High country thawing out along Highway 88

Krysten Kellum

Editor

After a winter that saw record snowfall, the white stuff is still sticking around at higher elevations in El Dorado County.

El Dorado Irrigation District park ranger Denny Radford reported it was snowing in the Caples/ Silver Lake area off Highway 88 Wednesday afternoon. But the historic snowpack — 237% above statewide averages, according to the California Department of Water Resources — has melted away for the most part with EID’s recreation managers announcing Caples Lake was “finally free of ice and snow” Friday, June 23. The boat launch and day-use area are now open for the season.

At Silver Lake the boat launch opened Monday. When the storm-battered Silver Lake West Campground might be able to open is “a good few weeks out,” Radford said, as workers are “diligently cleaning up hazard trees.” Redford added there are still small snow drifts in the back of the campground.

Eldorado National Forest officials announced June 26 Mormon Emigrant Trail is open all the way to Highway 88. The route in recent previous summers has been clear of snow by early-to mid-June. With nighttime temperatures in the mid40s and daytime highs in the 60s at n See HIGH COUNTRY, page A7

Obituaries

Obituaries on this page are written and paid for by the families or funeral homes. They are edited minimally by the Mountain Democrat. To submit an obituary, call (530) 622-1255, e-mail obits@mtdemocrat.net, fax (530) 344-5092, or visit mtdemocrat.com under “Submission Forms” at the bottom of the website. Include contact information with all submissions.

Eugene Phillip Mummy

Eugene Phillip Mummy of Placerville, CA, passed away peacefully at the age of 90. Gene was born on April 24, 1933, to parents Catherine (McLaughlan) and Arlie Mummy in Laguna Beach, California, the 3rd of 4 children. In 1937, the family moved to Elsinore, CA, where he met his future wife and soulmate, Frances Ambriola, in the 8th grade. They married soon after Frances graduated from high school in 1953 and began their 63-year marriage together in Anchorage, Alaska, where Gene was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He served during the Korean War as a Radio Operator, Foreign Code Communications Reviewer, and Morse Code Operator. After his Air Force service, he worked for 35 years for Pacific Telephone in microwave toll transmission, ending his career in Placerville. Gene and Frances raised six children, as well as a nephew. In 1977, Gene and Frances and the youngest three children moved from Banning, CA to Pine Grove, where Gene built the home that he and Frances lived in for 40 years until her death in 2017. In 2021, Gene moved to Placerville to be closer to family. Gene is survived by his brother Arlie G. Jr. (Gordy), his children Greg, Mark (Beverly), Marie (Vaughn), Chris (Tami), Kathleen (John), Patrick (Lee Anne), 12 grandchildren, and 15 greatgrandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Frances, his brother Raymond and his sister Ann, his nephew Joe, and his daughtersin-law Pam (Greg) and Lauren (Patrick). Gene was a faithful member of the Catholic Church. For many years, Gene and Frances volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Gene was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He was deeply devoted to Frances and was profoundly a ected by her passing. Gene was an outstanding four-sport high school athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. After high school, he was an excellent fast-pitch softball pitcher with a wicked rising fastball and multiple no-hitters over his softball career. Gene was an avid baseball fan and had a deep understanding of the game. He coached at the Pony League, Colt League, and American Legion levels, as well as volunteered at the high school level. Gene and Frances loved the outdoors and had a special fondness for the Virginia Lakes area, where the family camped for many summers. He loved birds and birdwatching and was thrilled when bluebirds nested in one of the many birdhouses on the Pine Grove property. Gene loved to garden, was an excellent mechanic, and could fix almost anything. He was most comfortable in bib overalls! He had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, and had a great love for his family. He leaves an empty place in our hearts, but we are comforted by good memories and the knowledge that he and Frances are together again. Services were held at St Katharine Drexel Catholic Parish on June 29, 2023. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www. danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.

Stuart Allen Samson

Aug. 6, 1929 - May 12, 2023

Stuart Allen (Al) Samson, 93, of Placerville CA. left for heaven May 12, 2023 after having had Parkinson’s disease for 20 years.

Al was born August 6, 1929 to Stuart and Gladys Samson in Hermosa Beach, California. In 1940, Stuart moved his family to McArthur, CA. In McArthur, Al attended grade school through high school. He graduated as Salutatorian of his class of 20 from Fall River High School in 1948. He went on to study Business as University of California Berkeley. While attending CAL, he joined the CAL rowing team. His varsity 8 man team went all the way to the Olympic trails in 1952 where they were beaten by the Navy team by only 18 inches.

In 1952 Al enlisted in the Army where he was a Corporal E-4. He was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1960. He received an Army Occupation of Germany medal.

In 1956 Al met Suzanne (Sue) on a fixed up blind date in Berkeley. They were married in 1957. In 1966 they purchases their first home in Pinole, CA. where they lived for 20 years. Al and Sue have 4 children, Kimberly, Karen, Gregory, and Je rey.

In 1965, with a degree in Business, Al became a financial planner and eventually started his own business, Financial Planning Associates, being in the industry for more than 40 years.

Al enjoyed camping with his family. His goal was to drive to and visit as many national parks as they could. They visited a lot in their VW van. Al and Sue were also blessed to be able to have adventures traveling around the world. After retirement, Al and Sue enjoyed taking their 7 grandchildren (Jessica, Je rey, Melanie, Andrew, Sarah, Ryan, and Christopher) to CAL Camp Oski, a summer family camp. Al always enjoyed being active in service clubs such as the Kiwanis Club and the Placerville Rotary Club.

In 1998, Al and Sue purchased property in Placerville where they had their dream retirement home built. It checked o everything on their list. As a bonus, there’s always something happening in the Wild Kingdom that surrounds their house.

Al was predeceased by his parents Stuart and Gladys, and siblings Mary and David. He is survived by his wife Sue, children Kimberly,, Karen, Gregory and Je rey and grandchildren Jessica, Je rey, Melanie, Andres, Sarah, Ryam and Christopher.

A memorial service celebrating Al’s life will be held at Green Valley Community Church 3500 Missouri Flat Rd. Placerville on Thursday July 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.. There will be a military ceremony with a flag and bugle. He will be interred in Dixons Veterans Cemetery. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

Thomas David Sloan

Sept. 1, 1948 - May 1, 2023

Thomas David Sloan was born in Sacramento on September 1, 1948, and passed away on May 1, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Virginia Larue Sloan, Aunt Virginia Mae (Vicki) Sloan, and brother Gary Sloan. Tom is survived by his wife Valerie Buell, daughters Lisa Sloan Brownell and Kimberly Sloan, grandchildren Quintten and Clarity Brownell, siblings Bradley Sloan and Theresa Sloan Kersey, and Cousin Robert John (Bobby) Sloan.

Tom was hardworking, determined, and multitalented. He loved sports, the outdoors, and his childhood spent on the family pear ranch in Camino, California. At thirteen his family moved to Carmichael. Tom graduated from CSU, Sacramento with a degree in Business Administration. He earned a master’s degree in IT Engineering. He served 22 proud years in the Coast Guard retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, was CEO of the Yolo County YMCA, and for 29 years worked for the State of California.

In retirement, Tom became a USDA-CCOF organic farmer on his 4th generation family ranch— Sloan Winters Mountain Orchard and Garden. He was an active member of the Apple Hill Growers Association. He was known for leading educational farm tours—describing the challenges and science of farming, his love for the area, its history, and culinary tips using locally grown food.

Tom renovated his childhood home built by his great-grandfather (John Winters) in the early 1900s.

In 2017, he shared the Apple Hill and Camino experience with visitors by becoming a Superhost of the Airbnb farm home. Also, Tom bought and flipped a home in Pollock Pines.

Traveling near and far was another passion. Especially meaningful to Tom were mission trips with Fair Oaks Church.

Tom’s family and friends miss him. To celebrate Tom’s tenacity, you can donate in Tom’s name to the Sierra Harm Reduction Coalition or the Food Bank of El Dorado County.

Garrett Lee Marier

August 1988 – May 28, 2023

Garrett Lee Marier was born in August of 1988. Sadly he passed away on May 27, 2023. Garrett loved all things outdoors. He was known as one that would give you the shirt o his back, his last dollar, or lend a hand to help someone in need.

Garrett Lee Marier is survived by; his parents (Susan Kupihea & Rick Marier),his siblings(Kaiwa Kupihea & Lahela Kupihea) & his twin brother (Adam Marier), his family, friends and his faithful dog “Butters”.

Garrett is so loved and will be missed dearly.

Dee Miller

April 29, 1958 - May 11, 2023

Dee peacefully passed away at her home in Prescott Valley, AZ with her husband by her side on the early morning of May 11, 2023, after battling an illness for less than a year. She was born Dee Ann Encinas in 1958, of Oxnard, CA, the youngest of two brothers and one sister. The family moved to Sonoma County shortly afterwards, where they settled down in Sebastopol. Dee loved to ride her horse Queenie, on the back country roads with her dog Jeremy at her side. She was a high school graduate of El Molina High School in 1976 and the family relocated to Santa Rosa.

Dee went to work at Sonoma State Hospital after graduation where she worked as a hospital worker and a school bus driver. It is here that she met and started dating her future husband Terry. In 1987 Terry and Dee relocated to Garden Valley in the foothills of El Dorado County where they bought their first home. On a cold Saturday morning in January of 1989, they were joined together in marriage at the tiny St. John’s Church in the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma.

Dee enjoyed working with her husband on enlarging their home and was not afraid to climb a ladder and paint a ceiling or split and stack a cord of wood. She loved being outdoors working in her garden and her flower beds or putting around on her riding mower. During the winter months she would bake cinnamon rolls, make a quiche from scratch or spend time in her sewing room mending clothes or creating a new holiday decoration. Dee successfully home schooled their two children Jessica and David and at some point, decided to take on a part time job for the Kmart in Placerville, where she worked as a department manager in the children’s department. After leaving Kmart, she decided to take up horse back riding again and could be seen riding the trails of Pilot Hill or the back roads in Garden Valley, with her daughter or husband tagging along.

Dee and Terry sold their home at the end of 2020 and moved to Prescott Valley, AZ where they spent time traveling and making plans to live out their retirement years but tragically her life was cut short. Dee is survived by her husband Terry Miller of Prescott Valley, Arizona; daughter Jessica WallerMiller of El Dorado; son David and his family also of El Dorado; her brother James and his family of Ogden, Utah; her brother Michael and his family of Abilene, Texas; her two grandchildren Hollie and Jameson Miller of El Dorado; her niece Rachael Thomas and family of Boise, Idaho; her nephew Jim and niece Andrea of Ogden, Utah and several relations in the Oxnard and surrounding areas of southern California. Dee was preceded in death by her sister Donna Beckman of Nampa, Idaho. There are no plans for a memorial service at this time. Anyone who wishes to make a donation in her name, may do so to either The Arizona Oncology and Hematology Associates or the Arizona Kidney Disease, LLC both of Prescott Valley, AZ 86314.

Funeral Notice

Richard Liddell

Jan. 12, 1940 - June 21, 2023

Richard Liddell passed away June 21. He was born and raised in Placerville before moving to Orangevale. He leaves behind Jean Liddell and 5 sons, numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 320 Montrose Dr., Folsom, CA.

Do you have an interesting story to share?

The Mountain Democrat is looking for interesting and/or unusual people, places or things in the community. Send your ideas to Krysten Kellum at kkellum@mtdemocrat.net