GORDON FAIRLEY '55 of Salem, Oregon, died on August 2, 2000, after suffering a stroke. He was 68. Born in Congo, Africa, Gordon graduated from high school via correspondence from Gabon, West Africa. After graduating from SPC and Simpson Bible College, Gordon returned to Africa for 26 years. For 15 of those years, he was a bush pilot and airplane mechanic with Mission Aviation Fellowship. Gordon was also a machinist for 11 years and an area representative for Back to the Bible Broadcasting. He enjoyed designing and building model airplanes, woodworking and sailing. Gordon is survived by his wife, Kathryn, two children and nine grandchildren.
LYLE NORTHRUP '27 died on May 17, 2001, after an extended illness. He was 94 years old. While a student at SPC, Lyle received the call to preach the Gospel and spent decades as a pastor in Free Methodist churches throughout Washington. In 1946, he was elected superintendent of the Seattle-Tacoma-Yakima district of the Washington Conference of the Free Methodist Church. After eight years as superintendent, he entered full-time evangelism and made his first trip to the Holy Land, a trip he repeated 24 times during the rest of his life. In 1955, he was elected director of evangelism and church extension for the Free Methodist Church and was instrumental in establishing Free Methodist churches in England and Northern Ireland. In 1980, Lyle and his wife, CLARA LINGLE NORTHRUP '27, moved to Warm Beach Senior Community, and he again began holding revival meetings throughout the United States and Canada. His wife passed away five years ago and a son died in 1954, but Lyle is survived by two daughters, including JOYCE NORTHRUP DODGE '51; seven grandchildren, including COLLEEN DODGE SPENCE '80 and PATRICIA DODGE STEVENS '81; and 12 great-grandchildren.
JEAN THOMAS OLIVER CC '59 died on September 10, 2000. She was 73 years old. Jean was active in church and mission work, frequently sharing her musical talent, which included a beautiful contralto voice. After high school, she decided to attend college and for 10 years, while working full-time as a bookkeeper, she took evening classes. After graduating from Cascade College in 1959, she continued her career as a bookkeeper and office manager for many years. Working well past retirement age, Jean worked part-time at the Sutter County District Attorney's office in Yuba City, California, until August 2000. Wrote the County Board of Supervisors, "She was an exemplary role model whose integrity served as an example for all."
JANICE HOOGE ROCHELLE '62 died on April 27, 2001, from complications of spleen surgery. She was 60 years old. Raised in a Mennonite community in Dallas, Oregon, Jan came to SPC, where, in 1961, she was crowned Homecoming Queen and elected student body secretary. She later earned a master's degree and doctorate in psychology from the International University in San Diego, California. After earning her doctorate, Jan became the director of a state-run home for abused women in the Lancaster, California, region. She is survived by two children and three grandchildren.
PATRICIA ROBARE SEBRING '42 died from cancer on August 4, 2000. She was 82. For 30 years, Pat was a beloved teacher in the South Kitsap School District. She was among the first teachers named to teach in the district's special education program. After her retirement in 1980, Pat continued a unique relationship with South Kitsap residents. For 16 years, she wrote a weekly column in The Port Orchard Independent, a newspaper based in Port Orchard, Washington. The column — combining friendly information, local news and uplifting anecdotes ‹ was one of the most popular portions of the newspaper. Pat also wrote short stories and was an accomplished photographer. She is survived by a son, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
DOROTHY FUHRMANN WAGG '31 of Madison, Minnesota, died on April 28, 2001, at the age of 90. After graduating from SPC, Dorothy married SANFORD WAGG CC '29, who went on to be a pastor for many years in Washington and Oregon. Dorothy taught school for 36 years and enjoyed reading, crocheting, playing games and "teaching anyone anything." She especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Preceded in death by her husband, Dorothy is survived by three daughters; 11 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, including ELMA FUHRMANN HANSEN '42; and two brothers, including DONALD FUHRMANN '48.
HOLLY RAE WALKER '40 died February 17, 2000, in Bremerton, Washington. She was 83. Although she was born in Canada, Holly grew up and graduated from high school in Seattle. She attended the University of Washington and graduated from SPC, where she served as president of the Associated Women Students. She was a homemaker and wife of United Methodist Church minister E. Jerry Walker. Holly's survivors include two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and a daughter.
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