Wanda Jean Gooch Simkins passed away on 16 March 2017. She was born in Winslow, Arizona on 31 August 1930, the sixth of seven daughters born to the late Ernest Frank and Mattie Laura Jackson Gooch.
Jean married Robert Cecil Simkins in 1949 and raised their two children after his untimely demise. She then married Irvan 'Stumpy' Stumph and deeply mourned his loss to complications of Alzheimer's in 2004.
Although retired from San Bernardino City Hall, Jean was an integral part of Chester Stumph and Son, her family's searchlight and stage equipment business.
In operation for 75 years, Stumph and Son provided lighting and sound for television, movies, stage productions, and outdoor events. Their credits include NASA/Dryden, where they developed and implemented an interface between space shuttle astronauts, mission control, television coverage and live audiences at Edwards Air Force Base during shuttle recoveries.
Their innovative work enabled large venue concerts like CalJAM 1 and 2 and the US Festivals. Their stage lighting illuminated the Rolling Stones first American concert.
Jean and Stumpy were dedicated to helping children discover music and theater. Stage equipment and musical instruments were donated to youth organizations and community projects. They actively supported children's hospitals through Al Malaikah Shrine.
Affectionately known as Grandma Jean to all who touched her life, she loved to read and collect old books. She thoroughly enjoyed working crossword puzzles (in ink) and was skilled in carpentry, masonry, and business administration.
Jean is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, beloved family and friends.
She loved all who touched her life.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, sisters, and her granddaughter.
In acknowledgment of Wanda Jean Simkins' passion for nature, science, and exploration, expressions of sympathy may be made the the Arbor Day Foundation.
Jean married Robert Cecil Simkins in 1949 and raised their two children after his untimely demise. She then married Irvan 'Stumpy' Stumph and deeply mourned his loss to complications of Alzheimer's in 2004.
Although retired from San Bernardino City Hall, Jean was an integral part of Chester Stumph and Son, her family's searchlight and stage equipment business.
In operation for 75 years, Stumph and Son provided lighting and sound for television, movies, stage productions, and outdoor events. Their credits include NASA/Dryden, where they developed and implemented an interface between space shuttle astronauts, mission control, television coverage and live audiences at Edwards Air Force Base during shuttle recoveries.
Their innovative work enabled large venue concerts like CalJAM 1 and 2 and the US Festivals. Their stage lighting illuminated the Rolling Stones first American concert.
Jean and Stumpy were dedicated to helping children discover music and theater. Stage equipment and musical instruments were donated to youth organizations and community projects. They actively supported children's hospitals through Al Malaikah Shrine.
Affectionately known as Grandma Jean to all who touched her life, she loved to read and collect old books. She thoroughly enjoyed working crossword puzzles (in ink) and was skilled in carpentry, masonry, and business administration.
Jean is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, beloved family and friends.
She loved all who touched her life.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, sisters, and her granddaughter.
In acknowledgment of Wanda Jean Simkins' passion for nature, science, and exploration, expressions of sympathy may be made the the Arbor Day Foundation.
Wanda Jean Gooch Simkins passed away on 16 March 2017. She was born in Winslow, Arizona on 31 August 1930, the sixth of seven daughters born to the late Ernest Frank and Mattie Laura Jackson Gooch.
Jean married Robert Cecil Simkins in 1949 and raised their two children after his untimely demise. She then married Irvan 'Stumpy' Stumph and deeply mourned his loss to complications of Alzheimer's in 2004.
Although retired from San Bernardino City Hall, Jean was an integral part of Chester Stumph and Son, her family's searchlight and stage equipment business.
In operation for 75 years, Stumph and Son provided lighting and sound for television, movies, stage productions, and outdoor events. Their credits include NASA/Dryden, where they developed and implemented an interface between space shuttle astronauts, mission control, television coverage and live audiences at Edwards Air Force Base during shuttle recoveries.
Their innovative work enabled large venue concerts like CalJAM 1 and 2 and the US Festivals. Their stage lighting illuminated the Rolling Stones first American concert.
Jean and Stumpy were dedicated to helping children discover music and theater. Stage equipment and musical instruments were donated to youth organizations and community projects. They actively supported children's hospitals through Al Malaikah Shrine.
Affectionately known as Grandma Jean to all who touched her life, she loved to read and collect old books. She thoroughly enjoyed working crossword puzzles (in ink) and was skilled in carpentry, masonry, and business administration.
Jean is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, beloved family and friends.
She loved all who touched her life.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, sisters, and her granddaughter.
In acknowledgment of Wanda Jean Simkins' passion for nature, science, and exploration, expressions of sympathy may be made the the Arbor Day Foundation.
Jean married Robert Cecil Simkins in 1949 and raised their two children after his untimely demise. She then married Irvan 'Stumpy' Stumph and deeply mourned his loss to complications of Alzheimer's in 2004.
Although retired from San Bernardino City Hall, Jean was an integral part of Chester Stumph and Son, her family's searchlight and stage equipment business.
In operation for 75 years, Stumph and Son provided lighting and sound for television, movies, stage productions, and outdoor events. Their credits include NASA/Dryden, where they developed and implemented an interface between space shuttle astronauts, mission control, television coverage and live audiences at Edwards Air Force Base during shuttle recoveries.
Their innovative work enabled large venue concerts like CalJAM 1 and 2 and the US Festivals. Their stage lighting illuminated the Rolling Stones first American concert.
Jean and Stumpy were dedicated to helping children discover music and theater. Stage equipment and musical instruments were donated to youth organizations and community projects. They actively supported children's hospitals through Al Malaikah Shrine.
Affectionately known as Grandma Jean to all who touched her life, she loved to read and collect old books. She thoroughly enjoyed working crossword puzzles (in ink) and was skilled in carpentry, masonry, and business administration.
Jean is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, beloved family and friends.
She loved all who touched her life.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, sisters, and her granddaughter.
In acknowledgment of Wanda Jean Simkins' passion for nature, science, and exploration, expressions of sympathy may be made the the Arbor Day Foundation.
