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William E. (Bill) Cox
William E. (Bill) Cox passed away after complications of surgery on March 27, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Susan, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Bill was born in St. Louis, Mo., and grew up in San Diego, Calif.; the Philippines; Cherry Hill, N.J.; and Philadelphia, Pa. He moved to Virginia, living in Arlington and Reston, until moving to PebbleCreek in 2012. He was a software developer.
Bill loved music—listening, collecting albums and CDs, and assembling high fidelity systems. Most of all, Bill loved to learn new things and had a wide range of interests and hobbies. He was a creative chef, especially authentic Mexican, Chinese, and Thai cuisines. He spent many happy times at the beach, especially camping. He was good at both interior and landscape design. He was an Eagle Scout. He had a broad knowledge of history and loved sharing what he’d learned. He could pretty much fix anything that needed fixing.
Bill remained cheerful and optimistic despite physical challenges over the years.
No service is planned.
DemCarole Garman Escajeda
Kare Bears respectfully announces the passing of Carole Garman Escajeda, Unit 2, who passed away, Tuesday, April 9. Carole was 87 years old.
Carole retired from GE/Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin as Head of Technical Publications. She moved to PebbleCreek in 1998 and was active in T.T.T. Chapter Q, ParTee Dolls Golf Group, and Showtime Productions. She also played Mah Jongg, softball, and belonged to a book club.
Carole was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Luis J. Escajeda, and by Arthur Walker. She is survived by family members Beverly White, Christopher Walker, Yvonne Fox, Annette Koziol, and Karina Escajeda.
There will be a private burial service for Carole in Phoenixville, Pa.
Donations in Carole’s name may be sent to the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041.
Elizabeth McIntyre Gibson
Elizabeth McIntyre Gibson passed peacefully in her sleep on May 2, 2024. She is survived by her children Pamela Lynne Gibson Kopp, Margaret Gibson Revord, and Gregory Scott Gibson. “Gomps” was blessed with seven grandchildren: Warren Sylvester, Scott Sylvester, Michael Revord, Kate Revord, Luke Gibson, Ben Gibson, and Sam Gibson. She is also survived by her adoring cat Tigger and numerous furry grand- and great-grand pets.
Born June 1935, ne (nay) 1934, ne 1933 (birth certificate, passport, and driver’s license all conflict), she was always young at heart and never failed to disguise her age. We will never really know how old she was, but she would want to be remembered for her youthfulness to the end.
She was a 1951 graduate of Evanston High School in Illinois, and a 1955 graduate of Lawrence University, a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
She had many extraordinary talents. Quick-witted (and quick-tempered), she loved to banter politics (beware if you were not up on Fox News), was a former bridge master, Words-With-Friends-aholic, two-pack-a-day smoker (I don’t inhale …), an avid reader (sometimes multiple books in a week), a prolific and humorous writer, and travel consultant extraordinaire (she traveled to more than 100 countries). Many friends and family have benefited from trips arranged with her travel expertise—no one planned every detail like Liz. She launched many happy marriages with her spectacular honeymoons. She loved her friends (big plus if you are funny), shopping, traveling, and parties. She loved France and French food (the more béarnaise sauce the better). She loved always knowing she was right (a Gibson trait). She loved living in Arizona (that dry heat) and felt welcomed into the PebbleCreek community from day one—shocking her entire family when she announced she was a “Care Bear”?!
She also instilled a deep love of animals in all of her family, and our family pets included dogs, cats, hamsters, lizards, mice, and even a parrot.
She was not an expressive emoter, but those who knew her well felt her love. This love has been passed on to her entire extended family.
She leaves quite a legacy and will be loved, remembered, honored, and missed by her family and friends. The family intends to have a private remembrance to celebrate her life.
Richard (Rick) Lewis Miller
Kare Bears respectfully announces the passing of Richard (Rick) Lewis Miller on April 26, 2024, at the age of 83. Rick worked for many years as an engineer in Silicon Valley, and then had his own machine shop for five years before retirement.
Rick and his wife, Lee, moved to PebbleCreek in December of 1997. Rick loved to golf, and he was very active with the Sandbaggers. He and Lee were also faithful and active members of The Church at Litchfield Park for many years.
Along with Lee, his wife of 47 years, Rick is survived by his two sons, Michael and Marcus, and grandchildren, Lindsey and Colby. If you wish to make a donation in Rick’s memory, the family suggests you make it to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN, 38101.
A Celebration of Life for Rick will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, at The Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road. All are welcome to attend.
Lester Minsuk
Lester Morris Minsuk died peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, with his three daughters, Sharon, Susan, and Michele, and wife, Phyllis, by his side. Les lived a good life and impacted many people during his life, having spent many years in management and as an executive career coach.
Born Dec. 2, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was educated in New York City. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School and Cooper Union College with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1957, he began his career in the cryogenics, chemical, and plastics industries, progressing from engineer to project management to general management. Les enjoyed his early career with Air Products, Scientific Design, and Conoco and then as a Rhone Poulenc Division General Manager and Gulf Oil/Millmaster-Onyx Chemicals Group VP.
During that time, he completed his MBA from City College, Baruch School, married Fran Yaffe in 1958, and had three daughters. They divorced in 1980.
In 1983, he married Phyllis Stein and from 1986 to 1995 they were partners in a successful career consulting practice in Princeton, N.J: Minsuk, Macklin, Stein & Associates. He followed this as an executive search consultant and executive career coach, creating and delivering training seminars for major corporations.
Les retired in 2005 and he and Phyllis moved from New Jersey to PebbleCreek in Goodyear, Ariz. He facilitated a group for senior men who wanted to discuss issues of the day and the Great Decisions Seminar. He supported several initiatives in LifeLong Learning at PC, did fundraising for Ronald McDonald House, and volunteered for the PC Democratic Club and the Democratic Regional Headquarters.
He enjoyed road trips and cruises, playing golf and Mah Jongg, reading (especially history) hiking, bridge, politics, and book clubs. He was fortunate to be able to donate to opera, ballet, theater, and symphony organizations in New Jersey and Arizona and to attend many seasons of live performances.
Les is survived by his children—Sharon Minsuk, Susan Minsuk, and Kathy Blackwell, Michele Minsuk and Rachid Habibi, Lee and Jenn Stein, Michael and Marie Stein, as well as six grandchildren—Alex Stein, Nate Stein, Alyssa Stein, Rachel Stein, Kenza Habibi, and Sidra Habibi. He is predeceased by his parents (Meyer and Hilda Minsuk), brother (Bernard) and sister (Rosalind).
To the world, you might be just one person, but to one person you just might be the world.
Rosalie Marie Pyle
Rosalie Marie Pyle, 86, peacefully passed away with family members by her side on April 8, 2024, in Surprise (Phoenix), Ariz., following a sudden illness March 29.
Rosalie is survived by her brother, Michael M. Hajostek (Moorhead, Minn.); her sister, Lillian R. Jorgensen, passed away in 1990.
Although Rosalie had no children, she was very fond of her nine nieces and nephews: Larry Jorgensen, Michael Jorgensen, Deborah Cowan, Mary Jo Buschko, Michael (Buck) Hajostek, John Hajostek, Jeffrey Jorgensen, Susan Sornsin, and Nancy Hajostek … in addition to many grand-nieces and nephews.
Rosalie was born Dec. 14, 1937. She was a graduate in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She held various professional administration positions during her career, beginning with St. Rose’s Home for Girls (Milwaukee, Wis.), followed by The Children’s Home (Winston-Salem, N.C.), and finally her career culminated as the Executive Director of the Tulsa Boys Home in Oklahoma.
Rosalie survived two husbands, and later in life she befriended a wonderful man, Jack Hartung (Tulsa), with whom she enjoyed many years in a long-distance sweetheart friendship. She was very saddened by his passing during the summer of 2023.
Rosalie loved to travel the world. She visited more than 80 countries on all seven continents, and enjoyed at least 75 cruises (there were so many she lost count!). Her last cruise was to the Bahamas only a few weeks prior to her passing.
In addition to her love of travel, Rosalie loved animals, particularly dogs. She rescued several dogs over the years.
Rosalie resided in PebbleCreek for 12 years and served as the Unit 53 Representative for many years. She was a member of PC’s “The Lunch Bunch,” was in the PC Wii Bowling League, was a season ticket holder to various theaters and symphony, and enjoyed PC dances, playing bridge, dining out with her favorite people, book clubs, and pool time with friends.
Rosalie will be missed by her family and the countless friends she made through the years. May she enjoy eternal rest in the peace of God.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to one of Rosalie’s favorite animal charities, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. https://support.bestfriends.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=memorial_gift
Grant Ragsdale
Grant Ayres Ragsdale was born in Denver, Colo., on Oct. 20, 1933, to Darryl and Olive (Gudger) Ragsdale. He passed peacefully in Goodyear, Ariz., on May 1, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Joan Palmer Ragsdale, on Feb. 22, 2024. Grant lived in Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, and most recently Arizona. Grant and Joan Ragsdale were married May 17, 1958. Together they raised two children, Carolyn and Kenneth, in the Kansas City area. He grew up with two sisters Jean (Wolvington) and Jo-Olive (Frakes).
He is survived by their son Ken Ragsdale and his wife, Teri; grandson, Albert Ragsdale; and sister-in-law, Jane Palmer Way of Sun City, Ariz.; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends. He is preceded by his parents; his daughter, Carolyn Ragsdale; and his sisters.
Grant was a hardworking, quick thinking younger brother of two sisters who kept him in line as they all grew up in Denver. Scouting, newspaper delivery, angora rabbit raising, cattle ranch hand, Korean war veteran, self-taught engineer and crafty entrepreneur, host to international soldiers, community volunteer, and cheerful good friend all framed his life as a kind and loving husband to Joan.
While in Kansas City, Joan and Grant were particularly active in People to People International. Later they traveled the world and in some instances re-connected with People to People couples they had hosted in the United States.
Grant and Joan moved to PebbleCreek in 1995 as snowbirds but it didn’t take long for them to become full time residents. Carolyn joined them around 2007. They were active in a variety of groups and recently could be found at one of the pools in the late afternoon just about any day of the year. They formed close bonds with their neighbors and enjoyed getting together for special occasions, or no occasion at all.
Grant was a lifelong churchgoer. In Arizona he was active at The Church at Litchfield Park. At the time of his passing, he and Joan were both Deacons Emeritus.
His last years were spent enjoying many friends in PebbleCreek and family including grandson Albert. He will be missed by his family and many friends in Arizona and across the county.
Memorial remembrances are suggested to the church or Hospice of the Valley.
Jack Wabschall
Jack Wabschall passed away at his home on April 5, 2024. Jack was a long-term resident of PebbleCreek. He was an active participant in many of the activities in PebbleCreek, including Captain of the Bunker Busters Golf Group, Captain of the Bocce Team, and organizer of the Cribbage Group. Jack was married to his wife, Patti, and PebbleCreek was a very special place for both of them since 2002.
A memorial service was held at St. John Vianney on May 24 followed by a Celebration of Life at Palm Valley Golf Club. Charitable donations in Jack’s memory can be made to Kare Bears at 15383 W. Cheery Lynn Road, Goodyear, AZ 85395 or the American Heart Association.
Donald Wyman
Donald Lloyd Wyman born June 25, 1931, in Coldwater (now Goodyear), Ariz., to Lou and Erma Wyman. Don lived in various Arizona communities until the age of 14 when Don’s asthma forced the family to move to Vancouver, Wash. The first three years of school Don attended Young Community School, in Young, Ariz., where his mother taught high school English. For a number of years the family lived on Ash Street in Tempe where his mother taught school and his father was superintendent of a grapefruit cannery. Don best remembered those years of spending summer days at Tempe Town Beach and going to the nickel movies on Saturday at the old theatre on Mill Ave.
Don graduated from Springfield, Ore., High School in 1951, attended Oregon State University for two years, and entered the United States Army in 1953. After his discharge, he resumed his studies at OSU and graduated with degrees in Business Management and Textile & Designs. He started his work career with Lipman Wolfe in Corvallis, Ore., and eventually became regional menswear manager in Portland.
Throughout his lifetime, Don was an active softball player and played on many championship teams in the Northwest. He also participated in several National Tennis Tournaments, playing doubles. After moving to PebbleCreek in 1997, Don was one of the founders of the PebbleCreek Softball Association.
In 1954, Don and Jean Smith were married in Corvallis, Ore., and became the parents of four wonderful children. For several years, the Wyman Family lived in Anchorage, Alaska. Cecelia Ray and Don were married in 1977, and during that marriage became the grandparents to 10 great grandkids. In 2003, Don married his next door neighbor at PebbleCreek, Linda Vanderheyden. Seven beautiful great-granddaughters and one great-grandson, and two Vanderheyden grandchildren blessed their marriage. They became avid Arizona sports fans and cherished their Cardinal season tickets as well as going to the 2001 Diamondback World Series games, Coyotes games, and were especially big Suns rooters. Golf became Don’s number No. 1 hobby with gardening coming in No. 2.
Don’s parents and wife Cecelia Ray predeceased him. His survivors include wife Linda; the mother of his children Jean Stamper; son Michael (Barbara) Wyman; daughters Linda A. Wyman, Lisa (Rick) Hill, Carol Walker; stepdaughter Leigh Ann Vanderheyden; stepson Douglas (Kelly) Vanderheyden; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial service and burial will be at a later date in Corvallis. In Don’s memory, memorials may be given to Hospice of the West and The Church at Litchfield Park.