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66 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | SEPTEMBER 2017 | Bob Ewart stepped into the arms of Jesus on July 19, 2017. Bob had been living in the Sun Lakes Resort Community, in Banning, CA, for the past 28 years. He was born to Don and Juanita Ewert in Wichita, Kansas on July 26, 1933. He would later marry his high school sweetheart, Joanne Johnson. The two dated from the age of 14 and then married on June 28, 1952. They just celebrated 65 years of marriage. Bob and Joanne have three daughters - Jody, Jill and Janet. They lived for a short time in La Puente, but later moved to West Covina where they raised their family. All three girls swam for the local swim team. The entire family participated to support the team. Bob loved sports. He played football and baseball for Belmont High School (Los Angeles) up until the time of his graduation in 1951. When he joined the Army two years later, he was playing on one of their football teams called The Travellers, while he was stationed in Germany. Occasionally the players were asked to act as Military Police on the base, during his two year service commitment. When Bob came back to the United States he worked as a landscaper, up until the time he decided to become a firefighter for Los Angeles City Fire Department. He started his firefighting career out as a hard-working rookie fireman. His work ethic was impeccable. He would often tell the story of cleaning toilets as a rookie at the station and making the determination to clean them better than anybody else. He began playing handball as a young fireman. Bob became a very good adversary on the court. He would later become an avid golfer- even accomplishing some very difficult holes in one. He promoted through the ranks of the LAFD to complete his career as a Division Fire Chief for the department. At age 55, Bob received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and at age 60, he was baptized at Yucaipa Christian Church. He would later move churches to be closer to Banning. Life Point Church, in Banning, became Bob and Joanne's home church. He would serve as an usher in his church for many years. Bob always had a heart for service. Retiring from the fire service wasn't truly retirement. He ran the Charity Golf Tournament in Sun Lakes for several years; he served on the Board of Directors for the Sun Lakes Homeowners Association, while Sun Lakes was developing as a community; he restructured Pass Com for Emergency Preparedness in the Banning Pass area; he served on the Safety and Security Advisory Committee; he and Dan English, organized and ran the Emergency Preparedness Drills (EPAP) in his community; he became a Citizen Volunteer for the Banning Police Department; he worked for a time with the DARE Program; he served on the Board of Directors for San Gorgonio Hospital; and at age 79, he and Joanne helped care for one of their great-grandsons. Bob leaves behind his wife, Joanne, their three daughters and their families - Jim and Jody Wolfe, Jill Perez, Steve and Janet Johnson; 8 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Katie Jane Jett Palmer age 89 of La Mesa, California went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 1, 2017 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on December 8, 1927 to Earl and Alberta Jett. Her early years were spent in Knoxville where she attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from East Tennessee Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She spent over 60 years as an RN working in hospitals around the country. Katie met the love of her life John Wilson Palmer, Jr. while working as a nurse and they were married on November 9, 1951 after only seven weeks. John served in the US Airforce as a fighter pilot and later in the aerospace industry. Their lives took them across United States to Chandler, Arizona; Moses Lake, Washington; Memphis, Tennessee: Huntsville, Alabama and in 1965 to Garden Grove, California where they lived together for 22 years. John died too early at age 56 in 1987. Katie and John shared three beloved daughters, Sarah, Margaret and Kathryn as well as 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Their family was the focus of their lives. Katie moved to Banning in 2002 and purchased a home in Sun Lakes. She made many friends there and enjoyed the pleasure of a full social life. She also attended St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beaumont, California. Katie loved to watch sports especially Angels baseball and the University of Tennessee football team. She was an excellent dancer and never missed an opportunity to enjoy live music. She was a wonderful cook and well known for her delicious apple pie, chili and especially her chocolate praline cake. She was just plain fun! Katie was preceded in death by husband John; parents Earl and Alberta Jett; and brother Bill Jett. She is survived by daughters Sarah Amos and her husband Bill; Margaret Heath; and Kathryn Forader and her husband Mike. She will be greatly missed by her 11 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Katie and John were interred at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Friends we will miss We want to remember your loved ones in the "Friends We Will Miss" section, above, but we need your help. Please be sure to get us the information about their passing. Turn in any obituaries to the Main Clubhouse reception desk or send them electronically to SunLakesNews@ yahoo.com.

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