East County News Service

September 15, 2017 (La Mesa) – Miguel Angel Rojas, 54, owner of the La Torta restaurant in La Mesa, died on September 10^th.

“ A husband, father, brother and friend, Miguel, was beloved by many,” states  a GoFundMe page set up by Rojas’ stepdaughter to help his wife, Felicia, and daughters.  “Many people came to know Miguel through his food and friendship.  Unfortunately, Miguel was taken from the Rojas/Reed family very suddenly and without preparation. Any donations received will be used for funeral services, hospital bills and to support Miguel's wife and daughters. Prayers and condolences are appreciated.”

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- H. Dail Rankin succumbed to a heart attack on June 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and complications caused by chemotherapy.  Born January 24,1944, he attended local schools and became known to many in East County through the years as an Allstate Insurance agent, a Standard Brands Paints manager, and the organizer of multi-class reunions for Lincoln High School.

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Spring Valley resident Gregory Lawrence Scott, the father of two young children and husband of The Alpine Sun’s former editor Christy Scott, was killed in a car accident on I-15 on June 17^th.   A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Christy and the couple’s children, Jacob,and Isabelle.

Services set for July 2nd and 3rd

July 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Manuel Miguel Moreno, a Lemon Grove resident who was raised in Santee, passed away June 26^th at Grossmont Hospital of injuries from a car crash eight months ago in Ramona. He was surrounded by his family.

East County News Service

June 6, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - Long-time Lemon Grove resident Betty White passed away peacefully on May 14, 2017.   Betty was born on October 17, 1930, in Charleston, South Carolina to Eva Mae Clark (Smith) and Omer Clark, who was in the U.S. Army. Betty was one of five Clark children: Helen, Richard (Dick), Betty, Eva May and James (Jim).  The family eventually settled back in San Diego after living in several places including Panama.  Betty graduated from Hoover High School in San Diego in 1948 and then studied nursing at San Diego State College (now SDSU). 

By Miriam Raftery

April 4, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Beloved Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Ranger Steve Bier has died in a shooting incident, the Borrego Sun reported on April 1^st. 

The California State Park Service praised the 15-year-veteran ranger as “one of the finest ambassadors of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and our Department,” adding that Bier was “well known and respected throughout the Borrego Springs community” including community events and school programs.  He also coordinated the annual count of Desert Bighorn Sheep.

East County News Services

January 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – Gordon Jones, who served as president of the La Mesa Historical Society for eight years  on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission,  died January 15^th at his home.  Jones also founded the La Mesa Historic Home Tour. Services are pending.  Below is a notice sent by the La Mesa Historical Society:

By Billie Jo Jannen

December 6, 2016 (Campo) - A celebration of life is planned for longtime Campo resident Carol Yates on Dec. 9. Mrs. Yates died in her home on November 13, 2016, at the age of 85.

She is remembered as an active auxiliary member of the John Finn VFW Post 2080 and of the Mountain Empire Homemakers Club. She worked for many years at the historic Dogpatch bar -- which burned down in 1987 -- in the Canyon City neighborhood of Campo. In recent years, she was a well-known face at senior lunches at the community center in Campo.

Hear our 2015 radio interview with Dr. Butcher:  http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/9ljhcdy6y7/Newsmaker-RichardButcherMD-heal...

By Miriam Raftery

November 18,  2016 (El  Cajon)—Dr. Richard O.  Butcher,  77, an El Cajon resident and  prominent San Diego physician honored nationally for his dedication to serving patients in poor and minority communities,  died of heart failure Saturday while attending the American Medical Association’s annual meeting in Florida.

Dr. Butcher was  highly respected in San Diego’s medical, philanthropic and sports communities,  as well as at the national  level.   Last year, he received the National Medical Association’s Practitioner of the Year Award.

For more sports stories, visit ECM's sports section

Source: Chargers news release

October 6, 2016 (El Cajon) - San Diego Chargers minority owner George Pernicano passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in El Cajon, California early Thursday.  He was 98. 

Pernicano was one of the five original San Diego Chargers minority owners who purchased interest in the team in 1963.  He helped Jack Murphy and other prominent San Diegans convince Barron Hilton, the owner of the Los Angeles Chargers, to bring the team to San Diego in 1961.

East County News Service

Photos:  Dr. Kokernot and his Grossmont letterman’s sweater

September 11, 2016 (El Cajon) — “We’ve lost another wonderful Foothiller,” the Grossmont  High School museum curators wrote in an e-mail announcing the death of Dr. Robert Hutson Kokernot, 94. Dr.Kokernot was a graduate of the class of 1940 and was inducted into the Hall of Honor at Grossmont in 1967.

East County News Service

August 1, 2016 (Descanso) - Simon Wesselink, who recently passed away at the age of 70, will be honored with a life celebration at Descanso Town Hall on August 20 at 6:00 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

July 25, 2016 (San Diego) — Conrad Prebys, a generous philanthropist who supported numerous San Diego nonprofit organizations, health and education centers, died Sunday, July 24^th of cancer at Scripps Mercy Hospital with his family at his side.

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Rick Alexander, a prominent East County realtor, long-time member of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Board, and active member in community organizations passed away June 13^th.  A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, July 9^th at 10 a.m. in the Performing Arts Theatre at Cuyamaca College. All are welcome to attend.

Memorial to be held Thursday, May 12

East County News Service

(Ramona) –Herman Salerno, 81, an Italian opera singer, founder of Salerno Winery and a pioneer in our region’s winemaking industry, has passed away. 

Linda McWilliams, president of the San Diego County Vintners Association, remembered Salerno as “a pillar of the early winery community in San Diego County and Ramona. He was an award-winning winemaker and helped and encouraged so many, particularly in the Ramona AVA.” She added, “A visit to his winery was not just about tasting the wine but a view into the entire culture of art,food, old world conversation but also the joy of his operatic voice.”