Obituaries Obituaries (February 11, 2005)

Rich Stearns

Rich Stearns, 37, a Pleasanton resident, died Feb. 4. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and lived in Pleasanton for the last 25 years.

He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family, and worked as a programmer for the last 16 years.

He is survived by his wife Michelle, who is recreation supervisor for the city of Pleasanton; his sons Jason, 10, and Cody, 5; his parents Mary Chris Ragsdale and Bob Stearns; his brother Brian Stearns; and numerous nieces and nephews.

City employees and the public at large may make contributions to the Stearns Memorial Account on behalf of the Stearns family at UNCLE Credit Union, Attention: Annette Joma, 1989-E Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton CA 94566.

A memorial service was held Wednesday at Valley Community Church. Dorothea Elizabeth Lee

Dorothea Elizabeth Lee of Pleasanton, also known as Dott or Dotty, died Jan. 25 at ValleyCare Medical Center.

She was born June 27, 1918, in Laramie, Wyo., and attended the University of Wyoming.

In 1939 she moved to California and attended Woodsbury business school. During World War II she was employed by Adel Products. She also was a personal secretary for actor Steve Cochran.

She began employment in the early 1950s for a company later merged with Lucky Industries and remained as executive secretary to the CEO until she retired in 1983.

She was active at the Pleasanton Senior Center, and enjoyed playing cards and visiting with her numerous friends. She also loved animals, particularly cats, and gave a home to many strays. She was a strong supporter of the Humane Society.

She is survived by a brother Robert Lee and sister-in-law Pauline of Pinedale, Wyo.; and a nephew Ron Lee and his wife of Bloomsbury, N.J., and their three children.

At her request, there was no service. N. Lee Baccus

N. Lee Baccus, 78, a former Pleasanton resident, died at his home in Prescott Valley, Ariz., on Jan. 6. He was born in 1926 in Alton, Ill.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jayne; a son Garrett Lee Baccus of Manteca and daughter Lauren Jayne Fletcher of Angels Camp; and six grandchildren. His youngest son Craig Lee Bauccus of Prescott, Ariz., also passed away Jan. 6.

He requested no services. Craig Lee Baccus

Craig Lee Baccus, 50, a former Pleasanton resident, died Jan. 6 at his home in Prescott, Ariz. He was born in 1954 in Livermore.

He is survived by his two children Katie Jayne and Joseph Lee of Prescott; his mother Jayne of Prescott Valley; his brother Garrett Lee Baccus of Manteca; his sister Lauren Jayne Fletcher of Angels Camp; one nephew and three nieces. His father N. Lee Baccus of Prescott Valley also died Jan. 6.

Services were held at the Calvary Chapel in Prescott. Elsie Wirick

Pleasanton resident Elsie Wirick, a native of England, died Jan. 29 in Pleasanton at the age of 76.

She was born in England, raised in Fresno, and moved to Pleasanton 37 years ago.

She was a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and her hobbies included fishing, gardening and reading. She especially loved her animals, and had many friends and numerous nieces and nephews who will miss her deeply.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years Paul Wirick; and a brother Roy Heyes in England.

A service was held at Callaghan Mortuary in Livermore and burial is at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery. Donations made be made to a charity of choice. Rose Haruye Osaki

Rose Haruye Osaki, 81, passed away from liver cancer in her Pleasanton home Jan. 31, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Santa Rosa, interned during World War II, then moved to New York, where she married Tetsuo T. Osaki, who passed away in 1999.

They lived on the Peninsula from 1954-1996, and she owned Koharu Japanese Cuisine in San Mateo from 1979-1992. They moved to Pleasanton in 1996.

She will be remembered as a warm, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, always with a smile and a spontaneous sense of humor.

She is survived by her three daughters Phyllis Hallgrimson, Beverly Howell and Cynthia Osaki; sons-in-law Steve Hallgrimson and Bill Howell; brothers Fred and Sam Kai; sister Mary Chagami; and six grandchildren.

Services were held Monday at the Sturge Presbyterian Church in San Mateo. Tom Hoptry

Tom Hoptry died peacefully in his Pleasanton home Feb. 3. He was born in Pleasanton and moved to San Leandro while still young.

He entered the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school in 1961 and served until 1965. He married Chris Hoptry in 1976, and they moved to Pleasanton to raise their family.

He had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at his home on the Delta. He was an active member of the Golden Gate Water Ski Club, where he had many friends.

He is survived by his wife Chris; three sons, Jim, Scott and Mike; one daughter Deanna Sanchez; and Cheryl Arvizu, whom he often called a daughter; his mother Marge Hoptry; two sisters, Nanci Burton and Jill Toner; and seven grandchildren; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law; nieces and nephews, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his father Jack Hoptry.

A memorial service was held at Graham-Hitch Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 7000 Village Parkway, Suit E, Dublin 94568; or Hope Hospice, 6500 Dublin Blvd., Suite 100, Dublin 94568.

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