In Memorium
TAGS has established a Memorial Fund. Click here for more information.
The Society remembers our members who are no longer with us.
Michael Paul Davis
10/15/1954 - 2/1/2010
Michael was born October 15, 1954 in Long Beach, California to parents Douglas and Muriel Davis. Michael's joy in life was his family. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Julie Marty, daughter Jessica and son Zachary as well as his parents along with a brother, Matthew, and several nieces and nephews.
Michael was instrumental in forming TAGS from the first meeting until he could no longer participate, a span of 10 years of dedicated service and commitment. Michael was always there to help wherever the need and loved to help others in their quest to find their own family even doing research for them on his genealogy trips. He also loved to read mystery novels and was a fan of the San Francisco Giants.
Michael passed away at his home in Tracy, California February 1, 2010. His ashes will be interred in the Westminster Memorial Park Cemetery in Westminster, California next to several other generations of family members.
Brenda Kay (Stephens) Stock
8/17/1944 - 3/2/2009
Brenda was born Aug. 17, 1944 in Waldron, Arkansas to James Thomas and Ruby (Casey) Stephens and the third of 4 children. She is survived by her brother, Bob Stephens and his wife, Phyllis; sister, Shirley Severson, and her husband, Ross; sister-in-law, Pat Stephens; and many nieces and nephews.
Brenda was a very dedicated member of our group and instrumental in the TAGS Cemetery Project. Brenda spent hundreds of hours inputting information and working at the office to help others. She was a tireless volunteer who always had a smile on her face and was always so happy to help in any way she could.
Brenda passed away March 2, 2009 in Post Falls, Idaho. Burial was at the Tracy Public Cemetery.
Martha Fay Jones-Young
3/25/1933 - 11/22/2008
Born in Lecompte, LA, Martha was the wife of 55 years of Tolbert Young, Jr. Martha loved to travel and with her husband fulfilled her life's dream of traveling around the world on a 21 day vacation. Martha was an Army wife and finished her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Hayward.
Mrs. Young is survived by her husband, Tolbert Young, Jr., two children, Keith A. Young, and his wife, Vicki, of Bensalem, PA., and Rona A. Young-Morris of Tracy; and three grandchildren.
Burial was in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, CA.
Sara Lynn Patteson
December 1, 1945 - October 17, 2007
Lynn Patteson passed away on October 17, 2007 in Tracy, CA. Lynn graduated from Cal Poly at San Louis Obispo with a B.S. degree and a major in Home Economics. She later was granted a Master's Degree in Education by the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Lynn taught Special Education classses at Tracy High School and later at West Hgh School in Tracy, retiring in 2006.
Married to Walter Patteson, they were the parents of two sons, Walter III (Pat) and Richard. Both sons are currently on active duty in the U. S. military.
An avid genealogist, Lynn traveled extensively pursuing this interest and was extremely successful in obtaining results with her research. At the time of her death, Lynn was actively working to become a certified genealogist through the professional Board of Certification in Genealogy, another step of involvement in an avocation which she loved.
Lynn is also survived by a sister, Carole Edwards and her husband Stephen, four grandchildren, Hailey, Ashly, William, and Jack Patteson, as well as daughters-in-law Jennifer and Shya Patteson.
Betty Jean Norton
April 30, 1937 - July 16, 2007
(From the Tracy Press Published on 07/24/2007)
Funeral services will be Friday for career "Marine Corps wife" and Tracy resident Betty Jean Norton, 70, who died Monday at Sutter Tracy Community Hospital of a pulmonary problem.Born to Rose and Clarence Taylor at Letterman U.S. Army Hospital at the Presidio, Mrs. Norton attended McKinley Elementary and Everett Junior High School, and graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1956. She also attended City College of San Francisco. As a student, she worked at Wells Fargo Bank. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles Norton, on June 29, 1957, at St. Agnes Church in San Francisco. Mrs. Norton became a career "Marine Corps wife" in 1960, accompanying her spouse to a number of locations, including Kansas City, Washington, D.C., Quantico, and several southern California coast and desert bases. Those who knew her say she was a "take-charge" lady and successfully managed her family and household while her husband was deployed during the Cuban Missile crisis and Vietnam War. She also served as the Mother Hen for the wives of many junior officers. Mrs. Norton helped mold the lives of many young women while serving as a Cadet and Senior Girl Scout Troop leader. She was also a gifted watercolor and ceramics artist. She became active as a breeder, trainer and exhibitor of German shepherds and earned the distinction in 1982 of being the second woman in America to train her dog to earn an international working dog title. She traveled to Germany, France and Hungary to observe international working dog trials and visit with her dog training friends in Europe. Mrs. Norton also enjoyed taking cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal. She believed her greatest accomplishment was her family as a mother, grandmother and wife. She and her husband celebrated 50 years of marriage June 29.Mrs. Norton is survived by her husband, Charles; children, Deborah Black, and her husband, David, of Tracy, Michael Norton, and his wife, Lisa, of Livermore; brother, Robert Taylor of San Mateo; and grandsons, Charles Black and Matthew, Ryan and Joshua Norton.She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Blane Taylor and Rose Taylor; and sister, Nora Caramazza.
Friday’s services will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave. Recital of the rosary will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, also at the chapel. Interment will follow Friday’s services in Tracy Cemetery, 600 E. Schulte Road.
Clyde Bland
1926 - Mar 1, 2007
A native of Rogers, Ark., Bland had been a Tracy resident since 1963 and was Tracy’s mayor from 1990 to 1994. Before serving as mayor, he was a member of the Tracy City Council for five years. Clyde was a charter member of TAGS and a guest speaker at our First Annual First Families Banquet in May 2006.
Catherine DeLap
Sept 16, 1920 - Feb 14, 2007
A third generation of the Tracy pioneer Eagan family, Catherine joined TAGS in 2006 during our drive to find Tracy First Families. Catherine dedicated many hours to allow us to copy family records and keepsakes for other to enjoy and read.
Norman Zandona
July 27, 1931 - November 6, 2006
Born in Hanford, Mr. Zandona graduated from Hanford High School before attending Reedley College and San Joaquin Delta College. Mr. Zandona is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris Elaine Zandona, a TAGS member and volunteer that has helped us with many of our projects.
Blaine Hill
November 11, 1917 - October 30, 2006
A native of Thistle, Utah, Blaine lived in Tracy 40 years. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he served during World War II. Blaine was a TAGS member since 1999.
Clifford Koster
January 27, 1922 - May 5, 2006
Clifford was born in Vernalis and lived in the Tracy area his entire life. He was descended from one of Tracy's early pioneer couples, Nicholas Koster and his wife Wilhelmina (Minnie) Hilken. Nicholas was born in Holstein, Germany and immigrated to the Tracy area in 1876.
Jeanne Marie Goddard
April 29, 1951 - Aug. 12, 2005
Jeanne was born in Vallejo and lived in Tracy more than 40 years. She worked as a licensed vocational nurse. She attended Tracy Community Church and was an accomplished horsewoman and trainer. She enjoyed crocheting and most of all, spending time with her family.
Anne (Pannell)
Mego
Feb. 2, 1934 - Oct.
3, 2004
Anne Mego was an active member that graciously donated her collection of research books, as well as items for our auction and other fundraisers. She was retired from Lawrence Livermore National Labs.
Susan Janet (Hamilton) Hastie
Oct 14, 1934 - Jan 3, 2001
Sue Hastie joined TAGS in November, 2000. She was a retired teacher and president of Tracy's West Side Pioneers.
Kathleen (Seevers) Osborn
Dec. 21, 1934 - Oct. 17, 1999
Kathie Osborn was an active participant at meetings and a Charter Member of TAGS.