Shipmate Gerard Drolet has laid his oars to rest. His obituary follows.

Gerard Droilet passed away at Melech Hospice House at the age of 49 on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. He was born July 24, 1958, in Woonsocket, RI. He was in the Navy for 6 years and was on the USS MG Vallejo submarine. He also worked at MacDill Airforce Base, Z-tel, and Switch and Data. Gerard was a member of St. Luke's and also attended Nativity Church near Longwood, where he was living. He is survived by his mother, Raffaela; fiance, Martha; stepson, Anthony; and stepdaughter, Jeanette. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 25, 6-8 pm, at Dobies Funeral Home, 701 E. Tarpon Ave. Funeral Mass will be Friday, Oct. 26, at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church. Dobies Funeral Home-Tarpon.

Shipmate Mike Fallatt has laid his oars to rest. Mike was one of the most colorful indviduals I have ever met. My family and I met Mike and Terry at the first 658 All Hands Reunion in Vallejo the summer of 1999. He left such an impression on my kids that they still talk about him today. My daughter still refers to him as "that funny Old Salt", because he told her he was just an old salt from her Dad's sub. Mike was able to attend all 3 of the reunions and he will be terribly missed at future gatherings. My heart goes out to his lovely wife Terry and all of his family members. Stand down Mike, time for you to enjoy the peace that you fought to keep. Jim Carter

Shipmate Kevin Dixon has laid his oars to rest. His obituary follows.

Kevin Ray Dixon, 56, of Summerville, SC, husband of Susan (Sue) Marie Baier Dixon, died Friday, April 27, 2007, at a Charleston hospital. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, May 1, 2007, at Bethany United Methodist Church at 11 o'clock. Burial will be private. Friends may call at Parks Funeral Home, Monday evening, April 30, 2007, from 6 to 9 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, Global Mission Fund, 118 West 3rd South Street, Summerville, SC 29483 or to The Gideons International, Memorial Bible Fund, P.O. Box 943, Summerville, SC 29484-0943. Mr. Dixon was born August 28, 1950, in Beckley, WV, a son of the late Ray Shelby Dixon and the late Lila Marie Mease Dixon. He served in the US Navy for over 10 years and was a local building contractor for over 20 years. He was currently the owner of Rain Tight Roofing. He was an active member of Bethany United Methodist Church. A member of the Global Mission Team, Head Usher, current member of New Journey Sunday School Class and a former member of the Family Circle Sunday School Class. He was a certified church speaker and active in the jail ministry. He was also a member of The Gideons International-Summerville Camp and was Camp President. Survivors include his wife, Susan (Sue) Dixon of Summerville, SC; one son, Kevin Dan Dixon of Summerville, SC; one daughter, Laura M. Dixon of Summerville, SC; three brothers, Mark Dixon of Summerville, SC, Larry Dixon and his wife, Rose of Wheatland, MO and Michael Dixon and his wife, Jane of Kenova, WV; two sisters, Gwynetta Meade and her husband, Brad and Robyn Casteele all of Kenova, WV, and 15 nieces and nephews. Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.

Mike Arrowood joined the Vallejo Gold Crew after commissioning, and was with us at the first missile launch at the Cape. Mike was a Navigation ET. He got appendicitis shortly after the Panama Canal transit and was airlifted off the boat, causing cancelation of the equator crossing Captain Jack had planned. He was held capitive by the Naval Hospital in Panama so they could prove the need for their facility. After six weeks of fixing TVs in the hospital he was released back to the boat during PSA. We all remember Mike's love of flying, he took several of us around Florida from Patrick AFB Aero Club, and later became a commercial pilot during off crew in Hawaii. He flew tourist flights around the volcano during eruptions. One patrol he and Capt. Jack got some DC-8 pilot time between Guam and Wake after talking to the United flight crew at Anderson AFB and showing them their pilot's licenses. Mike left the Navy in 1969 and returned to Oregon where he continued flying. He lost his life doing what he loved, in a flying accident in 1989. Mike was a good shipmate and friend. He is missed.Ed Bills, Charleston, SC - Wednesday, January 02, 2002 at 20:32:30 (EST)

In 2001 we lost two shipmates who were Plank Owners. TMC(SS)Glenn Norton who was the second Gold Crew COB. We met during new construction and remained close for the next 36 years. I miss him very much. TMCS(SS) Billy Avila also left us. We also met during new construction. After retirement Billy and I went to work for Westinghouse spending the next twenty five years there. He also is missed very much.
Gerry McDonald, Silverdale, WA - Monday, December 31, 2001 at 11:08:16 (EST)

On 8 March 2005 we lost shipmate, MM 1 (SS) Timothy E. Schleiger, to a long fight with cancer.  Tim was a plank owner in the USS Mariano G. Vallejo Gold Crew and made all her patrols in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic.  Tim was my leading first class in the Machinery Division and truly my right arm.  The first day I took over the division, Tim told me to get out of his engine room and the reason the chief's quarters was between the engine room and the ward room was so that I would keep the lieutenant out of his hair.  I know that I, his shipmates, and his dear wife Dodie miss Tim.

I have no details but we have also lost MM 3 (SS) James Crow who was on Vallejo Blue about 1974 to 1976.  He came aboard a seaman and worked his way into "A" Gang.  He was one of the most liked young men on the boat and a fine sailor.
Roger K. Shoemaker

My first remembrance of James Crowe was being reminded that he was, due to a resent directive, to be addressed as Seaman Crowe.  He was very proud that he was to be addressed in such a formal manner by Officers and Senior Petty Officers.
 
The following is true to the best of my memory.  Fireman Crowe wanted to be in the “A” Gang in the worst way.  He was tired of standing planes watches and wanted to stand an important watch such as the Fwd. Auxiliary Man of the Watch and have a path for advancement. “A” Gang was not in any real need of more people but he was willing to do any thing that it may take to become an “A” Ganger.  That is when the perfect opportunity presented itself.  Seams there was an object, of some sort, stuck in the overboard backup valve, located in the number two sanitary tank.  Some one had to go into the “shit” tank and remove what ever was preventing the overboard back up valve from closing.  Guess who would do the dirty deed if they would only let him into “A” Div.  A time was chosen, when the boat would be able to go to periscope depth to facilitate the tank entry and repair.  Fireman Crowe was in the AMR1 getting ready to go into the sanitary tank, when I the EWS become aware of what was taking place.  First he had to strip down to his skive shorts, and apply the special antibiotic cream the Corpsman supplied.  Then he was wrapped in plastic sheeting, from his head to his ankles, with plastic radiation booties for his feet and rubber gloves for his hands.  The last item of his sanitary tank entry suite was an air breathing mask with the hose covered in plastic.  There he was in all his glory, suited up and ready to do his bit for “A” Div.  The phone in AMR1 rings and every one in the space is informed that due to a contact with a Russian ship we had to go deep and would stay there for some time, the sanitary tank repair had to be postponed.  Every one was disappointed but none as mush Seaman Crowe, all ready suited up and rearing to do his duty for ship and country.  “The boat does not have to be shallow for me to do the repair, I would be more than willing to go in and do it with the boat at depth”.  Every one sympatric with him, but there is nothing they can do.  Just maybe if he talked with the Officer of the Deck in person and pleaded his case, they would let him dive the sanitary tank.  Off he goes to the control room, greased up, suited up, dragging his plastic covered hose to present his case.  The proper phone calls are made.  Chief Cauthen (Tiney) had the Dive and is waiting for Seaman Crowe.  It’s hard for every one in the control room to keep a straight face as Seaman Crowe in his “Shit Tank Suit” begs the OOD to let him go frolic in the sanitary tank, amongst the filth and scum.  To on avail he is rejected on all accounts.  The safety of the boat has to come first.  There he stands dejected and beaten.  His chance to be part of something important and to advance in, this his beloved, United States Navy has slipped through his greasy hands.  With head down, he starts for the AMR1, when Chief Tiny calls him back, with. “Welcome to the “A” Gang Fireman Crowe”.
 
That is how Fireman Crowe made it into the “A” division.  As I remember he was one of the most reliable, sharp, and clean cut young sailors that I had the pleasure to serve with.  I remember that he always has a positive out look on life and the Navy.  I know that I liked to talk with him though I did not often have the opportunity. Roger K. Shoemaker MMCM (SS) Ret., formally of the Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658, Jul 73 to May 76

William Sonny Thomas died in September of 1998. Sonny served from 1970 to 1972. His former shipmates mourn his death.
Carl Desselle - Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at 21:33:27 (EST)

On 28 May 1992 we lost shipmate ETC (SS) Joe A. Brady, to an aneurysm while working on his retirement property in Oregon.  Joe was a plank owner of the USS Mariano G. Vallejo Blue Crew and made her first patrols in the Pacific leaving the boat in 1968.  Joe was the Reactor Control Leading Chief.  Chief Brady returned to Vallejo in 1975 and served on her until 1977, and transferred to the Fleet Reserve in 1980.  I know that I, his shipmates, and his dear wife Ruth miss Joe. Roger K. Shoemaker MMCM (SS) Ret., formally of the Mariano G. Vallejo SSBN 658, Jul 73 to May 76

This week we lost another shipmate. Karl Sax laid his oars to rest. God be with his family in their time of need.
Jim Carter, Reno, NV - Saturday, February 24, 2001 at 04:04:37 (EST)

Kenny Maxey came aboard the Vallejo the same time I did. We weren't really friends at first but after a patrol and working on ship quals together we very quickly bonded into one of those rare lasting friendships. Kenny was killed in a motorcycle accident shortly after his discharge in 1982. He is gone but never far away from my daily thoughts. The other friends I made on board, Joe Howenstein, Tom Bickerton and especially Jim Vennard have lasted me these 23 years and I hope to see them through to the end of my days. These men were the inspiration for this web project. After crossing their paths again following many years of separation, it gives me the drive to continue this all in the hope every shipmate that visits our site will find at least one long lost friend.
Jim Carter, Reno, NV USA - Saturday, February 17, 2001 at 20:18:09 (EST)

EM2(SS) Lyle O. Doody served aboard the Vallejo in 1974 - 1975. He was a member of USSVI Buffalo Base. Lyle passed away in North Tonawanda, NY, November 3, 2003, after a long illness.
Bruce McCausland, USSVI Buffalo Base, NY, USA - Wednesday, November 5, 2003 (EST)

TMC(SS) Dudley Koelman served aboard the Vallejo from the early 70's until 1977. He served as Chief of the Boat part of that time. Those of us who knew him will remember his great sense of humor and exceptional ability to motivate others and to "train" junior officers. He was always fair but demanding, and sugar-coated nothing! Dudley went on eternal patrol October 26th, 1996. The email address associated with his name on the Crewlist page is that of his son, Curt. Curt would love to hear from any of you who knew the one and only Dudley Koelman.
Curt Piper, Northern California, Wednesday, December 10, 2003 at 1:12 PM

MSCS(SS) Cecil Weeks served aboard Vallejo for over nine years. Cecil died February 28, 2004 at his home in Isle of Palms, SC. He was only 61. Cecil was very well liked and respected by his shipmates, and will be deeply missed.
Randy Bognar, MSC(SS), Ret. Monday, March 1, 2004.

Captain Henry John Schneider, USN served as Commanding Officer of Vallejo Gold (before the 1970 overhaul) and Blue Crew after the overhaul. Captain Schneider passed away on April 17, 2005. Born on January 29, 1934, he was a 1957 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Captain Schneider made it his business to ensure that Vallejo came out of overhaul every bit the showboat she was going into the yards.
Edward J. Carey, AIC, CPC Alexandria, Virginia 22312. Sunday, May 1, 2005.

TM2(SS) Walter Harrison Jirak III (Blue Crew during Newport News overhaul) passed away January 1, 2005 at the age of 55. No additional information is known.
Robert McFarland, MT1(SS), Long Beach, CA 90808. Wednesday, July 13, 2005.

Bruce Bidwell, believed to be Gold Crew in the early seventies, passed away suddenly on February 6th, 2006. This information is provided by his brother, Keith, who adds that Bruce was very proud to have served aboard Vallejo and thought highly of his shipmates.
Keith Bidwell, Monday, February 13, 2006.

EMCS(SS) John David Cooper, Blue Crew in the early seventies, passed away May 17, 2006, in Charleston, SC. John attended recent reunions and had a number of interesting and funny stories to share. A good friend and shipmate, John will be missed!
QMC(SS) Jerry Farr, Ret. Sunday, May 21, 2006.

In behalf of the commissioning Blue Crew, I am submitting the  following tribute to our beloved skipper, Doug Guthe:

Captain Douglas Guthe, a 1949 graduate of the Naval Academy, was in every sense of the term "a submariner's submariner."  Captain "Goody" as he was affectionately known  in the inimitable cartoons of the Blue Crew's weekly paper, was cool and professional when in a crisis, and was a warm and very affable friend to all when things were relaxed.  As his XO, I was truly privileged to become a close friend and shipmate, but more than anything else, I learned from one of the best.  In addition to being as smart as they come about things technical, he was a whiz at cards and dice games.  We would go up to the club at Anderson and Captain Guthe would start a "friendly"game of horse or whatever at the bar, and sooner or later some poor USAF mullet would bite and the fun would begin.  But he always let them get their losses back. Doug Guthe was one of the most capable officers I ever knew in 39 years in uniform, and I am absolutely certain that if his life had not been taken by lung cancer at the age of 46, he would have been selected for flag rank.  The Navy lost a truly superb officer, and all of us who knew and served with him lost a great friend and shipmate.

Jim Sagerholm, VADM, USN (Ret.)

P.S. I bellieve his date of death was 2 May 1973.

On 10 May 2000 we lost shipmate ETCM (SS) Richard (Dick) Dietz to a fight with cancer.  Dick served on Vallejo in 1972 to 1973, and according to his son, “Dad loved his submarines and his shipmates.”  He also said that “I was fortunate to have the 'Master Chief' as a role model."

On 18 May 2001 we lost shipmate ETCM (SS) Gary L. Patterson.  Chief Patterson was a plank owner, serving aboard Vallejo from 1965 to 1968.  Gary is survived by his wife Judy, who with his shipmates, miss him.

Lt. John J. Wandell Jr., was lost to us in 1967 to a boating accident in the coastal waters out of Bodega Bay in Northern California.  His body was never found although the crew conducted several searches.  His loss was taken very hard by the crew because he was well liked and the first person lost to a newly commissioned ship.

Walter B. (Berry) Davis who served as Navigator from 1976 to 1978 died from injuries in an automobile accident, in 1998.  Berry is missed by his wife Carol Fairchild Davis and his shipmates.

A.T. (Teddy) Gardner, MM 1 (SS) a Gold Crew Plank Owner and who also serviced another tour from 1981 to 1984 aboard Vallejo, passed October 27, 1995.  Teddy who had had hart bypass surgery died peacefully on his front porch after a walk with his wife.

Shipmate Donald R. Ammerman a Gold Crew Plank Owner Departed us in 1987 after retiring in Bremerton, WA.

Charlie Spelgatti MM1(SS), Gold Crew, 1968-1972. Charlie and I checked aboard the same day and became close friends.  Charlie passed away from cancer in August of 1999.  He is served by his wife June, daughters Lonna and Cheryle and son Dan who is a chief in the Navy.  Charlie Gettler, MMCM(SS)

ET1(SS) Archibald T. Porter:  A Vallejo plank owner and on board when the ship was launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1966.  Assigned to Gold Crew at Commissioning, he made four patrols in the RC Division before being transferred from the ship to Whidbey Island Naval Air station. He had previously served on other SSBNs before his assignment to the Vallejo. He later served on the USS Nautilus and USS Daniel Boone before retirement. After Navy retirement, Arch worked at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Station Unit #1 in Arizona as a Lead Instrument Technician for many years. Arch died of diabetic-related complications on 31 August 1997. Submitted by John Malik ETR2(SS)

Submitted by Yvonne Schondel

Gerald A. "Jerry" Burns, of Evansville, Indiana, entered into eternal rest on February 4, 2008, after a brief illness. Jerry was born in Evansville on April 22, 1948, to Berneice A. Burns and Gerald W. Burns. He was preceded in death by his father in 1974, and his mother in 2004. Jerry proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years after graduating from North High School in 1966. He was a submarine nuclear propulsion plant supervisor for 15 years. After retiring from the Navy in 1989 as Senior Chief, he spent 14 years with Westinghouse in Carlsbad, N.M. Surviving are two sons, Jason Burns of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Kelly Burns and his wife, Rosemary, of Houston, Texas; three sisters and their husbands, Georgia and Jim Beck of Pace, Fla., Brenda and Bill Oster of Los Angeles, Calif., and Terry and Larry Campbell of Evansville; his brother and his wife, Larry and Cindy Burns of Boonville, Ind. Also surviving are grandsons, Cody Burns and Connor Nickoli; his uncle, Bob Hoeche; aunt, Joyce Mitchell; and his best fishing buddy for the past 25 years, Deborah Burns of Middleburg, Fla. Jerry had many friends all over the country and two special nephews he loved to share his fishing wisdom with, Michael Bagley and Puddin' (Ellis) MacHale. There are also many other special nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and cousins left to share his memory. Friends may gather with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Pierre FuneralHome, 2601 W. Franklin Street. Memorial services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, February 8, 2008, at Pierre Funeral Home, The Rev. Joshua Hammond officiating. Friends and family may leave condolences online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.

My father, CWO3 Rogers Masson, died on 31AUG89 in Asheville, NC.  He joined the Navy in 1956 as an E1, found his way on to his first diesel boat, worked his way up through E9, became a CWO and a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School, served on the Caiman, the Blackfin, the Redfin, the Dace, the Tullibee, the Patrick Henry, the Abraham Lincoln, and finally retired in 1978 having served on the 658 boat from 75-78 as the Assistant Weapons Officer under the command of Capt. Collins.  I have few memories of his time in the Navy as I was only 10 when he retired, however I do have one that stands out clear.  My dad had broken his leg and a patrol was coming up.  He insisted on going, and I can remember watching him on crutches hobbling away from the car in to the dark towards the gate.  This is truly what he loved to do, and truly who he was as a man.  A submariner.  My dad died while I was stationed at Little Creek, VA and I was honored to escort his ashes to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, where I was born in 68, and later to USS Norfolk (SSN714) from which he was buried approx 36N by74W, fulfilling what he called his “…deepest honor, to be with my fellow shipmates of the Thresher as well as those who have gone before, and will go after.”.

 "I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy."' John F. Kennedy

We saw the postings on your Wonderful site for Sailors at Eternal Rest and wanted to send an update on Jim's death. He was killed in a car accident on June 7, 1978 in Indianapolis, IN.at the age of 23 yrs. He had been working at a company that specialized in high air pressure systems using the skills he had learned in the Navy. He was very proud of his time spent on the Submarine and made lasting friendships while serving his Country.     Thanks for the GREAT website! We enjoy seeing the pictures of Jim because they show that even while he was doing a serious job, he always found time to find humor and share it with others.   Sincerely,     Tom Crowe (Brother)

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