In Memoriam Gerald R. “Jerry” Brady Gerald R. “Jerry” Brady, longtime Leisure World resident with his partner, Patricia James, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2024. A devoted member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Jerry served on the church board, and as congregational President for 10 years. A career newspaperman, he spent 60 years in display advertising sales, working for local newspapers in Huntington Park, Downey and Norwalk, as well as the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Also active in community activities, Jerry coached youth teams with Downey Junior Athletic Association for many years, and served one term as president of the Downey Chamber of Commerce. Jerry loved community theatre; he acted in or directed countless productions over the years. A sports fan “extraordinaire,” he supported baseball, football, basketball, hockey... but, especially, arena football! He is survived by a son, daughter and grandson, as well Patricia’s son, daughter and grandchildren A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran and Saint Theodore’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, Aug.10, at 11 a.m. Luncheon to follow.

In Memoriam Elaine Larson Condon Elaine Larson Condon of Mutual 1, passed peacefully on June 29 after a brief illness. Beloved mother, devoted sister, and true-blue LA Dodgers’ fan, Elaine enjoyed a life filled with international travel, great friendships and plenty of chilled rosé. Born in Whittier, Elaine attended Whittier High School and Stanford University, enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a runway model, and lived in France with the loves of her life, her husband André and her cherished dogs, Boo Boo and Magic. Elaine is survived by her daughters, Debbie Levine and Loren Halleran and son-inlaw John Halleran; sister and brother-in-law Pat and Bob Kalayjian; grandchildren Taylor Petty and Bo Halleran; and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their children, along with countless admirers. We will all miss her quick wit, keen intelligence, kind heart, and elegant style. Donations would be welcome at any animal-related charities.

Lavern Hal Jackson 1940-2024 Lavern Hal Jackson, born in Afton, Iowa, on Jan. 8, 1940, passed away on July 7, 2024. Preceded in death by his parents Loretta and Haldon Jackson, Lavern is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sandra Jackson; his sons Randall, Landon, and Brandon Jackson; his three cherished grandchildren; his nieces and nephews; and his sister Hallie Jackson Moon. Lavern moved to Buena Park just a few weeks after high school to begin his singing career with the Wagon Masters at Knott’s Berry Farm. This initial foray into music laid the foundation for a life filled with melody and song. He had a long and fulfilling career running catering trucks for Orange County Food Services. His passion for music remained strong, leading him to open the John Wayne Theater at Knott’s Berry Farm with his band, The Here and Now. Lavern’s singing career truly flourished later in life when he was discovered by the Trinity Broadcast Network. He became a celebrated gospel singer, renowned for his soulful voice and heartfelt performances, achieving over 20 chart-topping albums over his more than 20-year career. Lavern will be remembered for his exceptional talent, his dedication to his family, and his unwavering faith. His music touched the hearts of many, and his legacy will continue to inspire and uplift those who knew him and those who will come to know him through his recordings. There will be a service on Saturday, July 27, at 3 p.m. at HIS Place Church, 14061 Chestnut St., Westminster, CA 92683.

LaVon Gloria DeMott 1931–2024 LaVon Gloria DeMott, beloved mother, grandmother, great- grandma and friend, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 2, 2024. LaVon was born on May 23, 1931, to Grover Otero and Marjory (Scribner) Otero in Compton, California. LaVon met her future husband, Raleigh Truman Bunch, in high school in 1944, and they were married in 1950, shortly after he had enlisted in the Air Force. They had three sons during their marriage and were divorced in 1960. LaVon was a devout member of the LDS Church and served many calls, including a couple’s mission with her husband, Ben DeMott, whom she married in the LDS temple in 1975. LaVon’s greatest love was for her sons and their families. Her happiest moments were spending time together and welcoming them into her home for a holiday get-together, a pool party, a sleepover or a vacation. LaVon is survived by her sons, Raleigh (Renee) Bunch, Marlon Bunch and Dana (Debbie) Bunch as well as her many grandchildren. LaVon is preceded in death by her mother and father, Grover and Margory Otero, her sister Beverly Otero, her husband Ben DeMott and her first-born granddaughter, Eva Marie Bunch. A celebration of life is scheduled for July 27 at 4 p.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9.

In Memoriam Joan “Jeannie” Capper Cose Joan “Jeannie” Cose passed away peacefully in Gig Harbor, Washington, on June 23, 2024. Born in Liverpool, Jeannie cruised the Atlantic working for the Elder Dempster cruise line then found herself in California. She is in the Disney Hall of Fame after 25 years working for Mickey. She was a proud Southern Californian transplant. Her golden years, spent at Leisure World, provided such joy, filled with travel, golf, laughter and friends. Her ashes will be spread in her beloved Pacific Ocean. She will be missed.

Mary Cox Greytak 1922-2024 Friendly and witty would describe Mary Cox Greytak (nee Duitz), 102, who passed away on May 28, 2024, in Seal Beach. She was born on April 28, 1922, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, to Leo and Mary Duitz. The third of four girls, Mary had a wonderful childhood. After high school she attended secretarial school and became a reporter for the Jeffersonville Times. While volunteering for the United Service Organizations (USO), Mary met J. Claude Cox in Jeffersonville. They married October 1945. Immediately after the wedding, they moved to El Monte, California, to live with his parents. Later, they moved to Baldwin Park, California, and were blessed with a son, Wayne Bruce. Forty months later, they welcomed their daughter, Dee Mary. Mary was an office manager for State Farm, a job she loved for 50 years. Mary and Claude were active square dancers and had many leadership responsibilities and a sense of adventure they visited 49 states. At the passing of her wonderful husband in September 1983, Mary moved to Orange, California, to live with her daughter. In 1999, Mary moved to Mutual 9 in Leisure World. Mary joined the Cribbage Club, where she met many friends and her future husband, Roger Wieber. Mary shared 18 months with this friendly, personable, romantic man. They were active in many LW activities before Roger’s passing in 2002. Widowhood was not God’s plan, and while attending Cribbage Club, Mary met and married Gary Greytak. She and Gary had a wonderful time together in LW. They attended Holy Family Catholic Church, the Friendly Couples Club, volunteered in Meals on Wheels, shared in Mutual director responsibilities, and were officers in the Cribbage Club. The two of them aged with grace, calling Gary’s oxygen machine “Jezebel” and Mary’s walker “George.” Making light of hard things was their way of carrying burdens. Mary loved her family. Celebrating together was a high priority, and balancing a spoon on your nose was a family tradition at many gatherings. Mary leaves behind daughter, Dee (Brian); daughter-inlaw, Sue; sister, Alice Joy; three granddaughters, Stephanie, Wendy and Kelly; and four great-grandchildren, Lance, Ryan, Mitchell and Rachel. Mary was preceded in death by husbands, Claude, Roger, Gary, her son Wayne, and her sisters, Dorothy and Leola. Services for Mary will be held on June 29 at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Church. A celebration of life will follow the service at LW Community Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary Greytak to the USO, P.O. box 96860 Washington, D.C., 20077-7677. ••• The obituaries deadline is Friday at 4 p.m., prior to the desired Thursday publication date. Obituaries that are received later than Friday will go in the following week’s issue. Email obituary notices to laurieb@lwsb.com with photos attached as jpg files. The first 250 words, plus one picture, are free to publish in the newspaper; each additional word is 25 cents. For more information, call 562-430-0534, ext. 2801, or email laurieb@lwsb.com.