It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our beloved Thomas (Tucky) Long on April 16, 2025, at home surrounded by his family and Hospice care singing his favorite Elvis Presley song, “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.”

Tucky was born on May 28, 1942 to William Fraser Long & Anita Boyce Long in Eureka. His Grandma Boyce used to sing “Little Tommy Tucker Sings For His Supper” to him and over time he became “Tucky”!

As the youngest of four boys, he spent many summers at Ft Seward, Dos Rios and Island Mountain “walking the tracks” each evening with his brothers and father and playing Cowboys & Indians. He always wanted to be Roy Rogers but his older brothers said there were already too many Roy Rogers, so, he never got to be Roy Rogers. Now, he’s Roy Rogers in the sky!

Tucky graduated from St Bernard Catholic High Class of 1960 where he excelled in football and basketball. He never would have graduated without the help from Madeline Sabella & Georgia Wahl. Following his three older brothers, his first job was at EP Ray Mobile Station at Wabash & B. After numerous ambitious attempts, he was hired by PG&E in Eureka where he worked for 35 years as the head of the Map Drafting Department, retiring in 1995. Based on his knowledge and expertise, after retirement he was called back to work several times. He enjoyed his PG&E friends so much.

In 1962, through a mutual friend, Dennis McManus he was encouraged to cash his paycheck at BofA with Tahni Myers, who he bravely asked out for a date and the rest is history…They were married soon after at St Bernard Catholic Church in Eureka.

In 1964, the real love of his life, Tracy Jill Mary (TJ) Long was born, building their family with such love. That love & pride increased a thousand times over with the births of his two very precious granddaughters, Whitney & Bailey!

Family was very important to Tucky who, being a new Dad, welcomed his two teenage sisters-in-law into their family and became an important father figure to them, a position he took on with love that lasted the rest of his life. He and Tahni never missed a game or a competition, not just for their grandchildren, but for their many nieces and nephews.

Over the years he coached his daughter’s baseball team with Patrick Folkins & Jack Macdonald for Cutten Ridgewood League. In the 1970’s he worked on the pit crews for stock car racers Denny Myers #8 and Ed Tanferani #71 – the ‘real’ years of racing! He followed Nascar Racing and his favorite driver was Bill Elliott #9. He was an avid SF 49er fan throughout his life, holding season tickets, attending many games, sharing his passion with his family, and was able to get into the locker rooms several times.

His Happy Place - around 1975, Tucky & Tahni got a campsite at Chezem Ranch in the Redwood Creek area. Soon after, Larry & Vicki Sallady also got a campsite and thus began the Larry “The Goose” and Tucky “Longarm” wood cutting expeditions, joined soon by Paul Marold. Good times were had by all. Redwood Creek was enjoyed by every member of Tucky’s extended family, who all remember these days on the river as the best times of their lives. From skipping rocks, inner tube wars, building the dam, and OH the dance floor…

Tucky was a member of the Crusader Athletic Board at St. Bernard High School, Harbor Lanes Bowling League, San Francisco 49er Club & Electrical Engineering & Scientist of California, and the Vista Del Mar Crazy Whalers Softball Team, what fun!

Many who knew Tucky know he struggled with MS for 40+ years, and he had the strongest constitution of anyone we know. He was a supporting “Poppy” and Uncle attending so many special events and games over the span of many years, even when he was not feeling well or even ‘just out of the hospital’, always with a smile and a hug to give!

He was predeceased by his parents William & Anita Long, paternal grandparents William & Christine Long, maternal grandparents Constance & Beryl Boyce, brother Bill Long, Aunts Agnes Chabot, Pat Braafladt, Vera, Uncles Meryl & Beryl Boyce, nephew Jerry Long, cousin Jerry Felt, mother-in-law Bettye Giegnas, special friends Larry Sallady, Karl Brazil, Dave Del Grande, Dennis McManus, Paul & Jean Marold.

Tucky is survived by his wife Tahni Myers Long, daughter (TJ) Tracy Walters, son-in-law Rob Walters, granddaughters Whitney Oliva (Peaches) Walters, Bailey Mariah (Stinky) Walters, brothers Jim (Pat) Long, Jerry (Nema) Long, sister-in-law Dee Long, sisters-in-law Lyndy (Gary) Cunningham, Debbie (Dave) McCanless, nieces & nephews Bill (Debbie), David (Lorie) & Terry Long, Kathy (Greg) Rasmussen, Shari (Alan) Borges, Robbie (Brandi) Cunningham, Melissa (Ryan) Bode, Kenny McCanless, Katie (Matt) Chisam. Great nieces & nephews Lindsey, Tyler & Travis Long, Ross, Ryan Long, Tiffany, Courtney, Bethany, Ben, Stephanie & Hailey Rasmussen, Brittany & Ashley Borges, Kristen Long, Great nieces & nephews Hayden, Rogan & Macy Bode, Chase & Blythe Cunningham, Grady & Miles Chisam, and many other great nieces & nephews from out of the area. Cousins Donna, Patty, Robin, Janice Felt, Chris, the Dickinson family from Arcata/Bayside & Las Vegas, special “big sis” DeeAnne Masino, special friends Vicki Sallady & family, Pat & Sheila Folkins & family, Dennis Grinsell, Ken & Linda Bareilles, Ed Tanferani, Warren & Licia Fowler and so many others too numerous to mention.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt, Dr. John Gambin, Dr, Donald Iverson, Dr. Michael Palmer, Dr, Henry Trieu, Laura Hall and Dr. Charlie Knoll, City Ambulance Crews, Humboldt Bay Fire – Lift Assist Crews, the Emergency Department staff at St. Joseph Hospital, main lobby Security staff who were especially kind to me at St. Joseph Hospital, Providence Home Health, General Hospital Rehab Staff/Granada Rehab Staff led by Dr. Charlie Knoll. The Cutten Chalet family, Adels family and so very special, our Angel God sent to our door to care for Tucky with such love and kindness until the very end – Melissa Brock. In his final days he was surrounded by family, visited by friends and per his wish, kept comfortably at home by his loving wife Tahni and caregivers. Tucky will be remembered as a class act, with both a staunch stubborn streak, and an exceptional, unshakable love for his family and friends.

Please come share in celebrating his life and your stories with us at a Celebration of Life on Monday, April 28, 2025, from 3-6 at the Eureka Elks Lodge, Herrick Ave in Eureka.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka, CA 95503, National MS Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 or a charity of your choice.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tucky Long’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

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It has been nearly two years since developer and business owner Travis Schneider agreed to tear down the partly built family dream mansion he was building in the Walker Point subdivision northeast of Eureka and to remediate the damage caused by a series of permit violations. 

Why hasn’t it happened yet? 

Well, as you may recall, the California Coastal Commission took jurisdiction of the whole mess in March of last year after finding “substantial issues” with demolition and remediation plan that had been approved by the county. 

In response to an emailed inquiry about the status of the project, Coastal Commission Public Information Officer Joshua Smith said things are moving forward, albeit slowly.

“Staff continues to work on with the property owner on resolving the outstanding violations,” Smith said via email. “Staff is optimistic that this issue can be brought to the Commissioners by this summer.”

Schneider received a permit in 2018 to build an 8,000-square-foot home on about six acres atop a hill overlooking the Fay Slough Wildlife Area. But he was later found to have framed up a nearly 21,000-square-foot structure that’s visible from both Old Arcata Road and the Hwy. 101 safety corridor.

After county officials issued a stop work order on December 27, 2021, more permit violations were uncovered.

For example, Schneider had laid down an un-permitted access road within a wetland setback area; built a portion of the house within a 100-foot wetland setback; started construction without a building permit; failed to get a required septic permit; and removed vegetation, including native California blackberries, from the wetland area, which is home to a designated archeological site from a historical Wiyot village.

That incursion into the wetland setback area meant the project automatically fell under the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission, which had already warned the county that its teardown and remediation plan didn’t adequately address violations of the Local Coastal Plan nor adequately protect onsite coastal resources.

The Wiyot Tribe submitted a letter urging the commission to reject the county-approved plan and require a list of additional conditions, including for more participation from tribes and consultation with a qualified cultural resources manager. Two other Wiyot-area tribes — the Blue Lake Rancheria and the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria — have also been involved in negotiations on the project.

Last March, the Coastal Commission approved a resolution finding that the county-approved demolition and remediation plan didn’t adequately protect archaeological and tribal cultural resources or the nearby ESHA (environmentally sensitive habitat area). They also found that the plan raised substantial issues with the California Coastal Act and Humboldt County’s Local Coastal Plan.

Smith told the Outpost today that Coastal Commission employees are working to enable adequate tribal consultation this time around.

“Staff took care to ensure the process included all the tribes impacted by the violations and come up with a resolution that honors their historical connection to the land in question,” he said. “This process can take time, but staff believes it’s time well spent.”

No specific date has been set for the commission to consider the resolution. The agency is scheduled to meet in Pismo Beach in July, Calabasas in August and a yet-to-be-announced location here on the North Coast in September. 

Schneider and his family have reportedly left Humboldt County.

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PREVIOUSLY

• Heated Meeting Sparks Accusations of Dishonesty and Discrimination, Opening Rift Between Tribes and Humboldt County Planning Commission
• Despite Silence From Tribes, Mega-Home Builder Optimistic Ahead of Tonight’s Continued Planning Commission Hearing to Address Permit Violation Fallout
• After Rebukes and Apologies for Bongio’s ‘Disrespectful’ Comments, Planning Commission Defers Decision on Mega-Home Permits
• County Supes to Consider Censure of Planning Commission Chair Alan Bongio for Inappropriate Conduct
• Bohn Makes the Motion, Supes Unanimously Censure Bongio for Racist Remarks, Move to Remove Him as Chair of Planning Commission
• A Tour Through the Half-Built Dream Mansion of Travis Schneider, Who Remains Hopeful Amid Mounting Permit Problems
• Alan Bongio, Embattled Humboldt County Planning Commissioner, Resigns
• Planning Commission Set to Rescind Permit for Controversial Schneider Home as Developer Prepares to Tear it Down, Remediate Damage to Property
• Schneider Offers Emotional Apology as Planning Commission Approves Tear-Down of His Permit-Violating, Half-Built Family Dream Home
• Coastal Commission Finds ‘Substantial Issues’ With Schneider’s Plans to Demolish Half-Built Dream Mansion, Takes Over Jurisdiction of the Project

Press release from the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area:

On April 15, 2025, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Garberville Area stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver was determined to have a suspended license, and the vehicle was impounded. During the inventory of the vehicle, a bag containing homemade explosives (destructive devices) was located. The Humboldt County Regional Bomb Squad was requested to respond to the scene to secure the explosive materials. The bomb technicians determined the devices were considered destructive devices under California law. Additionally during the inventory, two firearms were located in the vehicle.

The two occupants (Andivere Hill, Andizere Hill) were arrested and booked into the Mendocino County Jail for possession of destructive devices and being prohibited persons in possessions of a firearm.

The CHP Northern Division Investigative Services Unit (ISU) responded to and took over the investigation. A search warrant was obtained for an American Canyon residence related to the two occupants and the CHP SWAT Team and Hazardous Device Disposal Team served the search warrant. During the course of the search, five firearms including one revolver, two rifles, two shotguns (including one short-barreled shotgun), several hundred rounds of ammunition, a high-capacity magazine, illegal fireworks, and additional material for making more destructive devices were seized.

On 4/18/2025, the Northern Division ISU, the CHP SWAT Team, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department (HCSO) SWAT Team, the Garberville CHP Area, and CALFIRE law enforcement served an additional search warrant in Alderpoint. During the search warrant, several pounds of material for making explosive devices were located. Due to the presence of explosive material, the CHP Hazardous Device Disposal Unit and HCSO Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit conducted two controlled detonations. In addition to the explosive material, an assault rifle, two pistols, and numerous rounds of ammunition were seized. One arrest was made (Andironere Hill) for possession of a destructive device, possession of an assault weapon, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Photos from the CHP Facebook page:

Lobbying groups spent more than half a billion dollars to influence the state government in 2024, the most ever, according to a CalMatters analysis of data recently filed with the secretary of state. Lobbying by Google, oil companies and utilities during special sessions in the third quarter appeared to drive the sharp spike in spending.

Companies and organizations reported roughly $540 million in lobbying expenses to push their point of view to California officials, including legislators, on hundreds of bills between January and December of last year — and that’s up by more than 10% from $485 million in 2023.

Perhaps that isn’t so surprising in a state with a full-time Legislature and one of the largest economies in the world, said Francesco Trebbi, an economics professor at UC Berkeley who studies political influence and lobbying.

“Half a billion is kind of normal,” he said. “If California is about 14% of U.S. GDP and federal lobbying is about $4 billion, $500 million is about 13% of that. So it would be in line with the size of the California economy.”

Thomas Holyoke, a professor of political science at Fresno State University, said that the spending increase might reflect not only corporations’ desire for more influence but also the growing influence of California policy itself.

As long as California maintains its prominence, “more and more interest groups and lobbyists are going to take what Sacramento does very, very seriously,” he said.

Major players driving the lobbying boom

The Western States Petroleum Association reported more than $17.3 million dollars in advocacy costs over the year, more than $10 million of which was spent last summer, and more than double the total bill of the previous year.

The organization took public positions on 18 bills last session and got its desired outcome two-thirds of the time, according to a CalMatters analysis of data from Digital Democracy, our platform to track state lawmakers and legislation.

In part, the trade group’s spending more than doubled because of increased proposed regulations on oil and gas, including a special session focused on gas prices.

The largest non-oil spender was PacifiCorp, which reported spending more than $13.4 million to influence California officials last year, 30 times the yearly average for the company over the last two decades. The investor-owned utility lobbied for a rate hike but didn’t take a public position on any bills in 2024.

Pacific Gas & Electric, one of the largest utilities in the state, reported nearly $3.6 million on lobbying last year. Over the two-year legislative session, the company took a public position on 45 bills and also got its way on roughly two-thirds of them, or 31 bills.

Google doesn’t usually spend much on state-level lobbying efforts but spent more in 2024 than the last 20 years combined.

The company reported one of the largest totals for state advocacy last year, driven primarily by a spending spree in the third quarter of the year when the tech giant was fighting a media bill and AI regulations. The company got its way in both cases.

Much of its advocacy went through the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which reported spending nearly $7.4 million, $7 million of which came from the Mountain View behemoth.

Only two labor groups spent more than $1 million on lobbying last year: the Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association.

SEIU reported spending nearly $3.4 million and the California Teachers Association, another powerful union in the state, spent more than $3.1 million. Both unions took public positions on hundreds of bills and got their way nearly 70% of the time.

How CalMatters analyzed the data

Organizations that hire lobbyists to influence state policy are required to disclose how much money was spent in a quarterly report to the secretary of state, who makes the data and filings available online. For example, the page for the Western States Petroleum Association shows that the industry group spent roughly $1.7 million on advocacy in the second quarter of last year and more than $10.1 million in the following quarter.

CalMatters added quarterly reported expenses to calculate the total annual lobbying bill for each organization, then added every organization’s yearly sum to determine the aggregate amount spent on lobbying California officials per year.

Sometimes, organizations give money to industry groups to lobby on their behalf, such as the $7 million Google paid to the Computer & Communications Industry Association, and both organizations must report that money: Google, when it buys advocacy services from the association; the trade group, when it actually spends the money on grassroots organizing or direct lobbying. Because there’s no way to determine if a payment is to another “lobbyist employer” or to a political or media consulting firm, there are amounts reported more than once in our data.

CalMatters determined the success rate of each organization by comparing organizations’ public positions taken on bills in the last legislative session (2023–2024) as recorded in Digital Democracy to the ultimate outcome of that legislation. Lobbying efforts were considered successful if either of the following were true:

• The organization opposed a bill that failed the Legislature.
• The organization supported a bill that passed through the Legislature (even if it was vetoed by the Governor).

It’s difficult to get a more detailed picture of lobbying because of what isn’t reported in the data. California does not require disclosure of either the offices or staff members who meet with lobbyists or the connections between individual lobbyists and specific bills.

Our analysis found that corporate lobbying efforts were successful about 60% of the time. This is likely an undercount because it can take more than one year to successfully pass a bill.

Micheli said that sometimes a bill can even take more than one two-year legislative session.

“After six or seven years on a really tough bill, you finally get it enacted. Leading up to it, you could say you failed every year,” he said. “But then eventually, you get a seismic change in the law.”

See the companies and organizations along with how much they spent to lobby last year in our interactive database at calmatters.org

Mark Andrew Hailey was born on August 30, 1958 in Springfield, Missouri and passed away on April 14, 2025 at his home in Hoopa surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. He was a very proud Hoopa Tribal Member and was also of Yurok and Karuk descent. The things that mattered most to Mark were his wife Dana, his children and family, music and the Dallas Cowboys. As a boy, his family moved around a lot and he was so happy he ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma because he met the love of his life Dana there. They had three children together - Jordan, Jenna and Joey - and he was an amazing son, father, husband, brother, uncle and papa.

He showed an aptitude for music from a very young age and was a beautiful singer and bass player. He first started playing music and singing with his brothers as children and spent most of his life in bands, touring and bringing joy through music at state fairs, weddings, rodeos, events and numerous private parties. Music was such a part of his daily life - even when he became physically unable to perform on stage, he still loved to sing and play his guitar at home. His kids always loved to hear stories about the many concerts he attended or played over the years.

Shortly before getting married to his wife Dana, he moved home to Hoopa and became an EMT. He and his partners Dave Short and Leona “Chicken” Jackson ne’en worked hard to document the many accidents they responded to and were instrumental in getting the first guardrails up along the highways in our area and saving a lot of lives. There are generations alive today in our valley due to their hard work and heroic saves. He also spent seven years at Tulsa Life Flight as Communications Supervisor and loved flying in helicopters. He had a passion for helping people and saving lives wherever he could.

Mark was such a funny and loving man and constantly had his family and friends laughing at some funny joke or silly face he would make. He was a lover of animals and particularly loved his big dumb, sweet dog “Forky.” He was so proud and would boast to everyone he met that he and his wife Dana were married for 45 years and together for 49 years. He was also extremely proud of his three children and what good people they grew up to be.

He is survived by his beloved wife Dana Hailey, his sons Jordan and Joseph (Mercedes) Hailey and his daughter Jenna Hailey, his mother Darlene Marshall, his sister Judith Surber and brother Weldon Hailey (Lori), his stepmother Bonnie Hailey, his sister-in-laws Cathy Spears and Lynn Vockrodt (Brent), his brother-in-laws David Egan (Kathy) and Bill Armiger, his daughter-in-law Angela Jarnaghan, his beloved grandchildren Libby, Damon, Michael, Aurorah, Vivian and Audrinah Hailey and bonus grandson Jesus Jones (and his 9.5 toes - sorry buddy!), his nephews Paul Hailey (Yara), Gordon “Sport” Surber (Raven), Roger Surber (Ethel), Cory Surber, his nieces Kiersten McAvoy (Chad), Carrie Mello (Tim), Jenifer Hailey (Johnny), Shelly Bommelynn (Allen), Megan Surber (Stoney), Anna Hailey, his Oklahoma nephews Jason Vockrodt (Silina), Blake Vockrodt (Jamie), A.J. Spears (Jackie), his Oklahoma nieces Andrea Spears, Ashley Spears (Steve), Kristin Egan, Jacque Hoover (Brendan), Kasey Egan, Kayte Egan, many great-nieces and great-nephews who he loved, close cousin and best friend Leslie “Sim” Risling (Debbie) and beloved family friend Melissa “Lovey” Sanchez.

He is preceded in death by his father Charles Hailey Sr., in-laws Mike Egan, MaryAnn Travers and Bob Travers, his brothers Charles David Hailey Jr. and Kelly Hailey, his baby sister Julie Hailey, his grandson Mark Andrew Hailey II, his brothers-in-law Gordon Surber and Drew Spears, his sister-in-law Denise Armiger, his favorite auntie/bonus grandmother Vivien Hailstone, his maternal grandparents Rosalind Risling Marshall and Ernest Marshall Sr., his paternal grandparents Paul and Opal Hailey, his niece Brianna Hailey, and his very close cousins Damon Hailstone, Richie Marshall, Mike Kelsey Sr. and Dave Dayringer.

Pallbearers: Paul Hailey, Sport Surber, Roger Surber, Cory Surber, Leslie Risling III, Douglas Kyle Risling, Baron Risling III, Sonny Mitchell, Allen Bommelyn

Honorary Pallbearers: Damon Hailey, Michael Hailey, Weldon Hailey, David Egan, Brent Vockrodt, Bill Armiger, David Henderson, Leslie “Sim” Risling II, Ryan Risling, Gary Risling, Baron Risling II, Clifford Marshall, Adam Allen, Lawrence Tracy, Joe Hutt, Wes Hutt, Bobby Roberts, Anthony “Tony” Risling II, Daniel Lopez, Marshall Maloney, George McCovey, Randy Dodge, Darren Marshall Sr., Stoney McCoy, Artie Jones, Terrance Moon, Matthew Lewis, James McCovey, Dale Risling, Edward John Mitchell, Wally Obie, Harry “O” Campbell, Rod Johnson, James Davis, Stephen Dayringer, Lonnie Risling Sr., Ronnie Risling, Russell Marshall Sr., Russell Marshall Jr., Stanley “Jumper” Ferris, Duffy Mott, Mike McBride, Bud Hardy, Gordon Scott Metcalfe

We want to send a special thank you to the people who helped ensure he received great medical care in his final years: Kathy Mize and everyone at Madrone Care, Dr. Fratkin, Dr. Eva Smith, Tasha Bradberry, Melissa Kane, Dr. Basseri, Dr. Krawl and Michael Masten and the pharmacy team.

We are sorry if we missed anyone - Mark had many more friends and loved ones and he loved you all.

In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you donate to Two Rivers Pet and Wildlife Welfare Services as Mark loved dogs and was always telling his wife and daughter to bring home any stray dogs they encountered.

His services were held on Friday, April 18th, 2025 at the Hoopa Neighborhood Facilities.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Christina Perkins’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

It is with heavy heart to announce that Christina Renee Perkins (age 46) passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 10, 2025 after facing many health challenges.

Christina was a preemie baby born in San Francisco on September 14, 1978 to Ramona Schildan and Noman Perkins. She grew up her whole life in Humboldt County. Throughout her life, she was always into whatever her four older brothers were into. She went from playing with hot wheels to riding in hot rods. She also loved woodworking, especially creating beautiful wooden vases, tables, and signs. The beach was always one of her favorite escapes, she loved to look for agates and had quite the collection. Her favorite beaches were Pebble Beach (Del Norte) and Dry Lagoon (Humboldt). Christina also really enjoyed playing pool, she was a part of the group called “Humboldt Pool Players” and she competed in many local tournaments. Although Christina was a tiny lady all her life she had the largest personality. She was very outgoing, definitely the life of the party, and she always had so much love to give!

Christina leaves behind seven children — Ashley, Tyler, Austin, Justin, Tayia, Lacey, and Kylee — as well as three grandchildren, Ezekiel, Ryland and Aiyanna. Her children and grandchildren were her best friends, true loves, and her biggest achievements in life. She showed all of them how to be strong, no matter what life throws their way.

The family would like to thank everyone from Hospice Of Humboldt and Fortuna Rehabilitation And Wellness Center for helping care for her over the last couple of years.

A celebration of life will be held in June at “Swimmers Delight,” which was one of Christina‘s favorite places to spend time with her family. If you were close with Christina and would like more details, please contact her daughter Ashley or her mother Ramona.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Christina Perkins’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Lee Roy Whitman, son of Ethen Miles Whitman and Carolyn May Whitman, passed away April 8, 2025 at his home in Blue Lake at the age of 76. Lee was born in Ellensburg, Washington on August 2nd, 1948.

After attending grade school in Malin, Oregon the family moved to Hoopa. He graduated from Hoopa High in 1966. After high school Lee was drafted into the United States Army at age 19 and spent two years in Vietnam. After his service ended he attended Perry Technical Institute of Yakima and had various short-term jobs, before going to work for the United States Forest Service as a mechanic for the rest of his professional career. He retired in the early 2000s after which he spent his time as an automotive hobbyist and woodworking craftsman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Karis Marie Yerton, and his brother, Mark Alan Whitman. Lee is survived by his ex-wife, Deborah Whitman of Eureka, and their son, Nicholas Jay Whitman, his wife, La Velle Whitman of Blue Lake, and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Lee is also survived by his sister, Connie Heine (James) of Delano, Minn., his sister, Mary Holt of Sacramento, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial is being planned for all who knew him. It will be held Friday, May 9th from 4-7 pm in McKinleyville at Azalea Hall, Hewitt room, 1620 Picket Rd.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lee Roy Whitman’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.