Maury Gene Tasem

Maury Gene Tasem passed away at his home on July 2, 2013 with his family by his side. He was 70 years old. Maury was born on Dec, 2nd 1942 at Oakland Naval Hospital to Maynard and Lucile Gardner Tasem. A few years later he was joined by his sister, Linda. After his parents divorced and Maury was 6, Lucile moved with the children to Etna to be near her mom, Irene Gardner Davis and her husband, Bert Davis. In 1950 Lucile married J. Vernon Starr and Maury and Linda were later joined by half-sister, Suzi Starr and half- brother, John Starr. Maury spent his young years attending Etna Elementary, working his paper route, being a Boy Scout and giving his mom, stepdad, and teachers many grey hairs before he graduated from Etna High School in 1960. Immediately after high school he joined the US Navy, becoming a storekeeper and serving at Adak, Alaska and aboard a destroyer where he toured the South Pacific including Japan, Hawaii and various west coast ports. In 1963 he married Adeline Thomas and together they raised 3 sons, 2 of which became Eagle Scouts and earned an Associate’s Degree. During this time he went to work for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) retiring after 38 years as a Sr. Customer Project Planner. During those years, he was a Boy Scout Leader serving as Cub Master and Scout Master and when his boys had grown he continued on for over 30 years. He held a number of scouting district and council positions and received a number of awards. Some of these included the District Award of Merit, the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award, the Explorer Service Award and the San Diego County Council’s Silver Beaver. He was Woodbadge trained and very happy to be an “Eagle.” He was also co-leader for a 4H Shooting Sports Club/NRA Jr. Rifle Club and enjoyed working with Junior Achievement. He was also very proud to be an Elk for 29 years. In 1993, he married Kaletta ‘Kate’ Oliver and took her minor daughter under his wing while getting to know her older daughter, son and family. During his career at SDG&E, Maury became interested in Toastmasters and served in various club positions and as an Area Governor. When he moved back home he continued on in Yreka Toastmasters. Maury had a special place in his heart for the people and the valley he grew up in, always calling it home. When he retired in 2004, he and Kate moved to Fort Jones, taking on the restoration of the historic ‘Allee” Bills home on Sterling. In addition, he spent many hours on the Starr Ranch working with his step dad. It was a dream fulfilled. He always had the desire to help people and make their lives a little easier. Towards that end he was involved in the Scott Valley Chamber of Commerce, the original board of the Scott Valley Resource Center, the Fort Jones Volunteer Fire Dept. Association, and was Master of the Scott Valley Grange. He served for 2 years on the Siskiyou County Civil Grand Jury, the 2nd year as a committee chair. He served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Fort Jones Methodist Church. He continued to volunteer in Boy Scouting, serving first as the District Commissioner for Siskiyou County and then as the Assistant District Commissioner for Scott Valley. Maury was an avid hunter and very much enjoyed the camaraderie that went with it. Maury had been a collector of insulators for decades, and was one of the charter members of the National Insulator Association. He and Addie hosted a National Insulator Show in San Diego in the ‘70s. Besides insulators, Maury loved yard sales, auctions, NCIS, and the History Channel. Maury is survived by his wife Kate, his sons David of San Diego, Mike (Connie) of Lakeside, CA, Scott (Jane) of Winnetka, CA, Stepson Tom (Tammy) of Lakeside, CA, step daughters Mary (Roman) Jurenka of Anaheim and Heather Oliver of Fort Jones. He is also survived by the combined total of 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, his sister Linda (Bill) Pieruccini of Etna and stepsister Suzi (John) Pearce of Etna. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step parents and his half-brother John. A celebration of life will be held at the Fort Jones Methodist Church on Wednesday, July 17th , at 2:00 PM. Light refreshments will immediately follow at the Fort Jones Community Hall. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com.

Maury Gene Tasem

December 2, 1942 - July 2, 2013