John Prevost
December 14, 1940 -January 1, 2023

John Prevost of Fortuna passed away on January 1 surrounded by family. John was the first of six children born in Kansas City, Missouri to James and Kathleen Prevost. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Deborah Prevost, his daughter Kathleen (Kevin) Moisan, son John Prevost, stepdaughter Cortney Prevost Clendening (Ron Bissell), his granddaughter Clare Moisan, grandsons John Prevost and Elijah Clendening, siblings Rita Smith (John), Jim Prevost (Kay), Tom Prevost (Helen), and Helen Prevost and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Cecilia Prevost.

John graduated from high school at 15 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. While in the Navy he attended North Carolina State earning a degree in electrical engineering. He served on diesel and nuclear submarines for most of his career. He was one of the first enlisted men to make the transition to officer on a nuclear submarine. On one patrol, his submarine docked in Humboldt Bay and he fell in love with the area. He retired from the Navy in 1978 as a Lieutenant Commander.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at Lockheed in Sunnyvale during which time he also earned his MBA from Pepperdine. He married Debbie in 1983 and they moved to Fortuna in 1984. He worked at the Ultrapower power plant in Blue Lake before his 17-year employment with Pacific Lumber Co., where he was an Assistant Superintendent of the power plant and Director of Environmental Services. He retired in 2003.

In 1990, John was elected to the Fortuna City Council and served for four years. During his time on the City Council, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the California League of Cities. He also served on the Fortuna Planning Commission for several years.

John spent his years of retirement doing many of his favorite things. He was an avid reader and particularly enjoyed reading historical fiction about European naval wartime. He was a devoted family man who especially loved telling stories from his time in the Navy, a competitive game of darts, cribbage, dominoes, backgammon, and a good shake of the dice with his wife, kids, grandkids, or friends. John and Debbie created great memories spending a month in the British Isles, visiting New England in the fall, and touring National Parks in Utah to name a few of their travel destinations.

John loved his family and friends and will be missed.

Per his final wishes, John will be buried at sea in a committal service performed on a United States Navy vessel while deployed.

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

Kathy Gale English
Oct. 3, 1954-Feb. 10, 2023

We are saddened that our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, Kathy Gale English, age 68 of McKinleyville, spread her wings on February 10, 2023, listening to “Wind Beneath my Wings”, after a very short and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family throughout her short battle.

She was born on October 3, 1954, in Scotia to Floyd (“Bud”) and Pauline Jester. She graduated in 1972 from McKinleyville High School in McKinleyville. She was an avid gymkhana equestrian, and she was good. She had a room full of first place trophies and much more. Her love for the sport was endless. She worked at Lewis Department Store in McKinleyville while in high school and after.

She married the love of her life at the time; Larry Roth, Sr. on June 16, 1973, in Reno; they resided in McKinleyville to start a family. In 1977, she gave birth to her one and only child, Larry Ray Roth, Jr., whom she was always so proud of no matter what he did. He was her pride and joy and biggest and greatest accomplishment. They had a bond that no one could break. She had only one son, but her nephew, Shane Roth, was like a second son to her and she cared for him and his family just as much.

She worked for Arcata Planning with her husband Larry Sr., then she ventured off to work for Blue Lake Forrest Products in Blue Lake. She took time out of her career to be one of her mother’s care providers. In July of 2006 she decided to change things up and go work for Franz Bakery in Eureka. There she made many friends, from her coworkers to her customers. She was recently talking about retirement but never could pull the trigger because she knew she wanted to stay active and busy and would miss all her friends she had made. She was a hard worker.

When she wasn’t working, she loved to spend time with her son, grandkids, family and friends. In 2015 her son married wife Kimberly Rossig Roth and in 2017 her granddaughter graced her with her presence, then in 2020 she was graced with her grandson. The memories that we all have, and share are numerous and unforgettable. Up until the day of her diagnosis she was working fulltime at Franz Bakery in Eureka and she would get on the floor and play games with her grandkids. The memories of coloring, playing play dough, feeding the horse and racing in the yard will always be with us.

She leaves a legacy of a son, Larry Roth, Jr. married to Kimberly Rossig Roth, step grandson Brent Rossig, granddaughter Taya Roth, granddaughter Kaydence Rossig Roth, grandson Karter Rossig Roth, sister Diane Resendes (Joe Resendes), Brother-in-law Tony Roth, nephew Shane Roth (Gina Roth) and their family, along with extended family and many good friends. She is preceded in death by her father Floyd Jester, mother Pauline Jester, and sister Shirley Ann Roth. As per Kathy’s wishes there will not be any services, but her son may decide to have a BBQ which will be announced later. Spread your wings and fly.

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Merry was born August 1, 1962, in Eureka. Merry passed away unexpectedly at home February 7, 2023 in Hoopa.

Merry spent most of her childhood living in Sunnyvale, California where she attended high school. After high school she traveled around working for the carnival. Finally settling in Hoopa in 1988 with her three sons.

Merry spent many years working for the Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department serving the residents of the Hoopa Valley until she was diagnosed with COPD. She was a very compassionate woman who touched all those around her with kindness and love. There is nothing Merry loved more than to be a grandmother. She loved each of her grandchildren and will always be “Grammie” to all who needed a mother or grandmother in their life.

Merry was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Dorothy and Vern Westphal; her mother, Shirley “Honey” Brownell; her father, James Thomas Markin III; as well as her grandson, James Michael Richard Pack Jr.

Merry is survived by her three sons — Marty Paul Pack Jr and his wife Amanda Reed, James Michael Richard Pack Sr and his wife Carly Pack and Daniel Ray Pack and his wife Natasha Campos-Pack; and daughters Sandra Vader and her husband Raymond Vader Sr, Serena Westbrook, Crystal Jourden and her busband Randy Jourden; and Merry’s three brothers: James Markin IV, Tim Markin and David Markin; Merry’s sisters Darlene Stevens and Sherry Markin.

Merry was a devoted grandmother to Alexandra Nix-Pack, Thomas Nix-Pack, Ruby McCovey, Jillian Marshall, Rindy Marshall-Cossey, Xatimniim ”Max” Pack, Owen Pack, Abbie Reed, Ava Reed, Anaiah andreoli, Stephanie Schaum, Elizabeth Schaum, Breanna Schaum, Will Schaum, Drew Schaum, Shelbi Pack, Isaiah Pack, Jesus Campos, Margarita Campos, Alicia Campos, Victor Campos, Asela Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez, Temptation Asenbauer, Infallible Asenbauer, Awa-a-way Vader and Raymond Vader Jr.; as well as great-grandchildren Annie Marie Nix-Pack-Lara, Aaliyah Faith Nix-Pack-Woodman, Aurora Violet Nix-Pack-Woodman, and Faith Marie Nix-Pack, Catherine Westbrook, Christian Westbrook and Kianna Westbrook.

She is also survived by her aunts: Marcy Casey and her husband Tim Casey and Sandra Kagay; her uncle Lloyd Douglass and his wife Anna Douglass; along with numerous cousins, adopted family and friends.

Merry Marie Pack Passed away unexpectedly on February 7, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness that will never be forgotten. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is reunited in heaven with those whom she loved so deeply from this world. May she rest peacefully knowing that we will remember her always.

Services will be held Tuesday February 14,, 2023, at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Hoopa at noon. Reception will follow directly after the service at Hoopa Valley Trading Post.

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

Katherine Annette Martin, 75, a resident of Fortuna, passed away on January 3, 2023. She was born on March 19, 1947, to Martin B. Marks and Wanda M. Altree and was raised in Scotia along with her brothers, Chris Marks (married to Nancy Marks) of Walla Walla, Washington, who preceded her in death, and Skip Marks (married to Sue Marks) of Meridian, Idaho. She graduated from Fortuna Union High School in 1965.

She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who was an avid collector who loved being able to help others in finding things they are looking for as well. Many friends of her kids and grandkids, whom she loved just like her own, also referred to her as Mom or Nana. Many will miss her stories, giving nature, quick wit, sarcasm, and different perspective about life and the world around us.

She was blessed with and survived by three children: Kim Lyons of Salyer, Anthony Martin (married to Tamra Martin) of Grants Pass, Oregon, and Raena Mullan of San Mateo. She had seven grandchildren: Macey Randall (married to Nick Randall) of Eureka, Trevor Mullan of Eureka, Andrew Martin of Bethlehem, Penn., Connor Mullan of San Mateo, Shane Mullan of San Mateo, Sara Martin of Grants Pass, Ore., Sophia Martin of Grants Pass, Ore., and two great-grandchildren: Maya and Emmett Randall of Eureka.

Honoring Katherine’s wishes, she wanted no funeral services. She will be cremated and her ashes scattered in Scotia this summer. A celebration of life will be held on April 15, 2023 at the Royal Crest Mobile Estates Clubhouse in Fortuna at 2 p.m.

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

Note: The following was first published by Courthouse News Service. Reproduced with permission.

On the last day of its monthly meetings Friday, the California Coastal Commission approved a bid by the city of Eureka to ban all new digital signs and billboards.

“I’m just delighted. We think they are really ugly,” said Michele McKeegan, the head of Keep Eureka Beautiful’s tree project, a volunteer community advocacy group that supported the legislation. “They’re ugly. They flash and they’re often garish. People just don’t like them.”

Digital billboard signs are LED displays that can rapidly change the images they project.   

According to the commission’s report on the ordinance, there are seven digital signs along Eureka’s coast, some of which are visible from coastal trails.  

“As digital signage in general can be distracting and visually incompatible with scenic coastal areas, the proposed IP amendment as submitted will ensure that no new digital signs will be developed that could detract from the scenic nature of the waterfront as viewed from scenic public vista points and waterfront walkways,” the report says.

The bill doesn’t ban digital signs and billboards outright, only the construction and installation of new ones.  

McKeegan said the germ of the ordinance originally came out of a committee formed by Eureka’s former community development director, which included local business owners, McKeegan, and others. 

The bill then went to the City Council, which passed a ban on digital signs and billboards from certain parts of the city and regulated the brightness of the signs. Because Eureka is on the Pacific coast and the ordinance would change zoning policy, the California Coastal Commission — the state agency assigned to protect and conserve the state’s coastline — had to sign off. 

Not only did the commission approve Eureka’s ordinance, it asked the city to go farther and enact a complete ban on new digital billboards and signs across the city. The city agreed, passed the amended ordinance and sent it to the commission for approval.  

“What we need are trees in our community, not digital billboards, street trees,” McKeegan said. 

Jennifer Kalt, the executive director of Humboldt Baykeeper, a coastal resources advocacy group, said the signs are also dangerous.

“The digital signs are more of an issue of light pollution and safety hazards, particularly on a quite dangerous stretch of US 101 that lacks pedestrian and cycling features,” Kalt wrote in an emailed statement. “We certainly applaud the city for being proactive about this, although it should have been done years ago.”   

When asked to explain the process the city had to go through to enact the ordinance, Eureka’s City Manager Miles Slattery just laughed. 

“A bureaucratic nightmare is what it is,” Slattery said, adding it can take six months or longer to get zoning or other new ordinances passed and enacted since the coastal commission only meets once a month, and their ordinance might not find its way immediately onto the next agenda. 

Slattery said that while sometimes the views and legislative efforts of the city and the coastal commission — and commission members themselves — clash, especially given the commission’s dual mandates to both protect the coastline and make public access to the coastline easier, the city and most Eurekans wanted the ban. 

“A lot of people don’t like us looking like the Las Vegas Strip,” Slattery said, as opposed to the aesthetic of the old Victorian style houses in the community, even though the digital billboards in town are all for local businesses. 

Slattery said Mike Wilson, the North Coast representative on the commission and a Humboldt County supervisor, was one of the main advocates for the ban. 

During Friday’s meeting, Wilson was the only representative who spoke on the ordinance and thanked Eureka for passing it.

HUMBOLDT TODAY: Cal Poly Humboldt attempts to address recent student housing concerns, the Fortuna Police Department attempts to recruit vengeful ex-lovers into its policing efforts, plus a local tribe hopes to train up an offshore wind workforce. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• Trinidad Rancheria Gets Final Permit to Park the Lighthouse Down by the Pier, Permanently
• Yurok Tribe Announces Offshore Wind Workforce Training Initiative With CR, Cal Poly Humboldt

HUMBOLDT TODAY can be viewed on LoCO’s homepage each night starting at 6 p.m. Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• (PHOTOS) LIGHTHOUSE MOVED: Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse Trucked to New, ‘Temporary’ Location

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Press release from the Trinidad Rancheria:

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria and the Trinidad Civic Club are pleased to announce that the CA Coastal Commission has unanimously approved the permit amendment to enable the Tribe and Civic Club to develop the current temporary site of the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse into a permanent fixed location. This development will include elevating the lighthouse on a raised concrete foundation with a total height of 24.5 feet (plus spire), a concrete wall and steel railing, a pedestrian walkway with a concrete pedestal to house the fog bell, two observation benches, a historic anchor, lighting, and utility connections to the existing harbor bathroom building.

The Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse was built in 1949 and is a replica of the 1871 Trinidad Head Lighthouse. The purpose of the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse is to preserve the original 1871 4th Order

Fresnel coal oil lens and the bronze 1898 Fog Bell—both important maritime navigational aids. The Memorial Lighthouse also serves as a monument commemorating those lost or buried at sea and is an iconic symbol of Humboldt County.

In response to coastal erosion in 2017, on adjacent City of Trinidad land, the Civic Club hired an engineering firm to monitor ground movement and make recommendations. Though no movement of the Lighthouse was detected, a proactive decision was made, to protect the monument and sensitive lands below. On January 10, 2018, in coordination between the Trinidad Rancheria, the Trinidad Civic Club and the Yurok Tribe, the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse and Bell were moved to the Trinidad Rancheria Harbor properties.

The Trinidad Rancheria and Trinidad Civic Club are excited to proceed with this project and develop the final, permanent location for the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse and Bell. Signage at the site will read, “Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse, a Monument Preserving Maritime History, Dedicated to Those Lost or Buried at Sea” and in the future, will feature commemorative plaques naming those lost or buried at sea. Trinidad Rancheria owns and operates the Trinidad Harbor businesses, including the pier, boat launch, restaurant, vacation rental, public restrooms, and wastewater treatment plant. Chairman Sundberg indicated, “We are pleased with the Coastal Commission’s staff report and thanked Chair Brownsey for the continued collaboration,” in opening comments at Friday’s hearing.

CEO, Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, reiterated that “Trinidad Rancheria has a proven track record of protecting cultural and natural resources at Trinidad Harbor,” and urged the Commission to approve the application. Civic Club Co-President, Dana Hope, shared the need to honor and respect those lost at sea and thanked the many contributors who have funded the permanent site for the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse.