PALO VERDE VALLeY TIMES, Wednesday, August 30, 2017  A3

Opinion Obituaries
Eric Henry Ford Jackson
February 29, 1924-July 25, 2017
Eric Henry Ford
A Day in the Life Jackson passed from
this earth on July 25,
2017 at the age of 93.

Ignorance isn’t always bliss

He was a
schoolteacher in
Blythe from 1964 to
1979 and knew and
enjoyed many
students during those
years. He was born in
Flat Rock, Michigan,

L
ast week, I was on my
way home, when I noticed
a paper stuck under my
wiper blade.
Smiling as I read the re-
ally sweet letter left behind by a
mystery guy, I questioned who
in their right mind would leave
a fax number for me to get back
with them, personally?
Did he think I was desperate or
crazy, I wondered for three days,
before deciding to give him a call.
Going one day past the girl
code of waiting three days to call
Times Reporter
Cathyleen Rice
a guy, I dialed the cell number.
After chatting for a hour and
him explaining how he knew it
was my car and where he knew
me from, within three hours, I
was getting ready for a date.
With the temperature blazing
109 outside, I settled for a sum-
mer dress and arrived at the
restaurant exactly at 6:45 p.m..
Finally ordering our food and
The Mighty Pen
left to ourselves, I jumped right
into the mind boggling question
that seemed weird to me for some
reason, “Why did you leave your
fax number?”
To which he responded, “I
wanted to see if you were smart
enough to dial the right num-
ber.”
Chuckling before the insult I
was ready to delivered, I replied,
“I hope you’re smart enough to
know this is our first and last
date!”
on February 29, 1924,
the youngest child of
George and Mary
Flowers Jackson.
Eric spent his early
years on a self-
sufficient family farm
and, like many of his generation, endured the hardships
of the Great Depression. Eric always had an
independent spirit. For example, at the age of 14 he
jumped on a freight train on a dare and rode all the way
from Michigan to California. He often said that riding the
rails as a teenager taught him much that he needed to
know about people and about life in general. Throughout
his life he continued to tell stories of his adventures
hopping freight trains during the Depression. His life
changed forever on December 7, 1941, when the
Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. At the age of 17 he
joined the U.S. Army and served for five years in the
737th Railroad Operations Battalion. He received
commendations for bravery and exceptional
performance on six occasions during his time of service.
In 1949, he married Ruby Miles and became stepfather
to her two sons, William and David Lohr. He also began
his studies in Education at Wayne State University in
Detroit in 1949. He received his Bachelor’s degree in
Education Studies in 1953 and completed his Master’s
Degree in Education in 1957. In 1954, Eric and Ruby
had a daughter, Susan, who grew up in Blythe and
graduated from Palo Verde High School in 1973.
In 1964, Eric began teaching at Margaret White
Elementary School, where he taught fifth and sixth
grade for twelve years. He spent his last years before
retirement teaching English and Language Arts at Blythe
Junior High School. Eric loved working with children. He
believed in the potential of each child to grow to be
someone who could make the world a better place.
Shortly after starting his job at Margaret White he wrote
in his journal, “I was as eager as they (the class) were
for each day to begin and I was thrilled to be teaching.”
After a last-day-of-school party where the kids hugged
him and cried, he wrote, “I was deeply moved by the
experience and felt enriched by it all. I found that I loved
each child and would always remember them.” To his
last day he remembered his former students and wished
them well.

When he wasn’t working Eric loved the outdoors and

spent many hours hiking or playing golf. He was a good
golfer who, for many years, played with a handicap of
under 5. He won the local teachers’ golf tournament on
several occasions in the late 60’s. He also loved
motorcycles and could often be seen cruising around
town on his 1962 BMW R50. After he retired he and
Ruby moved to Boulder City, Nevada, where he lived for
the rest of his life. For many years they enjoyed boating
and fishing at Lake Mead.

Eric was preceded in death by his step son William Lohr

and his wife and life partner Ruby. He is survived by his
daughter Susan Machtinger (Steven), stepson David
Lohr (Mary), his grandchildren Joseph and Rachel
Machtinger, Shelly Boyle (Matthew) and Brian Lohr and
PAUL STEWART two great grandsons, Andrew and Colin Boyle.
At his request, no service was held and his ashes were

Obituaries
August 21, 1952-July 29, 2017
scattered over Lake Mead and at Stinson Beach,
Paul Martin Stewart was born California. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor
on August 21, 1952 in Blythe, his memory consider a donation to the Palo Verde
California to James and Pauline Teacher’s Association Scholarship Fund. Checks can be
Stewart. He was raised in the
country with his brothers and made payable to “PVTA Scholarship Fund” with Eric’s
sisters and spent many name on the memo line and mailed to Brenda Rymer,
wonderful times hunting, Felix J. Appleby Elementary School, 10321 Vernon
fishing, camping and being LINDY STEWART Ave., Blythe, CA 92225.
outdoors. July 1, 1952-August 14, 2017 Please sign the guestbook at
www.legacy.com/obituaries/paloverdevalleytimes
Lindy Stewart was born
He attended Ruth Brown "Patricia Lynn Jimenez" to
Elementary School, Palo Verde Ruben and Joy Lee Jimenez
Jr. High School and graduated of Blythe, California, on July
from Palo Verde High School in 1, 1952. She was blessed to Issac Zion Duenaz
1970. He continued his be raised on a farm and March 29, 2008- August 26,2017
education at Palo Verde become a cowgirl at the age
College and the University of Affectionately known as "Ikey"
of 5 years old. by all his loved ones, loving son
California in Riverside.
of Chelo Duenaz passed away
She attended Margaret White peacefully on 8/26/17. He was
He married Lindy Jimenez, the Elementary School, Palo
love and soulmate of his life, in Las Vegas, Nevada on Verde Jr. High School and born in Indio Ca. 3/29/08 the son
September 19, 1973 and they were married for 44 graduated from Palo Verde of the late Donald White. Ikey
years. They moved to Riverside, California in 1976, High School in 1970. She successfully completed the 3rd
where he attended UCR while also working for Southern continued her education at grade at Felix Appleby
California Gas Company. In 1980, Paul and Lindy were Palo Verde College, Arizona Elementary School. He was a
blessed with their daughter Lindsey Marie Stewart. Paul, State University and Riverside sweet, fun loving and friendly
Lindy and Lindsey met many wonderful friends in Community College. young boy. He loved being in the
Riverside through playing on competitive softball teams company of his family and
and enjoyed 16 years of great times and memories.
She married Paul Stewart, the love and soulmate of her freinds. He enjoyed, dancing,
Upon returning to Blythe in 1990, Paul continued his life, in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 19, 1973. telling jokes, playing basketball
employment with Southern California Gas Company for They moved to Riverside, California in 1976, where she and was an avid collector of
a total of 46 years. He enjoyed many wonderful times was employed by several large corporations as an fidget spinners. Issac joins his gradmother the late Betty
with family and friends over the years and vacations that Executive Assistant and Project Manager for a very Mendoza, uncle Israel, and his baby cousin Juliana
were very special to Paul and Lindy (especially their successful land development corporation. in 1980, Paul Cortez in the arms of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
trips to Hawaii and travels with their daughter and and Lindy were blessed with their daughter, Lindsey who he had full faith in. He is survived by his aunt Dana,
grandchildren to Williams, Arizona). Marie Stewart. Paul, Lindy and Lindsey met many Sasha, Nanie, Crystal and uncle Rudy, his cousins
wonderful friends in Riverside through playing on Angelina, Rayanna, Aldo,Israel, Ivan, Iris, Dayleen,
Paul was a very special man who was kind and very competitive softball teams and enjoyed 16 years of great Julyssa, Divinity, Swayzee and baby Enyjah. He will
giving to his family, friends and anyone he could help. times and memories. forever remain an enternal shining light in our hearts,
He loved being around people and was loved by many.
During his younger years he was an excellent athlete in Upon returning to Blythe in 1990, Lindy was employed minds and spirits.
all sports and in later years coached for Blythe girls by Palo Verde College for 20 years as Executive
softball teams and especially loved golfing with his Assistant to the President and Board of Directors. She The family, Would like to invite all who loved and knew
buddies. enjoyed many wonderful times with family and friends Ikey to come celebrate his life on Monday 9/4/17 at the
over the years and vacations that were very special to Shiloh Agape Ministries at 11:00am with a potluck lunch
He is survived by his wife Lindy Stewart, his daughter her and Paul (especially Hawaii). immediately following church services.
Lindsey Stewart and grandchildren (who he totally Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries
adored), Landon, Bryce and Raegan Salazar all of She died on August 14, 2017 and is survived by her
Blythe. He is survived by brothers Frank Stewart, Mark daughter Lindsey Stewart and grandchildren (the loves
(Cindy) Stewart of Blythe, Richard (Mary) Stewart of of her life), Landon, Bryce and Raegan Salazar all of
Chico, CA and Jack Stewart of Moreno Valley, CA and Blythe. She is survived by sisters Becki Guilin of
sisters Elaine Lester and Shirley (Mark) Reay of Blythe, Florence, AZ, Shawnna Stayner of Gardnerville, CA and
Alice Wardlaw of Rancho Mirage, CA, Blanche (Jim) brothers Mike (Chrissy) Jimenez of Blythe, and Richard Get the Palo Verde
Lloyd of Ehrenberg, AZ and Sam Hall of Hemet, CA. He (Patricia) Jimenez of Texas. She was preceded in death
also had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from by her husband Paul Stewart, father Ruben Jimenez, Valley Times
California and Arizona who he loved very much. mother Joy Lee Jimenez and sister Lisa Jimenez. She
also had numerous nieces, nephews and cousins from delivered to your
He was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Blythe and Arizona, as well as some very special, close
Pauline Stewart and many uncles and aunts. friends. home! Call us at
Graveside services will be held at Palo Verde Cemetery Graveside services will be held at Palo Verde Cemetery (760) 922-3181 to
on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. for family on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. for family
and friends and friends. get started.
Please sign the guestbook at Please sign the guestbook at
www.legacy.com/obituariespaloverdevalleytimes www.legacy.com/obituaries/paloverdevalleytimes

Palo Verde Valley Times Palo Verde Valley Times is published weekly on Wednesdays | (760) 922-3181
400 W. Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225 | www.paloverdevalleytimes.com
Lisa Reilly Uriel Avendano
Publisher Editor SUBMIT YOUR NEWS SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
publisher@pvvt.com editor@pvvt.com News Tips / Press Releases - newsroom@pvvt.com subscribe@pvvt.com | OFFICE HOURS: 8 am–5 pm Monday - Friday
Letters to the Editor - letters@pvvt.com
Cathyleen Rice Carolyn Kribbs CARRIER DELIVERY
Times Reporter Classifieds & Public Notices TO ADVERTISE $52.00 annually | Delivery by 8 am Wednesday
crice@pvvt.com classifieds@pvvt.com Display Advertising - advertising@pvvt.com
Classifieds & Obituaries - classifieds@pvvt.com MAIL DELIVERY
Alicia Rubalcava Lisa DeLeon Legal Notices - legals@pvvt.com $80.00 annually
Display Advertising Display Advertising USPS 419240
advertising@pvvt.com advertising@pvvt.com ONLINE & eEDITION ACCESS
Periodical postage paid in Yuma AZ and additional locations $26.00 annually | Free with a print subscription

Send in your news tips and photos! POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Palo Verde Valley Times BUSINESS OFFICE LOCATION
newsroom@pvvt.com Facebook.com/BlytheNews 400 W. Hobsonway 2055 S. Arizona Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364
Blythe, CA 92225
Yuma Sun, Inc.
©2017