Dale Albaugh

Vera Nathalie “Sissy” Randolph Fletcher

Gloria Edna Gomez

Richard L. Knight

Henry Matteucci

David Custer McCain

Dale Albaugh

Dale Albaugh passed away Feb. 18, 2012. Dale was born on Sept. 4, 1935 in Baker City, Ore. to Ed and Orma Albaugh. In 1937 he moved to Adin, Calif. when his parents purchased the Frosty Acres Ranch. Dale graduated from Adin High School in 1953, and went on to obtain a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Utah State University. Dale served in the United States Army from 1962-64.

Dale was an active member of his community and industry. He served on the Federal Land Bank Board of Directors, Fall River-Big Valley Cattlemen’s Board of Directors and past President, Lassen County School Board, Director of the Weed and Pest Abatement District, Director of Lassen/Modoc Flood Control District, Sheep Leader for Providence 4-H Club, and FFA Honorary Chapter Member. Dale was awarded the Shorthorn Seed Stock Producer of the Year, and was a lifelong member of the Farm Bureau, National Farmer’s Association, and Cattlemen’s Association.

Dale married Barbara Jean Nov. 24, 1968, they raised four children together: Patti, Aaron, Nancy and Andy. Dale was known as a proficient roper and master of animal behavior. He was mild mannered and rarely uttered a harsh word. Dale was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, but never wanted to accept one. He believed in hard work and proper care of the animals and land. His favorite quote was, “Why is there never enough time to do the job right, but always enough time to do it over?”

Dale would pull your ear when you were wrong, but was first in line to pat you on the back when you were right. He loved his family and treated everyone with equal love, dignity, respect and kindness. Dale was a selfless, humble man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His “Life Lessons” will live on in his children and grandchildren for many generations to come as they are passed down in the hopes of making each of us a little more like him.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Orma Albaugh.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Barbara Jean; sister Jean, and husband Bob Walker, of Rough and Ready, Calif.; brother Ron, and wife Lavern Albaugh, of Fallon, Nev.; children Patti and Vince Ellison, of Adin, Aaron and Becky Albaugh, of Adin, Nancy and Stacy McClaflin, of Crescent City, Calif., Andy and Helen Albaugh, of Adin; grandchildren Jessi, Katie, Dakota, Brandi, LeAnn, Natalie, Barrett, Paige, Austin and Cooper as well as great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fall River/Big Valley Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choice.

Vera Nathalie “Sissy” Randolph Fletcher

Mom passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nev. after a short illness. She went to her new home in Heaven at 12:47 a.m. where she will be reunited with her many special family members and friends.

Gram was born July 13, 1923 in Weinert, Texas to Leslie “Tex” Randolph and Vera Violet Holton Randolph. She was the oldest of the three children who included her brother, Les Randolph and sister Peggy Lloyd. She loved being with her family and friends, either enjoying the beautiful outdoors traveling the country, or enjoying a good meal, but preferably all three. She also loved to play racquetball well into her late 70s. And as her granddaughter Bekah stated, “She loved pigs!”

Nat moved to Susanville from Redlands, Calif. in 1978 where she got to live closer to her son Rodney, daughter-in-law Janet, and grandchildren Tracy and Robert. Many wonderful memories were made during that time. She especially loved to be out helping her son, Rodney, with his business. After her son and his family moved to Portola, Calif., she stayed in Susanville to be with her many friends who were a constant blessing to her. Foremost was her friend, Mark Steele, who for the last 22 years made it his mission to see that she was well taken care of. Also were her friends and neighbors, Jerry, Nadia and Fern.

Nathalie is survived by her son, Rodney Jones, daughter-in-law Janet Jones; granddaughter Tracy Jones Eisele and her daughters Caty, 15, and Bekah, 11; grandson Robert Jones, his wife Jackie Dauk Jones and their children, Emma, 9, and Luke, 7. She is also survived by her sister Peggy Lloyd her husband, Noel Lloyd, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Finally, Nat is survived by her friend and caregiver, Mark Steele.

The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful nurses at Renown Medical Center Intensive Care Unit who helped ease Mom through the final days of her life. Thank you to Molly, Karrie, Alisha, Jim, Jenny and all of the other wonderful people.

The family asks that instead of flowers, a gift of flower bulbs would be appreciated to be planted by the family at Nat’s graveside, to bloom for her each spring.

Arrangements have been handled by Walton’s colonial Mortuary, of Susanville, Calif.

Gram will be remembered with love and humor for the similes she brought to so many people.

Gloria Edna Gomez

Gloria Edna Gomez passed away suddenly Feb. 28, 2012. God called her to his side, taking away the fear and confusion of the dementia that clouded her mind this past year.

Gloria was the only child born to Vincent and Edna Bell on Dec. 23, 1924, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Gloria emigrated to the United States as a World War II war bride on November 1946 and married Joe Gomez in January 1947.

Gloria worked for Fruit Growers box factory, Fruit Growers veneer plant, Dr. Fred J. Davis, Sr. and Dr. Fred J. Davis, Jr., Safeway, California Department of Employment, and the California Correctional Center, retiring in December 1987 after working 23 years at CCC.

To those who knew her, Gloria was a strong, beautiful, kind, loving and gracious woman. She loved being with her family. She always had a twinkle in her eye and loved to laugh and sing. She also loved to dance, teaching her children and grandchildren to jitterbug and waltz as soon as they were able to walk.

Gloria traveled back to her beloved Australia in August 1988 where she visited with family and school chums. She had a wonderful time showing her daughters where she met — and danced with — their father on his R & R breaks during WWII. She was delighted to see many memorable landmarks and the home she grew up in were still there.

Gloria is survived by her three children: Marlene and Mike Smith, Arthur and Sari Gomez and Gloria Bell Gomez, all of Susanville; two grandchildren, Alyana Gomez, of Chico, and Joseph Gomez, of Sacramento. She was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jack and Sean Smith.

At her request, no services will be held. Memorial donations can be made in her name to Lassen High Alumni Association, P.O. Box 471, Susanville, CA.

Richard L. Knight

Richard L. Knight “Opa” passed away on Feb. 20, 2012 at his residence in Doyle, Calif. Mr. Knight was born Oct. 14, 1939 in Caruthers, Calif. He was a very loving and caring man. Mr. Knight enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959 where he proudly served his country for 23 years. He met and married his wife, Katie M. Bauer, in Heidelberg, Germany in 1963. They were married for 30 years and blessed with two children. He retired from the military in 1982 and continued to work for the city of Salinas, Calif. in the public works department until 1993. Mr. Knight began to enjoy his retirement and took on a new adventure in 1997 when he moved to Doyle, Calif. Mr. Knight spent the last few years volunteering for the Family Resource Center and doing a lot of work for the community, his friendly smile and presence will be missed.

Mr. Knight is survived by his daughter Janice M. Gotcher; son-in-law Ricky A. Gotcher; his grandchildren Kandance Smiles, Sarah Gotcher and Nicole Gotcher. He is also survived by his siblings Luella Starkey, from Manford, Okla., Elroy Knight from Delano, Calif., Ethelene Morris from Selma, Calif., Joyce Padgett from Ceres, Calif. and Shirley Dotson from Cumby, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his wife Katie Knight and his son Richard L. Knight, Jr.; his parents Charles Wesley and Hattie Bertha Knight; and seven siblings, June Starkey, Lila Davis, Milburn Knight, Roland Knight, Beverly Horner and Robert Knight.

A memorial was held at 11 a.m. March 3 at the Herlong Chapel Building at 170 D.S. Hall St.

A graveside service at 11 a.m. March 10 at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Salinas, Calif.

Henry Matteucci

Feb. 24, 2012 marked the passing of one of Susanville’s iconic businessmen of the 20th century, Henry Matteucci, owner of the Pioneer Mercantile Company.

Born Henry Luigi Matteucci on Feb. 3, 1914 in Lovelock, Nev., Henry came to Susanville in 1922, and graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1932.

Like many of his classmates, the Fruit Growers Supply Company which operated a sawmill in Susanville, afforded many job opportunities. Henry went to work for Fruit Growers, unlike others, not in the mill or the woods. During the 1920s and 1930s semi-professional baseball teams were all the rage on the West Coast, and Fruit Growers sponsored a team of their own which Henry played for a brief time. Giving up the sporting life he remained with Fruit Growers, first working as a timekeeper at a logging camp known as Camp Ten. His proficiency with numbers was rewarded and he soon went to work in the main office in Susanville. His work there was interrupted when Uncle Sam came calling during World War II, and Henry became a member of the Armed Services.

After the War, Henry returned to Susanville and resumed his employment with Fruit Growers. The company saw potential in Henry and he was promoted to the headquarters in Los Angeles, Calif. One of the things that impressed Henry, he being a numbers man, was how they were already using an internal computer system to monitor the activities and needs of the co-operative.

For all the vibrancy and sophistication Henry witnessed, Los Angeles was not the right fit for him and he explored an avenue to return to Susanville. In 1952, what he found was the Pioneer Mercantile Company, then owned by two longtime Horse Lake ranch families Hansen and Wood. Henry became the third partner, managing the Pioneer. In 1974, Henry, along with his wife Dina, became the sole owners of the Pioneer.

Ten years later, the Neversweat Chapter #1863 of E Clampus Vitus attached a bronze plaque to the Pioneer building to acknowledge that it was the oldest business, not only in Susanville, but Northeastern California. The Pioneer had been in business for 121 years. It was revealed then one of Henry’s legacy to the business and the community at large, was the painting of the brands, above the back bar, from the ranching community. It was a slow process that begun in the early 1960s, and kept growing.

Henry explained, “Most of our customers were ranchers and cowboys then, so we decided it would add to the place.”

While many changes have occurred, such as the disappearance of the card rooms, where lots of money exchanged hands, two silent witnesses remain who oversee operations were the statues of the black youth and the Irish prizefighter that have stood on top at the opposite ends of the bar since 1900.

Alas, time marches on, and Henry desired to retire. In 1988 he sold the Pioneer, but wary how things could go wrong, kept an interest in the building. An astute businessman on his part, his family will be a part in the transformation of the Pioneer later this year.

While Henry was dedicated to his business, he had another life, too. In 1953 he married Dina Fiora, who literally knew the bar business having operated the 101 Nite Club near Westwood, Calif. and the 802 in Susanville.

Surviving Henry is his wife, Dina; daughter, Sandra and granddaughter Gina; and sister Mabel Youmans, along with numerous cousins in Nevada.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012 at the Sacred Heart Church in Susanville. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Lassen High Alumni Association, P.O. Box 471, Susanville, CA 96130.

David Custer McCain

July 10, 1912 –Jan. 13, 2012

Born in LeRoy, Kansas July 10, 1912, David C. McCain left us Jan. 13, 2012. He outlived his wife of 62 years, Jean, his siblings, William, Veota, LaRene, Lois and most of his friends. He leaves his children, Nancy, David and Ann, their spouses and significant others, nine grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. On his birthdays, he entertained friends and relatives with his latest musical instrument exploits and always tap dancing. As the birthdays went on the tap dancing ended up shuffling in a brave attempt to carry on. Now, unencumbered by a century old body, the old man is happily dancing with the stars. At his request and in keeping with his traditions, the family will hold a family reunion on his birthday in McKinleyville, Calif.

Dave attended high school in Emporia, Kan. where he played basketball, a game he loved. He moved to Modesto, Calif. to marry Jean, who made the best apple pie at the Methodist Church social. There he attended Modesto Junior College and played basketball on their team. Until his very last days, he attended the Jacks’ games at HSU, dragging his oxygen bottle along.

He began his working career as a bookkeeper for Shell Oil Company during World War II. Always physical and unusually fit, he traded a desk job for working with his hands as a cement finisher and business agent for the union in Modesto, Calif. After retirement Dave and Jean sought and found the place of their dreams in Janesville, Calif. in the shadow of the mighty peak, Mount Thompson. There, they made many friends and spent happy years together with their dog, Sonya. A social guy, Dave became president of the Jolly Elders, of Janesville, and enjoyed planning trips for the group.

Dave started life when horses were the means of travel and kept his interest in them for most of his life, often using them to backpack into the Sierra Mountains that he loved. He took the children and grandchildren on those trips and taught them how to fish.

Always a spiritual man, he attended church regularly and enjoyed his relationships in the Christian community.