Desert Messenger

24 www.DesertMessenger.com March 7, 2018 Read Desert MESSENGER E-edition online @ www.MyQuartzsite.com In Memoriam Dennis Wilskey Dennis Edgard Wilskey was born December 25, 1941 in Washington State, probably in the castle rock area, and he was an only child. He worked and retired from the maintenance dept. from a school in Castle Rock. He was a rock and plant devotee. He was a master gardener and grew many types of roses there. He also belonged to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He served in the U. S. Navy dur- ing the Viet Nam war, part of the time in Guam, where sometimes he was a bystander in an occasional cock fight during the free time he had. Upon his retirement from the school district, he headed south to Quartzsite. He traveled extensively in Mexico, photographing many buildings and the flora found there. This was around 1988 or 1989. His love for plant life prompted him to attend the Master Garden- er Program here in the desert. He graduated from this University of Arizona program and went on to teach classes for this group on many subjects, such as vegetables, cacti, houseplants, fruit in our area, to name just a few. He helped many residents identify their plants and their plant problems. He went on to improve his own garden here in the area. He had a covered orchard which contained peaches, apricots, citrus trees, as well as blackberries CAN‛T FIND "THE MESSENGER"? JOIN THE THOUSANDS READING IT ONLINE! SIGN UP FOR FREE VIP ALE RTS WHE N THE NE XT E-E DITION OF THE DESERT MESSENGER IS AVAILAB LE ONLINE AT: WWW.MYQUARTZSITE.COM www.DesertMessenger.com in the back of his property. In the front of his property he grew many species of cacti, and desert flowers. As President of the Quartzsite Garden Club, he was part of his plant agenda encouraging others to landscape their properties with xe- riscaping (meaning dry landscaping or no grass) and lowering the water- ing costs and usage. He returned to work once again trimming plants and trees for the Town of Quartzsite, helping us beautify the cemetery, the streets and lanes. He spent a great deal of his time in Celia's Rainbow Gardens. He made a great contribu- tion there over the years. A second interest of his was history of the area. In more recent times he was the President of the Quartzsite Historical Society. He guided many in field trips in the area and trans- ported others to different locations when no guide was available, Den- nis did research and informed the groups of his knowledge. He was also a member of the Parker His- torical Society. He photographed the field trips and the abundance of desert bushes and other plants, es- pecially the desert flowers in bloom. Dennis liked to cook, bake and share these goodies with his friends and members of his Master Garden- ing class. He was honest and gentle to others. He was always willing to give plant advise to anyone who would ask. He will be missed by all who knew him. "As Town Manager, I can tell you that Dennis was a very caring indi- vidual. Many of our employees are going to miss him. He was a good friend as well as a good worker. A great gentleman, who loved his trade and his people. "Chris" Christy Joe McPhee full time RVer, passed away peace- fully, on August 24, 2017 with his beloved wife Ali (Alvera Graham) McPhee, by his side, at their home in Tonasket, WA. He was born October June, 1951 to John (Jack) and Joyce (Christy) McPhee in Oakland, Ca. Chris graduated from Del Oro High school in Walnut Creek, Ca. He was predeceased by his father John in 1968, his mother Joyce McPhee in 1990, his fiancé, "Kathy" Roberta Kathleen Parks in 1974, and his infant son David Christy McPhee in 1991. Also predeceased by our little Fur baby (kitty cat) IPo "Lord of Flys" McPhee in 2016. Chris lead a very adventurous life, from his days as a deep sea diver, that allowed him to work, travel, live and explore all over the world. He later put down roots in Hawaii, working as an Ironworker, and Boilermaker! The last seven-plus years of his life, Chris and his wife Ali lived in their RV, and traveled extensively in Canada, and the United States. Chris was a wan- derer, and loved to travel. He loved caving, backpacking, and hiking. His love of the outdoors was infec- tious. Chris was never short of a good story, a life lesson, or a joke. He was a kindhearted, caring, and compassionate man, who looked only for the good in others. He was slow to anger, always forgiving, and moved past things quickly. Chris was loved and respected by all. Chris was blessed to be loved by two families. He is survived by his loving wife Ali (Alvera Gra- ham) McPhee, his children Christy Melody (Brandon) Sherman, An- gelica E. (Jake Raymond) McPhee, and Duncan A.W. McPhee, and by his step children Shannon Hillbom, Nadene (Robert) Casorso, and Crystal Enns. Chris was known as Grandpa Chris to his many grand children, and great grandkids; Old- est to youngest: Amanda (Jeff) Tian Seng, Carly (Kurt) Zolmer, Sarah and James Casorso, Shanna (An- drew) Katarius, Bradley (Bridget Cardinal) Enns, and Krystin Enns. Emma Mosher, Darby and Bastian Sherman, Zachariah, and Zara Zol- mer, Sophia and Xavier Tian Seng and Ben Katarius; also survived by the mother of his children, Malexie McPhee, and three sisters. Chris's final wishes were to be cremated, and that his ashes be taken to Hawaii. There will be two celebrations of life. One held by his American family in the U.S. And one by his Canadian Family in Kelowna, B.C in the summer of 2018. Chris had wished to spend his last days at Brook And Barn Heritage Farm in Kelowna, but that was not to be, so we will celebrate his life there. One of his happy places! The family suggests making a donation in his name to Boy Scouts of America, Gospel Mission for Homelessness, Kelowna, B.C, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. These three organizations were near and dear to his heart! Celebration of Life will be held on August 1 , 2018, 2:00 pm at Kelow- na Brook and Barn Heritage Farm, 3877 Casorso Rd., Kelowna, B.C. Program, food, stories, drinks, and remembering a great man. Please join us! Everyone welcome! Con- tact Ali McPhee at 778-363-1951. "Chris" Christy Joe McPhee

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