Obituaries Obituaries (August 27, 2004)

William Christopher Sharp

Former Pleasanton resident William Christopher (Chris) Sharp died Aug. 15 from injuries he received during a motorcycle accident at the El Cajon Racetrack.

Born in Kansas City on June 14, 1969, he grew up in Colorado and Pleasanton, graduating from Amador Valley High School in the 1980s.

He graduated from Cal State University in Chico, then moved to San Diego. He was a manager for TelePacific Communications for the last five years.

Friends and family will remember him for his love of life. He was active in many sports, including surfing, motorcycling, snowboarding, ice hockey and sailing.

He leaves his wife of four years, April Sharp; his parents, Bill and Connie Sharp; a sister and brother-in-law, Kim and Rich Nessinger; two nephews; his grandmother; and his large extended family.

A memorial service was held at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego.

Donations may be made to establish a memorial bench at Sunset Cliffs; funds may be deposited in his name at any Wells Fargo Bank, or memorial gifts may be made to the Surfrider Foundation. Henry Murphy

Longtime Pleasanton resident Henry DeWitt Murphy died July 16. He was 68.

Born in Tennessee on Sept. 23, 1935, he had lived in Alameda County for 68 years.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and earned a degree in law. He was a private attorney in Pleasanton after retiring as Alameda County's senior assistant district attorney.

He leaves his wife of 18 years, Francine Murphy; his mother, Billie Murphy of Livermore; a daughter and her husband, Kathleen and Rick Carter of Reno; and two stepsons and a stepdaughter-in-law, Richard and Jeffrey Newsky of Dover, N.H., and Paula Newsky.

No services were held. Pamala Escobar

Pamala Jean Escobar, a 28-year Pleasanton resident, died July 19 in Greece. She was 49.

Born in Chicago on Sept. 19, 1954, she was a generous person, adopting families through Tri-Valley Haven during the holidays. A member of the Valley Christian Church women's bible study, she particularly loved working in her flower garden and her favorite colors were purple and lavender.

She is survived by her husband of eight years, Constantino Karkalemis; two sons, Noel Escobar and Yanni Karkalemis; her mother, Inez Silberhorn of Pleasanton; her mother-in-law; and many friends.

Memorial services were held at Callaghan Mortuary and she was buried at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Trevor Daniel Rickenbach-Fenn

Trevor Daniel Rickenback, 9 years old, died Aug. 3 after a long battle with cystic fibrosis. He is the grandson of Jackie Rickenbach of Pleasanton. He lived in Livermore and attended school there.

When Trevor entered the room, people would notice his sense of humor and compassion. He loved animals and his dog Kya. He loved to work on his invention page on his laptop computer. He also built a go-cart with his father and enjoyed fishing and tennis. He will be remembered as a bright and loving child by all whose lives he touched.

He is survived by his mother Mitzi Rickenback of Livermore; his father David Fenn of Newark; brother Patrick Rickenbach-Fenn of Livermore; and half-brother Dylan Fenn of Newark; grandparents Donald and Shirley Schmeyer of El Cerrito; and numerous aunts and uncles.

He had a funeral service at Callaghan's Chapel in Livermore and was buried at St. Augustine's Catholic Cemetery in Pleasanton. Donations may be made to Palo Alto Cystic Fibrosis, 701 Welch Road, Suite 3328, Palo Alto CA 94304-5786. Larence 'Homey' Leonard

Larence "Homey" Leonard, 57, died in Pleasanton after living here for 30 years. He was born in Tennessee, then traveled throughout the West for many years.

He was a horse trainer and groom, who spent time fishing and with his friends and his daughter, and living life to the fullest.

He is survived by his daughter, Tajuana May Leonard, her mother Deborah Leonard; and numerous brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his father J.C. Leonard and mother Laura Mae Lunsford, and two brothers, Bill and Allen. The funeral was held at Graham Hitch Mortuary. Ronald Chavez Jr.

Pleasanton resident Ronald Chavez Jr. died Aug. 7. He was 48.

Born in Brawley, Calif., on Feb. 21, 1956, he lived here for five years.

He leaves his wife of 12 years, Monica Chavez; a daughter, Melissa Arellano of Manteca; two sons, Daniel Chavez of Pleasanton and Ronald Chavez III of Tracy; his mother, Connie Chavez of Tracy; five sisters; two brothers; and two grandchildren.

A Mass celebrating his life was held at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, and a private graveside service was held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Livermore.

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