranch picked them up and took them to the Jackson's new, but temporary home. "We had one dime left to our name," recalled Charlie in a Modoc Record feature dated Feb. 19, 1998. The Jacksons stayed 11 months working and living on the Canyon Creek Ranch in Modoc County, before venturing out on their own, staying a brief two weeks in Alturas, then moving to Likely, where they worked at the General Store for Alice and Harry Flournoy for three years and four months. The Jacksons have maintained long friendships and strong ties to Likely from those first years in Modoc. Anxious to cultivate their dream, Charlie's sister in Long Beach encouraged them to move in with her until he could find a job. Charlie quickly landed a job on his first interview at a grocery store and worked through promotions over the following nine years. Charlie held two jobs for seven years, working 16 hours a day with two, eight-hour shifts. In 1955, after taking a six-week class at the local college in Long Beach, Charlie and Vi became U.S. citizens. It wasn't until 1962 that the two were able to return to England and in later years, returned several times. After nine years in Southern California, saving all along, they returned to Modoc and purchased the vacant Al Lindgren property. Charlie was hired as the City of Alturas "dog catcher" then worked for the street department. He retired as City of Alturas Water and Sewer Department Superintendent after 21 years with the city. Step by step, as they were able, they built their home, a barn, and ranch. By the time they sold the property in 1985, and moved to another home, they owned 130 breeding cows. They had realized their dream after years of hard work. On January 24, 1998, the Jacksons were feted by 235 friends who gathered for a 50th wedding anniversary celebration in their honor. Charlie loved to work and thoroughly enjoyed his ranch and animals; the cowboys and his very good neighbor Lester Porter. Services will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Alturas on Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Linda Moore. Burial will follow at the Likely Cemetery with a potluck following at the Likely Fire Hall. In addition to his wife of 57 years, Violet Jackson of Alturas, Mr. Jackson is survived by two sisters Muriel Wain and Brenda and husband Roy Cotton of England; Brothers John and wife Nita Jackson, David and wife Kitty Jackson of England; Harold and wife Bessie Jackson of Australia, Eric and wife Audrey Jackson of England; Peter and wife Hazel Jackson of Wales; brother-in-law James Bowers of Long Beach, CA and extensive family of nephews and nieces who loved him very much and will miss him. He was preceded in death by his sister Madge Bowers of Long Beach and Eileen Potts of England. Donations in his memory may be made to the High Plateau Humane Society, or Judy Ford's Canine Country or St. Michael's Endowment Fund. Services are under the direction of Kerr Mortuary, Alturas Alta O. Hawes On April 30, 2005, Alta O. Hawes, age 97 years, left this life to claim the place promised to her at the feet of Jesus. Alta was born in the Oklahoma Territory in 1907. She and her late husband, Ernest, had been ranchers in Surprise Valley prior to their moving to Placerville. They were residents of El Dorado County for 31 years. They were both charter members of the Placerville First Christian Church. She faithfully served the Lord and her Church as the Sunshine Lady, sending cards of love and encouragement to the sick and shut-in. Alta always had a positive outlook on life and the centers of her affection were her family and her church. She always had a smile and was loved by all who knew her. Alta was preceded in death by her loving husband Ernest. She is survived by her two sons, Warren and Ernest, Jr. of Alturas, 13 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Eternal with the Lord, into which she has entered, was held at 2 p.m. on May 7 at the Chapel of the Pines in Placerville. Interment was private. Vergie Mae Fender Former long-time Alturas resident Vergie Mae Fender passed away peacefully on April 25, 2005, in Brownsburg, Indiana. She was born to Tom and Lovada Gentry in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on January 29, 1919, the youngest of seven children. They all preceded her in death. She was the widow of Tad Fender to whom she was married for almost 50 years. Tad passed away in 1986. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sherrie Lynn, in 2000. While raising her family, she worked in the school cafeteria in North Carolina, until she and Tad moved to California in 1951. At that time, their youngest child was only a few months old and rode on a pillow in the seat of a 1946 Ford. After arriving in Alturas, CA Vergie went to work at Modoc Medical Center and retired from there after many years. She was a long-time member of the Alturas Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, Guy and his wife Mary of Sacramento; daughters Inez and husband Pete Jackson of Indiana; and Janice and husband David Shanklin of Burney, four granddaughters and three grandsons. Vergie leaves 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Lois Thomason of Alturas and many nieces and nephews. Services were held Friday, April 29 at Kerr Chapel in Alturas. Burial followed at the Alturas Cemetery next to her beloved Tad. Pastor Mel Chasteen of Alturas Baptist Church presided. DeLos 'Bud' Steward DeLos "Bud" Steward passed away at the Surprise Valley Hospital on May 3, 2005. Bud had lived at the Surprise Valley Long-Term Care Facility since November of 2003. While there, Bud received loving care from a staff of wonderful and dedicated people. Bud was born on May 9, 1927, in Lake City, CA to Bruce and Marie Steward. His brother, Brucie Steward preceded him in death. Surviving sisters are Vivian Kemble and Theyel Hauver and his brother, Dale Steward. Bud was married to his wife, Donna for 55 years. After he could no longer live at home, Donna would visit him several times daily and bring him special treats, usually his favorite, ice cream. Also surviving are his son, Michael and wife Joy of Winnemucca, NV, and grandsons, Marc and Scott and Scott's son Taylor. Bud's daughter, Jean Peterson and husband Sam and son Kelly reside in Alturas, CA. His son, Russ resides in Citrus Heights, CA. Russ's daughter, Jodi and husband, Paul and their sons Anthony and Paul Jr. reside in Cedarville, as does special granddaughter, Tahlia. Melissa resides in Redding, CA. Bud was employed by the Modoc County Road Department for 35 years. He first began work as an equipment operator and was later promoted to County Road Superintendent, overseeing the county road system. He enjoyed the many people with whom he worked throughout the years. Throughout his life, Bud enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to take his kids and grandchildren fishing and hunting. They all have many fond memories of times with "Grandpop" camping and especially sledding in the wintertime. His sons will never forget the times they spent hunting elk and deer with him. There were many special people in Bud's life. Just a few of those are: his friends, Dennis Egle and Floyd and Betty Smith and his nephew, Cecil Kemble and special nieces, Judy Lynch, Karen Hill and Dixie Kemble. Services were held Friday, May 6 at Lake City Cemetery at 2 p.m. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Surprise Valley Health Care District, Cedarville, CA 96104. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by Norton AntiVirus.