Monroe C.

‘Skip' Fuller

Monroe C. &#8220Skip” Fuller of Mesquite, Nev., died of cancer Dec. 30, 2005, at home. Mr. Fuller was born Nov. 6, 1925, in Stamps, Ark., to Vera Frances (Bolls) Wicker and Monroe C. Fuller Sr.

Visitation took place 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 4, with a 7 p.m. Rosary at Virgin Valley Mortuary, 320 Old Mill Road, Mesquite, NV 89027.

A celebration Mass took place at 10 a.m. Thursday at La Virgen De Guadalupe Catholic Church, followed by a graveside service with military honors performed by the Virgin Valley Honor Guard at Mesquite City Cemetery, with a reception immediately following at Wolf Creek Golf Club.

Mr. Fuller grew up near Amarillo, Texas, Lompoc and San Pedro, Calif. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1943 and served in the South Pacific Theater, including the Okinawa Campaign, aboard the USS Hollandia. He separated from military service on May 8, 1946, in Olympia, Wash., where he met and married his wife, Sally Gruszka, on July 31, 1948.

They moved to Alaska in 1951, where he created and operated numerous businesses. Among these were cocktail lounges, motorcycle sales, mobile home sales, an auto racetrack and business park developments. Some of the successful business developments have become corporations, the ownership of which has been passed on through the generations.

He was involved in community organizations, such as the Elks, (life member), VFW, Boys Club (charter member), Boy Scouts of America and CHAR (Cabaret, Hotel and Restaurant Association). He was also involved, behind the scenes, in state and local politics in Anchorage for many years.

The Fullers homesteaded in the Matanuska Valley from 1959 to 1961. In 1964, they moved to Ventura, Calif., where they owned and operated a restaurant. In 1965, they moved back to Alaska, this time to stay. In 1973, they retired and moved to Central Oregon, where they farmed with their son, Rob, and various grandchildren for 20 years. They settled in Mesquite, Nev., in 2001, to pursue Mr. Fuller's goal of staying warm after so many years in Alaska.

His family wrote, &#8220Skip loved life, and lived it to the ‘Fullerest.' He liked people. He cared about people. You could say public relations was his gift. His generosity was endless, whether with family, friends or strangers. He would help anyone who asked, in any way he could, with no need for recognition.

&#8220He was devoted to his family, both immediate and extended. He listened and always guided his family to find their own correct path. He took time to play games, (especially cribbage and Tripoly), with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family, teaching them the lessons of life. His optimism was contagious. He was observant, and could actually see beyond the façades in life. He was always thinking, and often turned challenges into opportunities, for himself as well as others.”

Mr. Fuller is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sally Fuller, of Mesquite, Nev.; sister-in-law, Leah Fuller of Bonnie Lake, Wash., and Edna Fuller of Kenai; daughter, Kathy and Bob Zehnder of Wasilla, and their children, James and Mica Zehnder, Jennifer and Chad Dumpert, Robert and Corinne Zehnder, Eric J. Zehnder, and nine great-grandchildren; son, Ken and Linda Fuller of Anchorage and their children, Shannon Grace and Krzysztof Sulewski, Christopher and Shiree Fuller, J.J. and Aaron Becker, Michael K. Fuller and two great-grandchildren; son, Mark and Brenda Fuller of Wasilla, and their children, Kimberly Ayala-Fuller and Daniel and Jean Ayala-Fuller; son, Michael and Kathryn Fuller of Anchorage, and their children, April S. Harkins, Miranda M. Fuller, Jessica L. Fuller, Rick and Natalie Sierer, Jackie and Ongo Tupou, Rebecca Sierer, Amy and Nathan Gauthier and seven great-grandchildren; son, Joel and Janette Fuller of Wasilla, and their children, Kristina and T.C. Elliot, Jennifer N. Hall, James C. Fuller, Karen R. Fuller and one great-grandchild and son, Robert H. Fuller of Mesquite, Nev., and Tamara Fuller of Vancouver, Wash. - a total of six children, 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 23 nieces and nephews.

Mr. Fuller was preceded in death by his mother, father and brothers, Red, Tommy and Don; sisters: UnaB (Harris) Hewitson and Deloyce Taylor; sisters-in-law, Norma Fuller and Leona Lee; brothers-in-law, Bob Taylor and Bill Hewitson; niece, Donna Jean Fuller, and nephew, Lawrence Fuller.

Special thanks from the family went to Virgin Valley Home Care and Hospice, La Virgen De Guadalupe choir and staff, Wolf Creek Golf Club staff, along with many family and friends for their support during this time.

Arrangements are under the direction of Virgin Valley Mortuary, (702) 345-6060.