Donald Vernon Little

Donald Vernon "Papa Don" Little, 64, went home to be with our Lord Sept. 4, 2008 at home.

He was born Feb. 1, 1944, in Prince George, Md., and was a resident of Pahrump for five years, having come from Las Vegas.

He worked in the casino industry and served four years in the U.S. Air Force.

He was known as "Papa Don," and loved very much and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His love for people and his sense of humor have touched many.

He suffered from a severe illness but he will now rest in peace.

Daughter Darla Fernandes and grandchildren Ashley Galipo, Cody Grigory, Brannon Girnat and Dakota Fernandes survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents James Vernon Little and Helen Josephine Talbott.

Services will be 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at Pahrump Family Mortuary. (09/04/2008)

Robert Stricker

Robert Stricker, 78, passed away Sept. 10, 2008, in Las Vegas.

He was born Dec. 20, 1929, in Bayard, Neb., to Alex and Susie (Reifschneider) Stricker.

He was a farmer in the Bayard area for 17 years before moving to Washington to farm for another 15 years.

In 1982, he became a tractor-trailer driver until he retired in 1998.

He was a member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church, where services were held at 11 a.m. Sept. 15.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia of Pahrump; daughter Roxanne of Pahrump; sister Nettie (Dolly) Meter of Alliance, Neb.; five grandchildren Michael of Kennewick, Wash., Jason of Tulsa, Okla., Stephanie Tiegs of Kennewick, Holly Olson of Henderson and Billy Wills of Las Vegas and two great-grandchildren Kyle and Colin of Kennewick.

He was preceded in death by son Steven; great-grandson Tanner Wills; brother Jerry Stricker and his parents Alex and Susie. (09/10/2008)

Catherine Jane Kuhn

Catherine Jane Kuhn, 70, passed away Sept. 19, 2008, in Las Vegas.

She was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Phoenix, Ariz., and was a resident of Pahrump for 10 years, having come from California.

She was a homemaker, had 12 years of education and was of the Christian faith.

Her spouse Billy Kuhn of Pahrump; sons Fred and Larry Kuhn of Nevada and Johnnie Kuhn of California; daughter-in-law Lisa Kuhn of Nevada; brothers Douglas and Herbert Pollock, both of California; grandson Brandon Kuhn and granddaughter Lauren Kuhn, both of Nevada survive her.

Services will be 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Pahrump Family Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice. (09/19/2008)

Jerry T. Bledsoe

Jerry T. Bledsoe, born in 1934 to Sid and Erma Bledsoe, died Tuesday night, Sept. 9, 2008.

He was a 35-year resident of Pahrump.

He is survived by an adoring family: Gwen Johnston, mother of their children: Cynthia & James Petrelli; Rhonda and Anthony Berlino: Joel and Lisa Bledsoe; Jerianne and Bill Hope; and Robert Bledsoe; his grandchildren: Dustin Higdon; Shilo Thompson, Traci Thompson, Chad Lodewyck, Shelby Bledsoe, Garryk Bledsoe and Kristin Bledsoe; and by his sister, Sydney Waggoner, her husband Rudy Waggoner; his nephews Barry, Scott, and Lance Waggoner and their families.

He leaves a legacy of love and strength not only to his family but to a beloved extended family that he loved as his own.

In his early years, Jerry's parents were owners/operators of several steak houses on the California coast. He served in the Navy and fought in the Korean War on the USS Kearsarge. The Kearsarge was one of the first US aircraft carriers reconverted for use of planes carrying atom bombs.

Stateside, awaiting the birth of his first daughter, Cindy, he served on the USS Norton Sound, a missile systems test ship. He remained there until his honorable discharge. He was very proud of his service to his country. He was very fond of the ocean and carried that love throughout his life by building his own boats; water skiing with his family and friends most weekends throughout their childhood. He always had a boat and was usually building another at the same time.

Jerry came to Nevada in 1964 from California and first made his home in Mt. Charleston. In 1965 he purchased a home in Las Vegas. He spent years in Las Vegas raising his family. He was in the grocery business, but made his career as a journeyman electrician working on neon signs until he retired after 15 years to begin a ranch in Pahrump.

He farmed alfalfa; did service work for Petrolane; developed Big 5 Mobile Home/RV Park; created Big 5 Transport Service and Daybreak Donuts (undeniably the best donuts in the state). He was a visionary.

He would look into a vacant lot of "poof-dirt" and see images of shopping centers, coffee houses, retirement RV communities and more.

He retired and dabbled in real estate investments while he traveled. He loved to follow the UNLV Running Rebels, attending the games regularly with family.

He spent time with each of the children with varied interests. He rode his Harley with friends and family; he enjoyed ocean cruises, art museums and operas with his family; he loved traveling in his motorhome across the US.

One of his most heartfelt experiences has always been working on the family home, affectionately referred to as the "Presidential Estate" which will be finished as he directed and maintained by the foundation he created, The Bledsoe Generation Foundation. It will remain a place for his family to gather, reflect, relax and regroup.

He was a very compassionate man whose concerns for others impacted many. He gave people an opportunity for second chances at life. His family continues to hear stories of peoples' gratitude in tearful goodbyes to him. There wasn't a day that went by Jerry didn't tell his family how happy he was that he moved to Pahrump; how many great friends he'd made; and how he was able to enjoy his life being out where he could watch the sun rise and set and see the stars at night.

He would want the people in Pahrump to know that he appreciated their friendship; and that it meant the world to him that the town was a place where he could still count on "a man's word and a handshake".

A memorial service was held Sept. 16 at Pahrump Family Mortuary. If you missed the service and would like to send a message to the family, go to www.reviewjournal.com/obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions are made to the American Red Cross in his name to assist those in need. For donations, go to www.redcrosslasvegas.org. (09/09/2008)

Theresa Koumrian

Theresa Koumrian, 88, passed way Sept. 18, 2008, in Las Vegas.

She was born Aug. 27, 1920 in Panama and was a resident of Pahrump for 12 years, having come from Florence, S.C.

She was a Christian and a member of Trinity Assembly of God Church.

Daughter Dee Dee (Tom) Oganesoff of Pahrump; sisters Dora Moore of South Carolina and Marina Espino of Panama; brother Arturo Espino of Panama; one grandchild and one great-grandchild survive her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Irene and brother Domicio.

Services were held 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Trinity Assembly of God Church. (09/18/2008)

Karen Grippo

Karen Grippo, 48, passed away Sept. 19, 2008, at Valley Springs Hospital in Las Vegas.

She was born June 24, 1960, in Port Chester, N.Y. and was a Pahrump resident for four years.

She graduated from Auburn University with a 4.0 GPA. She was an honor roll student. Karen was employed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

She will be missed by many and will always be in our hearts.

Her son Rocco Vincent Bobe; parents Vincent and Marcie Grippo; brothers Robert Grippo and Richard (Marie) Grippo and aunt and uncle, Lee and Martha Singer survive her.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Rocco and Grace Grippo and John Thomas and Julia Catrett and brother Rocco Grippo.

Services will be private. (09/19/2008)