Archived Obituaries

John Garcia, Sr., a veteran and native of Gilroy, passed away September 28, 2011.

Duke Newton Resident of Gilroy. February 24, 2012, we lost our beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, friend. At age 49 due to heart attack.

Robert Flores, 78 of Raytown, MO passed away Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Park Place Care Center in Raytown, MO. Robert retired from the United States Air Force in 1972 after 23 years of service. He worked for Menorah Medical Center in shipping and receiving until health issues demanded his retirement in 1995. Survivors include his wife Hilda Flores of Raytown, MO, children: Robert N. Flores of Berryville, AR, Rebecca Hiestand of Raytown, MO, Brett Flores Warrensburg, MO, Richard Flores of Berryville, AR and Misti Crosley of Harrison, AR. Surviving siblings include: Francis E. Flores of Hollister, CA,Gene Flores of Fresno, CA and Olivet Martin of Hollister, CA. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Mary Flores, brother Thomas Melvin Flores and sister Bridget Angie Valenzuela. At his request there will be no funeral or memorial services but friends and family are encouraged to celebrate Robert's life and remember the good times. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. Arrangements were handled by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Floral Hills Chapel of Kansas City, MO.

Elizabeth E. Gomez died in Hollister. She was a graduate of Bryman School in the medical assistant program and attended San Benito High School, was a member of Hillside Community Church and a lifetime resident of Hollister.

Rosary: Thurs., 3/14/13, at 7:00 P.M., Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home. Mass: Fri., 3/15/13, at 10:00 A.M., at Sacred Heart Church. For condolences: www.blackcoopersander.com

Robert "Sapo" Barraza IV was born and raised in Hollister and passed away at the age of 21. He was a wonderful son and brother. Robert was the pride of his family and accomplished a lot in his lifetime, making his family very proud. He is survived by his loving parents, Robert and Rachel Barraza of Hollister and his little sister Desiree Barraza of Hollister. They were a close family to each other. Robert is loved by his girlfriend, Vanessa Solorio, his grandparents, Robert and Rose Barraza, andMary Garcia and Richard Casarez all of Hollister. His good friends were always by his side. Robert was an operating engineer and a high school graduate with a 4.0 GPA of which his family is extremely proud. Robert was a cowboy at heart. There was no shame in his game. He loved spending time with his family and he and his dad were best friends. This is a terrible loss and Robert will be truly missed.

Memorial service celebrating her life on Saturday October 8th, 1:00 pm at Hillside Christian Fellowship. 281 San Felipe Rd.

Richard "Dick" Madison of Morgan Hill, passed away on Friday, February 22, 2008, at the age of 78. Survived by his wife, Kathryn and his children, Debbie (Myron) Leisted, Rick and Dan; three nieces and many friends. Services are pending in Wisconsin. Family requests that donations be made in Dick's memory to the charity of your choice.

MARIE J. SILVA, 83 of Jamestown formerly of Gilroy passed away Saturday, November 29, 2010.

Brawley, Lowell Donald, also known as LD, passed away on June 9, 2009 after a long illness. He was born in Ardmore, OK on January 26, 1935. In the spring of 1936, the family moved to California and he attended Morgan Hill elementary schools and graduated from Live Oak in 1955 where he was active in the FFA. After graduation, he went to work as a crane operator for BG Manufacturing in Gilroy. When BG closed Lowell went into farming on his own throughout the Santa Clara Valley and in Hollister. He raised prunes, walnuts, cucumbers, and grapes. He became known as the "Cucumber King" when he grew cucumbers in bottles. He also began his own commercial tractor business. In 1963, he began working for Morgan Hill Unified School District as a custodian and retired after 33 years as a transportation assistant. Lowell served as a volunteer fireman and was a member of several organizations including Morgan Hill Junior Chamber of Commerce, Moose Lodge, Farm Bureau, Fish & Game Club, and the Morgan Hill Historical Society.  His fondest memories are his time with the fire department and the monthly meetings of the Historical Society. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dora and Grady Brawley and brother Byron. He is survived by his brother Gary (Linda) Brawley of Peoria, AZ, sister-in-law Angie Brawley of San Jose, nephew Gary Matthew (Tiffany) of Peoria, AZ, niece Jodi of Boise, ID, great-nephews Joshua and Nathan Brawley and great-niece Macy Brawley of Peoria, AZ and many close friends in the Morgan Hill area. Services are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M., visitation begins at 8:30 A.M., on June 17, the Reverend Tim Howe officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Morgan Hill Historical Society or the First Baptist Church of Gilroy.