Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Thomas G. McCarter, "Tommy", a lifelong resident of Mayo, MD, died at his home on Thursday, July 11, 2019, following a one and half year battle with lung cancer.  Born February 5, 1953, in Annapolis, MD to the late Jeanne Elizabeth and Louis Franklin McCarter, he attended Southern High School in Harwood, MD.  From 1971-73 Tommy served his country while in the United States Coast Guard as an Engineman Petty Officer. In 1984, he partnered with David Brown and together they started McCarter's Welding & Fabrication.  Tommy was a longtime member of American Legion Post 226 and the National Rifle Association. He was a mentor for “FIRST Robotics/Power Hawks Robotics Team” at South River High School from 2003 to 2012.  He loved helping the students learn the trade he specialized in and passing on his impeccable craft of hand-drawn fabrication even in the digital age. He was a known perfectionist in his fabrication and steel welding, never settling for less than the best. He loved his friends, his chickens, history of all kinds, marksmanship, woodworking, and fabrication of impeccable products for his clients, friends, and family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Michael McCarter. Tommy is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynda McCarter; two children, Thomas G. McCarter, Jr. and Samantha McCarter; and a half-brother, Steve McCarter and his wife, Hedy. He is also survived by many beloved friends and family. A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019, at 11:00 am at Lakemont Memorial Gardens, 900 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122.

Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

 Blaire ' Meagan" Wilson passed away on July, 10, 2019, with her loving parents and brothers by her side, following a two year battle with cancer.
Born January 29, 1985 to Scott and Linda Wilson, she graduated from Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City, Mayland and continued her education at Howard County Community College. 
She was a resident of Ellicott City  and Marriottsville Maryland. She was a Project Coordinator at First Finish LLC in Columbia , Maryland.
Blaire was a avid Runner, she loved to travel to Carribean, she loved the ocean and the beaches. She also had a small start up business making jewelry.

She is survived by her parents Scott and Linda Wilson and her brothers Tyler Maxwell Wilson and Nicholas Wilson all of Marriottsville Maryland.

Friends are invited to celebrate Blaire's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Saturday, July 13 from 5 pm until her memorial service begins at 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, PO Box 13827, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 or online at https://www.nccc-online.org/get-involved/donate-to-nccc/

Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.




Christian Ferdinand Elkington, Sr., 76, died of cancer on July 8, 2019 at his home in Annapolis. Born Christian Ferdinand Jacobsen, II on December 5, 1942 in Washington, DC to the late John Sippel Jacobsen and Virginia Koons Jacobsen, he was a Vietnam combat veteran and had a lengthy career with the Department of Veterans Affairs before retiring in 2000. In retirement, he advocated for the Chesapeake Bay and the South River. A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 13 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Ronald Lee Haney, 69, long-time resident of Fort Washington MD, died July 8, 2019 at the Washington Hospital Center from injuries sustained in a fall while repairing the roof of his home. 

Ron was born on January 17,1950 in Dearborn, Michigan, son of the late Ernest and Cleo (Shirey) Haney. He attended the University of Michigan, majoring in music as a tuba player, but before graduating won a position in the tuba section of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington DC. There he found his career, serving 30 years (1972-2002) under seven presidents, retiring with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He concurrently pursued his college degree, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the George Washington University in 1977. Ron was a well-established freelance tubist in the DC area, playing in every type of ensemble from Oktoberfest and Dixieland combos to classical orchestras, concert bands, and chamber ensembles. 

Besides music, Ron had a passion for bicycling and all things related to the sport. He had a brief career in amateur racing, later becoming active in the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, where, besides riding thousands of miles a year, he was a frequent and willing volunteer, always available to help in any capacity. He also was a devoted student of bicycle biomechanics, in constant pursuit of the perfect fit of rider to bike. He painstakingly custom-designed every minute detail of his bicycles and saddles and had no fear whatsoever of thinking outside the box. 

Ron is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara (Bibbero) Haney; they met and married while both were serving in ‘The President’s Own”. Together they traveled the US and the world, both during their careers and in retirement.

He had a soft spot in his heart for everything feline. He adored his two cats and wherever he traveled, he seemed able to make friends with any local cat he’d meet. Here at home he had been a volunteer cat caregiver with the Charles County Humane Society for several years.
Ron had a ready smile and a twinkle in his eye that could light up a room, and he cherished good times with friends. He had great empathy for others: you could count on him to always act thoughtfully, conscientiously, and selflessly; to do the right thing, and especially to do right by those he loved. We were lucky to have him in our lives, even briefly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choosing; that’s what he would have wanted.


William John Gautier "Bill", 95, of Annapolis died on Monday, July 8, 2019 following a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 15, 1924 to the late Franklin and Frances Gautier, Bill served in the U.S. Army Air Forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II repairing aircraft. Upon returning to the U.S., he was employed as an electrician with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and remained with the agency during its transformation into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 1959, he was among the first employees at Beltsville Space Center, now Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, MD, playing a role in NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs. He received special recognition for his contributions to the Apollo XI moon landing, as well as the Apollo XV mission, which saw the first use of the lunar roving vehicle. Bill resigned from NASA in 1971 to accept a position with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, from which he retired in 1990. In 1964, he married the former Norma Fenton, moving from Hyattsville, MD, to Lanham, MD. In 1997, they relocated to Annapolis, where they were parishioners of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Bill enjoyed tinkering with and fixing things, as well as air shows and chocolate. He was a loyal and devoted friend to many, and all who knew him grew to love him. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by two stepchildren, Charles Fenton and Kathleen Saul and a niece, Patricia Gautier. Bill is survived by two granddaughters, Kelly Saul and her husband, Jason Rhodes and Mary Angela Bendon and her husband, Mark C. Bendon V; two great-granddaughters, Lauryn Dennis and Annabella Bendon both of Millsboro, DE and a son-in-law, Robert Saul of Georgetown, DE. Friends are invited to celebrate Bill's life on Thursday, July 18 from 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, July 19 at 9 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD. Interment will follow at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, MD. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Elizabeth Lee Quigley, "Betty", a 55-year resident of Holland Point, MD and previously of New Carrollton, MD, died on Sunday, July 7, 2019, in Laurel, MD following a short battle with bile duct cancer.  Born February 14, 1931, in Washington, D.C., to the late Joseph and Elizabeth Butler, she graduated from McKinley Technology High School in Washington, D.C. She started her dancing career as a Radio City Rockette and went on to become the owner and operator of Betty Quigley's Studio of Dance and later taught dance classes at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.  She enjoyed volunteering and was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels, The Help Association Thrift Store, Garden Club, The Holland Point Citizens Association, and was the volunteer coordinator at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. Quigley, Jr. and a daughter, Lynda Jo Quigley.  She is survived by three sons, Richard Quigley of Holland Point, MD, Patrick Quigley of Laurel, MD, and Michael Quigley of Sykesville, MD; two grandchildren, Adam Quigley and Alyssa Heser; and six great-grandchildren, Morgan and McKenna Heser, Logan, Landon, Hudson, and Austin Oleen. Friends are invited to celebrate Betty's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, July 9, from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm.  A graveside service and interment will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Rd., Brentwood, MD at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122 or the charity of your choice. Following the interment, a celebration of life will be held at the home of Rick and Robin Quigley, 908 Bay Front Ave., Holland Point Park, MD 20714. Online guestbook available by visiting the link on this page.

John William Malamphy "Bill", 86, a resident of Annapolis, MD, died on July 7, 2019 at Suburban Hospital. Born on August 8, 1934 in Ridgeley, WV to the late John and Mary Malamphy, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Maryland. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and for many years was a computer software sales executive. Bill was a member of Eastport United Methodist Church, the Annapolis Elks and was Lt. Governor of the Annapolis Lions Club. He enjoyed collecting coins, reading, gardening, spending time with his many friends and family and he especially loved watching his grandchildren play lacrosse. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his siblings, Tom Malamphy and Frances Chester. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sally Malamphy; his children, Barbara Fox of Ashburn, VA and John Malamphy of Crofton, MD; his sister Mary Joe Culbertson of Woodbridge, VA and his grandchildren, Taylor, Lauren, Sarah and Paige Fox, Brooke, Olivia, Brett and Blake Malamphy. Memorial service will be held at Eastport United Methodist Church, 926 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis, MD on Saturday, July 13 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 (woundedwarriorproject.org). Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Frederick Albert McGrath

Passed away peacefully at his home in Fort Washington, MD, on July 6, 2019 at the age of 94. 

A World War II veteran, he was the son of Frederick and Anna McGrath and born on October 18, 1924 at their home on C Street, SW, Washington, DC. He attended Jefferson middle school, Eastern high school and studied accounting at Ben Franklin and George Washington Universities. 

Fred had a long and distinguished career. At age 9 he worked his first job for 10 cents a wagon load delivering groceries for A&P market. After advancing through numerous other jobs, Fred was hired at age 16 as an apprentice sheetmetal worker at the Naval Research Lab. At the start of WWII, he was not drafted because his employment was deferred, but volunteered anyway, saying he “wanted to go win the war." He served his country in the U.S. Navy as a Second Class Aviation Metalsmith. He participated in the invasion of Guam and was assigned to the Fourth Aviation Repair Overhaul Unit (AROU4) at the Orote Air Field, where he worked to repair damaged aircraft. He was also stationed at Saipan and at Tinian during the launch of the Enola Gay to Hiroshima.

After the war, wanting to immediately get back to work, Fred was hired as a Grade 1 money counter at the U.S. Treasury Department. By the time he retired in 1980, he had risen to Director of Internal Audit, one of the most prestigious positions in the Treasury.

Fred was an astute businessman and, outside his demanding job at the Treasury, undertook numerous business ventures. He operated multiple parking lots in DC and founded Jaymac Properties, a residential rental business with properties across the DC metro area that continues to operate as a family-owned business.

He was a devout Catholic and served for over four decades as an acolyte minister at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Southwest DC, the church where he was baptized, located only blocks from his birth home.

Fred was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He coached his sons’ football teams and led the St. Thomas More and Oxon Hill Boys Club teams to a number of championships. He treasured his family above all else and took every chance to attend events that featured his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed family vacations and outings, especially car shows, and spent many summers in Ocean City, MD with his family. 

He had a brilliant mind and his life brought joy to everyone who knew him. He is deeply loved by his family and will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy Jane McGrath, son, Frederick Albert McGrath III, grandsons, Frederick and Ryan McGrath, and daughter-in-law, Cynthia Costenbader, MD. He joins his son Patrick Kelly McGrath in heaven. 

A viewing will be held on Saturday, July 13th at 10 a.m. at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in SW, Washington, DC, followed by an 11 a.m. mass and burial at Resurrection Cemetery. For further details call 301-751-2646.


Rosemarie Virginia Humphrey "Rosie", 87, a resident of Annapolis, MD for six years and previously of Port Orange, FL and Riverdale, MD, died of natural causes on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at her home. Born on July 8, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Anton and Mary Decker, Rosie served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1951. She was a homemaker for most of her life.  Rosie was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Annapolis. She enjoyed shopping, swimming, decorating at Christmas and spending time with her family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, William "Bill" Humphrey and her daughter in law, Virginia "Gina" Humphrey, as well as 4 brothers and 2 sisters, all from Milwaukee.  She is survived by her children, William Humphrey, Jr. of Hanover, MD, Joseph (Mary) Humphrey of St. John's, FL, Mary Louise (Cliff) Howe of Annapolis, MD, Carol Ann Gibson of Arnold, MD and Catherine (Philip) Wilson of Riva, MD, John (Gwenn) Humphrey of Fresno, CA and James (Akiko) Humphrey, CDR USN of Yokosuka, Japan; her sister, Nancy (Dave) Iselin of Milwaukee, WI, 23 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD on Thursday, August 1,  2019 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, 351 Hilltop Ln., Annapolis, MD 21403. Condolences and Tributes may be made by clicking the link on this page. 

Barbara Ann Clark "Bobbie", 87, a resident of Annapolis, MD for 30 year passed away on Saturday, July 6 at her home. Barbara was born and raised in District Heights, MD and married her high school sweetheart, Robert Clark, shortly after graduating high school. They lived in Southern California briefly, while Robert was in the United States Marine Corps, and eventually settled and raised their family in Forestville, MD. For more than 20 years, Barbara proudly served as the secretary for the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Special Operations Division, a job she was fiercely proud of and cherished immensely. Barbara loved to travel far and wide with her close friends, including trips to New York City, cruises to the Caribbean, and touring around the Italian countryside. Ever the social butterfly, she was passionate about her weekly outings with her many friends from her local community, booking most nights with musicals, shows or card games. Not to mention, she had a renowned sweet tooth, and maintained a fresh stock of candy, sweets and ice cream she was more than willing to share with her grandchildren. Barbara was a loving and compassionate woman who was devoted to her three children, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She valued every second she had with her family and dear loved ones, whether at a family holiday or while holding counsel in her back room sitting in her favorite chair. She attended every event she could, from concerts to sporting events to graduations. Barbara embodied motherhood; she was selfless, kind, trusting, honest, and compassionate. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Robert A. Clark, Sr. She is survived by her three children, Elaine (Donnie) Tubb, Bonnie (Greg) Wiese and Robert A. (Chrissy) Clark, Jr.; eight grandchildren: Laura, Stephen and Jennifer Tubb, Shawn, David and Christine Wiese, Rachel and Carolyn Clark; her sister, Carolyn (Brian) Greenwood and her three great grandchildren. Friends are invited to celebrate Barbara's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, July 16 from 11 am until her memorial service begins at 12 noon. Interment private. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Carole Lea Hughes, 72, a forty-year resident of Davidsonville, MD, died on July 6, 2019, at her home due to metastatic breast cancer. Born on April 2, 1947, in Washington, DC to the late Evelyn Jeanne and Arthur V. Alberding, Sr., Carole was a graduate of Regina High School. She was a full-time mother and after her children were grown she took a job as a Title Abstractor for 20 years. She worked full-time as a Settlement Processor for Eagle Title, LLC in Annapolis for the last 6 years. Carole is survived by her husband of almost 53 years, Joseph Craig Hughes; her children, Jason Hughes and his wife, Guinnevere Hughes of Davidsonville, MD and Stacey Gembicki and her husband, Mark Gembicki of Annapolis, MD; her siblings, Bill Alberding and his wife, Mary Alberding of Bowie, MD, Debbie Cooper and her partner, Torrin Wright of Bowie, MD and Marc Alberding and his wife, Kelli Justesen of Maple Grove, MN and her grandsons, Jackson, Huck and Jay Hughes. Friends are invited to celebrate Carole's life on Sunday, August 4 from 1 to 3 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD, with a short Catholic prayer service being held at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Knitted Knockers Support Foundation, 1780 Iowa St., Bellingham, WA 98229(www.knittedknockers.org/donations) or the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (donate.nationalbreastcancer.org). If sending flowers, gardenias were her favorite, NO LILIES PLEASE. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Helene C. Rogan, 80, a 21-year resident of Annapolis and previously of Bowie, MD, passed away at the Anne Arundel Medical Center on July 5, 2019.  Born on August 4, 1938 in Carbondale, PA to the late Richard and Catherine Munley, Helene was a registered nurse and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis.
In addition to her parents Helene was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, James F. Rogan. She is survived by her children; Richard Rogan of Waldorf, MD James Rogan of Glen Burnie, MD and Lauren Whipple of Edgewater, MD; one brother, Paul Munley of Clearwater, FL; nine grandchildren, James and Christina Whipple, Andrew and Sara Rogan, Joseph and Nicholas Pecosh, Jessica Headley, Melissa Haskin and Katelyn Boodoo; and four great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to celebrate Helene’s life on Wednesday, July 10 from 5 to 8pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, July 11 at 11am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 515 Loch Haven Rd, Edgewater, MD. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be offered by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

On Friday, July 5, 2019 of Oxon Hill, MD. The beloved husband of the late Virginia P. Brake; stepfather of Linda Kremer; grandfather of Edith Kratzer, Victoria Abel and Linda Stark. Also survived by three great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Family and friends are invited to Richard’s Celebration of Life on Monday, July 15th from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD, where his services will be held on Tuesday, July 16th at 11a.m. Interment Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. 

Margaret B. Stern, age 99, died peacefully on July 4, 2019 at Ginger Cove in Annapolis, MD where she had resided since 2003. Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1920, daughter of Jeanne Mordorf and Preston R. Bassett, Margaret lived in New York City and Rochester, VT.  She received her BA from Wellesley College in 1942, and later her MA from Bank Street College of Education.  
A pioneer in teaching students with learning differences, Margaret tutored, consulted and gave workshops throughout the United States and Europe encouraging teachers to broaden their understanding of how children learn to read and do arithmetic.  She collaborated with Dr. Catherine B. Stern and Toni S. Gould on developing and publishing the Structural Arithmetic and Structural Reading methods. She received the Orton Dyslexia Society Award in 1989 and the Bank Street College of Education Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Field of Education in 1998.
An avid birder and naturalist, Margaret conveyed her love of nature in her landscape paintings. 
Margaret’s marriage to Fritz R. Stern ended in divorce. Predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Preston R. Bassett Jr. and Allen Bassett, she is survived by her daughter, Katherine Stern Brennan; her son, Frederick P. Stern; her brother, William A. Bassett of Ithaca, NY; grandchildren, Philip S. Brennan, Laura Brennan Moltz and Michael L.Stern and her great-grandchildren Josephine and Ty Brennan and Edward Moltz.
A memorial service will be held at Ginger Cove’s Friendship Hall on July 20 at 2PM.  A second memorial service will be held at the Federated Church of Rochester, VT on August 10 at 3PM. 
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sciencenter, Ithaca, NY or the Ginger Cove Employee Fund.
On-line condolences may be offered by accessing the Memory Wall tab at the top of this page.


Friends are invited to celebrate Nata's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, July 9 from 11:30 am until her funeral service begins at 12:30 pm. Entombment will follow at Washington National Cemetery in Suitland, MD. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

CECIL, Delorian Joan (nee Moon) went to heaven peacefully on July 4, 2019 at the Fort Washington Medical Center, Fort Washington, MD.  Delorian, affectionately known as “Del” was born on March 2, 1928 in Stoystown, PA.  She met and married James F. Cecil after a brief romance on August 6, 1950.  Del and Jim enjoyed 51 years of married life until his death in 2001.  She enjoyed her career as a printing clerk at the Federal Trade Commission for more than 30 years, retiring in 1978.  During her 41 years of retirement, she loved her pets: Bow & Sugar, gardening, eating at the old Hot Shoppes, traveling to the Florida Keys, and spending time with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James F. Cecil, her mother Goldie Swanson and stepfather, Folke Swanson. She is survived by her cousins, William Findley and Gary Valentine, and nephew Eugene Cecil III., and her longtime friend and caregiver, Letizia Paternoster Franklin.  Family will receive friends on Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. At Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745.   Interment 1:00 pm, Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Stoystown Cemetery, Quemahoning Twp Stoystown, Somerset County, PA.  Del requested that in lieu of flowers, that you please consider making a donation to the Indian Head Animal Hospital Charitable Fund, 10909 Indian Head Hwy, Fort Washington, MD  20744.

Upper Marlboro - Elden Ernest Ferguson, 79, died July 3, 2019 at home following a short battle with brain cancer. 


He was born on October 29, 1939 in San Diego, CA and grew up in Twisp, WA.  Elden served four years in the US Navy from November 1958-1962 and two years in the reserves from 1962-1964.  He was stationed in Norfolk, VA on the Forrestal aircraft carrier. In Norfolk, he met his future wife and attended Virginia Bible College.  Elden and Sandra married in 1964 and later moved to Northern VA before settling in Maryland in 1969.   


Elden is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandra Ferguson; his daughter, Diana (Ferguson) Karns and husband Mike Karns; his daughter, Debra (Ferguson) Ashpaugh and husband John Ashpaugh; and five grandchildren, Ashlyn Karns, Analise Karns, Danielle Ashpaugh, Garrett Karns and John Ashpaugh, Jr; and many close friends.


He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Elmer Ferguson and mother, Cedelia (Hoover) Ferguson and three siblings, Charles Ferguson, and twins Marilyn Ferguson and Carolyn (Ferguson) Robbins. 



Elden was a quiet man but when he gave advice it was worth listening.  He could fix almost anything and loved to eat often planning dinner before lunch was even finished.  He will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather and friend.


A viewing and funeral will be held at Independent Baptist Church in Clinton, MD.

 

John Thomas “Tommy” Adams passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 3, at age 81, with his wife of 59 years, Joyce, by his side. Known in the early 2000s to thousands of young lacrosse players in the Annapolis area as the “Stick Doctor”, Tommy spent a life steeped in the brotherhood of sports.
Born on April 7, 1938, and raised on the family tobacco farm in Waldorf, Maryland, Tommy developed a great sense of humor and a loving and caring nature. He married Joyce Moreland in January 1960 and came to work at the U.S. Naval Academy a year later. As a father of three young children, he painted portraits and murals while honing his skills as a man who could “fix anything.” Active with his children’s interests, Tommy participated in programs with the Boy Scouts and youth sports.
Tommy spent nearly 40 years with the Naval Academy Athletic association (NAAA) working as an equipment manager and storekeeper for a variety of varsity and intramural sports. He even traveled with the football team to Dallas, Texas, when the Navy, led by Heisman trophy winner Roger Staubach, headed to the Cotton Bowl in January 1964.
But it was the game of lacrosse where Tommy would leave his mark at the Academy. He not only produced the world’s first mesh lacrosse stick in 1971. (made from a mesh laundry bag strung onto a wooden stick), he also helped work on better designs for pads and helmets and was asked by industry representatives to evaluate early prototypes for the plastic lacrosse head. His collection of original plastic lacrosse sticks, along with that first mesh stick, has been donated to the Bilderback-Moore Navy Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Although he had a head for Navy sports, especially lacrosse, the people that Tommy worked with — the players and coaches — touched his heart and were touched by his. As a family man with three children of his own, he would still refer to the Midshipmen he worked with as "his kids.” He would say, “Those kids need me”, as he headed off to a Saturday afternoon lacrosse game, his repair kit, and tools in hand. It was this love for the players and coaches that fueled his passion for the game over many, many years.
Tommy is survived by his wife, Joyce, his son, Tom Adams, Jr., four grandchildren, and nearly 40 years of Navy athletes, coaches, and assistants. A memorial service will be held at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Saturday, August 17 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Hospice of the Chesapeake. When asked whom this gift is in memory of, please answer, “This is for Tommy.”

 Online condolences may be left under the memory tab on this page.

Charella Marx of Edgewater, MD passed away on July 3, 2019.  Online condolences may be offered using the Memories tab on this page.



Rhea Hagelin Brown, 98, of Riva, MD passed away on July 1, 2019. Rhea was born on July 23, 1920 to the late George and Sarah Hagelin in Lusby, MD. She worked as a receptionist for Branzell Plumbing and enjoyed  volunteering for the local Girl Scouts troop, the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Riva Fire Department as well as Davidsonville Elementary School. Rhea was an avid reader, enjoyed word search puzzles and loved a good yard sale.  She was happiest when she was spending time with her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, 

Rhea was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, John E. Brown, Sr.; a son, David Brown; and two grandchildren, Cheryl McAlister and Danny Brown. She is survived by three children, John E. Brown, Jr., Virginia Brown (Donald) McAlister and Alice B. Brown; a sister, Catherine Campbell; nine grandchildren, Brian Duvall, Michael Brown, John Brown, Robbie Murray, Sara Delao, Sally Warner, Megan Anuszewski, Shannon Mixon and Natalie Murray and 25 great-grandchildren. 

Friends are invited to celebrate Rhea's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Saturday, July 6 from 2 pm until her funeral service begins at 3 pm. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery in Annapolis, MD on Monday, July 8 at 11 am. Condolences may be made by clicking the Memory Wall link on this page.

Surrounded by love, Howard D. Simpson, 80, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019 at his home in Annapolis, MD. 

He leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Elizabeth (Liz) Kropp Simpson; son, Howard B. Simpson (Susan Haller) of Long Beach CA; daughters, Kathleen (Joseph) Couillard of Goose Creek SC and Alexandra E. Simpson of Arlington VA; and granddaughter, Samantha Hakim. He is also survived by his brother, John E. Simpson, of La Puente, California and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Howard was born February 9, 1939 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Arthur and Cora Simpson and migrated with his family to California in 1942. He spent his formative years in Bakersfield, CA and attended La Sierra College in Loma Linda. After college he served as a US Army medic in the Vietnam War, stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Following his service, Howard moved to the Washington DC area, where he was a long-time resident of McLean and Great Falls, Virginia. 

Howard possessed a unique business acumen that he applied to several entrepreneurial ventures over his career. He was founder and president of Georgetown Discoveries, LLC, an IT consulting firm, for over 20 years until his retirement.

Throughout his life, Howard was an avid tennis player and golfer. He also held a private pilot’s license for several years. He was frequently seen driving his antique vehicles and motorcycle around town. Since moving to Annapolis in 2016, Howard’s primary pastime turned to boating. He was an active member of the Severn River Yacht Club, the Chesapeake Chapter of the Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, and the Rolls Royce Owners Club. Howard had no shortage of friends. His presence was felt in every room he entered, and his humor, distinctive self-enforced dress code, and love for those closest to him were evident until the moment he took his leave. 

Friends are invited to celebrate Howard's life at the Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd, Edgewater, MD on Monday, July 8, 2019 from 10 am until his service begins at 12 pm. Interment will follow at Maryland's Veteran Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. 

Contributions, in memory of Howard Simpson, may be made to Wellness House of Annapolis, 2625 Mas Que Farm Road, Annapolis, MD 21403 or www.annapoliswellnesshouse.org. 

Condolences and tributes may be given by clicking the tab on this page. 



Obituaries

Thomas McCarter

Blaire Wilson

Eddie Hernandez

Christian Elkington, Sr.

Ronald Haney

William Gautier

Thomas Fazekas

Elizabeth Quigley

John Malamphy

Frederick McGrath

Rosemarie Humphrey

Barbara Clark

Carole Hughes

Helene Rogan

Richard Brake

Margaret Stern

Nata Orfield

Delorian Cecil

Elden Ferguson

John Adams

Charella Marx

Rhea Brown

Oliver (Baby) Jimenez

Howard Simpson