Alumnus: Bonnie Hejduk, 1953–2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1971

 

Stanfield—Bonnie Jean Hejduk, 57, of Stanfield died on Aug. 30, 2010, at home. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall in Casa Grande. Ms. Hejduk was born on Feb. 9, 1953, in Stillwater, Okla. She was a housekeeper and worked for six years at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino Resort. She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. She was a friend to all and a loving grandmother.

Survivors include her husband, Paul R. Brooks; a son, Monte A. Hejduk of Stanfield; a brother, Charles A. Hejduk of Stanfield; a sister, Rosa M. Wisler of Lake Villa, Ill.; and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph A. and Zelma L. Hejduk.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements. 

 

Dignity Memorial

 

 

Alumnus: Paul Rugg, 1953–2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1971, no senior photograph; 1968 freshman photograph

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul was born in Casa Grande AZ, the fifth and the youngest child of Oliver Willis Rugg and Mary Sligh Rugg. He grew up in a farming and dairying environment where he learned to love the outdoors and its animals.

After school in Casa Grande he graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute, he then moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona.

A man of many talents, Paul had a variety of jobs, enjoyed traveling, moved to Colorado to work in the tech industry and returned to Arizona to farm again. This is where he met Marsha, the love of his life. After marrying, they moved to California and found home in the Santa Cruz Mountains where he worked in the up-and-coming tech sector. And later the medical field. Paul loved living in California and truly found his home here.

Paul loved life and sharing it with his friends and family. He took up horseback riding and flying which brought him great joy. He always was a loyal and caring friend and had many. As a friend, he always made sure to keep in touch. He had a great sense of humor and was always fun to be around.

Paul’s proudest role was being a father to his three children, Austin, Savannah, and Shelby. His wife and children were his reason for being. He was a great father and loving husband. Being a grandfather to Camille and Capri was also a great joy for him. He is also survived by his brother Bill Rugg, and three sisters Cynthia, Hazel and Mary Louise.

There will be a big hole in our hearts now that our Paul is gone. We will remember his raucous laugh when playing cards, and his joyous smile always. Miss you.

Paul passed away on August 16th, 2022.

Green Valley Mortuary & Cemetery

Alumnus: David Halbison, 1953–2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1971

 

David Anthony Halbison, Jr., age 64, passed away on November 9, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. David was born in Casa Grande, Arizona on November 14, 1953 to David (Sr.) and Marlene Halbison; the second of eight children. He moved to Sacaton, AZ as a small child and attended school in Casa Grande. As a youth, David played football, worked at ‘Arizona Traders’ (the family grocery store), and upon graduating from high school joined the Army National Guard.

After his military service, he returned home to work in his father’s store until it was destroyed by fire in 1991. Following the fire David switched careers, going to work for Frito Lay, where he was recognized multiple times for his exceptional sales leadership. After 26 years, David retired to spend more time with his growing family.

In 1988, David married LaDawn Flake and his three children and her five children became their children. With the arrival of their two daughters, Kelli and Ashley, the family was complete.

David’s life was one filled with service to his family, friends, and church. He served as a worker for five years in the Mesa and Gilbert temples, he cleaned and maintained the San Tan church building, and he served in a variety of church callings. David loved being outdoors in the White Mountains and on the beach at Rocky Point. He was an outstanding softball player, an ace handyman, and most recently, an off-road racer in his side-by-side ATV. He will be remembered for his faith, work ethic, endearing humor, and kind heart.

David is survived by his wife of 30 years, LaDawn Flake Halbison; children and spouses, David Halbison III (Kelly), Kirk Halbison (Brooke), Jimmy Halbison (Kacey), Kelli Porter (Brandt), Ashley Fitzpatrick (Vaughn), Shauna Jarvis (Brad), Brian Carpenter (Jennifer), Heather Arave (Dustin), Crystal Brown (Peter), and Steven Carpenter (Kelly); brother, Matt; sisters, Donna (Kirke), Mary, Lori (Mark), Lacy, and Jennifer (Mat); 32 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, David and Marlene, and sister, Debbie.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10:30am at the Partridge Ward Chapel, 4346 South Val Vista Drive, Gilbert, Arizona 85297, with a viewing beginning at 9:00am. A graveside service will immediately follow at San Tan Memorial Gardens, 22425 East Cloud Road, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142.

Condolences and flowers can be sent to Bunker’s Garden Chapel at 33 North Centennial Way, Mesa, Arizona 85201.

Bunker Family Funerals

 

 

 

Alumnus: Ted Walker, 1953–2026

 

Class of 1971

Dignity Memorial

Ted Walker, 73, passed away, May 10, 2026 in Tucson, Arizona. Born and raised in Casa Grande, Arizona. His life was rooted in his deep abiding faith in God, his values of hard work, and the love and laughter of his family and friends.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife Josephine Echeverria Walker after 44 years of loving marriage. He found love again and blended his family with his beloved wife Sonia Walker and her devoted family.

He is survived by his wife Sonia Walker; his brother John Walker with his wife Gaye Walker; his daughters, Erica Walker Maran with Michael Maran, Sarah Walker VanPelt with her husband Miguel Lara, and Leigh Walker-Hardt with her husband Clay Hardt. He also leaves behind Sonia’s three well beloved children, nine amazing grandchildren, two adorable step grandchildren, four darling great grandchildren and two newest members on the way. All of whom brought him tremendous pride and joy.

Ted spent more than 30yrs in the construction business and was known for his strong work ethic and ability to do just about anything that he put his mind to even when they said he couldn’t. As a youngster he worked alongside his father and brothers during harvest. In high school he performed in musicals and was a member of The Casa Grande Union High School’s Blue Notes. He played football, basketball, and ran track. He was an extremely smart, talented, and clever student. He received a football scholarship and attended college in New Mexico. Later in his 20’s he worked on his father-in-law’s potato farm and helped with the sheep herding. All of these experiences shaped the hardworking cowboy and creative spirit that he carried through his life.

Ted was certainly a one of a kind, a hard-working man’s man. He was an accomplished cattle roper who loved his horses and the western way of life. He took pride in his appearance with his fresh pressed button downs and wranglers, well-kept boots, and his signature cowboy hat—complete with rules on how to handle it. He definitely had opinions on how a cowboy ought to carry himself.

He also was an incredibly gifted musician – a talented singer, pianist, and guitarist who could pick up nearly any stringed instrument and play it by ear. He loved music and storytelling. His quick-witted remarks brought a great deal of laughter to the people around him. He was charming and funny with a wonderfully cheeky sense of humor that people will not easily forget.

Above all Ted had a powerful faith in his loving God. He spent many years studying scripture and teaching Bible studies. He loved sharing his faith with others. His accomplishments and talents are simply too many to fit in one obituary, but he made an amazing impact on those who love him that will last for generations.

The funeral services will be held in Casa Grande, Arizona at Trinity Southern Baptist Church, Friday May 22. The viewing will start at 11am with the service following at 12pm. Located at 1100 E Trinity Pl, Casa Grande, AZ 85122—https://trinitycg.org

He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and often laughed about—exactly as he would have wanted.

Alumnus: Kenny James, 1953–2025

 

Class of 1971 

 

Kenneth Robert James, 72, also known to many as Kenny or Bubba, died on Oct. 21, 2025.

Mr. James was born on June 14, 1953, in Florence and was a son of Della Evelyn and Wesley Paul James. The family lived in Coolidge and moved to Casa Grande when he was 14. He graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1971.

He became a licensed plumber and owned a company, James & Associates. Later in life, he joined the Teamsters Union and enjoyed working in the movie business driving actors to filming locations. He had many good friends in the film industry including actor Robert John Taylor, star of the “Longmire” TV series. His dream job was to be a gold treasure hunter, and he was enthralled with searching for gold. Throughout his life he was very friendly and known for his sense of humor. His responsible nature drew people to him, and he was very loyal to his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Meek; a son, Ryan James; a brother, Steve James; a sister, Shelly James; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother and sister, Walter "Duke" and Shelly James.

Celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, at Trinity Southern Baptist Church, with reception following at the reception hall.

Casa Grande Dispatch, November 7, 2025

1953 Yearbook

The Cougar 1953
Class Photographs

 

 

Alumnus: Nathan Davis, 1953–2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 1971

 

Nathan Davis of Mesa, Arizona passed away from this life into eternal life on Friday, July 18, 2025 in Boron, CA on his next adventure with his wife to Lincoln City, Oregon for rest and relaxation in the cool beach breeze. Born August 4, 1953 in Casa Grande, he graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 1971. He graduated from Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ in 1978. Nathan completed his seminary education at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, CA with a Master’s of Religious Education Degree in 1987.

Following his calling to the ministry, Nathan served in churches in the capacity of Minister of Music, Education and Youth in the states of Arizona, California and Arkansas.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jan Davis of Mesa, AZ; siblings, Joe Davis (Shivani) of Gilbert, AZ; Laura Stevens (Jerry) of Bend, OR; Rena Thornhill (Jack) of Maricopa, AZ; Nina Foster of Mesa, AZ; Richard E. Standridge, MD (Janet) of Chandler, AZ. He leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews and his church kids from over 25 years of ministry. He was preceded in death by his parents, AB (Benjie) Davis (Wanda); Ann Damron (Hobart); sister, Bobbie Barnes.

Celebration of Life will be held, Saturday, July 26 at 1:pp PM Trinity Southern Baptist Church, 1100 E. Trinity Place, Casa Grande, AZ 85122. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall for all from 2:00–4:00 for a time of light refreshments and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, at Nathan’s request, donations can be made to the Arizona Baptist Children’s Services and Family Ministries (ABCS). Website: https://abcs.org/donate. Mailing address: 1779 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712. Please have donors write in the “additional info” box (online) and on the memo line (checks) “in memory of Nathan Davis.” This will allow ABCS to identify donations and supply donor listing to Jan Davis within a 3-month period.

Interment will be at a later date.