Jack Dagro
Jack Dagro, 86, passed away Feb. 11, 2023, at his home in Goodyear, Ariz.
He was born Aug. 19, 1936, in Chicago, Ill., where he attended high school, then worked for a short time before entering the U.S. Army. Jack earned an honorable discharge after serving with a unit in Germany.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, JoAnn Dagro; a son, James Dagro; a daughter, Cynthia Alongi, and a half sister, Caryl Dagro. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Dagro; his mother, Christine Kahler Campbell, and his stepmother, Vera Dagro.
Although he had several nieces and nephews, he was “Uncle Jack” to just about every member of his extended family, mainly because he was the very model of what an uncle should be.
His professional career included several years with Victor Comptometer Co in Illinois and in Northern California selling office equipment for Victor. He eventually transitioned to real estate, becoming a loan agent and later an underwriter in Northern California. He retired in 1995 and soon after moved with his wife, JoAnn, from California to Goodyear.
Jack will be lovingly remembered for his hearty laugh and his amazing trivia knowledge, especially when it came to old movies and all-but-forgotten actors. It was often joked that he could probably name the third chorus line dancer from the left in just about any 90-year-old classic.
Jack was a longtime member of the PebbleCreek Men’s Golf Club, and an accomplished player well into his 80s.
The family will always cherish Jack, celebrate his memory, and strive to honor his most outstanding qualities.
No services are planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear.
Charles Franklin Hansen
Charles Franklin Hansen departed this world on Feb. 13, 2023, at his home in Goodyear, Ariz. Charlie (Chas or Chuck as he was known to friends) was born in Seattle to Martin and Edna Hansen, graduating from Garfield High school and Central Washington University where he played baseball and was offered a spot on a minor league team. He married twice; first to Judy Paulson in 1956, bringing his daughter Debbie into the world, and then to Marjorie Neas in 1961, bringing son Martin and daughter Paige into the world.
He was a member at Inglewood Country Club in Kenmore, Wash., for more than 50 years and was devoted to the game of golf where he built a large circle of his closest friends. Charlie worked as a regional liquor sales manager covering the western states for the majority of his career. He was ubiquitously known as “Good time Charlie,” always wearing a smile on his face and was quick to share a quip, comeback, or joke. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening at home, watching sports on TV, keeping a Master’s-worthy pristine lawn, and ever-fighting the moles Caddyshack style, as well as watching new and old war movies. The consummate athlete, Charlie also belonged for a time to a bowling league where he would regularly throw strikes. He also served a brief stint in the merchant marines as a line cook.
In his retirement years, he and wife Marji snowbirded between Kenmore, Wash., and Goodyear, Ariz., where he was a devoted Mariners fan with spring training season tickets as well as a Seahawks fan. He was a member of the PebbleCreek Golf Course in Goodyear for over 10 years.
Charlie was a playful, funny, charismatic, and caring human being inside and out with a heart of gold. He will be missed by many and forever in our hearts.
He is survived by daughter Debbie Radcliff, son Martin Hansen, daughter Paige Donnelly, and four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother Arnie Hansen, sister Kathie Hardin, and his mother and father.
Private inurnment will take place at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, Wash.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Roberto Medina
Roberto Medina of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away Feb. 25, 2023. He was born July 13, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas, to Hidalgo and Josefina (nee Montenegro) Medina. He is survived by his wife, Roberta and stepsons Byron Nelson and Lamont Lockhart.
Roberto was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He served for 27 years as a SFC Special Forces, and fought in Korea and Vietnam (four tours of duty!) as a Green Beret (101st Airborne Division). After retiring from the military, he continued to serve for another 20 years with the Corp of Engineers in Shafter, Hawaii. While in the military, he was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, CIB, VSM, GCMDL (5th award), AFEM, RN HM (2nd class), and JSCM.
Roberto was a loving husband and stepfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Roberto and Roberta moved to PebbleCreek in 1996 and watched the community grow to what it is today. He was a founding member of “Just Folks” and enjoyed the many friends he made over the years.
A Celebration of Life will be held and interment will take place at a later date at the VA cemetery in Kaneohe, Hawaii—just a few miles away from his prior home.
Jerry Morris
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jerry Morris on Jan. 31. He was Jerry to his friends, but to his family he was Dad, Papa Jerry, Uncle, or Sweetheart. It seems unfathomable to describe the inspiration he was and the love that we feel for him in mere words on paper. From growing up in Washington State to living, working, and traveling all over the world, Jerry lived a full and beautiful life, and was the proud father of three children.
His oldest son Craig sadly left this world too soon, after a valiant battle with cancer. Christy, who is his only daughter, recently moved to Arizona to embark on a new career, and to live closer to her dad. Jerry was honored that she chose to move closer to him, and very pleased to see what an incredible woman his little girl had become (those who knew Jerry, know he used “pleased or very pleased” to express satisfaction, happiness, pride, or as an overall stamp of approval). Last but not least is his youngest son, Steven. Their zip codes weren’t close, and they weren’t big on phone calls or texts, but their father/son bond didn’t require it. They chose to look at their connection in terms of quality/not quantity of time shared, and how they chose to use it. They’ve been co-pilots on airplanes, road warriors on their motorcycles, and co-navigators for both cross country road trips and for the twists, turns, and detours they encountered on life’s bumpy road to finding true love and happiness.
Jerry found “true love and happiness” with Helen, and for over a decade they loved each other deeply, traveled the world, danced the night away at community dances, enjoyed local theatre performances, took in the scenery on long motorcycle rides … the list goes on. They lived between Michigan and Arizona with the shared goal of loving each other, living their best life together, and living each day to the fullest. They both did that every day until Jan. 31st when he was unexpectedly taken from us.
In the beautiful collage of Jerry’s life, we can’t forget his positive outlook, quick wit, and broad smile that brightened a room. He cherished his motorcycle rides with old friends, had boundless energy on the pickleball court, and prioritized making trips to Kansas City to spend time with his grandsons (and Nikki) every chance he got.
Jerry is predeceased by his son Craig, and is survived by his daughter Christy, son Steven (Melissa), Helen (loving companion), Patricia (ex-wife, dear friend, and mother of his children), daughter-in-law Nikki, grandsons Noah and Adam, and countless family members and friends who meant a lot to him including Helen’s family: daughter Shelli (Jim), granddaughter Monica (Jim), and all his Michigan great-grandchildren who all loved him very much.
Instead of saying good-bye, we prefer to think he rode off into the sunset to hang out with Craig. Until we are together again, we will work on living “our best lives” and will make certain his legacy lives on.
To Jerry: You will forever be missed and will continue to live on in our hearts.
Please note: Jerry requested that no services be held.
Elbert Phillips
Mr. Elbert Phillips, 84, of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away Feb. 10, 2023. He was born May 11, 1938, in San Diego, Calif., to Aaron and Winona (nee Ward) Phillips. He was a veteran of the United States Army.
A visitation was held Saturday, Feb. 25 at Thompson Funeral Chapel. His final resting place will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, Calif.
Karl Schmit
Karl Schmit of Goodyear, Ariz., passed away Feb. 24, 2023, at the age of 90. He was born Oct. 12, 1932, in Chicago, Ill., to George and Catherine (Gollrad) Schmit. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dolores M. Schmit. He is survived by his sons Mark and Todd Schmit.
Karl grew up in Chicago and graduated from St. George’s High School. He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois Benedictine College, and a Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. While in Illinois, Karl became a Captain in the United States Air Force and Reserves. He married Dolores in 1969 and they raised their two sons in Arlington Heights, Ill. Karl taught math and became principal at Goethe Elementary School in Chicago. In 1998, Karl and Dolores retired to Goodyear, Ariz. (PebbleCreek), and were very active in the community and church and volunteered with St. Vincent DePaul. Shortly after Dolores passed away in 2019, Karl moved to Robson Reserve and stayed until 2022. From 2022 until his passing, Karl lived at Park Senior Villas.
Karl was known as an extremely well-disciplined man. He gave his all to anything he was involved in, and that included his wife and children’s activities. But he was also known as a “ham.” When he was on stage acting, he would always leave the audience in tears of laughter. If he wasn’t on stage, he was watching or listening to old musicals. In his free time, he enjoyed playing tennis, watching westerns, riding his Harley Davidson, and working on puzzles. He also collected coins and had a large collection of eagle statues.
Karl was, above all, a family man. He devoted himself to his family. He supported them in all their endeavors and loved spending time with them. They went on family cruises and cross country trips, and spent time together on simple things like yard work and grilling ribs in the backyard.
Karl was the type of person who put the needs of others before his own. He was generous, kind, and caring and made sure that everyone who he cared about was fully taken care of—no matter what their needs were. He encouraged his sons to follow their passions in life. He celebrated with them when they succeeded and helped pick them back up without judgment when they failed.
Services were under the direction of Thompson Funeral Chapel.