Jack Loy
Jack Loy
Jack Loy, 88, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 30, 2024, due to a long battle with a guy named Parkinson, who is a bully and fights dirty. Following are a few actual factual memories written by his daughters.
In 1985 he married Diane. Imagine our delight in secretly inventing hilarious new words to John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane.” Although these lovebirds were decidedly not kids, they were from the Heartland, they enjoyed the occasional chili dog, Tastee-Freez (root beer floats!), football, and church. Life goes on long after the thrill of livin’ is gone. Google the lyrics, and laugh along.
They abandoned winter for Arizona and never looked back. They settled happily into the SunBird community. Land of golf, bridge, potlucks, dances, art fairs, and garage sales. He told us it was Perfect. He loved it. He was happy in AZ. They also enjoyed travel, cruises (we have the tiny soaps to prove it), and their stint as secret shoppers, for which they were paid by companies to spy on their employees.
Jack was an avid collector of all things weird and wonderful. Coins, rocks, shot glasses, baseball cards (wait, is that a whole drawer of … BASKETBALL cards?! is that even a thing?). He was also a devout shopper, bargain hunter, lottery ticket purchaser (pretty lucky!), rock hound, and amateur jewelry designer, along with other artsy pursuits in later life. He ended up being “crafty.” Who knew?! We will thoughtfully curate his cherished treasures.
Jack is survived by his daughters Jackie Loy (Mark Groth) and Jayna Loy and stepson Greg (Carol) Truesdell; his grandchildren Lauren Marsicek (Greg), Max Ziebol, Megan Leuzinger (Ben), Garon Wolinsky, Anthony Truesdell (Heather), Jessica Truesdell (Stephen Fader), and Garrett Anderson; great–grandchildren Ben and Will Marsicek; and sister Cindy Longnecker (Dan). Preceded in death by wife Diane Loy, granddaughter Brittney Wolinsky, and stepdaughter Kay Anderson.
Bye Dad. Love you.
Frederick “Fred” Arthur Yates
Frederick “Fred” Arthur Yates
On Dec. 20, 2024, Frederick “Fred” Arthur Yates passed peacefully at the centenarian age of 100 years in his Chandler, Ariz., home with family by his side.
Born to the late George and Edith Yates on June 14,1924, in Comox, BC, Fred was the youngest of three boys, growing up on the family farm in Courtney, BC, on Vancouver Island.
As a young man, Fred first captured his business instincts helping with the family farm and established his automotive experience working the logging camps on Vancouver Island and in Portland, Ore. In the early 1950s, at a dance in Vancouver, he met and soon fell in love with Isabelle “June” Yates. They were married in 1952, launched Bayview Auto Parts in Blaine, Wash., and raised their three daughters, Sandi Jackson, Sharon Mixer, and Tami Vogel.
In 1961, June and Fred became proud United States citizens.
In 1970, the couple built a home in Birch Bay Village and moved the family into the golfing and boating community where according to Fred, “These were the best of times!” Fred and June had so many close friends hosting dinners and parties where the laughter seemed to go on forever! Their love of fishing and golf began in the village, soon followed by their many RV adventures. In their motorhome, they crossed the U.S. and Canada several times, explored extensively Alaska and Mexico, and enjoyed a 40-day New Zealand tour in a motorhome with a host of dear friends to create lasting memories that Fred would share right into his 100th year—sharp as a tack!
Fred and June had quite the passion for travel and adventure—often winning incentive trips to international destinations through their Bayview automotive parts manufacturers. After selling their successful business in 1970, Fred went into real estate; later accompanied by June, and together they were amongst the top performing agents in Whatcom County.
Fred semi-retired at the young age of 50 to tour sunny destinations in the couple’s motorhome and discovered Chandler, Ariz., where they purchased their new “snowbird” home in the SunBird Golf Resort. Fred and June were amongst the most active members of the community … golfing and entertaining nonstop during the winters, and returning to the Northwest for peaceful summers of fishing, family, friends, and fun. After the untimely death of their daughter, Sandy, in 2012, Fred and June sold their home in Birch Bay Village shifting their summer residence to Hope, Idaho, on the shores of the majestic Lake Pend Oreille where their community of lasting friendships expanded even further. A love of life unbound.
This past June, Fred celebrated his 100th birthday with a large gathering of friends and family! He had an ability to make everyone feel welcomed and valued. His humor and gentle spirit will live on in the hearts of all so fortunate enough to know Fred. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and kindness that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
Fred was a man of deep character and known for his unwavering love and support for his family. In addition to his surviving daughters, Sharon Mixer (Roy) of Palm Desert, Calif., and Tami Vogel (Jim) of Keystone, Colo., Fred had six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all of whom will forever hold memories of their fun-loving and caring grandpa. Fred was preceded in death by his beloved wife, June Yates; his eldest daughter, Sandi Jackson; and his grandson, Bryan Mixer; and his brothers, Jim and George Yates.
A tribute to Fred’s 100 years will be celebrated in SunBird in early February. Friends and family are warmly welcome to post their thoughts on the site of All Options Funeral Home at www.alloptionsfuneralhome.com/listings.
If you’d like to make a donation in Fred’s honor, kindly do so with SunBirds KareBears, 6250 S. Sunbird Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85249, Attn: SunBird KareBears.