Obituaries

Mrs. Carmen Gallegos (88) was a lifelong resident of Madera, California, and passed away on April 22, 2023. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of more than 65 years, Philip J. Gallegos, her mother, Henrietta Parma Lopez, and sisters, Elsie Rubio and Helen Perez.

Carmen was an incredible mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She is survived by her son Philip & (wife) Terri Gallegos of Madera, son Daniel & (wife) Cindy Gallegos of Bakersfield, daughter Cindy & (husband) Stefan Edelbacher of Brentwood, daughter Diana & (husband) Miguel Gonzalez of Madera, daughter Cece Foley-Gallegos of Madera.

Augie E. Valencia (76) - dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend - passed away on April 10, 2023, at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife, Debbie; children, Marco and his wife Michele, Nathan and his wife Stephanie, Aaron and his wife Ashley, and Jenna; grandchildren, Jeff, Echo, Blake, Josh, Hendrix, and Nolan; and in-laws Leon and Doris Potter.

After moving to the United States, he was raised in Northfork, California, and graduated from Sierra Joint Union Highschool in 1966. Following his time in the U.S. Navy, his love of learning led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fresno. Augie’s drive to inspire others guided him to become a coach, educator, and administrator. He touched the hearts of students and staff through his time at Washington, Eastin Arcola, and Lincoln Elementary.

Cheryl Ann Morgan was born on September 29th, 1947, in Fresno, California, to parents Teunis Cornelius and Lucille Mae Vierwinden. Cheryl Ann Morgan passed from this life peacefully, on the morning of April 12th, 2023, with her husband and son by her bedside.

She attended C.L. McLane High School and Fresno Community College. Cheryl was also a member of the California Civil Air Patrol and worked for a time at Yosemite National Park, at Curry Village, and at the old Glacier Point Hotel. In 1967, she married Frank A. Morgan of Madera, California, and two years later, became a mother when her son, John Patrick Morgan, was born.

Morgan Harry Johnson (91) passed away on March 16th at his home in Madera. Morgan was born at the Dearborn Sanitarium in Madera on April 30, 1931, to parents Harry and Nora Johnson and was raised in the Ripperdan area. Morgan attended Ripperdan Elementary and Madera High School, graduating in 1949.

Morgan then attended Stanford University and Fresno State. He enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years and returned to Madera to help his dad, Harry, in the family raisin vineyard, before returning to graduate from Stanford. Morgan then branched out independently, ultimately developing La Vina Ranch into a table grape vineyard and cherry orchard. One of the most satisfying things about farming for him was converting open ground to vineyards and orchards that produced good crops year after year. He held in high regard the many hard-working families and individuals who helped fulfill both his vision of the ranch and, later, that of his son-in-law, Mark Ibrahim.