June 22, 1968 - December 6, 1999 

IN MEMORIAM PAUL BARBIC 

We miss you more each passing day; you were the shining light in our midst. Do not think of him as gone, his journey has just begun. Life holds so many facets, this earth is merely one. Just think of him as resting from the sorrow and the tears, In a place of peace and comfort where there are no days or years. Think how he must be wishing that we could know today, How nothing but our sadness can really pass away. Think of him as living In the hearts of those he touched. For nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much. With Love, Chessy, Mom, Dad and your siblings 

July 27, 1967-May 27, 2014

Bettancourt, Joseph John, 46, of Boise, died Tuesday, May 27th at a local hospital in Boise due to natural causes. Arrangements are under the direction of Cremation Society of Idaho.

Published by Idaho Statesman on May 29, 2014.

1968-2021

Douglas Bryce Biddle January 30, 1968 – March 13, 2021 Resident of Santa Cruz On Saturday, March 13, 2021, Douglas Bryce Biddle passed away unexpectedly at his home in Santa Cruz, California at the age of 53. Born the youngest of four to Alta and Bryce Biddle in 1968, Doug was a Santa Cruz native with proud Westside roots. After graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1986, Doug went on to dedicate 30 years of service to the fire department—10 years for the City of Santa Cruz, and another 20 for the City of San Jose. As a fire engineer for most of his time with the department, Doug found real honor and dignity in his career as a fireman.

Doug was married to Sybil Bei from 1993 to 2016 and together they raised four beautiful children, Siena, Jack, Pearl, and Sam. As a father, Doug enjoyed family hikes, pool yard barbeques, creative holiday traditions, trips to major league ballparks, and most importantly, coaching his children’s sport teams. His leadership and charisma shined through in his coaching of Little League Baseball, Gals Softball, and youth soccer teams. He even won the Santa Cruz Little League Coach on the Year Award on two separate occasions.

With his slick red hair, quick wit, and often inappropriate humor, Doug brought an unmistakable energy with him into every room he entered. He had a certain comforting presence about him and was exceedingly generous; at times he would pay off the student lunch debt at local elementary, middle, and high schools. Doug had a deep appreciation for live music and a wide range of musical tastes, with his favorite bands being Rush and Iron Maiden. This love for music made him a big supporter of the local music scene, where you could usually find him among friends in the “front row, yo!” He was also a self-taught chef who loved to cook giant buffet-style meals—which usually included “the best chicken you’ll ever have in your life”—for celebrations and gatherings with family and friends. Doug was a committed Oakland Raiders fan and came to enjoy surf fishing at 26th Avenue beach in his later years.

There was never a dull moment with Doug. He was strong-willed, passionate, and in many ways, a pillar of the local community. Doug is survived by his four children, Siena, Jack, Pearl, and Sam, his three siblings, Kevin, Mike, and Shannon, his mother, Alta, his best friend, Clark, and his beloved dog, Chili. The family will hold a private service for Doug at a later date.

1968-1994

Services will be Monday for Virgil C. Corelison Jr., who died Tuesday in Porterville. He was 26. 

Mr. Cornelison, a native of Arcata, lived in Santa Cruz from age 3 until moving to the Porterville area three years ago. A 1986 graduate of Santa Cruz High School, Mr. Cornelison was a football enthusiast. 

He is survived by his wife, Alecia Cornelison of Porterville; his parents, Emogene and Virgil Cornelison Sr. of Santa Cruz; one sister, Sherri Dixon of Scots Valley; his maternal grandmother, Mary Clayton of Lemoore; two nephews; and numerous aunts, cousins, and uncles.

1968 - 2025

Dena was born in Santa Cruz on August 8, 1968 to Richard Crescini and Brenda Crescini (Hudson). Dena spent her earliest years living in Aptos and moved to the west side of Santa Cruz in 1979. Dena also had lived briefly in San Louis Obispo and Seaclif when she was younger. Dena attended Natural Bridges elementary, Mission Hills Junior High, Santa Cruz High School, and the Ark Continuation School. Dena decided to attend Wayne’s College of Beauty and graduated in January 1986 and went on to have a successful career in cosmotology both in California and Missouri.

Dena married Robert Waite in March of 1988 and they welcomed a daughter, Deannda, later that year. The couple went on to have a second daughter, Larissa, in June of 1991. Dena, with her husband, children, and mother, moved to Southwest Missouri in 1995 where they owned property and homes. Dena was a passionate animal lover! The family raised basset hounds and horses. Dena got great pleasure watching her girls participate in ranch style horse riding competitions around Southwest Missouri. 

Dena retired early from a 12 year career working as a case manager authorizing Medicaid and SNAP benefits for the State of Missouri’s Department of Social Services. The last years of her life were spent volunteering for the local Democratic National Committee supporting candidates and causes she was passionate about.  Dena was also an avid fundraiser for several local, no-kill animal shelters and worked as a pet foster-parent. 

In April 2025, Dena was diagnosed with a rapid onset and rapidly progressing pulmonary disease. Unfortunately, she was determined ineligible for lung transplantation due to various physical conditions. Dena passed peacefully in hospital in Springfield, Missouri on June 20, 2025 with her family at her side.

1968-2008

Mark Edward Gordon, AKA “Fumark”, passed away on Monday, January 21, 2008 in his home with family and friends by his side. He was 39 years old.

Mark sculpted a unique world; a world of film, music, art, literature, and soft cheesy foods. He was nothing if not wide ranging in his passions. Blade Runner and the Fountain stood beside Rumble in the Bronx and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. In his home one could as easily hear Porcupine Tree, Peter Gabriel, or Abba. Mark was an avid collector whose vast accumulations included the finest genre literature, Manga Comics, Gundam Robots, fine art, pop art; from Steven King to Frank Miller, from Klimpt to Dr. Seuss, he loved it all. But Mark was more than his plethora of interests and an encyclopedic repository of arcane knowledge. He was first and foremost, a man of extraordinary intellect, compassion, and character. Mark’s toughness and compassion was an inspiration to all of those who came into his circle, but to be true to Mark, we must recall that his greatest love was reserved for his wife Victoria, his son Josh, and his family and innumerable friends.

He is survived by his wife Victoria, his son Josh, and his parents Jeanne and Charles Gordon of Centralia, Washington. He is also survived by his sister Melissa Lowrey, her husband Mike, their children Nick, Alyson, and Samantha of Tumwater, Washington, and his sister Ashley Gordon and her son Brayden of Lawton, Oklahoma. He is additionally survived by his father-in-law Richard Johnson and mother-in-law Alma Johnson, brother-in-law Mike “MJ” Johnson and sister-in-laws Shari and Jenny Johnson, nephews Ben, Mikey, Nate and precious little Cayden.

Dec 2, 1967 - May 13, 1995

Services are Thursday for Donald Arthur Johnson, who died Saturday at his home in Aptos of melanoma. He was 27.

Mr. Johnson was born in Eugene, Ore. and had lived in Santa Cruz for the past 13 years. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1986 and was in his senior year at San Jose State University, majoring in meterology at the time of his illness.

He worked as a cashier for Long's Drugs for many years. He was an avid baseball fan, particularly of the Kansas City Royals.

He is survived by his parents, the Rev. Darrell and Jan Johnson of Aptos; his maternal grandmother, Marian Gray of Santa Cruz; his paternal grandmother, Noma Johnson of Kent, Wash.; two sisters, Lisa Johnson of Aptos and Diana Johnson of Ben Lomond.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz, 900 High St. A private graveside service will take place prior to the church service. Norman's Family Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Contributions to Christian Church of Northern California, Young Adult Council, 111 "A" Fairmont Ave., Oakland, 94511 or to the FIrst Congregational Church of Santa Cruz, 900 High St., Santa Cruz, 95060, are preferred.

Dec. 12, 1967 – June 1, 2017 

Bytheal Demery Ratliff, dedicated husband, loving father, brother, friend, mentor and coach to many was born December 12,1967 and passed June 1st 2017. Born in Columbia Mississippi, Son of Joseph Ratliff and Zelma Alfred Fennell. The oldest of two children, brother to Annissa Ratliff-Morris. Bytheal Ratliff a long time Santa Cruzan spent his entire life in Santa Cruz, an alumni of Santa Cruz High and Cabrillo College. Bytheal was known as an athlete of multiple sports, an all-star football player and football coach at Santa Cruz High. Bytheal was the Campus Supervisor, and coach of multiple sports at Shoreline Middle School the past 18 years. To the community of Santa Cruz in which Bytheal loved dearly, he was best known as the most caring, giving, loving, supportive Santa Cruzan, and mentor to thousands of Santa Cruz youth. He is best known for his gregarious smile and giving spirit. Bytheal Demery Ratliff is survived by his wife Lisa Ratliff, daughter Kayla Ratliff, son Deontae Ratliff, and daughter Teresa Banuelos, Mother Zelma Fennell and Step-Father William Fennell, and Father and Mother-in-law Ernie and Irma Banuelos. A Celebration for life service will be held for Bytheal Ratliff this Saturday June 17th, 2017 from 1-4pm at Kaiser Arena downtown Santa Cruz.

Jan 27, 1968 - Jan 15, 1993

A memorial service will be Saturday for Christopher Reeperd, an Aptos resident who died at home Friday. He was 24.

Born in Santa Cruz, Mr. Repperd graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1986. He was a disciplined, dedicated runner and held high expectations for himself and others.

He spent six years in Bolivia, where his parents taught in a missionary children's school. He loved Bolivia and its people and had hoped to return there.

After working at Custom Alloy of Santa Cruz for a number of years and attending Cabrillo College part time, he returned to school ful time in September to study engineering.

He attended Santa Cruz Bible Church and had recommitted his life to Christ in July.

He is survived by his parents, James and Patricia Repperd of Bonny Doon; his brother, Brandon Repperd of Santa Cruz; and his grandmother, Ruth Linton of Turlock.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz.

Contributions are preferred to Carachimpampa Christian Schoo, c/o SIM International, 1430 Choate Circle, Charlotte, N.C. 28273.

May 31, 1968 - Feb 4, 1989

1967-2021

Joren David Reed, age 53, was born July 12, 1967 to John and Kathleen (Kathi) Reed in San Francisco, California. He was the first of two children. He graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1984 and moved with his parents and brother that same year to Amherst, Massachusetts.

Characterized by his energetic nature, Joren was extremely creative, self-governing, and found joy in learning new things. Joren grew to love cars, cats, surfing, rock and roll, and sports. He became a devout fan of the Oakland Raiders, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was known for being highly intelligent, full of ideas, and for never sitting still. He was a skilled problem-solver and was extraordinarily detail-oriented. Whatever he did, he excelled at it. He was also gregarious, so he made new friends easily. Joren’s love of cars moved him to seek work in the auto-detailing industry, but because of his innate abilities, he quickly moved up to sales and then management and consultant positions. As a jack-of-all-trades he used his skills to restore furniture and remodel homes, leaving his creative mark on every place he lived (and more).

On November 1st, 1988, Joren married Kim DeShields, and on September 25th, 1991 they welcomed into the world their daughter, Alexis Reed. Alexis would be Joren’s only child, and became his pride and joy.

When John and Kathi Reed moved back to Santa Cruz, California in 2009, Joren shortly followed in order to be near and care for them. Back in Santa Cruz, he became known for his compassion toward people who were down on their luck. It was for this reason that Joren found and adopted Peaches, the rambunctious chihuahua, who would come to adore him even more than he adored her. Even as his health deteriorated, his determination to take care of those he loved continued characteristically strong until the end.

Joren transitioned in his home in Santa Cruz, California, the place that he loved so much and held so many dear memories, in January 2021. Joren is survived by his daughter Alexis, his parents, John and Kathleen, and his brother, Jason, aunt Cindy Eagan, first cousins Ryan and Paul Eagan, and first wife, Kim DeShields. A virtual ceremony celebrating the Life and Legacy of Joren Reed to be announced.

1968-2016

Jason Rexford Scofield passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 12, 2016 after a brief battle with a rare form of liver cancer. Jason's final days were spent in the company of family and friends, whose lives he had touched with his kind and generous nature.

Jason was born and raised in Santa Cruz, however he moved to Watsonville to raise his family. Jason will be remembered for his gentle nature and kindness towards others. He was a big guy, with an even bigger heart. He will be remembered as a loyal father, a kind hearted friend, a generous soul, a hard worker, and always a defender of the weak. Jason was a Union Hod Carrier, who often did much more than required. He was grateful to Bratton Masonry for giving him his bones in the trade. He went on to be involved in building Levi stadium, the Apple campus and Berkley College. In later years when work became scarce, Jason left the Union in search of steady work, and was retrained for private security.

Jason is survived by his loving wife Tonya of 16 years; his three cherished boys, Alex (7), Nathanel and Joseph (5); his mother, Suzanne Scofield; sister, Tonja Scofield; nieces, Morgan Medina, Rebecca Lieber and nephew Joseph Lieber, all of Santa Cruz. His mother-in-law, Linda Sim's; sisters in law; Selena and Pamela of Santa Cruz and Augustine of Hayward and brother-in-law, Michael.

December 13th 1967 – February 12th 2013 

Resident of Santa Cruz Julie Ann Wamsley passed away suddenly at a young age of 45. Born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA. She leaves behind her mother, Jan Wamsley, her sister, Laura Hunsaker, brother in law and niece, Jim Kaitlin Hunsaker. As well as her grandmother, Hazel Wamsley, her aunt, Sue Reese and many other relatives and tons of extended family members.(I wish I could list everones name that was important in Julie’s life. She was lucky to have touched so many people and so many people touched her).

Julie worked for Safeway on the westside of Santa Cruz for 24 years and I know will be greatly missed by her coworkers and customers. Julie had a heart of gold and was everyones “best friend”. Her passion was the water. She loved to scuba dive and everything that had to do with the ocean.