James Richard Agar
James Richard Agar
James Richard Agar, 84, of Sun Lakes, passed away on May 21. He was born January 26, 1931 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He served 21 years in the United States Air Force and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He was a USAF Test School Graduate, did two combat tours in Vietnam and received the Top Gun Award at USAF Fighter Gunnery School. After the military, he was a private Lear Jet pilot for Clay Lacy Aviation and worked as a flight engineer at McDonnell Douglas.
He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the North Carolina State University and a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management from University of Southern California (USC).
He contributed 20 years as a driver and handyman for Neighbors Who Care in Sun Lakes. He enjoyed sailing and scuba diving, skiing, tennis and golf. He was a very loving father and husband, had a great sense of humor and always had a smile on his face.
He is survived by Flora (wife of 61 years), daughter Diane and her husband, Bob Kramer, and son Dale, grandsons Devin and Drew and granddaughter, Danielle. A Military Memorial Service was held at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary & Cemetery on June 5.
Stephen Michael Bundy
Stephen Michael Bundy
Stephen Michael Bundy, 72, died Wednesday evening, May 27, 2015 in his home at Sun Lakes.
Mike, his preferred name, was born on January 10, 1943 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was the only child of Ruth and Bob Bundy. Mike lived most of his life in the Los Angeles, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe areas of California. He also resided in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 20 years before moving to Sun Lakes in 2006.
Mike was preceded in death by his first wife, Rosita Bundy, his second wife, Delores Bundy, and his parents Ruth and Bob Bundy, also residents of Sun Lakes.
He is survived by his daughters Rose “Margie” Bundy, Bridgett Phillips, and Deanna McKee.
Mike was a retired computer programmer. He worked for Aerojet and Oracle. He was also a licensed gun dealer doing business under the name of “Pale Rider”.
Mike had several hobbies over the years with a passion for music – all types of music.
Most of all, he was an animal lover. He leaves behind his constant companions, two border collies named Keely and Lucky.
Mike will be deeply missed by those who loved him. We feel at peace knowing he has been re-united with his loved ones that have preceded him. God bless you Mike!
Jerry Len Downing
Jerry Len Downing
Jerry Len Downing, a resident of Sun Lakes, Arizona for the past nine years, passed away at home on Sunday, May 31 following a brief illness.
An avid sports fan, whether it be baseball or NASCAR, Jerry was always tuned into multiple radio and sports channels. He loved attending Arizona Cardinal games and was a lifelong Nebraska Husker fan. He had a passion for flying airplanes and was a champion skeet shooter.
Jerry was born in Burwell, Nebraska on June 19, 1941, the son of Len I. and Minerva Bernside Downing. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1959 and as a senior played in the first Nebraska High School Shrine Bowl in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Jerry joined the United States Air Force in November of 1960 and served as a medic and pharmacy specialist, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1964. He was the owner of Downing Oil and the Holiday Auto Dealership in Norfolk, Nebraska and was an auto wholesaler for over 30 years.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, ,Kathleen Shull Downing, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, brother Robert Downing and wife Janice of Norfolk, three children, Terry McShannon (Vi), Sherry Carstens, both of Norfolk, and Kristine Caskey of Omaha, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A celebration of life will be held in Omaha and Sun Lakes at a later date. Memorials may be sent to Dr. Ken Cowan c/o the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, 42nd and Emile, Omaha, Nebraska 68198.
Joyce Bellville Gardner
Joyce Bellville Gardner
Joyce Bellville Gardner died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 95 on May 17. She is survived by a sister, Fay Kline, a daughter, Lynn Phipps, a son, Dr. David Bellville (Ray Cornils), a granddaughter, Tammi (Matt) Brummer, two grandsons, Drew Brummer and Jack Brummer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joyce was one of six children born in Calumet, Michigan. She was married to E.C. Bellville for 45 years and then to Leonard Gardner for 17 years.
She attended Sun Lakes United Methodist Church of Sun Lakes for many years and was very active in church activities. Mrs. Gardner was a fabulous seamstress and enjoyed sewing, ice skating, golf, travel and family get-togethers.
A memorial service was held at her church. She is to be buried in Michigan with Mr. Bellville. She will be missed by many.
Lionell C. Greene
Lionell C. Greene
Lionell C. Greene, 82 years old, of Sun Lakes, Arizona passed away on May 5, 2015.
Lionell was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Dennis E. and Alpha Greene. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1974 after 22 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Phyllis Jane Rabb. He is survived by his wife, Sybil Greene, sister, Mary Caroline Smith (Theo), brother-in-law, Dr. Moses Rabb, daughter, Debra Greene, and sons, Michael (Cheryl) Greene, Mark (Sandra) Greene, grandchildren, Shawn-Tae, Michael, Joshua and Mikayla, nephews Tony and Lionell Rabb and niece Caroline Rene Smith.
Throughout his life Lionell was energetic, fun-loving and charismatic. He volunteered for several organizations in the Valley including “100 Black Men” and the veteran’s organization VFW Post 7401 in Chandler. A Celebration of Life was held on May 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Valley of the Sun Funeral Home at 10940 East Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, AZ 85248. A luncheon was held immediately following the service at Family Bible Church at 2715 South Alma School Road, Suite 3, Chandler, AZ 85286 at noon.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Wounded Warriors Project or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
For additional information and to send condolences visit www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com.
Ann Lasso
Ann Lasso
Ann G. Lasso was born Ann Garland Frost in Auburn, Washington on February 2, 1933. She left this world to join her God on May 21, 2015.
Her mother was Myra Garland Wooding Siegle of Garden Grove, California. Her father was Frank Frost of Tacoma, Washington. Ann was born into a historical pioneer family of the Auburn, Washington community. Her grandfather, John G. Wooding (grandmother Cora Wooding) settled in the town now known as Auburn, Washington. In the late 1800s Wooding established John Wooding Mercantile Co. in 1890. He became the first fire chief for the City of Auburn and then served Washington State as a senator from 1895-1901.
Ann attended the Auburn schools and then moved to Portland, Oregon, graduating high school in 1950.
Ann Frost married John D. Bothell (deceased) in 1951. His family roots were planted in the City of Bothell, Washington.
Ann was active in the Auburn community. She volunteered for the local Valley Cities Mental Health Center and was a contributor of service to the Auburn Lakes Lodge.
Ann married Tony Lasso in 1986 and they moved from Washington State to Phoenix, Arizona where they settled in Sun Lakes.
Ann was a dedicated and loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. She was independent, a very active and vivacious woman. Ann’s passions for nature, gardening, cooking and being with friends and family were most important. Ann well deserved the title of “fashionista” as she loved fashion, color and texture in her clothing and decorating of her home. After moving to Arizona, Ann continued to expand her creativity in painting with oils. She loved to read books and magazines and loved to keep in touch with family and friends by using her iPad and computer.
Ann discovered the love of the Lord and became a member of St. Steven’s Church in 2013.
Ann leaves her husband, Tony, and sister, Randine (Hans) Hoefer of Sun Lakes. She also leaves daughters Johann (Randy) Christianson of Auburn Washington, Randi Bothell (deceased), sons, John Bothell, Jr. of Auburn, Washington, James (Tamie) Bothell of Auburn, Washington, six grandchildren, Leslie Christianson, Ryan Christianson, Ashley Cox, Andrew Bothell, Gabrielle Bothell and Preston Bothell, and two great-grandchildren, Mason Cox and Camden Cox.
Ann found the Lord’s love and grace. She will be missed and forever in her family’s heart and memory!
Memorial services were held at St. Steven’s Catholic Church on June 2, 2015; committal service will be at Mountain View Cemetery, Auburn, Washington. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Steven’s Sanctuary Fund, 24827 S. Dobson Road, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248 or Hospice of the Valley, 2020 E. Woodside Ct., Gilbert, AZ 85297.