The
volunteer bluff supervisor was finally called home March 18, 2024, by
his loving wife Fiona, whom he missed so much every day. While most
folks in Trinidad saw Jamie as a watcher of life going by, in the
office with the most beautiful view on the West Coast, he was so much
more.
Born
to Dianne Wilson on June 29, 1968, and adopted the next day by
Richard and Laurie Wax, Jamie spent his younger years in Southern
California, moving to Humboldt County in 1988 to attend College of
the Redwoods to study photography. His most recent pursuit landed him
as the Trinidad “town therapist,” as well as keeping an eye out
on the crab fleet. Jamie always had time to listen to his many
“walk-up clients,” as well as working the phone for his longtime
friends and “patients.” Some people mistakenly thought Jamie was
homeless, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. He owned
a beautiful home just outside of town with a park-like yard that he
had always kept up for Fiona.
Jamie
grew up in Malibu with his sister Jessica. At 6 feet 5 inches tall to
Jessica’s 5-foot, 1-inch frame, Jamie was quick to point out that
he was adopted. But in typical Jamie fashion he used this to his
advantage, often teasing Jessica that he was the chosen one while she
was merely an accident. It was in Malibu that Jamie made his first
life-long friend, Tony, who coincidentally was also adopted. Together
they pursued fishing, surfing, motorcycle riding and all other late
‘70s Southern California beach fun.
In
the late ‘80s, when Jamie was documenting the beaches and surfing
with his black and white film career, he met his future
brother-in-law, Dave. They both lived in Greenwood Heights in
Kneeland, and a 35-year friendship was born. To be on Jamie’s call
list was an honor most of the time, unless he wanted to mess with you
and start the calls before 5 a.m. I was always up early, so a pre-6
a.m. call was a staple for the next 30 years. “Hey, what’s
happening?” A listen to the weather radio in the early morning was
the key to which activity would be attempted that day. Surfing
anywhere from Point Arena to Port Orford, mushroom hunting, fishing,
or firewood cutting out east were all options.
Being
6 feet, 5 and an accomplished surfer, Jamie had no problem meeting
lifelong surf buddies, such as Jack, Paul, Berto and Caputo, just to
name a very few. He also had a lot of fun riding motorcycles with his
younger neighbor Steve and his cerebral friend Karl, as well as
Warren and Ron, after he moved to Blue Lake.
Jamie’s
next stop in the county was up Brannon Mountain, Willow Creek. This
is where he picked up his best dog, Pepsi, and funny associate Rue.
Jamie, girlfriend Exene, Pepsi and Rue all lived together at an epic
house with an inground pool and a flawless garden around the pool.
Jamie made lifelong friends on Brannon Mountain, the likes of which
included Lionel Lee and Bill and Suzie McKelvey, as well as the
McKelvey’s boys, Luke, Travis, and Jake. (Jake also spent many days
on the bluff with Jamie, as well as being on the call list.) It was
Jamie’s break up with Exene that led him to start smoking
cigarettes, which was shocking to all his friends and at 25 years old
was a hard habit to start after being so fervently anti-cigarette
before.
The
Brannon Mountain days were the most adventurous for Jamie, with
day-long 3-wheeler rides and barbecues out in the upper Three Creeks
and Buck Buttes areas. A lot more firewood cutting and fishing
ensued. Canoeing on the river replaced surfing and many overnighters
on the South Fork of the Trinity River were had. Trips out to the Pit
River and Eagle Lake in the winter scored him some epic fish. Like
the bluff in Trinidad, the Big Rock area along the Trinity became his
daily hangout to catch up on stories and give advice.
Jamie
had been on Brannon Mountain for some time when an opportunity came
up to work at his dad’s place in St. Helena. This is where he met
his comrade, Tommy. Jamie and Tommy became fast friends and were
responsible for maintaining the 23 acres around the massive St.
Helena estate. After several months of landscaping Jamie started
attending helicopter pilot school. According to Jamie, flying a
helicopter was the best roller coaster ride of your life, with you
controlling the intensity. Through a series of unique circumstances,
Jamie found himself moving to several different cities in Southern
California, where his occupation changed to nursery warehouse
delivery driver. He rented a room from a cousin and spent most of his
off-time perch fishing near Ventura. This is where he met the love of
his life, Fiona. Pre-cell phone, we still had the daily call, usually
before 5:45 a.m. with the first quart of coffee, and an evening call
around 7 p.m. This continued until the fortunate day he was able to
move himself and Fiona to his beloved Humboldt County.
Back
in Arcata, Jamie was able to introduce Fiona to his nephews, Pierce
and Behren, and a multitude of friends. Jamie and Fiona were married
in Dave and Jessica’s yard in Westhaven. This new happiness
consisted of construction work in Willow Creek as well as getting
back into the local industry. Building decks, greenhouses, and
teaching Fiona how to trim, they both were able to work together for
several years. Hina, Fiona’s niece, visited from Hong Kong about
this time, learning English from Uncle Jamie. One of Jamie’s most
lasting impressions on his nephew Pierce was his consumption of
“nasty ice.” Three-year-old Pierce insisted on carrying a full
“nasty ice” can everywhere he went. Unfortunately, the aluminum
can would weaken over time, and Jessica had to clean up many
blown-out natty ice cans at play groups, day cares, preschools, and
markets. This was at the same time life turned dark when Fiona was
diagnosed with a severe illness.
Over
the course of seven years Jamie was there for Fiona as she navigated
the harsh reality of our healthcare system. During this time Jamie’s
mom Laurie was also fighting a chronic disease. Like a one-two punch
Jamie lost his mom and then his wife. After this Jamie told me he
“lost his spark and passion for life.” I, along with his buddies
Joey and Kyle, got him out fishing and had wonderful days of limits
on all species. But slowly Jamie even lost his passion for fishing.
This is when Jamie decided to take on the responsibility of bluff
supervisor. Early morning calls worked better from the bluff than the
empty front porch at home. Now his official office, the early morning
calls starting with “Hey, what’s happening?” almost always
started the day with me or “Deli John” competing to be first in
line. What I wouldn’t give for one more “Hey, what’s
happening?”
On
the bluff he garnered an ever-increasing audience for some beneficial
therapy. He was a giant of a man with a heart that matched,
dispensing advice, sometimes uncomfortable, delivered from the front
seat of his black Toyota with the American flag on the antennae.
Looked out for by so many in the community: Dorothy and Danny, Ed,
Tyler, Jimmy, “Deputy Diane,” Mark and Lori Chester, as well as
half the town.
You
left us too soon and suddenly, Jamie. I know I’ll see you on the
other side when I hear “Hey, what’s happening?” followed by the
cloud and swell report.
Some
200 people gathered at the Trinidad bluff on March 23 to pay tribute
to Jamie. Another memorial service will be held sometime this summer.
Jamie
was preceded in death by his mother Laurie, wife Fiona, Grandpa
Morty, as well as Pepsi, Rue and Rue #2.
He
is survived by his father Richard (Hildegard) Wax, sister Jessica
Slamkowski, brother-in-law David Slamkowski, nephews Pierce and
Behren, niece Hina, birth mother Diane Wilson, two aunts and several
cousins on the East Coast.
Arrangements
through Ayers Family Cremation.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jamie Wax’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Amber Bedell, a former marriage and family therapist who briefly reopened Singing Trees Recovery Center last year, was sentenced today to two years and eight months in state prison for child endangerment and driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The sentence, handed down by Judge Kaleb Cockrum, was for four felony counts stemming from two separate incidents.
On Fourth of July last year, Bedell was arrested for DUI and child endangerment. It was at least her third DUI arrest since 2016 and her second for child endangerment, according to state and county records.
At the time, Bedell was on supervised probation for a 2020 conviction for felony DUI with injury, according to Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads.
On February 14, Bedell pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child endangerment and a single felony DUI charge. Her sentence factors in the 2020 parole violation, another felony, according to Eads.
After having her marriage and family therapist license revoked by the state in 2016, Bedell founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Pure Solutions Family Services, Inc., which offered wraparound services for adopted children and their families in Humboldt, Mendocino and Butte Counties.
Last year, via that nonprofit, Bedell reopened Singing Trees, a drug detox and rehabilitation center that had served Southern Humboldt County for more than three decades before the longtime owner retired and closed its doors in 2022.
After only a few months back up and running, the recovery center closed again following Bedell’s most recent arrest. Former employees subsequently reported her to the state, alleging that she misappropriated government funds that she’d acquired through her nonprofit. One complaint reviewed by the Outpost accused Bedell of funneling government funds meant to help at-risk children into the renovation and reopening of Singing Trees. Bedell denied those allegations.
Singing Trees remained open briefly after Bedell’s arrest last year, though it has since closed its doors again.
On May 15th in between 2 pm and 9 pm the City of Fortuna will be conducting a water shutoff to repair a broken water main located on South Fortuna Boulevard.
This water shutdown and repair is associated with the emergency water shutoffs performed on Friday and Saturday of last week, which was due to a break that occurred on one of the City’s main water transmission lines.
The shutoffs are anticipated to affect customers located off of Fortuna Blvd in between Newburg Road and Strongs Creek Blvd, Spring and Summer Streets, and residential areas along Redwood Way west of Springville Avenue. However, due to the nature of the work larger or unforeseen service interruptions in other adjacent areas may be possible or required.
The City appreciates your patience and understanding as we deal with this unforeseen issue, and if you have any questions regarding the shutoff you can reach the Public Works Department at 725-1471.
Wind turbine under construction at Vineyard 1, located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, in April 2024. Photo: Maia Cheli, Schatz Energy Research Center.
The consortium connects researchers and stakeholders from three communities currently sited for offshore wind development to use their collective expertise to “co-develop best practices” for the burgeoning industry.
“We need scientists, advocates, naturalists, historians, fisheries practitioners, regulators, developers, and cultural leaders, from across our communities to work together to evaluate and weigh potential impacts … to make any projects that are built here the best that they can be,” Schatz’s Senior Development Manager Maia Cheli told the Outpost. “By collaborating on research, expanding workforce and professional training opportunities in ways that respect and empower our tribes and local communities … we hope to further equity and to protect our coastal and marine ecosystems.”
The Port of Humboldt Bay is in a unique position to become the epicenter of offshore wind energy manufacturing and distribution on the West Coast. In fact, Humboldt Bay is the only port on the West Coast that has the capacity to host all three of the primary port needs of the offshore wind industry: staging and integration, onsite manufacturing and operations and maintenance.
But before any of that can happen, the local energy transmission system must be expanded to accommodate the power generated by a commercial-scale offshore wind farm. As it stands, there are only a handful of transmission lines running in and out of Humboldt County, none of which have the capacity to accommodate the massive amount of power that the proposed development would generate.
“[W]e would need to have significant overland transmission system expansion in order to accommodate the power generated by the wind farms,” Cheli said. “While it’s unlikely that we will have major supply chain manufacturing here, many of the components will ultimately need to transit through our bay and coastal region.”
Press release from the Schatz Energy Research Center:
A new West Coast collaboration for offshore wind science was announced in Sacramento today. The Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium (POWC) is a joint effort between three research centers: the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University, and the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Together, these universities are housed in and support the coastal communities in California and Oregon which are anticipated to host floating offshore wind development. The POWC (pronounced pow-sea) will enable universities, host communities, and Tribal nations to share resources, co-develop best practices, and design comprehensive research programs that reflect the dynamic nature of the ocean environment and the diversity of community perspectives.
The consortium will advance three pillars: (i) research and innovation, (ii) university-level workforce education and professional development, and (iii) community and Tribal engagement and knowledge exchange.
Expertise from three universities
The Schatz Energy Research Center is located in the Humboldt Bay Area, which is preparing to house one of only two feasible staging and integration ports in California for offshore wind deployment. Humboldt is also home to two wind lease areas, which begin 20 miles offshore and span 207 square miles. Since 2018, the Schatz Center has published over 30 reports on topics ranging from transmission expansion to seabird vulnerability, in an effort to understand the feasibility of offshore wind, and to identify critical environmental and community needs that would be associated with its development. The Schatz Center works in close partnership with Tribal Nations, county services, and state government to design innovative solutions for clean power generation and energy resilience.
“We are coming together as a consortium because we know we need to take bold action to address climate change, and offshore wind has potential to play an important role. We also know that the transition to clean energy needs to happen in a way that is inclusive, equitable, and environmentally responsible,” says Arne Jacobson, Director of the Schatz Center. “As universities embedded in the regions where offshore wind is proposed, we have a special role to play, and – working in collaboration with partners – we can help generate the knowledge needed to transform our energy system in a way that does right by our communities and the planet.”
Environmental research for offshore wind includes baseline surveys, behavioral assessments, data integration and modeling, monitoring for protected species, planned mitigation, pathways for adaptive management, and transfer of lessons learned. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is home to the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, which has a history of interdisciplinary, applied research to address a range of management issues for the Central Coast. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo works collaboratively with a variety of interest groups in the Morro Bay Area to promote and design effective environmental monitoring for offshore wind. The Morro Bay Wind Energy Area covers 376 square miles across three wind lease areas.
“It will be essential that any offshore wind energy projects are developed in environmentally and socially responsible ways,” says Benjamin Ruttenberg, Director of the Center of Coastal Marine Sciences. “While many of the key issues are common across regions, some will be area-specific. The diverse expertise across the POWC institutions, along with their deep understanding of local communities and regional environmental issues, makes this group extremely well-qualified to be a neutral and trusted source to generate and summarize scientific information that can inform and guide the conversations about whether and how to deploy offshore wind.”
The Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC) at Oregon State University brings over 15 years of experience investigating the technical, environmental, and social dimensions of offshore energy, and expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. The Hatfield Marine Science Center at OSU serves as a hub for research on potential ecological effects of offshore renewable energy, while the PacWave test site demonstrates in-water activities and potential issues associated with offshore energy projects, such as seabed surveys, cable laying, construction and operational noise, and electromagnetic fields (EMF). PMEC also conducts significant hydrodynamic and aerodynamic studies of offshore wind platforms at the Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory. The State of Oregon is now considering how offshore wind could be incorporated with the environment, existing ocean uses, cultures, and communities, as lease sales for offshore floating wind sites are expected in fall 2024.
“This consortium will leverage the experience and expertise of the three partner universities and provide consistency of approach to evaluation of offshore wind along the west coast,” says Sarah Henkel, Associate Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at OSU. “We are excited that through this consortium we will have additional support to engage with our local communities, continue our regional ecological investigations, focus on development of next generation platform design, as well as collaborate and share findings to build a comprehensive understanding of outcomes related to potential offshore wind deployment.”
POWC Advisory Committee
The POWC will support interdisciplinary understanding across academia, industry, agencies, community organizations, and Tribal Nations. This breadth is reflected in the consortium’s Advisory Committee, which recently convened for its inaugural meeting. As a non-governing committee, the advisory group will provide guidance and advance discussion and collaboration in the offshore wind space. Founding members include representatives from: Tribal Nations: the Hon. Jason Ramos and Heidi Moore-Guynup, Blue Lake Rancheria, Linnea Jackson, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, and Michael Gerace, the Hon. Lana McCovey and the Hon. Philip Williams, Yurok Tribe; State agencies: Jenn Eckerle and Justine Kimball, California Natural Resources Agency / California Ocean Protection Council, Katerina Robinson and Jessica Eckdish, California Energy Commission, Andy Lanier, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, and Jason Sierman, Oregon Department of Energy; Federal labs, agencies, and Sea Grant partnerships: Alicia Mahon, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Karina Nielsen, Oregon Sea Grant, Shauna Oh, California Sea Grant and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Eric P. Bjorkstedt, NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Science Division and Department of Fisheries Biology, Cal Poly Humboldt; Philanthropy: Curtis Seymour, AC Strategies; and the Offshore wind industry: Ciara Emery and Joel Southall, RWE Offshore Wind Holdings, LLC, and Laura Nagy and Erik Peckar, Vineyard Offshore.
“The Blue Lake Rancheria recognises the urgency of the climate crisis and intends to leverage their knowledge and resources to continue to advance clean energy innovations,” says Heidi Moore-Guynup, Director of Tribal and Government Affairs at the Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR). “At the same time, BLR understands the imperative need to coordinate scientific inquiry and research and believes that Traditional Ecological Knowledge must be part of such inquiry. BLR is honored to serve on the POWC advisory committee and looks forward to uplifting the findings of this consortium.”
”Oregon Sea Grant understands the broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities that floating offshore wind energy brings to the US West Coast. There is a clear and urgent need for regional integration of science and knowledge across many disciplines to enable responsible development of offshore wind energy,” said Karina Nielsen, Director of Oregon Sea Grant. “We look forward to partnering with POWC, our sister Sea Grant programs in California and Washington, the National Sea Grant Offshore Wind Energy Liaison, and other partners to support co-developed research and community education to help our coastal communities and marine ecosystems thrive.”
POWC funding
Over $12 million in current grant funding, primarily from state and federal agencies, supports offshore renewables research and project work at the three centers. Additionally, the POWC itself has received commitments for $1.6 million in starting funds from private donors and industry.
“Growing an offshore wind industry that’s responsible, equitable and inclusive requires sustained commitments and deep collaboration,” said Alicia Barton, CEO of Vineyard Offshore. “We are delighted to support and participate in the new Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium. Anchored by three world-class research institutions, the Consortium will foster meaningful engagement, research and collaboration within the west coast offshore wind industry. Our partnership in this effort reinforces Vineyard Offshore’s dedication to enhancing opportunities for Tribal Nations, underserved communities, and local businesses while preparing students and others for careers in this burgeoning field.”
“We’re proud to be supporting the world-class research of Cal Poly Humboldt, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Oregon State University and to contribute to an effort that meets the needs of the Humboldt region,” said Sam Eaton, CEO of RWE US Offshore Wind Holdings. “Community engagement is a core principle of RWE’s approach to developing offshore wind projects, including our Canopy Offshore Wind project off of Northern California. The Humboldt community will help us shape this project as well as the future of offshore wind on the Pacific Coast. Offshore wind will play an essential role in our clean energy future, job creation and local economic development, and the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium’s work will provide valuable insights into the responsible development of this renewable resource.”
PG&E is going to be conducting helicopter patrols in southern Humboldt starting tomorrow, May 15 and flying through Sunday, May 19. The patrols are for compliance inspections. The helicopters will be flying during daylight hours and will be surveying PG&E equipment in the following areas: Garberville, Alderpoint, Blocksburg, Bell Springs, Ruth Lake, Dinsmore, Bridgeville and Myers Flat/Fruitland.
We know that residents in the Humboldt County area often have questions when they see helicopters flying overhead. We are aware that customers value their privacy and want to reassure the public that PG&E is only looking at our equipment. If you could help get the word out to your audience, we would appreciate it.
Kenneth Ray Wittenberg passed away suddenly on April 22, 2024. He left behind his wife and high school sweetheart of almost 55 years, Ronda Wittenberg, and two daughters, Jenna Wittenberg and Emily Wittenberg (David Shiriwastaw). Ken was a devoted family man, nothing surpassing his love of family. Often described as a man with nine lives, his life’s adventures were not without risk — he capsized in the ocean, was lost in the woods, stalked by a bear, stranded in snowy mountains and experienced numerous construction near misses. He was a man known to never give up — in life, work or play. However, he was ultimately taken by natural causes from a well-worn body.
Ken was born on June 5, 1949, to Arnold and Evelyn Wittenberg in Bakersfield, CA, the oldest son of a family of five children. Being raised on a chicken and poultry ranch, he learned to be a hard worker from a very early age. He often shared his ranch stories with anyone who was interested — baby chicks at Easter, being the most popular kid in school at Halloween for his easy access to eggs for mischievous activities, how he accidentally burned down the family’s barn at the tender age of four, and the consequences he faced. The ranch taught him how to work long hard hours seven days a week.
Once in high school he developed a love of sports. In order to play football, he made an agreement with his dad that he would continue with his daily ranch chores if allowed to play. Begrudgingly, his dad agreed believing it would not be possible, and he couldn’t afford to lose his best ranch hand. Ken held to his promise and his dad became his most ardent supporter, never missing a game to cheer on his son. Ken was awarded for his efforts by being named as football’s MVP his senior year at Shafter High School in 1966-67. Not satisfied by participating in a single sport, Ken also competed in wrestling and shot put, lettering every year in all his participating sports. Ken was voted most athletic by his senior class. He went on to play football at Bakersfield Junior College (1967-1968) and Humboldt State University, now Cal Poly Humboldt, (1969-1972). As an alumnus, he was frequently in the stands cheering for many of the Cal Poly Humboldt men’s and women’s games over the years. Many seasons were spent in the stands watching his own girls cheer during Pop Warner, junior high and high school sports games, with the bonus of a football or basketball game in the background. He would never leave a game until the final whistle was blown, ever.
Ken enjoyed an equally rich professional life in Humboldt County where he lived his entire adult life, bringing with him the many life skills he learned during his youth while working on his family’s ranch in Shafter, Calif. While attending HSU full-time, majoring in kinesiology with a minor in biology, intending to teach/coach, he also worked full-time in the local lumber mills pulling green chain and cleaning the bleachers on Sundays after the Saturday football games. It was a tough, busy life but nothing he wasn’t used to. After graduating from HSU in 1972, during his year of student teaching, he realized this wasn’t the profession for him. So he accepted a job hauling logs out of the woods to the mills. It paid well and kept him outdoors, which he loved, and later he added commercial fishing to his repertoire, another love. As the mills began closing, he switched to what became a short six-month real estate career, but one which led him to his final career choice as a general building contractor. He quickly realized he would rather build homes than sell them. He was happy being outdoors, working with his hands and having something to show for his efforts after a long day. He worked in the building trade for over 35 years before retiring in 2011, having spent a couple of years learning the trade, other years as part of a partnership and eventually building solo. He valued all the relationships he developed along the way. He treated everyone as a friend, not a competitor or a business associate; he was a man of integrity and fierce loyalty to all those he valued.
At 62, he was ready to embrace retirement life. He always enjoyed trips with family and friends, and the hunting and fishing trips with the guys, but retirement afforded him a new level of travel. After seeing much of the US, he found he thoroughly enjoyed traveling out of the country to faraway places, highlights being family trips to Prague and Ireland. During his free time, he kept busy tending and harvesting his vegetable garden, tinkering in his shop, and visiting with neighbors and friends, always offering to lend a hand with their projects when needed. He even joined a gym for a water aerobics class and became one of the ‘pool boys’ as referenced at home. His only requirement in taking an earlier retirement than his wife was to prepare her dinner each night, which he totally embraced. Ken had very few regrets in life.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents Arnold and Eveyln Wittenberg and his two older sisters Ruth McGraw (Gene) and Dora Bradford; survived by his two younger brothers Charles Wittenberg (Karen) and Arnold Dean Wittenberg (Terri).
Ken’s Celebration of Life is being planned for Sunday, July 14, 2 p.m., Redd Family Shop (4455 Union Street, Eureka, CA) by family and friends to give him a final, worthy send off. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ocean Conservancy at oceanconservancy.org or a charity of your choice.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ken Wittenberg’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Transition
to life on March 30, 1951 Transition to death April 18, 2024
On
a beautiful March day in 1951, Joannie became the blessing of John and Jean
Walker in the city of Eureka. Joannie was the middle sibling
of three children born to John and Jean Walker.
Joannie loved
adventure. She enjoyed many ski trips and vacations with family and
her host of friends. Each of her friends can tell stories about the
many fun adventures they had with Joannie.
Joannie was a proud
enrolled member of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the
Trinidad Rancheria.
Joannie met and married Frank Berger. They were
married for many years and out of that union she had two wonderful
children, Jay and Mike Berger. When her first marriage ended Joannie
was blesssed to find love again with Ken Bomar, who was the love of her
life — they shared many wonderful moments together until his death.
Joannie had a long battle with her health. She fought bravely until
she was ready to be at peace with her Creator. Joannie transitioned
to be with the Creator on April 18, 2024 at 5:30 a.m.
She was surrounded by family and friends who all
came to help send her off. Joannie is survived by her loving mother
Jean Walker, first husband Frank Berger, her grandchildren Hailey and
Hunter Ervin, Damien, Kyle, and Tyren Berger. Her great-granddaughter
Charlee Jo and a host of Tribal family and friends.
Joannie was
proceeded in death by her husband Ken Bomar, both of her children,
daughter Jay and son Michael Berger, her father John Walker, her
sisters Vicki and Terri Walker, her bothers Johnny and Larry Walker.
Joannie loved to be on the Klamath River at her family cabin. She had
such wonderful family memories that were made there. Joannie
requested that wonderful place to be where she would be laid to rest
with her husband, her children and her brother.
The family would
like to thank Ayres Family Cremation for handling all arrangements.
Special thanks to all her nurses and doctors that gave her such
compassionate care over the years, and thank you to Broadway medical
for your assistance so she could spend her last day at home
surrounded by those that loved her most.
A
limb has fallen from the family tree Grieve
not for me Remember the best times The
laughter, the song The
good life I lived While
I was strong Keep
smiling and surely The
sun will shine through So
keep up your chin Until
the day comes We’re
together again….
We
will be celebrating Joannie’s life on June 2, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Sunset Bar and Grill 27 Scenic Dr,
Trinidad, CA 95570. Please RSVP with Mimi Aubrey if you are attending
by calling 707-572-9402. In remeberence of Joannie and in lieu of
flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Joannie’s name
to the National Kidney Foundation or the American Kidney Fund. Thank
you
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joannie Bomar’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
