John T. Carroll

John Thomas Carroll, age 86, who was a 23-year resident of Fountain Hills, formerly of Edina, Minn., died peacefully on Oct. 17, 2009 from complications of cancer and dementia.

Born April 22, 1923 in Spooner, Wis., John attended Minneapolis South High and the University of St. Thomas. He was a WWII veteran.

Mr. Carroll spent 50 years as a contractor, builder, and real estate broker in Minnesota and Arizona.

He was an avid handball player and golfer, and a former member of the YMCA Men's South 30 Club, Interlachen Country Club, Decathlon Athletic Club, El Caro Golf Club, and Gainey Ranch Golf Club.

He was affiliated with Edina Youth Hockey Association, Biltmore Motel, and International Executive Service Corps.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; four sons, John Jr./Jack (Julie), Peter (Katie), Patrick and Jay (Jane); four grandchildren, Tricia (Ryan) Sawtell, Tara (Rob), Colin and Brigit; and his sister, Marion Robinson.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Bob.

Special thanks to Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Fountain View Skilled Healthcare, and Hospice of the Valley.

No service or memorials are planned.

Kathryn Lauterbach

Kathryn Hyde Lauterbach, age 65, died peacefully at home Monday morning surrounded by her family. She was born in Milwaukee on March 30, 1944 to William Henry and Wilma Heath Lauterbach.

Delavan, Wisconsin was her home until she left for Rollin’s College in Winter Park, Florida. In her junior year she attended the University of the Seven Seas, a seaworthy educational university that travelled around the world. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Connecticut College in 1970 and graduated from Fairfield University with honors and a Masters of Education degree.

After graduation she taught special education at Newtown Middle School in Danbury, Connecticut before founding the Newbrook Academy in Watertown, Connecticut for children with special needs. Her work and special endeavors with the children earned her many special awards and recognition in Who’s Who of American Women and the International Who’s Who in Education of Cambridge, England.

Kathryn was on the Board of Directors for the Danbury Association to Help Handicapped and Retarded Citizens, Council for Exceptional Children, Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities and Children with Handicapping Conditions.

In 1966 she moved to Fountain Hills with her beloved Hyder and taught on Fort McDowell Yavapai Reservation and at McDowell Mountain Elementary School continuing her work with special needs children. Her love of children transferred to tutoring and care for animals after retirement from teaching. She established Care Extraordinaire, a specialized animal care business. Kathryn supported many humanitarian organizations including the Arizona Humane Society and Liberty Wild Life.

She was preceded in death by Henry and Wilma Lauterbach and her Brother, William Lauterbach.  She is survived by her brother Craig and his wife, Regena and her sister-in-law, Jean Lauterbach, half brother Paul (Becky), and sister Lynn (Todd) Lauterbach. Her nephews include Shane (Karen), Heath (Karen), Brent (Ann), Cory (Lynette), and Toby Lauterbach, and eleven grand nephews and nieces. Surviving also is her twenty year old cat, Wanaji.

A Special thank you to the Lewis Family, The McCumber family and Hospice of the Valley.

Donations can be made to the Hospice of the Valley (hov.org) or to libertywildlife.org.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, October 31 at 1:00 at Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, 15555 E. Bainbridge Ave.

Warren J. Nelson Jr.

Warren J. Nelson Jr., 66, passed away Oct. 22, 2009.

Born July 9, 1943, in Sacaton, Ariz., “Junior” was raised on the Ft. McDowell Indian Reservation. He was a hard working, loving and unselfish man. He enjoyed his years working at Fort McDowell Sand and Gravel as a loader operator.

Junior was a dear friend, beloved brother, adored uncle, grandfather and dad. Most of all, he loved playing with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Nelson; daughters, Connie Nunez and Tiffany Dorchester; sisters, Carol Nelson Smith and Nadine Nelson; sister-in-law, Colleen Soos; son-in-law, Joseph Nunez; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; and his grandchildren, Victoria Nunez, Levi Zotigh and “Big Boy” Josiah Adam.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Messinger Fountain Hills Chapel. Funeral services are today, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Ft. McDowell Recreation Center.

Bruce Watson

Bruce Watson of Mesa passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 at the age of 68.

More than 32 years ago Bruce was diagnosed with emphysema and told he had less than six months to live. He continued to fight to survive so that he could care for his family and watch his children and grandchildren grow. After a successful lung transplant just two and a half years ago, he finally succumbed to skin cancer.

Bruce was truly a man among men. Some may even say he was the epitome of mankind, setting the standard by which to live and leading others to a rewarding life by his example. Anyone who knew him would know that his life revolved around three things: his family and friends; his motorcycle; and his business.

When it came to family and friends, Bruce set a standard for caring and compassion that were absolutely unparalleled. Throughout his life he strove to lead by example. Through the examples he set, he taught his children and grandchildren to have the deepest respect and compassion for others; welcome adversity, as new challenges bring about new opportunities; and always strive for excellence in everything they do. They will always remember the way he lived.

Bruce was an avid motorcyclist and motorcycle mechanic who enjoyed the ride as much as the people with whom he rode. He often said “the key to a happy life is to keep breathing and ride a motorcycle.”  He shared his enthusiasm for motorcycling as an active member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, and participated in many other local motorcycling groups and events.

This passion for motorcycling and mechanics led to Bruce becoming a nationally renowned motorcycle mechanic and eventually opening his family owned and operated business, The Motorcycle Service Shop, in Mesa.

With his passing, Bruce has handed down the reins of The Motorcycle Service Shop to his grandson, Joe Smith, who will continue Bruce’s tradition of providing extraordinary service. It is Bruce’s hope that his friends and customers will continue to put the same trust and faith in Joe that they have in him over the years.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Bruce and Burnetta Watson; his sister, Dede; and his brother, Doug. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Frances; three daughters, Shelli Smith of Tonganoxie, Kan., Laura Lee Watson of London, England and Bonny Puckett of Fountain Hills; 10 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life that will be held in Bruce’s honor on his birthday, Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. at the Falcon Ramada at Red Mountain Park, 7800 E. Brown Road, Mesa.

In lieu of flowers, Bruce requested that donations be made in his honor to Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa. He has long supported their goal to provide emotional, social, physical and educational stability for children who have been separated from their parents, and would appreciate your continued support of this great local organization.

Bruce’s family would also like to give thanks to Hospice of the Southwest for providing comfort and care in his final days. Donations to their organization would also be appreciated to assist other families in their time of need.

Ronald J.J. Wright

Ronald Jack Jerry Wright, 85, passed away Oct. 16, 2009 in a Scottsdale assisted living home.

Born in Montecello, Mo., he was a decorated WWII Army veteran. His career included being an investigator for the U.S. government.

He moved to Fountain Hills in 1980 from Maryland. He is survived by his wife, Alice of Fountain Hills; sons, Daniel Craig Wright (Ember) of Tucson, and Scott Travers Wright (Cindy) of Richmond, Va.; sisters, Shirl Towns of Sun City West, Joy Hurdle of Yuba City, Calif., and Jean Jacobs-Kinley of Rockford, Ill.; his brother, Jimmie Kent Wright of Charleston, S.C.; four grandchildren, Anna E. Wright of Baltimore, Md., Kristren T. Wright of Norfolk, Va., Valen Theim of Tucson, and Dr. Heath Wright of Anchorage, Alaska; and two great grandchildren, Hailey and Drew.

He was an active member in the Lions Club of Fountain Hills. Also, he was a long-time member of The Club and the Square and Compass Group of Fountain Hills.

He and his wife, Alice, owned and operated Genie Travels for many years in Fountain Hills.

Masonic Rites will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary, 12065 Saguaro Blvd.

Arrangements entrusted to Messinger Fountain Hills Mortuary.