TWIN FALLS, Idaho >> Theodore M. "Ted" McCarty, a key figure in the development of the electric guitar and former president of Gibson Guitar Co., died Sunday in a retirement center. He was 91. TED McCARTY / GUITAR PIONEER
Former Gibson Guitar
president lived in HawaiiAssociated Press
McCarty, a part-time Hawaii resident, was the president of the Gibson Guitar Co. for 16 years, transforming a sleepy Kalamazoo, Mich., maker of acoustic musical instruments into the purveyor of guitars to the stars.
Nearly every virtuoso guitarist of the rock 'n' roll era at one time or another played a Gibson.
McCarty's Les Paul series -- named for the blues guitarist who endorsed it -- is arguably the most famous guitar ever made. It led to the Explorer series, widely used by both rock and country guitarists, and the radical Flying V.
"It's fair to say that without him, our industry and the music would be different," said Paul Reed Smith, an acclaimed guitar designer who enlisted McCarty to help develop Smith's own brand. "I don't know how it would be different, but it would be."
McCarty, in failing health, moved to Twin Falls last summer to be near his daughter, Sue Davis. He did not retire until age 89, when he sold his company that manufactured vibratos for guitars and custom flashlights.
Private funeral services are planned in Hawaii, where McCarty lived part-time for 25 years.
Malelega Alefosio Bartley-Pele and Uitinesesioneronitete Pele, will be remembered in memorial services 11 a.m. Saturday at Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall, 897 Second St., Pearl City. Call after 10:30 a.m. Pele, 50, of Honolulu died Sunday. He was born in Western Samoa. He is survived by sons Nathan, Timothy and Jedidiah; daughters Esther, Shulammite, Angelina and Lucia; mother Ailua; brothers Masei, Uale and David; and sisters Melissa Kanakanui, Pine McBride, Ofusina Reid and Sulami So'osenu'u. Additional information for an obituary published Friday.
Gertrude "Gerrie" Oi Wong Birch, 78, of Makaha, who worked at the Lanikila Community Center and Waianae Coast Culture & Art Society, died March 23. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by hanai family Genevieve and Cleo Tachera, Barbara Bohnett, Shigeru Miyamoto, and Wanda and Elgin Larken-Battles. Memorial services: 3 p.m. April 27 at Kuiloloa Heiau, Pokai Bay, Waianae.
Frederick Wade "Iddwyaa" Bowens, 62, of Honolulu, a chauffeur for "The Cab," died March 17 in Honolulu. He is survived by daughter Bonnie; mother Adell; brothers Eugene, Monte and Paul; and a grandson. Services on the mainland.
Saturnina Estrada Castro, 83, of Kapaa, Kauai, died Sunday in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. She was born in the Philippines. She is survived by son Victor; daughter Mila Tamaoka; brother Fausto Estada; and four grandchildren. Services: 3 p.m. Sunday at Borthwick Kauai Mortuary. Call after 2 p.m. Inurnment: Lihue Public Cemetery. Casual attire.
Annabelle Yim Kyau Ching, 81, of Honolulu, died yesterday in Kaiser Medical Center. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by daughters Muriel Tsang, Marilyn Williams, Sharleen Ching, Susan Belden and Laureen Kwock; brother Elmer Ching; sister Gail; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Graveside services: 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at Diamond Head Memorial Park. Casual attire.
Lucia "Lucy" Cadavona Damaso, 86, of Pearl City, is survived by daughter Bernie Porter. Incorrect information for an obituary published Tuesday.
Kazuo "Cable" Eguchi, 82, of Waialua, a heavy duty mechanic from Waialua Sugar, died March 21. He was born in Waialua. He is survived by wife Ellen; daughter Karen; brothers Stanley and Alvin; and sisters Alice Ling, Helen Yamamoto, Doris Aito and Betty Cooper. Private services.
George Ho, 63, of Hilo, an interior designer, died March 16. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by parents Joseph and Esther; brothers Paul and Glenn; and sisters Jean Ahu and Eleanor Ho. Private services.
George N. Kamakahi, 79, of Waianae, a World War II veteran, died Saturday in Honolulu. He also served in the Coast Guard Merchant Marine and as captain during the Vietnam era. He was born on Molokai. He is survived by wife Nho Thi Nguyen-Kamakahi; children Georgette L. Hanson, Annette A. Toro, Paulette L. Proctor, George N. II, David L., Raymond M. and Jonathan A. Kamakahi, Tonette L. Gumapac, Thao M. Kamakahi-Watson, Phoung-Nga L. Kamakahi-Kapaona and Tony Van Nguyen-Kamakahi; 28 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary. Call after 5:30 p.m. Burial: 11 a.m. Thursday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Casual attire.
Henry "Hanalei" Kanoho Jr., 57, of Honolulu, died March 11. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Karen; sons Luke, Logan, Kenneth, Henry and Sgt. Edward Kea; brothers Ronald, Glen and Elgin Kanoho and Alvin Kahoonei; sisters Virginia Kapea, Jamie McCandless, Eldora Kahele, Mapuana Cerezo, Arlette Barnes, Alvina Kahoonei and Arnell Ainoa; godson Edward Kea Jr.; hanai brothers Walter Makahi and Alex, Charles and Raymond Kea; hanai sisters Emily Pall and Katherine Kea; and 15 grandchildren. Services: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, makai chapel. Call after 9:30 a.m. Burial: Mililani Memorial Park. Casual attire.
James Kaukaohu Kaolelo, 48, of Waianae, a former worker at Kona Country Club, died March 11 in Waianae Comprehensive Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Larine "Rene" Hopeau; son Blaine W. Souza; daughters Jonalyne Hoopii and Melanie Kawaauhau; brothers Hiram, Rudy, Samuel "Sam" and Luigi Kaninau; and sisters Lillian Kapu and Edith Johnson. Services: 7 p.m. tomorrow at Nanaikapono Protestant Church, 89-235 Pua Ave., Nanakuli. Call from 6 to 9 p.m. Services: 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Call from 9 a.m. to noon. Aloha attire. No flowers. Cremation to follow.
Roland R. "Pope" Kim, 51, of Mililani, a vice president with Castle & Cooke, died Feb. 28. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Kristine, son Nicolas, mother Soon Cho, and sister Rhonda. Memorial services: noon Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Call after 10:30 a.m. Committal services: 10 a.m. Monday at Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery. Aloha attire. No flowers.
Yoshio Kimura, 81, of Kamuela, Hawaii, a retired manager and vice president of Territorial Savings & Loan, died Monday at home. He was born in Kamuela, Hawaii. He is survived by wife Julia; daughters Patricia Lewi, Jeanne Abe and Valerie Boteilho; brothers Yutaka, Hisao and Wallace; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorial services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Imiola Congregational Church in Kamuela, Hawaii. Call after 9 a.m. Private burial. Aloha attire.
Helene Yung Sil Nault, of Honolulu, owner of Helene International, died Monday in Queen's Medical Center. She was born in Korea. She is survived by sons Edwin G. Nault and Chris, Song Gu and Song Sam Park; daughter Suzanne; sisters Teresa Oh and Choong Sil Jeon; and four grandchildren. Mass: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Church, Manoa. Call from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial: Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Gerhard F. Paessler, 72, of Pahoa, Hawaii, died Tuesday in Honolulu. He is survived by daughters Patti Larsen and Janie and Heidi Paessler, son Greg, two grandchildren, and companion Jane. Scattering of ashes in Hilo.
Brigadier Felix A. Querubin, 94, of Honolulu, died March 24 in Honolulu. He was born in Ilocos Sur, the Philippines. He is survived by brothers and sisters Regina, Petra, Teofilo, Marcelino, Victoriano, Benjamin and Rosita, and grandnephew and caregiver Carlton Siu. Graveside services: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Hawaiian Memorial Park, Mountain View Garden. Aloha attire. Uniforms for officers.
Peggy Hisako Shimabukuro, 53, of Aiea, died March 25. She was born in Honolulu. She is survived by husband Glenn; sons Kyle and Neil; father Hiroshi Mitsunaga; mother Janet Mitsunaga; and sister Ruth Arnaldo. Memorial services: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Mililani Mortuary-Waipio, mauka chapel. Casual attire. No flowers.
Kenneth Tatsuo Takara, 68, of Honolulu, a supervisor carrier for OCS Newspaper Service, died March 26. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by wife Jocelyn "Dodi"; sons Brian and Blair; brother James; sisters Grace Higa, Doreen Tanaka and Margaret "Peggy" Kim; and five grandchildren. Private services.
Keong Hoon Tom, 100, of Honolulu, a retired clerk for Bank of Hawaii, died March 25 in Kaiser Medical Center. He was born in Honolulu. He is survived by son Alvin K., five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Private services.
Henry Seiyei Uechi, 78, of Honokaa, Hawaii, a retired Handy Van driver, died March 22 at home. He was also a World War II veteran. Born on Kauai, he is survived by companion Olivia Satomba; sons Henry M. Jr., Valrick "Val" and Bryce; daughter Raynette Montiel; brother Robert; sisters Mildred Arakaki, Dorothy Yoshimoto and Ethel Nettleton; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Monday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl. Burial of urn to follow.
Lawrence Victorino, 87, of Honolulu, died Saturday at home. He was born in Kapaa, Kauai. He is survived by daughters Shirley Battisto and Pearl Ann Kitkowski; brother Manuel; sisters Violet Perreira, Ida McDowell, Helen Murray, Dorothy and Bernice Victorino and Marie Parish; seven grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday at Diamond Head Mortuary. Call after 9 a.m. Entombment: Diamond Head Memorial Park.
Kishiye Wakuta, of Kapaa, Kauai, a retired secretary with Top to Toe Gift Shop, died Monday in Wilcox Memorial Hospital. She was born in Koloa, Kauai. She is survived by husband Mamoru; sons Dean, Terrance and Stuart; brothers Kuichi and Robert Okumura; sisters Joyce Tashima, Satsuki Moriwaki, Rosemary Hackbarth, Yukiko Okumura and Nanako Taguma; and six grandchildren. Services: 4 p.m. Sunday at Kapaa United Church of Christ. Call after 3 p.m. Casual attire.
Amy Midori Yamamoto, 80, of Honolulu, died March 28 in Oahu Care Facility. She was born in Japan. She is survived by husband Thomas T.; son Glenn; daughter Ann; brother Fred; and sisters Michi, Kay, Grace and Nobu. Private services.
You can also search the Hawaii State Library System's
Hawaii Newspaper Index online for older obituaries at:
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/education/hcc/library/hiindex.html
The index, which goes back several decades,
is available via Telnet software.