The Humboldt Sun - June 19, 2008

MR. WINSTON B. NAPIER

Winston Blue NaPier, Aug. 10, 1940 — June 7, 2008
Winston Blue NaPier passed away on June 7, 2008, after a courageous battle with throat cancer. Winston was encircled by the love and admiration of his family when he left. He remained responsive, loving and encouraging to the very end.

Winston loved his family. He was always generous and forgiving and encouraged their inherent creativity and talents. He offered sound advice and wisdom in coping with life's problems. He enjoyed getting together with family and friends, parties, barbecues, outdoors and the sun. He loved music, literature and art and he shared this with everyone in his life. He always encouraged his family to "have fun!" He was very intelligent, creative, talented and resourceful. Although blind for much of his life, he never complained or let it hold him back. He devised his own means of coping with this and with the cancer he battled for the last two years.

Winston was born in Grand Island, Neb. His family moved to Riverside, Calif, when he was in junior high. He graduated from Poly Tech High School, Riverside City College and the University of Nebraska. After graduating, Winston taught high school English and Spanish in Riverside. After several years Winston took a break from teaching. He played the conga drums in bands, traveled, painted and wrote fiction. He then worked in construction and roofing in Riverside.

Returning to teaching he taught High School English, Spanish and Publications in McDermitt. He coached junior high basketball and remained true to his belief that every team member deserved to play in every game. He retired from teaching due to progressive blindness from Retinitis Pigmentosa.

In retirement he took classes in advanced Spanish, pottery and poetry at Arizona State University. He played the conga drums in a popular band from Phoenix who went on to play at several clubs in Okinawa and Tokyo. Eventually Winston returned to McDermitt to be close to his grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

His love of family and life lives on in his brother, Michael NaPier, daughter Gillian Marie NaPier, son, Andrew Winston NaPier, daughter-in-law, Sonja NaPier. Beloved grandchildren: Willie Blue, Dawn Marie, Winston Wayne and Hudson Blue. Also loved by sisters: Alexa Jane NaPier, Shelley NaPier and nieces Casey and Claire, many friends and extended family.

We are grateful to "Dan," Dad, Cramps and G-pa. He taught us all so much, made us who we are today and makes us want to strive to be better. Thanks to him we will continue to always learn and enjoy life. We all love him so much.

MRS. DOROTHY E. NEELEY

Dorothy Elizabeth (Beason) Neeley passed away at her home on Oct. 12, 2007. Dorothy was a loving wife, sister, mother and grandmother. Additionally, she was an avid cook, photographer, volunteer and reader. She moved to Battle Mountain in the fall of 1957 and settled in to stay after an early childhood of moving along the WP track with her father as he worked for the railroad.

After short stints with retail, The Donut Shop, Midway, and Smokey’s and public health care, Luella North, Dorothy found her life’s work as a school librarian. She worked for the Lander County School District for 30 years. During her life, she chaired the Battle Mountain Arts Presenters and the Lander County Republican Party. Her favorite community activity was the Crab Feed fundraiser. This activity allowed her to cook volumes of food for an appreciative audience while raising money to bring art to Battle Mountain. Her favorite pastime in her retirement was acting as “Velma” in Scooby Doo reenactments with her grandchildren playing the parts of “Fred” and “Daphne.” Her favorite season was Christmas and she began planning for the next one on New Year’s Day as she took down decorations.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, LeRoy, her sister and brother, Sharon and Junior, her daughters, Tammy, Cindy and Nancy and her grandchildren, Rachel and Erik.

A celebration of her life will take place at her home on Oct. 16, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.