Surname "B" Biographies, short Arizona biographies, Maricopa County, Arizona - GenWeb


Biographies and Obituaries


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BAKER, Lt. Col. David T.
Lt. Col. David T. "Rev" Baker was a true patriot who served with valor for 24 years as a United States Air Force officer, F-15 fighter pilot and flight instructor. Dave was a graduate of Cortez High School in 1975 and ASU in 1982. "Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do." He had a passion for politics, haunted houses, Santa Claus and golf and had a great sense of humor and wit. He was living in Oro Valley, Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, at the time of his death March 6, 2007 at University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. He was 49. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Kathleen, daughter Vanessa; mother Beverly, brother Brian, Dr. & Mrs. Peter PUSATERI and family. A loving family man, David (Rev) adored his wife and daughter, cherished his mother, was devoted to his in-laws and was an especially doting and loving uncle. He was an amazing friend to many, dedicated to his faith and his country. Military Services were held at his graveside at , 23015 N Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ.

BAKER, William L.

BALL, Lewis M.
Lewis M. Ball was born in Bisbee, Arizona, on December 5, 1922, and was a lifelong resident of Arizona. He retired from teaching in the Osborn School District and died September 14, 2005 in Phoenix at the age of 82. His wife, Virginia BALL, died in 1970 and his daughter, Susan ALLEN, died in 1991. He is survived by his son, David L. BALL and his wife Kathy; two sisters, Nina BOWERS and Betsey CARY, three grandchildren, Julie (Danny) YOUNG, Robert L. BALL, and Mark ALLEN, three great grandchildren, Danny STOKES, Jordan BALL and Joe Thomas ALLEN.

BARKLEY, Lela Redden
Lela REDDEN BARKLEY was a member of one of Tempe's Pioneer Families. She was born August 5, 1902, in Long Beach, California, to Byron and Ida REDDEN, who were on vacation at the time. She, her mother, father, and two sisters lived on a ranch at McClintock and Guadalupe Roads. She received her education from the one room Kyrene School, Rural School, and Tempe Normal School, now ASU. She went on to receive a Master's Degree, with High Distinction, from ASU. Lela, a retired school teacher, taught elementary grades at 10th Street School in Tempe, and Grandview and Solano Schools, in the Osborn School District in Phoenix, where she was a role model for her students and her peers. She was a member of Arizona Retired Teachers Association, Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Teachers Sorority - Fidelis Beta Chapter, Eastern Star Chapter #18 of Tempe and Central United Methodist Church. Lela REDDEN BARKLEY, aged 104, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away on February 14, 2007. Husband, John J. BARKLEY, an attorney, whose practice was in the Phoenix Title and Trust Building and to whom she was married for 58 years, preceded her in death. Also her only son, John L. BARKLEY, a granddaughter, Nanci SMITH, a great-grandson, a great-great granddaughter, and two sisters. She is survived by daughter-in-law, Dorothy (Honey) BARKLEY WALLACE, grandson, Bruce BARKLEY (Sue), granddaughters, Patti DUNCAN and Kathi BROWN, nine great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. A niece and nephew also survive her.

BARRERAS, Donato O.

BARNEY, George H.

BATTISTA, Frank
Gold Canyon, Arizona, 14 years, The National Association of Musical Education.

BILD, Charles G.

BIMSON, Walter Reed 1892-1980
President, Valley National Bank
Son of a blacksmith, Walter Bimson was born April 25, 1892. came from Chicago. He entered the University of Colorado at 19 to study journalism, then shifted to architecture. Financial conditions set him in search of work and landed him at a bank -- as janitor. He developed an interest in banking, and in 1920 was hired by Harris Trust in Chicago. In the early 1930s, Bimson and his brother Carl he founded the Valley Bank and Trust, later called Valley National Bank, and ran the bank until his retirement in 1970. In the late 1950s he thought he could help the small city of Phoenix grow if he populated it with interesting bank buildings. Valley Bank built dozens of interesting bank buildings around the state, which drove other banks to make their buildings beautiful as well. At a bank open house in 1957, patrons were handed a pamphlet that featured the words "Banks, too, can be beautiful."

BLASNIG, Michael C.
Michael C. Blasnig was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and moved to Arizona in 1973. After graduation from ASU with an MBA and JD, he practiced Law in Glendale, Arizona. He passed away January 3, 2007 at the age of 56. He is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Nicholas) DUNFORD, brother Gregory, sister Christine (Mark) BAUMAN and nephews and nieces.

BODILY, Marjorie Catherine HOGAN
Marjorie Catherine HOGAN BODILY was born August 2, 1916 in Bancroft, Idaho, to Joseph Cleveland and Henrietta RUGER HOGAN. She married Elden Smith BODILY June 10, 1938 in Mesa, Arizona. She was an active member of the LDS Church. She was a school teacher for over 11 years. She loved knitting, crocheting and any type of handwork. Marjorie passed away July 18, 2005, at the age of 88. Her children, Elden S., Kathryn A. ALLISON, Kregg H., 18 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and siblings, Henrietta HOGAN and MaryAlene TREASURE survived her. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Joseph Levi; parents; brother, Glen HOGAN. Memorial services were held at the McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah. Interment in Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona.

BOGNER, Nancy
Nancy DICE BOGNER was born August 26, 1950, in Casa Grande, Arizona, to John Lev and Elaine WADE DICE. She married Paul BOGNER June 3, 1972, in Mesa, Arizona. Her father died in June 2006. Nancy Bogner, age 55, of Purcell, Oklahoma died Friday, August 25, 2006, at her home after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell. She is survived by her husband; sons Geoff BOGNER and wife Amy and Ted BOGNER and wife Tamara; her mother; mother-in-law Hermenia BOGNER; sister Carolyn CHACON; brother John DICE and wife Luwanna; three granddaughters, Ashley, Kate and Tina; and many other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to Calvary Chapel, 1401 W. Boyd St., Norman, Oklahoma. Committal service at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell followed by a memorial service at Calvary Chapel in Norman with the Rev. Jim Lawrence officiating.
The Norman Transcript

BREES, Sherry Lea
Sherry Lea BREES was born in Des Moines, Iowa July 12, 1971. She moved to Phoenix in 1986 and passed away on August 23, 2006, at the age of 35. Sherry was a graduate of Paradise Valley High School in 1989 and received a degree from ASU in Fine Arts and Art Education. She was fluent in American sign language. Her passion was to paint and loved art and turning ordinary things into beautiful objects. She brought color into the lives of those she touched, being an extremely caring, giving and friendly person. Sherry was always willing to give to others before herself. She was a beloved daughter and sister and loving and kind friend who will be dearly missed. She is survived by her Mother, Donna HALL and Stepfather, Mike HALL, as well as sister, September (Kenneth) MONK. Also surviving is uncle, David (Gloria) JORDAN, Aunt, Gloria EAMES, Uncle, Charles BREES and Aunt, Frances (Marvin) KAIN. A Memorial Service was held at North Valley Baptist Church, 2109 E. Rose Garden Lane, Phoenix, Arizona, with Pastor Brent LOVELESS officiating.

BRISTOW, James C.
James C. Bristow, from Humansville, Missouri, preached the first Baptist sermon in Arizona under a cottonwood tree at Middle Verde the second Sunday in Oct., 1875.

BROEDERDORF, Mabel

BROPHY, Anthony Blake ~ January 27, 1926 - September 19, 2006.
Anthony Blake Brophy passed away on the morning of September 19, 2006 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. His devoted wife of 16 years, Dorie ROSALES BROPHY was by his side, as he peacefully completed his journey here on earth. Blake had a rich life, full of friends, family and adventure. His vast and varied interests in politics, religion, history, art, nature, and sports, combined with his keen intellect, quick sense of humor, and strong memory always made for lively, memorable conversations, and friendly debates. He will be remembered by all, as a beautiful writer, avid reader, a graceful athlete, and always, as an elegant gentleman. Blake attended Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, and then continued his formal education at Yale and Stanford, where he earned a Bachelors degree in History and Journalism, and then went on to earn a Masters Degree in Education and History from ASU. Besides his studies, he played football for Stanford, and was also an excellent tennis player, swimmer, and out-doorsman. Blake joined the Air Force during World War II, and then covered the Korean War as a radio correspondent with the Voice Of America. He also wrote for Time Life Publications, working and living in India, and Japan. He was one of the few journalists taken into Tibet to cover the takeover by China. After being awarded The New York Herald Tribune's, "Award for Excellence" for his coverage of foreign affairs, Blake chose to live and write his featured newspaper column from Madrid, Spain for a year. Upon settling down with his family in his native Arizona, Blake wrote an editorial column for The Arizona Republic, and also worked with Bud De WALD on "Arizona Days and Ways". His historical book, "The Foundlings on the Frontier: Racial and Religious Conflict in Arizona" was published by the University of Arizona Press in 1972. He also did extensive research, and writing on the life of Isabella Greenway, the first US Congresswoman in Arizona history which was of immeasurable value in the writing of her biography. Besides his writing, Blake worked for the Environmental Research Laboratory in Tucson, helping to develop important relations between Puerto Penasco, Mexico, the University of Arizona, and CEDO. He also worked at the Arizona Historical Society where he did extensive work organizing all the family's history. Blake also spent many years working with his father, Frank Cullen BROPHY, accompanying him on his trips to South America, and South Africa. His time in Rhodesia ignited a passion for its people, and deep interest in their plight as a nation. Traveling to South Africa also piqued Blake's interest in growing wine grapes at the family's historic Babacomari Ranch, located in Southeastern Arizona. Through his research and association with Dr. Gordon Dutt from the University of Arizona, Blake was instrumental in starting what is now known as the Elgin Wine Country. Most importantly, Blake will be remembered by family and friends, as a man of integrity, compassion, and true character. He was the one you could call on in the eleventh hour, and when all hope seemed lost he would be right beside you to lend support and encouragement. He had a tender heart, which reached beyond his family, and touched the lives of all he met. Blake BROPHY is survived by his wife, Dorie ROSALES BROPHY, his sisters, Alice McCHESNEY, Sallie GOODMAN (Jerry), Kate BROPHY, and his brother, Rory BROPHY (Bridget), by his daughters, Kelley CLARK (John ), Ellen WILLIAMS (Joe Lynn), Kathleen BROPHY, Bridget BROPHY, Patricia BROPHY, his grandchildren, Sarah CLARK, Blake CLARK, and Angela WILLIAMS, and by his step children, Guillermo (Carmen), Juan Diego, Doris (Jose Antonio), Thomas (Gabriela), Antonio (Cecilia), Guillermina (Gerardo) and by his step-grandchildren, Maricarmen, Sofia, Sebastien, Victoire, Doris, Carmina, Maria Ines, Regina, Carolina, Andrea, Alejandra, and Leopoldo. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill BROPHY, Frank C. BROPHY, Jr., and his sister, Patricia BROPHY. Service were held on October 20, 2006, in the garden of the Condiminios Playas Gemelas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, overlooking the Bahia de Banderas where his ashes will be scattered. There was also a celebration of Blake's life on November 12 at the Babacomari Ranch near Elgin, Arizona. Donations may be made in Blake's honor to one of the following charities which serve to help the poorest of the poor around the world: Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors without Borders) 333 7th Ave, 2nd floor, NYC, NY 10001, (212) 679-6800 www.msf.org Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD, 21203-7090, 1 (888) 736-3467 www.crs.org World Vision P.O.Box 9716 Dept W, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, 1 (888) 511-6593 www.worldvision.org.

BROPHY, Michael John "Mike"
Michael John "Mike" BROPHY was born May 8, 1949, in Bisbee, Arizona, to James E. and Maggie Lu BROPHY. He died unexpectedly on Monday, September 18, 2006, of complications from his successful battle with cancer. Mike, a third-generation Arizonan, grew up in Bisbee and Tucson and graduated with highest honors from the University of Arizona in 1971. In 1977 he received his law degree from Arizona State University and joined the Phoenix law firm of Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, where he spent his entire career. In 2001 he was named Managing Partner for the firm and served in that capacity for two years. While it was Mike's wish that he be remembered for who he was and not what he did, his work, in part, defined him. Mike was a nationally renowned water and environmental lawyer with many professional achievements. He served as the Arizona Representative to the Western States Water Council from 1991-2002, and was elected Chairman from 2000 - 2002. Mike was also the Chairman of the Water Policy Committee for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce. He was perhaps most proud of his work in connection with negotiating and securing the enactment of legislation by the United States Congress involving water-rights and settlements for the Gila River, Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Fort McDowell and Ak-Chin Indian Communities, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Mike was a man of few words and great heart who valued honesty, courage and loyalty above all other traits. He profoundly believed in service and commitment to others. Mike was a member of the United Way Tocqueville Society, and a great supporter of Brophy College Preparatory. He was devoted to his family, friends and Catholic faith. Mike's passion for reading, art, travel, fishing, hunting and hiking yielded many friends and admirers. He was a quiet, gentle man and a fierce advocate who never did anything by halves. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him. Mike left behind his wife of 32 years, Marilyn PRITCHARD BROPHY, who was the love of his life, and his two sons, Tom (Luz) and Matt, who were his greatest pride and joy and source of laughter. Mike is also survived by his mother; two sisters Polly BROPHY (Rick MOFFIT) and Kate McGEE (Bob); four brothers Jim (Sandy), Steve (Lori), Dan (Carleen) and Paul (Julie); and ten nieces and nephews (Ian MOFFIT, R.J., Jack and Sam McGEE, James, Alessandra and Joseph BROPHY, Clare and Maggie BROPHY, and Lukas Brophy). Also, Buster, Mike's faithful correspondent. Mike was preceded in death by his father. Final arrangements handled by Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home. Services at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012.

BRYANT, Ira L. "Skip"
Ira L. "Skip" BRYANT, son of Ira M. BRYANT, M.D., and Virginia LUDWIG BRYANT, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and came to Mesa with his family in 1945. He graduated in 1949 from Mesa High School after serving as sports editor and editor-in-chief of the Jackrabbit and as high school correspondent for the Mesa Tribune. He graduated in the summer of 1953, with a B.A. in journalism from Arizona State College where he had been a sports editor of the campus newspaper State Press. In 1954-56, he served with the U.S. Army, including a year at Fort Richardson in Alaska. Skip was Valley sports writer and editor and won numerous awards in his nearly 50 years in the field for his service to high school sports and the young athletes who played them. He died Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2006, in an adult care home in Mesa. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Peggy WILLIAMS of Safford; son, Tim (Kelly) of Queen Creek; daughter, Holly (Chris) LOPEZ of Rochester, NY; grandchildren Joshua and Lauryn HARSHNER of Rochester, Haleigh, Brittany and Courtney of Queen Creek. Memorial services at Carr- Tenney Mortuary, 2621 South Rural Road, Tempe. Skip had been sports editor of the former Tempe Daily News for most of the 22 years he was with the newspaper. He spent another 24 years as a prep sports correspondent for the Phoenix Gazette and, when that newspaper folded, the Arizona Republic. Early in his career, he had been a general reporter for the Mesa Tribune and a sports writer for the Eloy Enterprise. He covered virtually every sport from golf, tennis, swimming and wrestling to football, basketball, baseball, track and field at Arizona State University and Tempe Union High School District while with the Tempe Daily News. He also gave coverage to community sports programs such as American Legion Baseball and City Parks and Recreation sports programs. With the Phoenix newspapers, his assignments took him to high school competitions throughout the Valley. His contributions also included working with the late Doug CONNOLLY, a Tempe High School coach, in establishing and running the Tempe Daily News-sponsored State Cross Country Invitational Meet; researching and compiling Arizona State University's first extensive football and track and field statistics; and keeping statistics on high school sports throughout the state, providing a resource for many Valley sportswriters and his good friend the late Barry SOLLENBERGER with his Arizona prep sports magazines. He continued his love of researching sports and athletes after retiring as a charter member of the Mesa Sports Hall of Fame committee. Among his many awards, he was inducted into the Arizona Baseball Coaches' Association Hall of Fame and was presented with the first of what has become the Arizona Interscholastic Association's annual Skip Bryant Award for distinguished service to athletics by a person outside the field of athletic administration. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Richard. Interment private.

BRYNGELSON, Robert W. "Bob"
Robert W. "Bob" Bryngelson was born October 12, 1951, and lost the "War on Cancer" September 9, 2006. Bob received his Bachelor's of Science degree from Arizona State University, followed by a Master's of Business Administration and Master's of Public Health degrees from the University of Missouri. He also was a CPA and held several positions in accounting and hospital administration. Most recently, Bob was self-employed with "Fine Golf Properties" and was a member of Minnesota Valley Country Club. Bob enjoyed all sports and played basketball in high school and college, competed in tennis, played on softball and hockey teams, skied and loved the game of golf. One of his proudest moments was to have won the Advil Western Open Pro-Am Tournament with Scott Hoch in 2001. Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Virginia BRYNGELSON, and is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Minda FOSTER (Gallup, NM); brother Bruce BRYNGELSON (Los Angeles, CA); nieces Arminda FOSTER (Phoenix, AZ); Elizabeth SORENSEN (St. Paul, MN); Emily SORENSEN (Minneapolis, MN); Gabriella NICHOLS (Fort Smith, AR); nephew Adam SORENSEN (New York City, NY). Additionally, he leaves his in-laws including: Peter and Ida SORENSEN (Cedar Rapids, IA); Mike MARTIN and Susan DOPP (Enderlin, ND); Doug and Kathy BABB (Fort Smith, AR). Services were held on September 13, 2006, at the Basilica of St. Mary's followed by Mass and a reception at Minnesota Valley Country Club. Bob's nieces and nephew will be running the Twin Cities Marathon to raise money for the Angel Foundation in his honor and in honor of all who have fought the "War on Cancer". Memorials may be sent to: Attn: Flying Pollys, Angel Foundation, P.O. Box 385467, Bloomington, MN 55438. from the Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

AMATO-BUTTON, Shari Lynn
Shari Lynn AMATO-BUTTON, age 37, of Chandler, died Wednesday September 20, 2006 after courageous, eight year battle with cancer. Shari was born in Toronto, Ontario on August 21, 1969. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and earned a Master's of Public Administration degree from ASU in 1998. Shari was employed as a program manager with Honeywell Aerospace in Tempe and Interwest Appliance Distributing Corp. of Phoenix. Loving wife of Eric BUTTON. Daughter of Dr. Jon AMATO of Dallas Texas; Her Mother and Step Father Ms. Frances (Walter) BAILEY of New York. Daughter-In-Law of Rick (Paula) BUTTON, Danielle (Mitch) MALKOVICH. Sister-In-Law of Carmelle MALKOVICH. She is also survived by numerous other relatives. Memorial services at Valley of the Sun Mortuary, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler. Contributions in Shari's Memory may be made to CFNJ/Chordoma Research Fund, Community Foundation of New Jersey, P.O. BOX 338, Morristown, NJ 07963-0338 (www.chordmaresearch.org). Arrangements by Valley of the Sun Mortuary 480-895-9232. Published in The Arizona Republic 9/26/2006.


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