In Memorium
Floyd Beckett and Frank McCormick - July 14, 2021
Floyd Beckett and Lyndell Pool - 2017
Floyd Beckett
March 1, 1925 - August 8, 2021
Floyd Beckett passed away on the morning of August 8, 2021 at his home after suffering a stroke a few weeks prior.
Cards and condolences can be sent to:
Becketts 1552 Park Ave. Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Lyndell Henry Pool
May 10, 1927-February 5, 2021
Lyndell Henry Pool of Oxnard passed from this world on Friday, February 5th, 2021 at the age of 93. He is at peace with our Heavenly Father. No services are planned.
Lyndell was born in Duncan, OK on May 10th, 1927. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served with the Occupational Forces in Germany at the end of World War II. After returning from the service, he settled in southern California where he would meet Ruby Dowling, who would become his wife of 55 years. Lyndell was a foreman for Saticoy Lemon Assn. for 45 years, retiring in 1992. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruby and oldest son Randy. He is survived by his children Robert Pool of Austin, TX, Brenda Vignaroli of Oxnard, Michael & Sheryl Pool of Sand Springs, OK, Jeffrey & Celia Pool of Camarillo, grandchildren Sherry Wright, Justin Pool, Joshua Pool, Jason Pool, Cara Vignaroli, Jessica Vignaroli, Kurtis Pool, Corey Pool, Sammie Jo Pool, Sheridan Pool, and great grandchild Jeanne May Pool. Lyndell was an amazing musician, playing mandolin throughout his life with the Old Time Fiddler's Assn. and in various bluegrass or C&W bands around the Ventura County area. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who loved and always provided for his family. Lyndell was also gracious with his time and would help family, friends, and neighbors whenever there was a need. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Lyndell's memory to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Ventura County.
The above for Lyndell was published in the Ventura County Star in February 2021.
Robert “Bob” A. Martin, Jr.
August 1, 1931- April 25, 2021
Robert A. Martin, Jr. ("Bob") was born in Cherokee County, SC on August 1, 1931 and passed peacefully to his heavenly home on April 25, 2021.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Hazel Mae Martin, his son Sam Martin, brother Don Martin, sisters Wilma Pugh and Darlene Preston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert A. and Lula P. Martin and sister Joyce Paris.
Bob grew up during the Great Depression, joined the Navy as a young man and served as a Sea Bee in the Philippines until his honorable discharge in Port Hueneme, Ca. where he met and married Hazel Mae Wilkins. They settled in Ventura, Ca. He worked hard in the oil tool industry for a few years, then worked for Southern California Gas Company as a welder, inspector and then in management for 30 years until his retirement. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, camping, archery, surfing, scuba diving, sailing, hang gliding and playing and singing country music as a member of the California State Old Time Fiddlers Assn., and various musical organizations, including Songmakers, Ventura Ukulele Club and his own family band, The Martin Boys with his son and brother. He was proficient on the guitar, mandolin, ukulele and standup bass fiddle as well as being a great county singer and entertainer.
A devout Christian family man, Bob raised his own son as well as his four siblings after the early passing of their mother. He was a humble man with a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. He will be greatly missed by all who new and loved him.
The above was published in the Ventura County Star April, 2021
Update - Hazel Mae Martin, wife of Bob, passed away April, 2022.
Michael John Beckett
April 5, 1959- December 26, 2020
Michael John Beckett was called to heaven on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at St. John's Regional Medical Center unexpectedly from cardiac arrest. Mike was born on April 5, 1959 to Floyd and Vonda Beckett in Port Hueneme, CA. He was preceded in death by his mom, Vonda Beckett. He is survived by his Dad, Floyd Beckett (95), his children, daughters Laura (Bobby) Vance and Michele (Josh) Craig and son, Jeremiah Beckett, 3 sisters, Shirl Beckett, Carol "Niece" Beckett and Judy (Marvin) Boos and 7 grandchildren, Dylan Franklin Bucknam, Kylie Marie Bucknam, Kayden Nicholas Donoho, Launa Nycole Bucknam, Joshua Orion Craig, Colton James Craig, and Logan Eugene Tebou along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Mike was a native to Ventura County. He was magnetic, making friends wherever he went, he carried a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh that was unmatched. Mike enjoyed spending time with his Dad, listening to country music. You could always find Mike being outdoors, surfing the local beaches, playing on various baseball teams, participating in corporate games, golfing, and playing basketball. He also loved playing pool and listening to music.
Additionally, he ran his own business M & J Maintenance. He enjoyed vacationing in San Diego and Palm Springs with his family while raising his children.
Mike was active in the community serving as Executive Chair for Wilson Neighborhood Council when living on "F" Street. He led different programs for the Historic Neighborhood for F&G Street in Oxnard such as putting the flags on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. He also started the clean your neighborhood program delivering dumpsters to neighborhoods and having the City clean up the graffiti.
He began his career at the Adventist Hospital in 1981 as an Engineer and worked his way up to Supervisor. He then took a position as Director of Facilities for Pleasant Valley Hospital in 1989 and that facility was acquired by CHW in 1992 where he was then promoted to Director of Facilities for Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John's Regional Medical Center. He then took a position for the County of Santa Barbara as Director of Facilities in 1998 and office at the County Courthouse in Santa Barbara's Anapuma Street. He retired in 2000 due to health reasons.
He will be immensely missed by his family, friends, and community. Until we meet again, we will carry you in our hearts for a lifetime.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, no pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
At this time, a memorial service date has not been set and Mike will be brought home to his family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Michael Beckett:
P.O. Box 7023
Merrifield, VA 22116
Phone: 1-800-DIABETES
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
Phone: 1-800-AHA-USA1
Published in Ventura County Star from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10, 2021
Lady Rae and Lyndell Pool
Raynetta “ Lady Rae” Ruth Huffman
Feb 3, 1923 - Aug 8, 2020
The following tribute was written by Kathy Huffman and was published in the Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association Aug-Sept 2020 newsletter
Lady Rae was playing her fiddle at a jam in her front yard two days before she had her stroke. That’s the fiddler she was....playing music to the end with her friends. So many people will miss this lovely lady but she left a beautiful legacy.
Raynetta “Rae’ Ruth Huffman, a “Native Daughter”, was born in Redlands, California. She had 3 sisters and one brother (all deceased). She is survived by two children, Kathy Rae Huffman, Oxnard, and Jim Huffman, White Plains, MD. She has a granddaughter, one grandson, 8 great grandchildren and 3 great great-grandchildren.
Rae began playing the violin when she was 10 years old. She studied classical music in school and performed in numerous orchestras in her younger years. She also played the French Horn and was part of the Redlands High School Marching Band, along with 2 sisters and her brother.
When she was 17 (and a senior in high school) she eloped and secretly married her 19-year-old, long-time sweetheart Ross Huffman. Ross joined the US Navy in 1941 and was part of the WWII North African campaign. Upon his discharge, he worked for the Huffman family orange growing business in Redlands, on site in a 100-year-old drafty farmhouse. Both Ross and Rae were members (and past presidents) of the American Legion Post 107 in Redlands. A Navy Reservist, Ross was recalled into active duty in 1952, and became part of the Seabees Mobile Construction Battalion in Port Hueneme, California. Among other places, the Huffman’s spent 6 years in San Diego and 3 years in Japan where Ross was stationed at the Atsugi Naval Air Station and the family lived in Yokohama. The Huffman’s returned to Oxnard in early 1964, where Ross, at one time Command Master Chief at the Port Hueneme base, remained on active duty until he retired in 1971.
When Ross was deployed to Vietnam in 1966, Rae decided it was a good time for her to realize a dream. She attended Ventura College, passed her state board exams, and became a licensed Registered Nurse in 1970. She continued to maintain her license into her early 90’s, which required completing 30 units of continued education every two years (not an easy task especially considering her age). Rae was the charge nurse at Glenwood Skilled Nursing in Oxnard for several years and had private duty patients.
Rae and Ross joined the Old Time Fiddler’s District 8 in 1977. This is when she learned to play ”old time fiddle” style music. Fiddle contests became a big part of their life. Over the years, Rae & Ross both held numerous positions in Dist. 8 and in the State Old Time Fiddlers organization. After Ross retired, the Huffman’s traveled in their motor home around the USA, mostly to attend fiddle contests or fiddle camp outs. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a huge music party at the Poinsettia Pavilion in 1990. Ross died in 1995, but during their 55 years of marriage, music was always a central focus. Rae won many trophies during her contest years but the one she was most proud of was the 1979 State Championship trophy. Rae and Marvin Johnson also won a State Twin Fiddle Championship. Rae was a certified California State Judge. Rae loved the Fiddle Contests at District 8. She always encouraged the fiddle kids and enjoyed watching these kids grow up. Rae also played the piano and the ukulele. What most people never knew, however well she played, or how many times she was in a contestant, for all gigs she played, Rae was always extremely nervous before performing!
Rae was a Lifetime Member of the California State Old Time Fiddlers and the first Lifetime Member of the Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association.
It would be impossible to count how many times over her lifetime that Rae had played at jams, at community events, for veterans, for seniors, for friends. Even when she was dealing with her own health issues she never said no when asked to play somewhere. Lady Rae was the focal musician at our OTCBGMA shows. She always opened the show. Rae was the main reason this association was started, so that she would have a place to play among friends and an audience. She has touched the lives of so many people. She brought a smile to the faces of everyone who heard her play. Our lives will never be the same without Lady Rae's music and friendship. Our organization, our band, our lives will always have an empty spot where she used to be. But she left a beautiful legacy and we will forever remember our Lady Rae.
Richard “Rick” Paul McGrath
1948- August 3, 2020
Richard Paul McGrath was born in 1948 and raised in Rockville Centre, NY. Rick was a sweet, kind and honorable man. At the age of 15, Rick's father bought Rick his first banjo, a 5-string Vega from Manny's in NYC, NY. Rick was a musician's musician. Rick taught himself to play Bluegrass Banjo and at the same time met his true love, Joanne, in high school. No wonder Rick did so poorly in school! He earned a B.A. from St. John's University in Queens, NY.
Rick continued to hone his banjo skills, while teaching himself to play the pedal steel guitar. He joined the music scene in and around NY as a steel guitar player. In the 1970's, he joined the band Cross Country, a musical group founded by The Tokens (The Lion Sleeps Tonight). They opened for The Rolling Stones, appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand.
In 1979, country music exploded in NM and Rick moved to Albuquerque, where he had gigs playing at honkytonks, roadside bars, clubs and casinos. Rick married and briefly moved to Nashville to do some recording before returning to Albuquerque. Rick recorded with many Country, Bluegrass and Spanish musicians, doing studio work and playing pedal steel guitar for radio jingles.
Joanne and Rick reunited after 35 years and Joanne joined Rick in NM where they married. Rick also taught pedal steel guitar, bluegrass banjo and dobro from his home. After supporting himself as a musician for more than 40 years, Rick received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in 2010. Rick continued to play pedal steel guitar as a professional musician until Jan 2015, practicing his beloved 'steel' and his banjo every evening.
Rick and Joanne moved to Ventura, CA in May 2015. Rick loved to go to the Poinsettia Pavilion to see Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association and Oak View Community Center to see Old Time Fiddlers Assocation, District 8 every month. Rick had been living in Ventura Grand Chateau since March of this year, just as COVID-19 hit. Rick developed complications from Alzheimer's and was under hospice care for 10 days. Rick passed away on August 3, during the full moon phase, just as he would have wanted.
We would like to thank Ventura Grand Chateau for their care and compassion taking care of Rick, especially with the added stress of COVID-19. They kindly put up with Joanne's visits weekly outside the fence so she could see Rick. We would also like to thank Hospice Care of the Valley for their guidance during Rick's last few days.
Rick is survived by his first love, Joanne, his daughter, Laura McGrath Forbes, two twin granddaughters, Lilly and Jaq, step daughters, Cagney and Britta Duffy, brothers John (Karen), Tim (Reidun) and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & Virginia McGrath, sisters MaryGay McGrath and Terry Winfield.
"I have late night conversations with the moon. He tells me about the sun and I tell him about you". Author S. L. Gray
The above was published in the Ventura County Star in August, 2020.