MAGEE, Claudean

Palo Verde Valley Times, Blythe, California ~ 05/29/2014 Claudean Phipps Magee, 86, passed away May 24, 2014 in Blythe, California. She was born July 29, 1927 in Vernon, Arizona, to Claude and Fern Phipps. Claudean was raised in Vernon and went to schools in Vernon, St. Johns, Arizona and Snowflake, Arizona, graduating from Snowflake High School. She married the love of her life, Jim Magee, July 6, 1945 and to this union three children were born. Claudean and Jim traveled throughout Southern California and Arizona due to his work, finally settling in Blythe. Upon his retirement they became snowbirds traveling from Blythe to Heber City, Utah and the surrounding area. She worked for the forest service for eight years at Strawberry Reservoir Visitor's Center. When her health kept them from continuing to be snowbirds they stayed in Blythe. Claudean is survived by her husband of nearly 69 years Jim Magee of Blythe; her daughter, Kathy (Deion) Stroschein of Blythe; son, Jim Magee, Jr. of San Diego, California. She is also survived by her grandsons, Don (Angela) Olmsted of Blythe, George Kermit Olmsted of Blythe, Lynn (Wendy) Stroschein of Peoria, Ariz. and Scott (LaWana) Stroschein of Oregon; granddaughters, Penny (Kalani) Wilia of Hawaii and Shanda Magee of Fresno, California. She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; one sister; her youngest son, Orval Magee; and her granddaughter, Ginger Olmsted. A "Celebration of Life" for Claudean will be at the VFW Hall in Blythe at 12 p.m. (noon), May 31, 2014. Interment will be in Vernon June 2, 2014 at 10 a.m.