TAPS...... Honoring Member's WivesThose gone but not forgotten |
|
Our prayers and best wishes go out to those left behind. The Brothers and Sisters of the Mobile Riverine Force Association wish the departed fair winds and following seas and our thoughts will always be with you.... |
|
Marilyn Y. Barney |
| Marilyn Y. Barney Wife of MRFA Member Jerry Barney passed away November 15th, 2001.
Jerry and Marilyn had been married for 33 1/2 years. Marilyn had a great love for animals,
"Love of life and of all creatures Great or Small."
Jerry served with A/CO/9th Signal 1966-67 You may contact Jerry at 935 NW
51st St., Redmond, OR 97756 Phone: 541-548-2825 - gebarney@bendcable.com |
Sylvia McCallister |
| Sylvia McCallister wife of member Larry McCallister passed away May 6, 2001. Larry served with
C Co., 4th/47th from 5/68 to 5/69. You may contact Larry at 5302 Royal Oak Dr., Tampa,
Fl 33610, Phone: 813-663-9182 |
Hilda Gallegos |
| Hilda Gallegos, wife of member Peter A. Gallegos passed away from cancer on April 6, 2002. Hilda was very proud of the MRFA and enjoyed reading River Currents. Peter served with the 3rd/60th from 12/66 - 12/67. You may contact Peter at 1414 N. University St., Redlands, CA 92364. |
Gerry Ann Meehan |
| Gerry Ann Meehan, wife of MRFA Board Member Jim Meehan, passed away on April 26, 2002, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Gerry and Jim had been married 37 years. Jim served with IUWG Unit 4, Nha Trang. You may contact the family c/o Jim Meehan, 3080 SW Shadow Lane, Palm City, FL 34990, Phone: 561-287-4361, email:
jemtug@adelphia.net |
Vickie H. Camp |
| Vickie H. Camp, wife of member Jerry Camp, passed away July 28, 2002.
Albert Moore reports that he had the pleasure of meeting Vickie at our 2001 reunion.
She was a real nice lady and our hearts go out to Jerry who lost a true
soul mate after 36 years of being married and being best friends. Jerry served on the USS Mercer
(APB-39) in 1968-69. You may contact Jerry C/O 11000 Shadow Wood Cir., Whitehouse, TX.
75791, Phone: 903-839-6160 or Email: jcamp11@juno.com |
Jodi Gray |
| Jodi Gray, wife of member Ed Gray, passed away September 10, 2002 after a lengthily battle with cancer.
Jodi was a nice lady and was a delight to be around she will be missed by all. Ed served on Alpha-91-8 and Alpha-92-4
in 1968-69. You may contact Ed at W1503 County Rd E., Mindora, WI 54644,
Phone: 608-857-3602 |
Linda Ann Rich |
| Linda Ann Rich, wife of member Ron Rich, passed away
December 7th, 2002. Ron and Linda had been married 33 years. She was a Good Navy Wife and First
Mate. You may contact Ron at 2855 Alder Ave., Morro Bay, CA 93442,
Phone: 805-771-9461, Email: rrichca@prodigy.net |
Phyllis Lang |
| Phyllis
Lang, wife
of Chief Ray Lang,
recently passed away from cancer. Phyllis |
Peggy Jo Davis |
| Peggy is the wife of U.S. Army Medal of
Honor recipient Sammy L. Davis. She passed away on March 12, 2004
after a bout with cancer of the liver. You may send your
condolences to Sammy C/O Goodwin Funeral Home, 303 E Main St, Robinson,
IL 62454. |
Nancy Hahn |
| Nancy Hahn, wife of member Michael
Hahn, passed away February 20, 2004. Mike and Nancy had been
married 38 wonderful years. Mike served on the USS Benewah APB-35
as the Operations Officer 1966-67. You may contact the family C/O
Michael A. Hahn 6343, Tasajillo Trl., Austin, TX. 78739. Email mnhahn@austin.rr.com |
Andi Goins |
| Andi Goins, wife of member Tim Goins, has
passed away on July 17, 2004 after a long and hard
fight with cancer. Tim served with E/CO 3rd/60th 1968-69. If
you would like to contact Tim please do so at the following
address: 3005 Pueblo Puye Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505)-428-8490 - tgoins8417@comcast.net |
Fran Melton |
| Fran, wife of Stan Melton
(T-91-5/1967), passed away on July 22, 2004. They had been married for
36 years. You may contact Stan at: C/O 7120 River Park Ct,
Nashville, TN 37221-4605 - (615) 646-5957 |
Louanna McKean |
|
We have been notified by member Lee "Tex" McKean that his wife, Louanna McKean, was killed in an automobile accident on Christmas Eve
2004. Our condolences go out to Tex and his family. You may contact Tex
C/O 13168 Stone Henge, Sugerland TX 77478 - (281) 491-1961 -
mckean@alltel.net
Tex served on the USS White River LSMR-536 12/66 & 12/68 |
Christopher Dennison |
| Christopher
died in a car accident on June 11, 2005. He is the son of Jim and
Kathy Dennison. Jim served with 1st Platoon, C Company, 4/47th in
1967. May God grant them His comfort and grace during this
terrible time of loss. You may contact Jim and Kathy via their
email: jdennison@bigfoot.com |
Harold Tooley's Son |
|
Harold "Doc" Tooley's 23 year son
passed away on August 2, 2005. Death was caused by accidental drowning.
The funeral was held on 8/5/2005. Doc served with D/CO 3rd/60th in 1968.
Please offer your prayers and condolences to the family: Harold Tooley 9540 Silver Creek Rd. Forestville,
NY 14062 - (716)-988-3406 - doctooleylovesjesus@yahoo.com |
Mouza Coutelais-du-Roche Zumwalt |
| Mouza Zumwalt, 83, Dies; Admiral's Wife, Fundraiser By Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb Mouza Coutelais-du-Roche Zumwalt, 83, who partnered with her husband during his lengthy Navy career to make conditions better for military families and later joined him in building up a national bone-marrow registry, died Aug. 25 of congestive heart failure at her home in Arlington. From the time she married naval officer Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. in Shanghai in 1945 (after knowing him for three weeks) until the admiral's death in 2000, Mrs. Zumwalt engaged in the delicate role of supporting her husband's work from behind the scenes. She was the consummate military spouse, dedicating her time to hosting military officials and counseling with other spouses, then lost a son to the consequences of her husband's wartime decision. She lived in 40 homes, raised four children, "kept the books and made life rich in tiny nooks," her husband wrote a few years ago in a poem titled "Tribute to A Golden Partner." You raised morale on many ships, Solved many family problems on ocean trips. "She was an important member of the official party, meeting with Navy wives, American and allied, helping them with their problems, raising their spirits, and calling my attention to many things I had no other way of finding out about," Zumwalt said in his 1976 book "On Watch." During her husband's tour of duty in Vietnam, Mrs. Zumwalt assisted the families of Navy prisoners of war and those missing in action. She worked to raise money for the "Pigs and Chicken" program, which imported animals from the Philippines to provide protein to the Vietnamese people. In the early 1970s, Mrs. Zumwalt sat in on focus groups dealing with race relations in the Navy. Her husband, as chief of naval operations, ordered the Navy to end racial discrimination and is credited with creating the modern Navy. William S. Norman, who was special assistant to Adm. Zumwalt in the 1970s, recalled that Mrs. Zumwalt made sure that Navy personnel participating in the focus groups, particularly minorities, brought their spouses. "She became one of the foremost proponents of taking a whole approach" to the Navy experience and the family, Norman said. "She brought a very human touch." Mouza Coutelais-du-Roche was born in Harbin, Manchuria, the daughter of a French businessman and a Russian mother. Her parents had escaped from Siberia after the communist revolution and settled in a White Russian community in Harbin. She was 10 when the Japanese invaded Manchuria in 1932. Just after high school in 1940, she accompanied her mother, who had cancer, to Beijing for an operation. They later went to Shanghai, where her mother could recuperate with relatives. After her mother died, the Japanese would not allow Mrs. Zumwalt to leave Shanghai. She never saw her father, who had remained in Harbin, again. In October 1945, when she was 22, she met a young U.S. Navy lieutenant at a dinner party at her aunt and uncle's home. When she entered the room, Zumwalt, who had been in Shanghai for just a week, was forever smitten. "Tall and well-poised, she was smiling a smile of such radiance that the very room seemed suddenly transformed," he wrote in "On Watch." She spoke no English, and he spoke no Russian, although he had studied the language. He asked her if he could come back for Russian lessons. Within three weeks, he asked her to marry him. Three months later, the new Mrs. Zumwalt came to the United States on a Liberty ship, settling first in Seattle and then at her husband's family home in Tulare, Calif. She moved in and out of the Washington area frequently, making a home in Annandale in 1955. During the Cold War, Mrs. Zumwalt endured prejudice because of her Russian background. People mocked her accent, and some steered clear of her during the McCarthy era, her children said. Such experiences informed her own quiet advocacy to eliminate racial discrimination in the Navy. Over the years, she was honored for her support of her husband's career, including by the Navy's ombudsman program and Operation Helping Hand, a military service group. In 1971, she christened the USS Brewton. When President Bill Clinton presented Adm. Zumwalt with the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, in 1998, the admiral said that half of it should go to his wife. In 1983, her first child, Elmo R. Zumwalt III, was found to have lymphoma. When he died in 1988, his death was attributed to the effects of Agent Orange. He had been a lieutenant in the Navy commanding a Swift boat in Vietnam when his father ordered the spraying of the potent chemical agent. "She understood a nation's need for a military to answer the call," said her other son, retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. James G. Zumwalt II of Herndon. "She understood the risks." Later, she joined her husband in starting the Marrow Foundation to raise funds for the National Marrow Donor Program. The Mouza Zumwalt Good Deed Fund was established in November to support self-employed people going through the transplant process. She enjoyed classical music and was close to the level of a concert pianist, said her daughter Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers of Cary, N.C. She also loved old movies. In addition to her son and daughter, survivors include another daughter, Ann Zumwalt Coppola of Longmeadow, Mass.; and six grandchildren. The Mouza Zumwalt Good Deed Fund. The Marrow Foundation 400 Seventh St. NW (Suite 206) Washington, DC 20004" |
Carol Ann Long |
| James Long, Sr. lost his lovely wife, Carol Ann Long, to cancer on August 25, 2005.
This was 9 days prior to their 40th wedding anniversary. James served on the ComRivFlot-One Staff
from November 1967 to November 1968. You may contact James at:
971 Watertank Rd., Canton, GA 30115 - (770) 720-1580 - long9@adelphia.net |
Dr. Elizabeth J. Ziegler |
| Dr. Elizabeth J. Ziegler passed away
January 2, 2006 from complications due to Diabetes. Dr. Ziegler
was a well know infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at
the University of California School of Medicine in San Diego. She
was the wife of Lt. Thomas W. Ziegler (MD) who served with ComRivFlot-One
from 1966-68. You may contact the family at: Thomas
W. Ziegler, 930 Gage St, San Diego, CA 92105 - (619) 224-8621
|
|
| Dorris S. Carter, wife of member Chief
Arthur Carter, (USN Ret.), passed away February 2, 2007. While in
Vietnam Chief Carter served on YRBM-17 at Dong Tam in 1967. You may
contact Chief Arthur G. Carter at: 416 Holiday Hills Dr, Martinez,
Ca 94453 - (925) 372-0283 -
cpo77cpo@sbcglobal.net Our thoughts and prayers go out to the
family. |
Linda Metcalf |
| Linda Metcalf, wife of Delmar Metcalf,
passed away from respiratory problems on February 26, 2007. She was a
wonderful and caring wife. Linda had been a delivery room nurse for years
at Mercy Hospital in Ft. Scott, KS. Delmar served with IUWG-1/Unit 2 in
1967-68. You may contact the family at: Delmar Metcalf, 624 Horton, Ft.
Scott, KS 66701 - (620)-223-0286 -
enginemd51@hotmail.com
|
Benjamin "Frankie" Franklin Estes II |
| Frank and Almeda Estes' son was killed
in a motorcycle accident on April 21, 2007. Frankie was 42 years of age. The viewing is at Collier
Butler Funeral Home, 834 Rainbow Drive, Gadsden, AL on Tuesday, April 24
from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral will be Wednesday, April 25 at
11:00 AM at Collier Butler. This was Frank and Almeda's only son. I
hope all of you will keep him and his family in your prayers. - Paul
Kasper
|
Ardell Meyer |
| Ardell Meyer, wife of member Walter
“Wally” Meyer, passed away on Labor Day 2006. Some of you may
remember Ardell as she attended the last couple reunions. She was a real
nice lady and great to be around. Ardell was always in high spirits
even though she had been fighting cancer. The crew of the Benewah and
their spouses, as well as the Association, have lost a real special lady.
You may contact Wally Meyer at: 23905 N. High Ridge Rd., Lake Zurich, IL
60047 - (847)-438-3338
aw5171@earthlink.net - Wally served on the USS Benewah APB-35 as a
2nd/Class Storekeeper in 1966-67.
|
|
| David Saylor, honorary
member of the Mobile Riverine Force Association, passed away June 23,
2007 following a brave battle with head and neck cancer. Dave was the brother of Scott Edward Saylor who was KIA on
6/26/69 in Kien Hoa Province while serving with D Company, 3rd Battalion,
60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. You may contact the family at:
1572 Clayton Rd. West, Chester, PA 19382 "I cannot begin to tell you what a great man he was and how much he loved and admired Scott throughout his life." - Dave's wife Robin
|
|
| Linda Wargel, widow of Alan
Wargel, passed away December 7, 2007. Linda had been suffering from
severe COPD (lung disease) and she had a few other medical conditions that
were not in her favor. Daughter, Paula Gualtiere, says that she
knows that Alan and Linda are together again, and enjoying themselves. You may contact Paula at: 33 W. Georgia Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013 - pgualtiere@cox.net
|
Joan Gibbs |
| My wife of 28 years Joan
Gibbs died peacefully in her sleep by my side on October 15, 2007.
Respectfully submitted John Gibbs. John served at Naval Support
Activity - Detachment Nha Be from March 1969 to March 1970. You may
contact John C/O: 1843 S. Volutsai, Wichita, KS 67211 - (316) 686-7877 -
jlgstable@cox.net
|
Diane Vivian Richardson |
| Diane Vivian Richardson, 62
years young, the adored wife of John Henry Richardson passed through
heaven's gates on Friday, May 2, 2008. For 4 years she fought a long
and tough battle with multiple myeloma bone cancer. Diane is a
veteran of the Vietnam era, getting married to John on his first leave
before he went to Vietnam. John and Diane were married for 42 years.
John (Big John) Richardson served with A Co, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry,
9th Infantry Division from May 1966 to May 1967. You may contact
John at: P.O. Box 2083 Monroe, NY 10950 - (845) 496-1821 Diane was a nice lady whom I will always remember for her smile and happy disposition she truly was a good person and we will miss her greatly. Diane made all the MRFA & 9thInfDiv reunions. - Albert Moore |
Fannie Rainwater |
| Fannie Rainwater, wife of
member Loy K. Rainwater, passed away on June 2, 2008 after a lengthy
battle with cancer. Fannie was a nice lady whom always had a
cheerful smile and disposition. She was a big part of the two USS
Guide reunions she was able to attend. Fannie is survived by her
Husband Loy K. “Boats” Rainwater. You may contact him at: 3526 Pine
Knolls Dr., Sulphur, LA 70663 - (337) 527-7839 -
boats7367@aol.com
May she rest in peace… USS Guide MSO-447 Shipmates and Friends.
|
Home Page --- TAP's - Prior to 2001 --- TAP's - 2001 - 2003 --- TAP's - 2004 - 2005
