Carlene (Cris) Joan (Christensen) Capelli
Carlene (Cris) Joan (Christensen) Capelli
Cris was born July 3, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., to mother, Corinne Thelma (Rossum) Christensen, and father, John Andrew Christensen. She was the older sister to two brothers, David and Jerry. She passed away May 16, 2022.
She attended Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, in Santa Ynez, Calif., graduating in 1957 where she was an outstanding student. Some of her accomplishments included:
* Receiving four scholarship awards (one per year)
* Serving as student body secretary her senior year
* Participating in the chorus four years with a solo (Ave Maria) at her senior year spring concert
* Cheerleader sophomore year
* Held a lead role in Cheaper by the Dozen as “mama” in her senior year
* A member of the Girls Quartet her senior year
* Received a regional Home Economics Cooking award her senior year
* Marching band Majorette senior year (played flute)
* Recipient of a financial scholarship from Santa Ynez Valley Lions Club her senior year
* Recipient of Bank of America Award her senior year along with life-long best friend Willa Mahler
After high school she attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., to study nursing where she met many meaningful, life-long friends, including the love of her life. She married G. James (Jim) Capelli in Solvang, Calif., on Dec. 28, 1958. Together they settled in Lakewood, Wash., and had four children; Cheryl, Caryn, Suzanne, and Greg.
Cris worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Evans in Parkland, Wash. Later she worked for Office Interiors NW until she retired in 1995. In her retirement years she worked as secretary for Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lakewood and earned her Lay Minister award. She participated in the bell choir and the Clown Ministry. She enjoyed time with children and grandchildren and the close community of friends she and Jim had built over the years.
In 1998, she and Jim moved to Goodyear, Ariz. She continued her active role in the church at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Goodyear where she also held the role of secretary for many years. She hosted Bible studies, facilitated fellowship events such as the Tuesday night dinners, and built a close-knit group of friends known as “the sisters.” She loved to play cards (and sat as a substitute in several card groups), scrapbook, and build relationships. Jim and Cris developed a close extended family through the church in Goodyear, which Cris cherished.
Cris is survived by her husband, Jim, three daughters, Cheryl, Caryn, Suzanne, their husbands, and one son, Greg. She also will be missed by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, her two brothers and their families, as well as many friends considered close as family. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Justin.
Terry Fergus
Terry Fergus
Terry Fergus, 75, passed on May 8, 2022, at La Loma Village, in Litchfield Park, Ariz., following complications with Parkinson’s.
He leaves his wife of 55 years, Apryl Fergus; his daughter, Ashley Fergus; brothers-in-law, Randy Sparks and his wife Debbie, and Joey Sparks and his wife Terri; a number of nephews and nieces; and many close friends.
Born in Racine, Wis., he lived his early years in Porterville, where he met his wife. They were high school sweethearts. He cemented his relationship with Apryl, in part by telling her younger brothers that his family had a toy store. He bought them the “coolest” Christmas gifts, even though his father was actually a superintendent of a construction company and his mother worked for a bank. He had a younger brother, Jimmy, who passed a number of years ago.
Terry’s work ethic began early, working as a cowboy with cattle, and working a summer in Nevada, irrigating 200 acres of land, so that he could buy a car. That is probably of no surprise, since he was always a man’s man. However, many may be shocked to learn that he served as an altar boy for the Episcopal Church. He did this prior to graduation from high school at Porterville Union High. He continued his education, attending Porterville Community College for one year, and was recognized as a cheerleader and on the swim and dive team.
Terry left college and joined the service in 1966 and served as a motion picture photographer in the Air Force. He was stationed at Vandenburg, and had assignments throughout the world, including South Korea, Germany, and Japan. While still in the service, Terry and Apryl were married on July 8, 1967, in Terra Bella, Calif. After a honeymoon in San Diego, they moved to a furnished apartment in Santa Maria. The apartment had been selected by Terry, and had an orange couch, turquoise chair, and vaulted ceilings. Apryl was overwhelmed with the high design and Terry’s good taste.
Upon completing his military service, he returned to California and he and Apryl both attended Fresno State University. With college degrees completed, they took three months to drive cross country in a Volkswagen Bug. They often were able to stay with family and friends, before returning to Fresno.
Terry’s first job after college was for Purex in chemical sales. He then became a sales representative for Hilti, providing tools and services for construction professionals. He was successful, winning trips from the company in tribute to his sales.
Terry and Apryl moved to El Dorado Hills, Calif., in 1974 and made a number of lifetime friends. Terry was a great baseball player and also coached Apryl’s softball team. Terry and Apryl were known as charming hosts for dinner parties. Many still remember the “mystery dinners” and Halloween parties.
Terry later worked for Barber Greene, a company that manufactured machinery. It was said that Terry was a consummate sales representative, with a winning personality, and could sell anything to anyone.
In 1982, their family became complete with the adoption of a beautiful little girl, Ashley. She was the light of both of their lives and followed in their footsteps, becoming a great athlete. Ashley became an educator and coach, and her dad joined the coaching staff being the first father/daughter coaching duo at Agua Fria High School for boys and girls tennis and girls golf.
Terry and Apryl moved to Goodyear in 2004. They were viewed as pied pipers, as many friends and family joined them and built homes in PebbleCreek. Joey and Randy with their families also moved close by, and then Ashley joined the Arizona community. Terry and Apryl loved to travel and took cruises and other adventures with friends and family. Terry also became an avid golfer and was with the Bunker Boys in PebbleCreek for many years. However, his greatest love was his family and friends and the times they could spend together. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Gary Griggs
Gary Griggs, age 82, of Goodyear, Ariz., left this mortal realm on May 16, 2022. He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Bev; their son Michael (Shelly) Griggs; daughter, Kim Guerin; granddaughters, McKenna King and Rooney Jane Guerin; brother, Dan Griggs; brother-in-law, Mark (Sandra) Haner; nephew Matthew and niece Alison Haner; and two step-grandsons, Collin (Laura) Owen and Ryan Owen. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Kittie Griggs of Las Cruces, N.M.
Gary was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, then grew up in Las Cruces, N.M. He attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and UNM prior to enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where he served for eight years and was a Vietnam combat veteran. He met the love of his life while on Christmas leave in 1962; they wed in 1965 and they were married for almost 58 years.
Gary enjoyed everything life had to offer, but family was his first and foremost love. He loved them from the first moment he held them in his arms. It was watching his children grow and learn, set and achieve goals, become adults and have their own families that brought smiles to his face. Then it was the granddaughters who brought a new dimension of love to Gary’s life. How he adored those girls and was truly their proud Papa.
Tremendous and heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional doctors and nurses at St. Joseph Hospital Neuro Intensive Care Unit and also to Encompass Health and Acute Rehab in Glendale who provided a compassionate environment while carrying out their incredible nursing duties. An extra special thank you is extended to Hospice of the Valley during Gary’s transition from rehab to home, then from this life to the next. Their care and support of both Gary and our family was the best anyone could have and much appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Church at Litchfield Park in June. A date has not been set at this time. Internment will take place at the Phoenix Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Gary’s name to The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, The Church of Litchfield Park, or Hospice of the Valley.
John Spooler
John Donald Spooler, age 90, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 13, 2022.
John was born Sept. 13, 1931, to William and Mary Spooler in Wiley Ford, W.Va. The second of six children, John grew up surrounded by his grandparents’ love and knowing the value of hard work. He was an avid football player, basketball player, bowler, and golfer who always enjoyed a game with friends.
John enlisted in the Army in 1951 and began a highly decorated, 27-year career, initially as a Combat Engineer. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was stationed in Europe on multiple occasions. John retired from the Army in 1977 as a Command Sergeant Major from his last duty station at the Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas. John met his wife Christine during his last tour of duty in Germany. They were married in 1970, and enjoyed 52 years of marriage together.
After the Army, John enjoyed a 15-year career with Academy Life Insurance, ultimately retiring as SVP of Sales. They moved to Goodyear, Ariz., in 1997 and John was elected twice to the HOA Board of Directors where he served his neighbors for more than 10 years.
John cared deeply about the welfare of military families and children, and he dedicated significant time to non-profit organizations including the Rotary Club, Shriners International, Arizona Homeless Youth Connection, and many others.
John is survived by his wife Christine, daughter Sharon, son-in-law James O’Brien, grandchildren Kevin and Lauren O’Brien, sisters Melba Knotts and Jane Kitzmiller, sister-in-law Virginia Martz, and 10 nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse in Goodyear. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Goodyear Rotary Club John Spooler Memorial Fund at www.goodyearrotary.org.
May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
Earl Gene Stair
Earl Gene Stair passed away May 16 in the loving embrace of his family with his precious dog, Rocky, snuggled on his lap. He was beloved by Pat, his wife of 50 years, and his children, Dawn Dahlin (Chris), Jennifer Smith, and Juliana Caviolo (James). He was blessed with three granddaughters, Elizabeth Smith, Emily Caviolo, and Claire Caviolo.
Gene was born Sept. 12, 1939, in Knoxville, Tenn., to Myrtle Clawson Stair and Jerome Neil Stair, Sr., who passed away many years ago. His brother, Jerome Neil Stair, Jr., also passed away previously.
Gene served in the U.S. Army for three years, most of it in Thule, Greenland. He spent many years as a salesman, starting at Breuner’s original store in Sacramento in the early ‘60s. He loved building remote controlled airplanes and boats, and working with his vast collection of tools. Gene was a perfectionist in all that he did, and his family said about him that “anything worth doing was worth overdoing.”
Our dearest Gene was kind, loving, and most generous, and will live in our hearts forever.