Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2001 and 2002
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Rose Gaskill
texrose34@aol.com
Hello there!...My name is Rose and I worked at the
Gemco in Downey....not alot of Downey people out there!
Where are you all?...If there is anyone that worked at the
Downey store, please e-mail me.. texrose34@aol.com ...
I worked there from 1980 'till the dead end! The last
department I worked
in was Jewelry...! I just found out about this website from
a friend
and I think it is a crack-up! Well, keep it going...great job...!!
Oct. 2002
Carrie Hansford-Wing
mcwing99@aol.com
I used to work at the fullerton store and made quite a few friends
that
I have lost contact w/. Can you help? Thanks.
Oct. 2002
DCrane
barnabycrane1@yahoo.com
I'm trying to locate an old friend of mine, Bill
Oeschler, who worked at Memco in Alexandria, VA in
1981, then moved to the Texas Gemco, then to the
Cerritos, California Gemco.
Sept. 2002
KATHY KAMKA
MTKSMOM@AOL.COM
HI! I WORKED AT CERRITOS STORE FROM 1971 TILL 1976.
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER ROSE OR
PHILLIS FROM THE DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT?
GREAT GALS. I ALSO WORKED AT THE BELLFLOWER
STORE FROM 1981 TILL THE LAST DAY OF LOQUIDATION.
JEFF PERINY WAS THE STORE DIRECTOR. THERE WERE A
WHOLE BUNCH OF GREAT PEOPLE AT BOTH STORES. I WAS A
MEMBER SERVICE MANAGER UP FRONT DOING BATTLE
EVERYDAY TILL THE LAST CUSTOMER WALKED OUT THE DOOR.
BOY DID WE ALL CRY OR WHAT LOL LOL.
LOVE TO ALL.
Sept. 2002
Derek Pope
popemore1@hotmail.com
Roy, I was a store supervisor for Gemco for many years and
I came upon your wed site. I saw Jackie Henman's
name. She was a good friend to me for many years and we lost
touch.
I tried to E-mail her at your Gemco web site but
it keeps coming back. Could you contact her for me and give
her
my phone number 949 364-6439 or E-mail
popemore1@hotmail.com. I would be most grateful.
(Does anyone have a current e-address for Jacke Henman?)
Sept. 2002
Mary Schott- Indianapolis
schoooter@hotmail.com
Please help me find my old friend Teresa
Strickland.
We were roommates at Death Valley,
CA, and worked together at both
Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek.
When I moved recently, I found her old Gemco card, which she had
had me sign
her name to so I could use it whenever. I don't know that
I ever did use
it. I've never been a resident out West, save for my
adventures
in
employment with the Fred Harvey Company.
The card has all the attending identifying numerals on it and I
just wonder
if it could help me track her down.
I would very much like to be in touch with her. Can you help
me??
Thanks!
July 2002
Laurie Freeman
lkfreeman2@aol.com
Thank you for your note regarding our father, Don Dommer.
His time with all the wonderful people at Gemco meant a great
deal to him. He still kept in touch with several friends from
Gemco.
He moved out to Las Vegas with his wife about 3 1/2 years ago and
was having a great time.
He was even working at Walmart in the paint department.
He passed away June 12, 2002 after a battle with pneumonia and
Diabetes.
He was buried at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City
Nevada.
We will miss his love and his great sense of humor.
Thank You
July 2002
(From Webmaster: Please see Laurie's post below dated Dec.
2001)
Pat Peterson (Borger)
LTLPLP@cs.com
I and my bother both worked at Gemco fresh out of high school.
Mike Borger became a store mgr for them in Victorville and I know
other stores also.
He worked in San Gabriel, Cerrritos , Fullerton, Huntington Beach
and all over.
He started in 1966 I think and I started in 1967 in
San Gabriel and then to Glendora , Fullerton,
Riverside, Pomona, Indio, Cathedral City. My name is Pat
Peterson
(Borger)
met my husband of 26 years at the Indio store I was the softlines
mgr and he
was my mens dept mgr. Rudy Stangl was my # 1 at the time and I
opened
that
store with Bill Price as #1 Del Grossart was there at some
time.
I miss all
of the gang, some of the great people I worked with were Bill
Micheils,
Jim
Rogers, Paul Guerra, Gary Hill ( that is a blast from the far past)
Paul and
Gary and I would pitch quarters in lawn and garden to see who paid
for
coffee. They thought I would always have to pay did work out
that way did it
! Like most everyone has said it was family and I miss you
all.
Please let me know when the next re-union is, just don't want to
miss out on it.
Would love to hear from anyone who knows me or Mike.
LTLPLP@cs.com or MIke at Pandsp@earthlink.net
July 2002
Rowe, Michael D
MRowe@jftl.jpl.nasa.gov
I live out in the San Gabriel Valley we had
1 Gemco Store on Hacienda and
there was another off of Nogales can you till
what year that store was there.
June 2002
Tim Mabley
IN SEARCH OF Sue Pervatt (aka Sue Morgan) who helped head-up the
Gemco Major Appliance Warehouse in Montebello, CA. My name is
Tim Mabley, and I was a Systems Analyst for the corporate
offices of Lucky Stores out of Dublin, CA from 1984-1990.... Sue
would remember me well. So would Terri Craighead. I visited the
Montebello Warehouse on numerous occasions, and just looking to
strike up my old friendship.
EMAIL ME! tmabley@cox.net
June 2002
Ted &Lee Rypkema nor walk cal
email n6hmp@aol.com
hi IM very glad to see this web site i worked at gem Downey #506
from 1966 to
1986 to closing i worked both sides of the store as a dept. head,
my wife Lee also
worked for gemco until 1983 she had kidney failure , there is a
group of
gemco people ,we have lunch a month , we miss most of the people
we worked with .
thank you .
April 2002
Ken Love
KLove@activision.com
Hiya Roy!
Just saw your site and had to write. :)
I used to work at Gemco in Carson many years back. I think it must've
been from 82-86 (or 87) "Whatever the last year ws for Gemco."
I worked in the Audio / Video Department. It was great fun and you
couldn't beat the atmosphere. At that time, I must've been 'round
16-17.
I was working with all these cool late 20's, early 30 year old guys.
They treated me like one of them and I was always invited to their
parties.
My boss was Harvey Mark. There was also Scott Nipper, John Young
and Sergio Martinez. Boy, those were the days.
I sure felt bad when the company closed it's doors.
If you worked at Gemco in Carson, California. Drop me a line and
we can reminisce.
March 2002
Pete Chilstrom
Afm71402@cs.com
I worked for Gemco from 1969-1985.
Would love to hear from all of you. I worked at La Puente, Glendora,
San Gabriel, La Mirada, Pomona, & Tucson.
Feb. 2002
Chris Paul
cpaulcpa@home.com
Gemco #429 - Downey
I worked at the Gemco in Downey from 1969 to 1974. It was a great
place to
work and I learned a lot about people and life working there. Made
many
friends, some of which I still keep in touch with. I now live in
Laguna
Hills, CA. but do drive back to Downey to my parents house and drive
by the
old Gemco site many times. That parking lot brings back lots of
good
memories and fun times.
Feb. 2002
Laurie Dommer-Freeman
LKFREEMAN2@aol.com
I'd like to post Donald Dommer, my father, to your guest book.
He now lives in Las Vegas Nv. they can contact him via my
Address LKFREEMAN2@aol.com. His Commodre 64 recently crashed.
He would really enjoy hearing from any of the old Gemco employees.
My sister was also a Gemco employee-Paula Dommer. Her address is
PFOXII@aol.com
Thank You
Dec. 2001
Kerri Tate
kmartinez@jusd.k12.ca.us
My name is Kerri Tate. I worked at the Fountain Valley Gemco
(433?) from 1979 until it closed.
I worked in the grocery department. Some of you might remember
by dad Walt Tate.
He was a #1 and moved around to a lot of different Lucky's and
Gemco's.
He ended up at the Huntington Beach store when it closed then
retired
soon after.
The people I miss the most are Sandy Bloom, Bob Bogiano and Freida.
If anyone from that store remembers me and wants to email
me,
please do at kmartinez@jusd.k12.ca.us.
I live in Riverside now and work for a school district.
Dec. 2001
Nick
ChyronNick15@aol.com
I never worked at Gemco, but I do remember spending alot of time
there during
my childhood. I used to love going there to get the latest
G.I. Joe stuff.
It's a shame it went out of business [NOTE:Gemco was sold].
I couldn't believe there was acutally a website on what I remember
as the
earliest ultra-megastore. I still cant believe they had
everything
from
console TV's to groceries there!
It's nice to see a website paying tribute to a good retailer.
With all these mergers going on these days, its not going to be
too long
before the only one-stopper left is walmart!
Again, thanks for bringing back the flood of memories from the mid
80's.
If you have any sort of historical information on the chain, it
would be great to hear.
Nov. 2001
Carol Hall in care of Don Sturzenegger
dsturzy@yahoo.com
Dear Roy,
Thank you for your website. I would like to inform past Gemco
employees
of the recent death of Don Sturzenegger. He was president of
Cal -Pharm Inc. which owned and operated 33 pharmacies in the Gemco
and Lucky stores.
He was also a past vice-president of Lucky Stores and
worked as a Pharmacist at several Gemco Stores located in
North San Diego.
He died Monday, October 15, 2001. Don's
Memorial Service is Monday, October 22 at Fallbrook Calvery Chapel,
488 Industrial Way.
Carol worked at Gemco also until the store closings.
Don had many friends at both corporate and store level.
Please share this information at the reunion.
I regret that Don and I could not make the Reunion but will be
thinking of our many friends and wish them all well.
Sincerely, Carol Hall
Oct. 2001
Donna Hurd
DONNAHURD2@aol.com
I worked at the Huntington Beach store from 1979 to their demise.
I started out as a cashier in the nonfoods division when my children
were small so
I could work part time (from 10:00am - 2:00pm) It was great.
Later I worked in the Patio Dept. Ordering, stocking, selling
everything from plants to lawnmowers.
Then I worked in HBA, stocking, price changing.
I learned about your site from my good friend Tom Fogarty
who now lives in Ohio.
I'm residing in Westminster Calif. and went to work for Superior
Court three months after
Gemco closed thanks to my good friend Gail Williams (another former
HB Gemco
employee) who recommended me and also another lady from Gemco.
I did a complete career change and am now a Systems
Analyst for the Court. I still miss all of the people and
some of my special customers,
some who were retired and would just come in to chat.
One special customer even painted a picture for me and to this day
it still hangs in my living room (its beautiful), he was
76 years young when he gave it to me.
Wow, you brought back a lot of good memories with this site, Thank
You.
Sept. 2001
Lori Hunter
Hunterlp@Trade.laccd.edu
I worked for Gemco two separate times. The first time was
my first
'real' job at 16. I was a high school senior and learned quite
a bit
about the real world of WORK. I started in the children's
dept. at the
Culver city store (#522?) Sal Ramos was I believe the #3 store
manager
(thanks Sal for the start in the real world). The second time
was at
the Rodondo Beach store. There I met my best friend, Rodonda Hines,
now
Rodonda Williams, who met her husband, Deon Williams there.
I still run
into several people when I am in the Redondo Beach/Torrance
area.
I
also recently got reacquainted with Antoinette Timmons (now
Antoinette
Gavin). My experience working with Gemco was one of the
happiest
and
best times of my life. I worked at Gemco until they closed
in December 1986.
I know this was long but I got such a kick out of
seeing this site (I stumbled onto it by accident).
Thanks for the fond memories!
Sept. 2001
Hi again. I know I was once entrusted with the
official Gemco 526 photo
album, and if I ever come across it, look out! But for now,
I attach a photo
from approximately 1980 featuring the store management at Gemco
526-Riverside. Can't remember all the last names (and wouldn't
include
without their approval, anyway), but pictured, clockwise from left:
John? (Grocery Manager), Ron (#1), Gil (#2), Edgar (#3),
Mike (#4), Jim (#5?), Al (Jewelry)
...a truly crazy group of guys. I was their Store Secretary
at the time, and
they constantly kept me laughing. I miss them VERY much!
:-) Paula Luedtke
August 2001
Paula Luedtke
E-mail address: paulab610@aol.com
Which Gemco Stores did you work at?: 526-Riverside, 576-Yorba Linda,
501-Anaheim, 539-Indio, Buena Park Main Office
Which Gemco employee do you miss the most?: Too many to list
Where do you live now?: Austin, TX
How did you find the Gemco Site?: Stumbled upon it on the web
Comments: I started with Gemco in Riverside on April 12, 1972 (a
date I
always seem to remember) as a part-time job during high
school.
Continued
with the company for fourteen years, until its demise in
1986.
The company
was GREAT to me, moving me from store to store as I continued my
education.
Ended up working at corporate office in Buena Park, Executive
Assistant
to
C.O.O. & C.E.O. Had so many great bosses - at offices
and especially at the
stores - and so many great friendships in all those places.
It was at the
Gemco main office that I had access to my first personal computer,
and that
is now how I make my living! I recognized just a couple names
in the
guestbook. Hope that more former employees will cruise in
for a visit!
Thanks for setting this up!!
:-) Paula
August 2001
Kay Klein
StubbyKlein@netscape.net
Wow, My mother Mable Boren worked in the La Puente store in the
'60s. She would have poker partys
and that is where I met my husband to be. Marion Klein.
Gemco sent us to Houston Texas to open several new Gemcos in the
'70s.
I started working in the new Gemco on the Gulf freeway, (grocery).
82 he was sent to Milpitas, Ca. the
Major appl. whse. My mother is still in excellent health, living
in Nebraska.
I am divorced and excellent also living in Stockton Ca.
August 19, 2001
Rich
RTausch236@aol.com
I worked at the Gemco in Walnut Creek, Californiain 1983 for
a short while. I am looking for a dear friend of mine who
worked there at
that time too. Her name is Donna and for the life of me I
cant remember her
last name. I was wondering if you could help.
Thanks, Rich
August 9, 2001
Julie Chamberlin
jrc1242@earthlink.net
This is such a kick! I called a girlfriend of mine that I
met at Gemco back
in 1977 and have been friends with ever since to wish her a happy
birthday.
We started talking about Gemco and all of the people we worked with
and what fun it was.
I said wouldn't it be a kick if there was a website of people trying
to keep in touch and here yours is!!!
I worked for Gemco from 11/77 until 12/86. I worked as a
credit
office clerk and worked my way up to credit manager.
Then when they remodeled, I was the Member Service Manager.
I worked 9 years at the Santa Ana store and one year at the Mission
Viejo store.
Thanks for the memories!
August 3, 2001
Walter Gruytch
Gingko4me@cs.com
I worked for Gemco from 1970 till they closed the doors.
I worked in Downey, Cerritos, Fullerton, East Fullerton, La Mirada,
Torrance,
Fountain Valley, Bellflower, Las Vegas, Duarte.
The co-workers I miss:
Fred D'Ordine, Roberta Prince, Mike Mc Connell and Gary Ojendyke
(spelling?)and
many others...I worked with some wonderful folks. I now live
in Oregon..and retired.
I wish Gemco would re-open....we need a store with courteous
employees and great value!! If anyone would like to contact
me...please
email me at Gingko4me@cs.com. Have fun at the re-union...maybe
I will see you next year!!
July 19, 2001
John Amick
blubeast@home.com
I started with Gemco in 1964 at the Anaheim store (#501),
that at least was the first store I got to be officially on the
payroll.
My dad, Glen Amick, had taken me to work with him since he started
with the
Company when he first opened the La Puente store.
I worked in Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, San Diego,
National City, and
Oceanside from 1964 to closing in 1986. There were so many people
that I was associated with over
the years that it is impossible to single out specific important
people, but I will
say that there was no question about it being a family, a big, big
family.
I have probably worked in every capacity, from cart boy, to
janitor,
stocking hardlines,
selling sporting goods and patio, soft goods, and grocery.
I went on vacation in 1970 back east to visit my parents, while
I was there I worked at the
Annandale Memco Store on night crew with the Maintenance crew.
I was the Assistant at the Oceanside store at closing. I currently
(still), live in Oceanside with my wife Bonnie,
who I met while working in the Oceanside store in 1976.
Bonnie also worked in the Escondido store, since we were not able
to work in the same store after we were married.
I never realized how good things were back "in the day", it has
been an interesting road these past 14 years,
and I always thought I would retire from Luckly Stores Inc!.
We just found out about the reunion party and will be sending out
the
word to people in the San Diego area, we look forward to seeing
many friends who
we have not had the opportunity to keep in contact with.
For those of you who remember my Dad Glen, I am sorry to say that
we have recently lost him, April 7th.
He had been ill for quite some time, he has been a very positive
influence in my life and I am happy
to say that he was one of my best friends, My Mom and Dad have been
living close to us in Oceanside
for the past 9 years so we have been able to spend a lot of time
with them, and they have been
able to enjoy watching their Granchildren and Great Grandchildren
grow, as they all live close as well.
Look forward to seeing you all at the reunion. John
May 2001
Greg Marcotte
CCPolar@aol.com
Hi there, My name is Greg Marcotte and I worked for Gemco for 13
years until
they closed. I worked in the food department at the Signal
Hill store
527/487. I have collected a few things and I am sending them
to you. I hope
to make it to the Oct 20th reunion along with other friends from
that store.
It was a great place to work. I still live in Long Beach,
Calif.
May 2001
My name is Tracey Westbrook and I worked at the
Glendora
Gemco from 1977 to
1984. I now live in San Dimas, CA. My e-mail address
is twest592@msn.com,
and I would love to hear from anyone who worked at the Glendors
during the
time I was there. I heard there was a Gemco web site from
an ex co-worker.
It is so nice to know that Gemco has not been forgotten. It
was a great
place to work. It really was a family.
May 2001
Name: Roberta Prince
Email: raprince57@aol.com
Worked at: San Gabriel, La Mirada and Corporate Office
"MerchandisePresentation"
Living in: West Covina
Most missed from Gemco: Where do I start? First, Gary
Ojendyk, Fred
D'Ordine, Paul Guerra, Bill Micheil, Larry Hoover, Roy Woodbury,
Walt
Gruytch, Bonnie Johnson, Barbara Catalano, Ron Blaquiere,
Mary-Margaret,
Grant Cottingham, Larry Pearson, etc. etc. etc.
Comments: Gemco was my first job...i started in 1973 and
left
when the
stores closed. I've always had great memories from these
days.
Working for
Gary Ojendyk, I got to know alot of the Store Managers, Assistants,
Store
Secretaries...I missed everyone so much when they closed!
I spent the next
13 years at FEDCO...only to see THEM close after i was their 13
years also!!
(Is it me???). But Gemco was always my favorite. It
was the best.
I would love to hear from some former Gemco people! I would
love to hear who
is going to attend the reunion!
April 2001
Name: [Customer with no name]
Email: hairmom@netzero.net
Comments: I have no idea what this site is about, all I know is
that I was very happy
being a satisfied customer of the Gemco Stores, and their grocery
department.
I realise this may be a long shot, but I have looked and looked
all over for
the Plum JAM sold by the Gemco stores in Simi Vally, Northridge,
Lancaster
and Bakersfield. I would love to find out who made it, under
what brand ,
or who the original maker is. The name was the store brand
"Lady Lee"
Please, Anyone who can tell me, thank you.
April 2001
Name: Maureen
Email: Mlwalkerdelaware@aol.com
Comments:
Hello Roy, My name is Maureen. I worked for Gemco stores
in Texas, before they pulled
out in the early 80's. I am very interested in knowing if
you have any
alumni in touch from the Houston area. Please let me
know.
I look forward to your reply.
Thank you and best regards,
Maureen
April 2001
Name: Brad Rumbaugh
Email: RumbaugB@USA-Cleanwater.org
Comments: Hi Roy. My name is Brad Rumbaugh. I worked
for Gemco from 1982 through
closing (1986). I started as a clerk for Le Gran Jewelers
at the Tucson
(Oracle Rd) store under Lee Souter, and was promoted to Fine Jewelry
Manager
when Lee was promoted to Gemco Operations Manager. LeGran
Jewelers was
acquired by Gemco, so I became a Gemco employee when that happened
(I
believe in 1983). I was treated extremely well by Gemco. I took
a transfer
to the Chico, California store as the Jewelry Mgr. in 1986.
After arriving,
Gemco announced their closure. I physically moved the Chico jewelry
inventory in my van down to Yuba City. I transported roughly
$750K at
retail (without so much as a rent-a-cop) in my own vehicle.
There, I
co-managed the joint staff of Chico/Yuba City employees with Hugh
Manley.
Working with Hugh was a very enjoyable time even though the
circumstances
were stressful.
I used Gemco's educational reimbursement program to get my
Gemological
Instiutue of America (GIA) certificate, and later to attend
environmental
technology classes (nights) at Pima College. As a result,
when Gemco
closed, within just a few months, I was hired as a wastewater
treatment
operator at Pima County Wastewater Management Department.
My employment
enabled my wife to graduate from U of Ariz with her nursing degree,
during
which she did not have to work. We moved to Oregon in 1988,
when I got a
position with my present employer, Clean Water Services. I
work in the
Industrial Waste Source Control Division as an Investigator/Permit
Manager.
My wife is a Nurse Practitioner involved in clinical research at
Oregon
Health Sciences University in Portland.
I miss my fellow employees of the Tucson stores, and those of the
Chico/Yuba
City jewelry departments, also. But I miss Hugh Manley (Yuba
City) a lot.
Hugh, if you're out there, let us know! If I've worked with you,
send me an
e-mail please!
April 5, 2001
Name: Workload3@cs.com
Email: Workload3@cs.com
Comments: Hello Roy, found your site. Good Job! Or, I should say
ALL TEN VARIETY ! I am
a former employee 1969-1986. I worked at La Puente, Glendora, San
Gabriel,
Pomona, La Mirada, and Tucson (both stores). My Store managers were
too many
to mention. I was an Assistant Manager until we closed operations
in Tucson.
I heard there may be a reunion soon. Any info?
March 11, 2001
Name: Roy machenze
Email: nsheffer2001@home.com
Comments: I was wondering if you know about 1933 gemco champs
baseball
pinball machine
I have been searching the web and I came across you. if you know
about this model please reply.
if not, could you please send me a web site or email address to
where I can find this model. thanks
March 11, 2001
Name: Ed Saleh
Email: edsaleh@earthlink.net
Comments: I worked at Gemco from Sept. 1974 until closing
in Dec. 1986. I started as a Courtesy Clerk(pushing carts!) at the
Cerritos
store(520).
I worked Hardware/Automotive for 2 years, HBA, then the credit
office.
In 1978, I was transfered to the Downey
store(506) credit office. In Oct. 1979, I was transfered to Torrance
(537) as the
Credit Office Mgr. 1981 I was transferred to the Bellflower
store(529).
I was there until the stores closed.
I miss the people that I worked with over the years and the friends
that I have
lost contact with. My Mon recently recieved some information about
a reunion scheduled for Oct. 2001 in San Marcos.
I will try to keep you posted as I learn more. I will pass on
information
about your website for the few Gemco
employees that I still have contact with. I hope to hear from some
of my friends and past co-workers.
March 11, 2001
Name: Paul Cartwright
Email: paulc@cosmoslink.net
Comments: My name is Paul Cartwright I started working for Gemco
in '69 at Anaheim 501.
I then opened Bellflower and ended up in Fountain Valley were I
quit. A few years later I came
back and started in the Cerritos store. I transfered to a Lucky
market just before the end.
The ones I remember the most are Gus and Keri at the Cerritos store.
I am inclosing a zip
of old Gemco pins and junk you might like. Paul
March 11, 2001
Name: Don Finney
Comments: My name is Don Finney I worked in several locations, Long
Beach,Hunington Beach
Pacomia, Bakersfield and closed the Visalia Store. I started as
a HBA morning
stocker in 1975 and was an Operations Manager when we closed in
86. I miss
all the great associates and wonderful customers. Do you remember
the
sporting goods show and the patio show ?. We had some great vendors.
March 11, 2001