Obituary

By Juan Haines Thomas Curby Henderson, 60, better known to inmates and as the meek, hard working, and humble “Charlie,” died on Jan. 23 at Marin General Hospital following a four-story fall at San Quentin State Prison on Jan 22. Charlie’s death, still under investigation, shocked many of the men housed with him. The Marin Independent Journal reported Charlie’s death, which attracted several merciless comments. [San Quentin Prisoner Dies After Plunge from Fourth-Story Tier; http;//www.marinij.com]. “A man lost his life and the comments … [Read more...] about Thomas Curby Henderson Died From Fourth Tier Fall

Editor’s Note: George Burns passed away on Oct. 16, 2013. Burns was one of the eight inmates honored at a memorial service held in the Protestant Chapel on Nov. 15, 2013. He was the youngest of the inmates. Last year he took a journalism class held by Patten College. One of his assignments was to write his own obituary. Here is what he wrote: Mr. Burns went to Highlands High in Sacramento. He participated in track and played football his freshman year for Highlands High. He loved to cook different types of food. He was a very good cook. … [Read more...] about San Quentin Prisoner Writes Unique Obituary Before His Passing

By the Lubin Family A long-time San Quentin Prison volunteer, Hari “Ed” Lubin, passed away after a stroke. Born in 1932, he died March 15 at Marin General Hospital, surrounded by family and friends. “Hari loved life, food and helping people make the changes necessary to live in love and balance with themselves,” his family said in a statement. “He moved to Marin and devoted his last 10 years to the prison programs. Change is Possible and Freedom in Prison. During that time, letters from men in his counseling programs described the … [Read more...] about Long-Time San Quentin Volunteer Dies of Stroke

Ron Taylor, 63, dies of cancer  Editor’s Note: Ronald Evans Taylor, a well-known former San Quentin prisoner, died in Vacaville of liver cancer in February. Before his death, as part of a journalism class last summer, Taylor wrote his own obituary, which is excerpted here. Noted three-card Monte artist Ronald Evans Taylor landed in his final resting place. Ronald Taylor, also known as “Raw Ron” in his hustling days, is also well known as the founder of the New Leaf on Life Group of San Quentin. New Leaf on Life is the self-help group in … [Read more...] about Lifer Laid To Rest After Long Journey

One of San Quentin’s bestloved volunteers has died from a blood clot triggered by an accident. Kimberlee Ann Rasmusson, 53, was an avid supporter of the prison’s restorative justice programs, designed to help men turn their lives in positive directions. She was a facilitator with the House of Healing program. She died Feb. 1 after a fall fractured her leg. “Ask people about Kimberlee, and they will tell you she was an angel,” said one San Quentin prisoner. “She touched the lives of so many individuals.” “She was very kind, and … [Read more...] about Member of the S.Q. Family Passes Away

1917-2012 She was a regular in night clubs and on television, and once graced the inner walls of San Quentin with her comedy act. She was Phyllis Diller, known for her big laughs and sharp wit, who died last month in her Los Angeles home. A TV regular in the 1950s, Diller took time to entertain the men in blue with her trademark standup routine. She performed as part of “Le Cage,” the prisons one-time drama workshop, which on occasion also featured other notable entertainers such as Lee Marvin and Eartha Kitt. “She died peacefully in her … [Read more...] about Phyllis Diller: The Queen of Comedy

By Journalism Guild Writers The San Quentin community came together in the Garden Chapel to memorialize and commemorate Levelt Duverne, 39. Duverne’s April 25 suicide stunned the San Quentin population. The memorial service for Haitian-born inmate was attended by about 50 men in blue, institutional staff, and the San Quentin Prison University Project volunteers. The service began with a prayer led by Protestant Chaplain Mardi R. Jackson. Following the prayer was a reading of Psalm 23 by Kara Urion, the Prison University Project … [Read more...] about Memorial Honors Fellow Prisoner

By N. T. “Noble” Butler After 10 months in a mental hospital, the accused killer of a prominent East Palo Alto community leader and former San Quentin inmate has been deemed competent to stand trial for the 2010 murder. A San Mateo judge ruled in July 2011 that Gregory Elarms, 59, from Pittsburg, was mentally incompetent to face trial for the murder of David Lewis. Elarms was sent to Napa State Hospital for treatment. Two doctors at the state mental facility reported in May 2012 that Elarms was now competent to stand trial. This … [Read more...] about Lewis Murder Suspect To Stand Trial