Mineman Around the World - In Memoriam

William (Bill) Snyder

CPO William (Bill) Snyder passed away March 29, 2010 in his hometown of Zanesville, Ohio. He was 53. I have been unable to find the death notice in the Zanesville TimesRecorder but will share any information I am able to locate at a later time.

Meanwhile, all AOM members are encouraged to send a note of encouragement to Barbara at circleof2@gmail.com

Eugene "Gene" Harold Stanton

WOOLWICH -- Eugene Harold Stanton, of Woolwich, passed away May 17, 2010, at home, with his family by his side, after a struggle with cancer.

The son of Harold Trout Stanton Jr. and Glenda Wright, he was born in Bath on June 26, 1943. He graduated from Morse High School, class of 1961. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and had a 20-year career, retiring at the rank of chief petty officer in 1980. Gene had an extensive military career including tours in Vietnam and the Mediterranean. He ended his naval career at the Pentagon, for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield in Rochester, N.Y., as a systems analyst from 1980 to 1984. When the family moved back to Maine in 1984, Gene went to work for the state of Maine as a manager of Maine's hospital inpatient database, where he was known nationally for his pioneering work in health care reform. After 26 years of service, he retired May 1, 2010.

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Yvonne Galuza Stanton; his son, Deane Erick Stanton; daughter Tracy Melvina Stanton Nolon; daughter-in-law Amy Elizabeth Stanton; brothers Michael "Brock" Stanton, Daniel Stanton, Scott Stanton and Brian Stanton; sister Veda (Stanton) Ferris; and extensive family.

He was a wonderful family man who supported and cared deeply for his wife and children. He was deeply satisfied with his great life and adventures, but he will be greatly missed in our future adventures.

At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Woolwich Firefighters Association, c/o Deputy Chief of EMS Deane Stanton, 13 Nequasset Road, Woolwich, ME 04579, in Gene's memory.

A service will be held at 4 p.m. on June 5 at the West Bath Fire Department on State Road. [Published in Kennebec (ME) Journal on May 21, 2010]
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A tribute page has been provided at: http://www.tributes.com/condolences/leave_memory/88567615
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Meanwhile, all AOM members are encouraged to send a note of encouragement to Yvonne at von@prexar.com

Ronald Clayton Chapin

Ronald Clayton Chapin, CWO4 Navy (Ret), 76, of Ladson, died May 21, 2010, at his residence. Born June 3, 1933, in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of the late Melvin Chapin and Mary Powell Chapin. He graduated from high school and went on to enlist in the Navy fighting in both the Vietnam War and Korean conflict. He served our country proudly for over 32 years as part of the Mobile Mine Assembly Group. In his later years, he was very active with the VFW Post #3433, the American Legion and also the Fleet Reserve. He will be sadly missed by his sons, Michael Chapin of Charleston, WV and Ronald David Jeffery Chapin and his wife, Dotty of Logan, WV; his daughters, Veronica Chapin Catalano and her husband, Steve of Jacksonville, FL, Missy (Brenda) Allport of Martinez, GA, Linda Follett and her husband, Dan of West Palm Beach, FL, and Arlene Phelps and her husband, William of Summerville, SC; his brothers, Paul Chapin and his wife, Sue of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and David Chapin and his wife Peg of Elma, NY; and his sister, Marjorie Schunk and her husband, Art of New Smyrna Beach, FL. The family will receive friends Monday, May 24, 2010 from 6-8 p.m., at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 25, 2010, in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow at Plantation Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 5900 Core Rd, Suite 504, North Charleston, SC 29405. Arrangements being handled by McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, Goose Creek Chapel, 869 St. James Ave., Goose Creek, SC 29445 (843) 553-1511. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths [Published in Charleston Post & Courier on May 23, 2010]

To leave a tribute to the family of Ron Chapin, please go to: http://www.mcalister-smith.com/html/obits.htm

Gordon Allen Lee

Gordon Alan Lee, retired MN2 USNR passed away this afternoon, Friday, May 28, 2010, in Oklahoma from cancer. He was attached to the old Oklahoma City NR MOMAG which was disestablished in the 90's and consolidated at CDS MOMAG Dallas then to JRB Ft Worth TX MOMAU. All his active duties were performed with MOMAG/MOMAU 8 in Guam.

Colleen (Schad) Whipple (aka Auntie C), YNC Ret, NR MOMAG/MOMAU Admin from 91-02, Edmond OK

Ardmore, OK — Gordon Allen Lee, 59, passed away on Friday, May 28, 2010, at Midwest city, Oklahoma. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 5th at the Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church of God of Wilson, north on Texaco Road, with Rev. Raymond Norton officiating.

Gordon was born on April 4, 1951, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Eugene Lee and to a wonderful mother, Mildred (Hacker) Lee. Gordon enjoyed making everybody laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor, by him just walking in the room he made you feel better. Gordon loved and enjoyed his family. He was proud of his grandchildren. He loved visiting all his aunts, uncles, many cousins and friends. He also enjoyed visiting and talking to his friend/cousin, Louis, in Virginia. He also loved camping. Anyone that knew him will miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant daughter, Tonya. Gordon is survived by his wife, Janet; daughter Susan and husband, Johnny Longton of Wilson; son, Caleb and girlfriend, Terrah, of Ardmore; brother, Billy Lee and girlfriend, Marilyn of Midwest City, Okla.; sisters, Charlotte Howell and boyfriend, Raymond, of Wilson, Teresa Brumley and husband, Rowdy, of Wilson; grandchildren, Ryan, Riley, Emiley and Cade; nieces and nephews; step children, Tina and Sean; step grandchild, Kourtney.

Many thanks to Linda Allen for providing further information on Gordon Lee. She writes: I served with Gordon Lee both in Dallas and in Guam. I have lots of video I transposed onto DVD if anyone is interested. He was quiet, funny and never said a harsh word about anyone. He was a good teacher and spent a lot of time showing me the ropes. MN3 Linda Allen

John Louis Frey

MNC John Louis FREY, 77, of Tampa, Florida, passed away Sunday, August 15, 2010. John was born July 19, 1933 in the Phillippines and was married to Lilia Libunao.

He was a retired Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War in the E.O.D. His last duty station was on the USS Midway (CV-41). He was awarded the Naval Reserve Meritorious service medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Commendation medal w/ combat V, Good Conduct award (Five Awards) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

He was a Master Diver, carpenter, fisherman, boatsman, gun and antique sword collector. John was preceded in death by his mother, Angeline Esther Frey and father, Frank E. Frey.

He is survived by his wife, Lilia Libunao Frey; children, John L. Frey and wife, Rhonda; Catherine L. Neal and Janice Frey-Leet and husband, Larry; grandchildren, Amy Hedges Jinks, Lucas Seidman, Greg Frey, Corey Neal, Anna Neal and Sean Frey; sister, Fran Bishop and husband, Clyde.

Services are to be held at Temple Terrace Ward. Donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

His obituary page can be found at: http://floridamortuary.net/services.asp?page=odetail&id=3363

Those choosing to leave a message of tribute and condolence may do so at: http://floridamortuary.net/guestbookentry.asp?page=guestbook