Issue date: May 19, 1999
V.J. (Barney) Moran
Mr. Moran served as a chief specialist in the U.S. Navy Department in Washington, D.C., for five years. While there, he married Norma Rude, a native San Franciscan. The couple subsequently moved to San Francisco before settling in Menlo Park in 1949.
Mr. Moran joined James D. Dole & Associates, a management company, in 1947, and served as secretary/treasurer of several small companies before retiring in 1978.
When he had lived in Menlo Park for just one year, he was accidentally listed by the county's health department as the county's second polio death of 1950. He contacted reporters himself to say he was still very much alive, and said later that he had been amused by the mix-up, but saddened that friends had been upset by the mistake.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Rude Moran; and children Patrick Moran and Nancy Hansen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
Laura Johnson
Mrs. Johnson was born in Manti, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah where she was a member of the Honorary Society and Chi Omega sorority. After graduation, she moved to Northern California where she met her husband, Lund Johnson. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1936. Mr. Johnson died in 1987.
Mrs. Johnson was an active member of the LDS church all her life, writing road shows and teaching literary lessons in Relief Society. She wrote original poetry and could recite hundreds of poems from memory, family members say.
The Johnsons lived in the Mother Lode country for 15 years after Mr. Johnson's retirement, moving back to the Bay Area in 1986. Mrs. Johnson dedicated her life to her family, was a lover of nature and "the simple life," family members say.
Survivors include three children: Judy Brigham of Los Altos, Jill Smith of Palo Alto, and Lund Johnson of Pocatello, Idaho; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Services were at the Menlo Park Latter-day Saints Stake Center and interment at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements were by Roller and Hapgood Funeral Home.
Eloise Gannon
Mrs. Gannon was born in Ukiah, where her mother was a member of the pioneering Cunningham family. She attended Dominican College in San Rafael, Armstrong Business College in the East Bay, and was trained as a dental assistant.
The Gannon family moved to Atherton 47 years ago. She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church for 36 years, a longtime member of Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, Moneybags (an investment group), and she belonged to several bridge groups.
"She played duplicate, any kind of bridge and she was very good," recalls her son Tom. She was also known as a loyal Giants fan, and in earlier years, never missed an opening day. "She was a strong supporter of Willie McCovey," says her son.
Survivors include her husband, Philip E. Gannon, partner in Keller & Gannon, a consulting engineering firm in San Francisco; and five children: Ann Arsenault of Gold Beach, Oregon; Terese Wright of Lodi; Thomas Gannon of Novato; and Maureen Riedy and Philip Gannon Jr., both of San Anselmo. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; a sister Catherine Golden of Ukiah, sister-in-law Gabriella Thomas of San Francisco, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Dominican College Alumnae Relations, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael, CA. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Menlo Park, with arrangements by Redwood Chapel, Redwood City.
R. Sutton Myers
Mr. Myers spent his entire working life in the steamship business, both afloat and ashore in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago. He was a member of the class of 1931 at the University of California at Berkeley.
Mr. Myers is survived by his children Sally M. Hodge of Bartlett, Illinois; Margaret G. Becker of Long Grove, Illinois; Robert S. Myers of Santa Monica; and Elizabeth F. Myers of San Francisco; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
No services will be held. Mr. Myers's ashes will be scattered at sea.
Richard Starr
A native of Illinois, Mr. Starr was an avid hunter and fisherman, his family says. He was a retired city of Menlo Park employee.
He is survived by his wife Angelina; children Thomas, Ronald and Nancy Hackler; and four grandchildren.
A visitation also will be held Friday, May 14, at 10:30 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Raymond Catholic Church, 1100 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park.
Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Mid-Peninsula branch, 1475 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, CA 95008.
Aubrey Fairfax
Mr. Fairfax grew up in Marin County and San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Navy as an aviator during World War II and graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School. He lived in Menlo Park, then Palo Alto, practicing law in Palo Alto.
Mr. Fairfax married his first wife, Norma, in 1955 and was with her until her death in 1987. He married his second wife, Marian, in 1992 and together they moved to Prescott, Arizona. Mr. Fairfax enjoyed being in the outdoors, fishing, playing dominoes and working in his garden. He had a great sense of humor and a sharp mind through his final days, say family members.
Mr. Fairfax is survived by his wife, Marian; son, Ray; daughter, Susanne; and sister, Barbara Phinney.
Donations may be made to Sempervirens Fund, Drawer BE, Los Altos, CA 94023.
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