Michael Reid Thompson passed away on Aug. 1, 2013.

He was born June 4, 1948, in Oakland, Calif., to Warren and Candace Thompson.

He is survived by the love of his life, Sandi Thompson, and his sons, James Thompson and Tony Orozco, plus his godson Robert Orozco.

He also leaves behind his brother, Steve Thompson (Barbara); sisters, Kris Edgmon (Kevin), and Beth Balentine (Mike); and sister-in-law Fern Miller, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents moved from Oakland to Lake County, Calif., when he was just 5 years old.

Mike graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1966 then went to Napa Junior College. He then went on to Denver University in Colorado where he received his degree in sports medicine as well as a teaching certificate.

While in Denver he was a trainer for the Denver Nuggets basketball team as well as for the semi-pro Colts Football team and an assistant trainer for the Denver Broncos. He also was a trainer for the Australian tennis pro Rod Laver.

After returning to Lake County he worked for the county of Lake for 30 plus years where he met his
future wife Sandi in 1979.

His family is very proud to say that Mike was a man of many accomplishments.

Following his father's footsteps, he founded the first youth football program in Lake County known then as the Westshore Packers. His father, Warren Thompson, had created the first farm baseball league in Lakeport. Also during that time he was the assistant football coach for Clear Lake High School.

If not busy enough, in the early 1980s he was instrumental in founding the league Lake County Adult Softball Association (LCASA), which is still going strong today.

The 1990s brought him a two-time Senior Amateur Golf Championship in Lake County, as well as coaching the Clear Lake High School golf team.

In 2003 he was the founder of the Corvettes of Lake County, which has brought much joy to many.

Mike's biggest passions were his family, friends, the community and golf. He was known for his
inspiration as a mentor to youths, strong heart, being full of life and touching numerous hearts for the
better.

Unbeknownst to many, Mike had a beautiful singing voice which his family had the pleasure of
hearing every Christmas. We will miss his boisterous laugh and bear hugs.

A celebration of life will be held at the Lakeside County Park Field A at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17.

In lieu of flowers please send any donations to the Clear Lake High School Athletics Department.

Please share your memories by signing the guest book at www.jonesmortuary.com .

Our beloved father, David Silva, passed peacefully Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013. He was 85.

Survived by his children, Kathleen (Randy), David (Kamala), Deborah (Tim), Denise (Steve), Steven (Michelle) and Suzanne; 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Carl, Ben, Eve, Gloria and Ann; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport, Calif.

Brian Keith Gray was born on Aug. 12, 1938, in Eureka, Mont., to Keifer and Josephine Fleming Gray. He died August 5, 2013, in Kelseyville, Calif., from COPD.

His father was in the customs and immigration service, so every two years of Brian’s childhood they moved to another station. He grew up in Long Beach, Salt Lake City, New York City, Spokane, and Helena, Mont., among other places. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1956.

He joined the U. S. Air Force, and was sent to the U.S. Army Defense Language Institute for a year to study Russian. He was then posted in Berlin, Germany for the next three years. He married Gisela Denecke, and their first son Phillip was born there.

They returned to Bellevue, Wash., in 1960. He worked for the Seattle Police Department for seven years, during which time his second son Michael was born.

His first job was in Helena when he was 12 years old, mixing DDT in a barrel and loading it onto a crop dusting airplane. He was paid with flying lessons, and a love for aviation was born.

That interest was sparked again in 1967 in Bellevue, when his photography hobby took him to the local airport to shoot some film. He then spent the next two years, when he was not working, getting the licenses and ratings necessary to be hired by an airline.

In 1969 he was hired by Wien Consolidated Airlines, later renamed Wien Air Alaska, and relocated to Fairbanks, Alaska. At that time Wien was the oldest airline in the United States. Until they went into bankruptcy and out of business in 1984 he loved flying all over Alaska, as well as into the lower 48. He flew Pilates Porters, Twin Otters, Skyvans, 737s and DC 8s.

In 1986 he was hired by United Airlines, relocated to the Bay Area, and flew 727s and 747s until his retirement in 1999.

Following his divorce from Gisela he married Lorrie Brieno in 1982.

He is survived by wife, Lorrie; his son, Phillip and daughter-in-law Marvel of Windsor; son, Michael and his daughter Madeline of Mt. Vernon, Wash.; niece, Susan Lockwood, her two children Leslie and Joe, and nephew Peter Lockwood and his daughter Amanda.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Marilyn Gray Lockwood.

Brian was a proud member of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) for his entire career. He was a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 24 years.

He was an active community volunteer in Lake County since moving here in 1991. He served on the board of directors of the Lake County Chapter of the American Red Cross, was a Cal Fire Volunteer in Prevention, ham radio operator KD6JAL and a member of the Lake County Amateur Radio Society. He used his communication skills during several disasters, as well as bicycle events such as the Konocti Challenge and the Davis to Davis double century.

He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, and was a member of the Clear Lake Modelers. Photography was always a favorite pastime. He designed and built water systems for community gardens for the Lake County Hunger Task Force.

He was a kind, loving, generous, gentle soul and will be missed by all who crossed his path.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 17.

Memorial contributions can be made in his name to a charity of your choice.

Daniel Lua was born Jan. 16, 1991. He went to rest on Aug. 10, 2013.

Born and raised in Lake County, Calif., he leaves behind his mom, Leticia Monreal; dad, Carlos Lua; sister, Carla Lua; nephew, Braylen Scott; stepdad, Vincent Monreal; and many many friends who will forever miss him.

He was such a gentle, kindhearted kid. His ear-to-ear smile and sweet spirit will be with us all forever.

Daniel was loved by so many, who will carry sweet memories of him forever in their hearts.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Grace Church, 6716 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

Cliff Mathews, a resident of Clearlake Oaks, Calif., died July 31, 2013, at the age of 87 after a long illness.

He was born and raised in Pasadena, Calif.

Cliff joined the US Navy in 1943 at the age of 17 and served as an aerial gunner on aircraft carrier-based torpedo bombers engaged in search and destroy missions against German submarines.  

In 1944 his plane was shot down over the North Atlantic, making him a member of an exclusive World War II organization called the Goldfish Club. Although suffering a head injury, he was rescued by a US destroyer and later flew more missions.  

After the war he returned to California and worked for many more years for AT&T, retiring in 1982 as an electrical engineer based in San Francisco.

Following his retirement he relocated to Clearlake Oaks with his wife Rosemary, who preceded him in death in 2008.

Cliff is survived by his three sons from his first marriage, Dan, Ron, and Tom; his son, Cort, and daughter, Cathy, from his marriage to Rosemary; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A family gathering will be held at a later date.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Services for Randolph Ridgel, who passed away on Friday, July 26, will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11.

The services will begin at 1 p.m. at the Little Theatre at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.