The Decade of the 1960’s 

 “The Sixties”, as they are known in both scholarship and popular culture, is a term used by historians, journalists, and other objective academics; in some cases nostalgically to describe the counterculture and revolution in social norms about clothing, music, drugs, dress, sexuality, formalities, and schooling; and in others pejoratively to denounce the decade as one of irresponsible excess, flamboyance, and decay of social order. The decade was also labeled the Swinging Sixties because of the fall or relaxation of social taboos especially relating to racism and sexism that occurred during this time. Commentator Christopher Booker described this era as a classical Jungian nightmare cycle, where a rigid culture, unable to contain the demands for greater individual freedom, broke free of the social constraints of the previous age through extreme deviation from the norm. He charts the rise, success, fall/nightmare and explosion in the London scene of the 1960’s. Several Western nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, and West Germany turned to the political left in the early and mid-1960’s. More about the 60’s on Wikipedia.

Graduates of the 60’s who are no longer with us…

Class of 1960 Steven Ray Thatcher Thatcher, Steven Ray Born on August 16, 1942, in Marysville, CA. Passed away peacefully on May 29, 2015, in Lincoln, CA. Survived by wife of 53 years, Jenelle; daughters Shannon Crossland (Scott), Sheri Ebert (Jeff); grandchildren Kyle and Sydney Ebert and Aubrey Crossland. Preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Opal Thatcher. Steve served in the Army during the Vietnam War 1967-1969; retired from McClellan AFB in 1993. He loved camping, hunting, old cars and working in his yard. His favorite times were being with his family and friends. Please join us to celebrate Steve’s life on Friday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lincoln Civic Center, 511 5th Street, Lincoln, CA. Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans. Published in The Sacramento Bee on June 7, 2015. Read more at the Sacramento Bee Legacy

Class of 1960 Daniel John Wills age 74, passed away Friday, April 29 at his home in Seattle, WA after a long battle with cancer. Dan was born July 1, 1942 in Sacramento, CA to John & Alma Wills. Dan attended San Juan High School in Sacramento; after High School Dan spent 4 years in the Navy based in San Diego, CA. Dan then moved back to Sacramento to work for and become General Manager of one of the largest and prestigious shops in Sacramento, “Bertolucci’s Body & Fender.” In 1976, Dan moved to the Bay area where he worked and owned several auto body repair shops, until retiring to the Seattle area in 1983. Retirement was not for Dan, he eventually joined Wesco Auto Body Supply in the Puget Sound area where he became their top Demonstrator and Trainer. Dan loved working with the industry, helping the younger generation is what he said he was always meant to do. Dan trained hundreds of painters in a half dozen Western states for Wesco. He will be sorely missed. Dan is survived by his companion Suki, daughters Julie Chriss and Jeanie Baker, sisters Jeanette Tomlinson and Joanne Velasco, his brother Bill Wills, and two grandchildren Anna Chriss and Kimberlee Hansen. Funeral services will be held in Sacramento, CA later this week. Dan will be fondly remembered by his loving family, and his many close friends. Donations and condolences can be sent to the Dan Wills Memorial Fund: Dan Wills Fund: c/o Julie Wills, 4140 Hancock Drive, Sacramento, CA 95821.Published in The Sacramento Bee on May 8, 2016

Class of 1960 Nancy Rose Helzer, age 74, of Sacramento, CA passed away on June 10th at Hidden Hills Comfort Home in Roseville, CA of complications arising from congestive heart failure. She was born April 2, 1942, in New York, NY, to the late Joe and Rose Perl. Soon after, the family relocated to the Sacramento area where she remained throughout her life. She graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights in 1960. She was part-owner of All-Cal Paging and Midstate Specialties of Sacramento, CA. Nancy is survived by her step-son Aaron Helzer of Sacramento; grandchildren, Ashley (Christian) Gonzalez, Brent Baker, Amber Baker, Anthony Helzer, Keith Helzer, and Kelly Helzer; great-granddaughters, Isabell “Izzy” Baker, Brooke Martin, and Martha “Marti” Gonzalez all of Sacramento; her sister, Susan Perl Weiford of Blairsville, GA; nieces, Tracy (Robert) Sisemore of Sacramento and Kimberly Weiford of Modesto, CA; grand-nephews, Daniel (Amber) Sisemore of Marysville, CA, Isaac (Vanessa) Sisemore of Concord, CA, and Ethan and Cole Taylor of Modesto; great-grandnephew, Daniel “Danny” Sisemore of Marysville; great-grand nieces, Adriana and Angelina Sisemore of Marysville and McKenzie Sisemore of Concord. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Keith Helzer and step-daughter Brooke Helzer. Wednesday, June 22nd a Memorial Rosary will be held at 10:00am followed at 10:30am by a funeral mass at Holy Family Catholic Church, 7817 Old Auburn Rd., Citrus Heights. A celebration of life will be held at the church at the conclusion of the mass. Funeral Services provided by Lombard and Co. Funeral Directors of Sacramento, CA. Please consider a donation to the memorial fund established in Nancy’s name for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers. Memorial ID# 10552381. We would like to thank all of the staff of First Call Hospice and Hidden Hills Comfort Home for the care and support they gave Nancy and our family. Published in The Sacramento Bee 6/15/2015

Class of 1960 Duane Gardner 1942 – Aug 1, 2016 Lost his battle with cancer. No service is planned.

Class of 1961 – Cruz Alvarez – Cruz Alvarez passed away at his home on Sunday, July 12, 2015. He was born in Roseville, CA on February 18, 1942. Cruz leaves behind his wife Laura; sons Mark, Aric, and Jacob; daughters Kimberly and Aimee; 14 grand &15 great grandchildren and his first wife Barbara. Cruz is preceded in death by his parents Vicente and Gloria and by his son Kevin Alvarez. Our Aslan, the lion, always looking over us in life and hereafter. Private memorial services will be held for his family. Published in The Sacramento Bee on July 17, 2015. Read more at the Sacramento Bee Legacy

Class of 1962 – Walter Ray Schoppe – 1943-2015 Loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Walter Ray Schoppe was born in Wenatchee, Washington on January 19th, 1943. He died unexpectedly on Friday, July 17th, 2015 in Citrus Heights, CA at the age of 72. He and his wife Dorothy worked together in their self-employed lawn care service. In his spare time you would find Walt bowling or fishing. He was on multiple bowing leagues and considered many of his bowling friends, family. He was loved by everyone who met him and always had a smile on his face. Walt was a veteran of the United States Navy and served from 1960-1966. He loved his country and was proud to fly our country’s flag. Walt was preceded in death by his infant son Steven James, his parents Clyde Walter Schoppe and Dorothy Ailene Stroyick, his sisters Barbara Hennagan and Patricia Retzlaff, and also his brother Steven Schoppe. He is survived by his wife Dorothy Schoppe (Scott) of 53 years, who was also his high school sweetheart. His daughter Carol Stone (and her husband Troy Stone), son Michael Schoppe (and his wife Tracie Schoppe), son John Schoppe, sister Virginia Petterson, as well as multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. A memorial celebration will be held at Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes bowling alley in Citrus Heights on July 25, 2015. Published in The Sacramento Bee on July 24, 2015. 

Class of 1962 Kenneth Owen 1944- 2016 Kenneth died of complications of brain cancer in Oakland, California. Survived by brother Jerry, sister Linda Owen Marmaduke and mother Dorothy Engman Owen Wilson. Submitted by his cousin Lowell Hill.

Class of 1964 – Billy D. “Wink” Thixton – Thixton, Billy D. “Wink” Passed away June 6, 2015 in Palm Bay, Florida. Wink was a graduate of San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, California, class of 1964, and attended Oklahoma University in Norman, OK. After returning to California, he soon planted his roots in Lincoln, where he owned and operated a business and raised six children. His business, California Cleaners was laughingly called “gossip central” and may be best remembered for the sign in the front window announcing, “Drop your Pants Here.” The town of Lincoln benefited greatly from Wink’s commitment, energy, determination imagination, and leadership. Among other contributions, large and small, he co-founded Lincoln Youth Basketball in 1995, served as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, was active in the Police Activities League (PAL) and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Along with his former wife Sherry Thixton, he was honored by The California State Assembly and California State Senate for community service and volunteerism. A resident of Palm Bay, Florida, Wink is survived by his wife, Paula Hershenson Thixton, three stepchildren, Rose Murray Naff, Marjorie Murray Mulla and John Murray. He is survived by two children, Tena Thixton and Derick Thixton from his marriage to Debbie Jo Baker, and four children, Jennifer Maul, Michelle Ruiz, Stephanie Lombardi and Brian Thixton from his marriage to Sherry Thixton, He is also survived by his sister, Diann Kalsbeek, niece Tammy Johnson Mathews and nephews Mark Johnson and Chad Johnson There are numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 13, 2015, 11:00am at Heritage Church in Lincoln. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Police Activities League (P.A.L) of Lincoln. 

Class of 1965 Michael “Mike” Williamson retired from this life unexpectedly on April 18, 2016. Born on February 8, 1947. Following graduation from San Juan High School, he served in the United States Army and served four years in Vietnam. Following his service to his country, he returned to the FOFD where he first served as a volunteer, and where later became a firefighter – not just a profession, but a calling, and retired 38 years later at the rank of Captain. He continued his service for the Fair Oaks community as a member of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park and the Sacramento Republic FC. Mike loved hunting and fishing, music by Pink, and let’s not forget his dogs and cats. He was a renowned storyteller. His friends and family will deeply miss his French fries and pies. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 37 years, Debra (who he adored), and his pride and joy, sons Zak (wife Colleen) and Mac, his sister, Michelle and brothers Dan and Dean, as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and others whose lives he touched over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents Joan and Walter Williamson. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held on May 10 at 11am at St. Mel’s Catholic Church, with a reception afterward at the Church hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Firefighter’s Burn Institute, 3101 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95820. Published in The Sacramento Bee 4/30/2016. 

Class of 1965 – Tony Warbington attended Woodbridge Elementary School until they moved to their new home in Citrus Heights, built by his contractor father. He attended Sylvan Elementary School and graduated in 1965 from San Juan High School. He passed away peacefully in Colo. Springs following a short illness. He was surrounded by his loving son, Thomas (Sarah) and grandchildren Abby, Bailey and Chloe and daughter Tawnya, and grandchildren Trenton, Jayse, and Tamryn all from Colorado. He is survived by sister Rita Warbington Lind ’61 of Roseville.

Class of 1966 – Buddy Carr passed away on Christmas Eve 2014. He is deeply loved and missed by his wife and father and children and grandchildren and daughter-in-law and many friends and extended family members. Buddy enjoyed a long and successful retail management career that encompassed several states. After he retired he enjoyed a life filled with loving family, friends and lots of golf. Everyone who really knew Buddy is aware how dedicated he was to the game of golf. Starting with perfecting his skills on San Juan H.S. golf teams in the 1960’s, Buddy later moved on to success as Club Championship winner at the Men’s Club at Indian Creek Country Club in Loomis in 1977, 1978, and 1982. He was the Men’s Club president at Indian Creek Country Club from 2008 to 2010. He played in tournaments every other week and enjoyed the game of golf and his many golf friends. He was a loving, supporting husband, son, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. He had a life well lived and his memory will live on in the hearts of the many who loved him. GO COLTS!