MEMORIAM
Our friends and members who have gone on. Lest we Forget.
Adams, Art 02/03/12
Adams, Stu 03/03/99
Agathangelou, Andy 03/25/00
Aros, Randy 09/23/97
Baker, B. S. “Stu” 11/18/00
Battard, Robert 08/05/06
Bourgiuignon, Edward 07/11/11
Bottoroff, Robert 07/09/97
Briggs, Frank 07/01/02
Buselmeier, Norman 07/19/93
Bush, Jimmy 12/14/01
Cameron, Charlie 12/13/04
Catalano, Norm 06/03/04
Chappell, Howard 04/08/07
Cochran, Billy Joe 08/01/92
Conti, Silvio 02/08/91
Corbit, Jerry 12/15/06
Corley, George 6/22/06
Cozzi, Mario 01/03/88
Cunningham, Don 10/02/07
Diosdado, Cesar 09/12/06
Donalson, Tom 10/30/11
Echols, Lee 01/07/95
Eckert, Richard 03/04/04
Ellis, Dave 02/09/12
Eskildsen, Carmen 08/17/00
Flur, Arthur 05/22/00
Forbey, Richard 02/18/08
Gates, Walter 10/06/10
Givins, John 04/10/96
Greppin, Neil 08/08/97
Grills, Joseph 09/17/04
Hella, Eino 08/09/08
Hightower, Buster 07/12/05
Holleron, George 10/02/95
Hughes, Bill 10/13/03
Johnson, Mel 09/20/08
Knierim, Bill 02/21/08
Knight, David 09/30/95
Landa, Ruben 04/17/98
Lasher, Bob 01/01/01
Latimer, Jerry 07/26/94
Logan, Ray 01/08/04
Lorentzen, Leon 04/30/11
Lozano, Maria 08/03/03
Magee, Bill 8/8/2011
Mahan, Murray 12/18/01
Maldonado, Frank 06/14/00
Mazurek, Ed 09/14/09
Maxcy, Jack 10/17/06
Miley, Ken 10/03/02
Molittieri, John 08/09/09
Morgan, Murrell 09/01/96
McCombs, Doug 08/02/06
Mentzer, Cliff 10/21/03
Nichols, Phillip 08/14/90
Norsworthy, Norm 05/02/96
Ochoa, Eloy 06/26/04
Parker, Lamar 02/09/12
Patton, Fred 03/08/01
Price, Jake 01/25/90
Pugh, Gene 02/06/09
Quinlan, Dick 1997
Rainsberger, Robert 01/21/99
Ramiriz, Armando
Reay, Herb 01/31/09
Reese, Warren 04/29/95
Rice, Jerry 06/17/04
Richards, Fen 03/05/02
Riggs, Lee 03/03/12
Rody, Fred 09/30/90
Salley, Dick 02/19/11
Salter, Jack 09/13/06
Simmons, Earl 08/31/92
Sprague, Thomas 11/09/11
Stowell, Don 02/09/03
Van Diver, John 03/14/05
Van Nest, James 03/14/05
Skelton, Skeeter 01/17/88
Van Matre, Bruce 09/02/00
Vasquez, Gustavo 10/19/09
Voliva, John 07/01/97
Waddill, Tom 05/19/99
Watkins, Dick 05/19/04
White, Gene 08/10/89
Whitworth, Howard 02/02/01
Wilkey, Judge 08/15/09
Yates, David 09/09/00
Sound
TOM DONALSON
Another friend is gone. Tom died October 30, 2011 at his home in Sahuarita. Unclear exactly where, I understand he had been in Hospice for a short time.
Tom joined the Border Patrol at Los Angeles, California in 1949 and was stationed at Yuma till he entered the Customs Agency Service there in 1959, serving at Yuma, Arizona and San Ysidro, California.
In 1973, drafted into the newly organized DEA, he elected to return to Customs as Patrol Director in San Ysidro. He served in that position till retirement in 1984.
Tom did not attend the Border Patrol Academy receiving his training at Yuma. As he said, “I was loaded onto a bus in Los Angeles, transported to Yuma with some fourteen or fifteen other PI Trainees. When we arrived in Yuma, someone stuck a shovel in my hand and for the many months following, I and my fellow probationers worked at constructing the new Sector Headquarters and Station in Yuma.”
Tom had four children with wife Virginia, Russ, Don, Doug, and Cherie. Daughter Cherie was killed in an auto accident near Bonita, California.
Tom met Jobi in El Paso, Texas in 1975 while on detail, introduced to her by Dick and Velma Bartlett. They married in Chula Vista, California in 1976 and raised her three children there. I say “her children” but only at the time. Tom accepted the three as his own, Elizabeth, Robbie, and Amy.
He introduced me to his,soon to be,new family at Jobi’s home in the Upper Valley in El Paso in 1975. Tom and I were rotating through a temporary position in El Paso. He was very excited, happy and proud.
I first worked with and for Tom at the Customs Agency Office in San Ysidro, along with George Holleron, Dave Burnett, Paul Martin, Lee Riggs, Frank Maldenado, Randy Arros, Skip Gerhart, Dave Smith, Jim Button, Clarence Spohr, Stu Adams, Walt Gates, and later, Charlie Cameron and others. All famous for lengthy afternoon lunches at Paul’s Chili Bean in San Ysidro, and the Rondesvous on Constitution Avenue in Tijuana, and many, many late business meetings at the, then famous, Torreador in San Ysidro.
After retirement he and Jobi traveled the country by Motorhome settling finally in Green Valley, Arizona and later Sahuarita. He enjoyed his grand children and golf, in that order.
Tom was the Secretary/Treasurer for FOBA since the early beginning and dedicated to that job. If not for him the organization may very well not have survived. We must all be thankful to him for that.
Tom was always well liked by all, and a loyal friend. Fortunately we had a good visit with him at the April meeting in Tucson, I am thankful for that. We will miss his ready smile and friendly nature.
Adios Amigo...........Ev Turner
(Some dates may be questionable, relying on an old man’s memory)
THOMAS SPRAGUE
SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - (WTOC is TV channel 11 in Savannah, GA)
Former Chatham County Police Chief Thomas C. Sprague died Wednesday night with family
members at his side.
Thomas C. Sprague, 71, was appointed chief of the Chatham County
Police Dept. in 1996. He spearheaded a comprehensive study on merging the Chatham
County Police Dept. with the Savannah Police Dept. he believed the integration would
eradicate jurisdictional boundaries and form a single crime-fighting agency to meet
the present and future public safety demands, according to a news release from the
Chatham County Commission.
Sprague was born Nov. 22, 1939 in Troy, NY. In 1956, he entered the United States
Marine Corps and served until 1959, when he was honorably discharged.
His first law enforcement assignment was in 1962 with the U.S. Border Patrol. He
then worked for the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration
by 1973.
His final DEA assignment in 1991was as Assistant Country Attaché'/Chief of Operations
in Bogota, Colombia, according to the release.
Sprague returned to public service in 1994 after two and a half years of retirement. He formed and was the first commander of the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team. Under his leadership, the CNT recorded a better than 90 percent conviction rate on narcotics cases made in Chatham County, according to the county.
A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Fox and Weeks – Hodgson Chapel. A graveside service at Bonaventure Cemetery will follow.
Copyright 2011 WTOC. All rights reserved.
ART ADAMS
Another member of FOBA and a good friend to all, died in El Paso Tuesday January 3, 2012.
Art entered the Border Patrol just after WWII, 31st Session, and was stationed at Fabens, TX. He moved back to his home town of Chicago as an Immigration Investigator around 1950 but decided he was not ready to return to the cold weather.
Returning to El Paso, he joined the Customs Agency Service around 1955 and served there his entire career, retiring as Agent in Charge in 1980.
Art’s wife Lois and sons were with him when he died. They have advised there will be no service for Art, as he wished.
I first met Art around 1967 on an assignment to El Paso. We became friends right
off and continued the friendship through the years, particularly after I was assigned
to El Paso in 1977.
Art, along with Bill Hughes, Dick Salley, and others, organized the yearly “Colorado” fishing trip around 1979 which continued till 2001.Many of our FOBA members participated in that event through the years.
Art was a great guy and will by missed my many.
Adios Amigo...........ET
BILL MAGEE
BILL MAGEE passed away on August 8, 2011 at hospice center in Corpus Christi, TX. A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011. Bill’s lovely wife, Ka-ren, attended the Fall Board Meeting in Port Aransas and displayed a memorial wall with photos of Bill during his esteemed career with the Government
LAMAR PARKER
Long time Yuma resident and FOBA member, Lamar Parker died in Yuma Monday January 9, 2012. Lamar had entered the hospital for a Gall Bladder procedure.
Lamar entered on duty with the Border Patrol in 1955 at El Paso and joined the Customs Office of Investigations at Yuma in 1970 and on to DEA in 1973.
From the Yuma Sun 02/10/12
After a long courageous battle, Lamar Parker passed peacefully on January 9th, 2012, just as he lived his life, with dignity and honor. He was 82 years old. Lamar was born April 3, 1929 in Harper, Texas. After serving in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War, he graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He began his career as a U. S. Border Patrol agent and moved from Texas to Arizona. As his career progressed, he served as an agent for U. S. Customs and Immigration, and ultimately retired as an Intelligence Officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In his free time, he loved camping, fishing, hunting, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends.
Lamar is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris Parker; his two daughters and sons
in law- Pamela and Richard Remington, and Paula and Curtis Cansler; four grandchildren-
Clint Remington (fiancee-Kayla Bruun), Amanda Cansler Roach (Brian), Cole Remington,
and Cody Cansler; and two great grandchildren,- Rilee Kay Roach and James Curtis
Roach.
His easy laugh, happy spirit, and genuine kindness will be truly missed by all who
knew him.
A service to celebrate Lamar's life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012 at Sunset Vista Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memoriam to St. Jude's Childrens'
Research Hospital or the Humane Society of Yuma.
Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries.
DAVE ELLIS
Dave was a founding member of FOBA.
From The Austin American Statesman 02/10/12
David C. Ellis David C. Ellis was born March 8, 1918 and died in Austin, January
9, 2012. He was a dedicated Customs Agent throughout his working career and a decorated
WWII veteran in the US Army. He is survived by his wife, Marcyle Lange Ellis of almost
72 years, his three children Linda E. Jennett (Charles) of Wimberley, Texas, David
L. Ellis (Kathleen) of Louise, Texas and Robert B. Ellis (Becky) of Reno, Nevada.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Erin Herring (Clint), Brian Jennett, Andrea
Rogers, John Ellis (Alissa), David Scott Ellis (Jennifer), Elizabeth Williams (Jason),
Megan Elizabeth Ellis and Ethan Robert Ellis and great grandchildren, Brandon, Kate
and Alek Rogers, Jacob and Cole Herring, Alina and John Riley Ellis, Isabella and
Jared Williams and Ethan and Emily Ellis. His last Scottish terrier Ginger also survives
him. David began his Army career in Panama, had a tour of duty in the Pacific, was
wounded in Okinawa and returned home to begin his career with US Customs, first working
on the docks in New Orleans and rising to Deputy Commissioner of Operations in Customs
in Washington D C after assignments in Houston, Laredo and New York. He was an avid
Texas Longhorn baseball fan and traveled to many a world series in Omaha. He worked
diligently in his neighborhood of Shady Hollow in Austin where the community center
is named for him. Special appreciation is given to the staff at Arveda Care, Stonebridge
Rehabilitation center and to the nurses at both Seton Main and South Austin St. David's
hospitals. Graveside services will be private at Hillcrest Cemetery in Temple. A
celebration and memorial will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to Scottie Rescue of San Antonio (120 Cedar Hills Drive, Elgin, TX 78621
or to the Customs Museum Foundation, 7222 Ludwood Ct. Alexandria, VA 22306
DAVE ELLIS
Scroll Down for Obits
EDWARD G. BOURIGUIGNO
Edward Was born March 30, 1944 and died Jul 31, 2011 in Ormond Beach, Florida. This information provided by the Social Security Death Index. Anyone who knew Ed o has any information on his career or personal information, please add to this Obit through the Web Master. Ed Was a regular member of FOBA.
Dave was a founding member of FOBA.
From The Austin American Statesman 02/10/12
David C. Ellis David C. Ellis was born March 8, 1918 and died in Austin, January 9,
LELAND “LEE” RIGGS
Lee was a founding member of FOBA
Another friend and fellow Agent is gone. Lee Riggs died February 3, 2012 at Rockwall, Texas after a lengthy illness.
Lee entered service with the Customs Agency Service about 1965 at Calexico, California after time with the California Highway Patrol. He served with the US Marine Corps and was one of the American Heroes surviving the Battle of Choisin Reservoir in Korea, in November and December 1950.
Lee and I came together for the first time in 1966 when he participated in a Nogales case. Later, 1969/1972, we worked together at San Ysidro, California before he was transferred to Mexico City. He, like most of us, was drafted into the newly formed DEA in July 1973 and remained there till early retirement about 1977 after an injury in South America.
He and I shared a trailer, now called a mobile home, just north of San Ysidro for a time. Lee was a good Agent, a good man, and a fair house keeper, hu, hu. A ready smile and friendly nature made him a favorite among his fellow Agents and other law enforcement officers. Anyone who ever witnessed his smile will not soon forget it. Lee was always up beat and I recall no time when he disparaged a fellow Agent or anyone else.
Lee and wife Betty met in the San Diego area and were a great match from the beginning. Our sincere condolences go out to her and the kids.
Goodbye old friend............Ev Turner
Rockwall, Texas - February 4, 2012
Leland L. Riggs, 78, of Rockwall, Texas, died peacefully on February 3, 2012, surrounded
by family. He was born in San Diego, California. At age 16 he joined the U.S. Marine
Corps and fought in the famous Korean Chosin Reservoir Campaign of 1950 where he
received a Purple Heart. After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Lee began a lengthy
career in Law Enforcement, initially with the California Highway Patrol and later
with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. As
Special Agent in Charge, Lee directed DEA efforts against clandestine cocaine operations
in Mexico, Panama, and Colombia. Upon retirement from DEA, Lee served as Chief of
Police in Dublin, Texas, and as District Attorney Investigator for Erath County,
Texas. In his retirement years, Lee trained and competed champion working Quarter
Horses, raced vintage cars, and spent time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Lee Riggs is survived by Betty, his wife and the love of his life for 41 years, his children Mark Riggs, Kirk Riggs, Heidi Tyus, Kellye, Roxanne, and Michelle, and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.