Barbara Jean Cottingham
3/11/1947 – 2/26/16
Not a shrinking violet but a rose to be cherished.
Barb was born in Hastings, Nebraska to Patricia and Aubrey Stevenson on March 11, 1947. Barb graduated from Hastings High School in 1965 and Hastings College in 1969. Barb married Doug Cottingham in Hastings, Nebraska on August 29, 1969. Barb lived in many cities including Omaha, Kansas City, Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix because of job transfers for Doug. Barb worked as a Human Resource Director in the cities where they lived and made many friends not only at work, but in the many charitable endeavors Barb joined. These include The Ronald McDonald House, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Special Olympics, Neighbors Who Care and P.E.O. Barb is survived and loved by husband, Doug Cottingham; sister, Pam Ferguson of Lenexa, Kansas and dog Storme. A celebration of Barb’s life was held at Barb’s home in Sun Lakes, Arizona on March 12 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Barb’s hometown of Hastings, Nebraska in the spring. Barb’s smile and laugh will be missed by her family and many close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Start Over Rover, a no kill animal rescue, at 134 Barnes Avenue, Hastings, Nebraska 68901 or to your favorite charity.
Thomas Leavitt Hall, Jr.
Thomas Leavitt Hall, Jr., 85, of Sun Lakes, passed away peacefully with his family present on March 7, 2016 in Sun Lakes, AZ.
Tom’s parents, Thomas L. Hall, Sr. and Nona Smithson White, were both from Nogales, AZ where they met in the eighth grade. Tom Jr. (“Chum”), was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 18, 1930 where his parents lived while his father attended The University of Michigan Law School. Tom often spoke fondly of his childhood in Nogales, but the war called the family, including younger sister, Nona (“Susie”) to Washington, D.C. in 1942 where Tom attended both middle school and high school and also served as a page in the U.S. Senate. The Halls returned to southern AZ after the war and Tom lived again for a short time in Nogales before attending The University of Arizona and then moving to Los Angeles, where he briefly worked at the Douglas Aircraft Company.
He was drafted into the Army in 1952 and served as a Military Policeman in Germany where he was a recognized marksman. In 1954, he and a friend took a trip to London to visit the family of his Uncle Duane Bird’s wife, June Bird (formerly June Seabrook). Tom and June’s younger sister, Charmaine, formed an immediate bond, and after one other brief visit several months later, Charmaine bravely followed her sister across the globe to marry a handsome soldier from Nogales. Tom and Charmaine were married at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales. Just like Tom Sr. and Nona before them, after the wedding the couple settled in Tucson where Tom worked at The Valley National Bank and their first son, Adrian, was born.
The family soon relocated to Phoenix where Tom began working for the State Industrial Commission (later The State Compensation Fund) where he spent the rest of his career, retiring as a Chief Investigator.
Two more children followed (Stewart in 1961 and Jennifer in 1966) and the family enjoyed happy times in west Phoenix, traveling to England several times to visit their Seabrook relatives.
After their children grew up, Tom and Charmaine moved across the Valley to Sun Lakes in 1989 where they enjoyed a wonderful retirement, traveling frequently to Europe for extended visits to Switzerland and other favorite destinations.
Tom leaves many friends from his happy times at Sun Lakes, especially those from the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club.
Tom was a humble person, but he was naturally friendly and he enjoyed a keen sense of fun and humor. He was always quick to smile and laugh with his sparkling blue eyes. He was a gifted artist, photographer, modeler and jewelry-maker from a young age. He loved animals, especially the family favorite, Opi, the cat. He was a certified “airplane nut” who was ever ready to sweep his sometime reluctant family off to air shows, museums and dusty airports in far-flung locals to search out and photograph rare aircraft variants, especially the classic warbirds from World War II. “Anybody want to look at some airplane pictures?” We will all miss that special invitation.
Tom enjoyed a long, happy marriage with the true love of his life and he and Charmaine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last July.
Besides Charmaine, Tom is survived by sons, Adrian (Ann) and Stewart, daughter Jennifer (Dave) Burkizer and grandchildren Hayden and Hayley, and he was immensely proud of all of them. He is also survived by nephews Tom and John Sykes and niece Alice Bird and their children. His parents and sister, Nona, all predeceased him.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 19 at the Sun Lakes Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the Arizona Humane Society.
Tom McCay
Tom McCay was born May 12, 1933 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, died March 10, 2016 in Chandler, AZ. He attended school in Tulsa, graduated from Central High School, and attended the University of Tulsa.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, JoAnne McCay, daughters Barbara McCay, Kathleen McCay, Cynthia McCay and son Tom McCay, Jr., three step-children, Laurie Dement, John Weston, George Weston and nine grandchildren.
Tom obtained degrees in electrical engineering and software engineering. He held several patents including the first ever for a cordless phone.
He lived in Tulsa and Norman, Oklahoma for many years, followed by San Diego and then Sun Lakes for the past 17 years. He was a talented and gifted pianist and composer; his CDs include his own etudes and favorite hymns. He arranged music for barbershop quartets and the Sweet Adelines for many years. He was a master of puns and jokes and entertained his friends and family with his wit. He enjoyed traveling, wine tasting, playing bridge and repairing digital electronic pianos. His favorite pastime in the summer was to head for his home in Munds Park to enjoy the cool mountain air. He will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Etta Warren
Etta Warren, born March 26, 1915, peacefully entered the Kingdom of her Lord and Savior on March 2, 2016.
Etta was born in Clay Center, Kansas to Frank and Pearl Hauserman. She graduated in 1933 from Clay Center High School; received her R.N. from College of Emporia; was trained with American Airlines in Chicago. Her time with American Airlines was enjoyable and provided the meeting of her future husband, Edward K. Warren, II of Three Oaks, Michigan. She and Edward were married on May 14, 1939 and took up residence in Three Oaks. In 1954 all the family moved to their sheep and cattle ranch in New Mexico. Other home locations included Colorado Springs, Colorado and Sun City, Wickenburg, and Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Besides her family, Etta found great joy in participating in several prayer groups, Bible Study Fellowship and Christian Women’s Club. She and Ed started many Alcoholic Anonymous and Al-Anon groups in various places where they resided. Her love for Jesus prompted her to meet the needs of many people and be a wonderful inspiration to others.
It is wonderful to know that Etta and Ed are together in Christ’s presence. She is survived by two sons: Edward K. Warren, III (Sharon) of Colorado Springs, Colorado and David K. Warren (Carol) of Woodland Park, Colorado. One daughter, Kay Wengert (Harold, deceased) resides in Sun Lakes, Arizona. Grandchildren are Kim Forester (David), Jodie Yoschek (Greg), Devin Warren (Jolene), Dawn Hoselton (Ron), Chris Roof (Pete), David Wengert (Wilma), Debi Jones (Britt), Jared Wengert, and Joel Wengert (Emily), and several great-grandchildren.
The family cannot express enough love and gratefulness for “Moms” and her faithful commitment to her husband and all the family members. They appreciate the legacy that she leaves as a “Mighty Prayer Warrior” and her inspirational walk with Christ. She will be missed, but all celebrate and rejoice in her Homecoming.
Trust the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.