F. McGrew Willis (1891–1957): Screen Writer in Early Hollywood

 

F. McGrew Willis and Midshipman movie poster

Plot 36, Lot 268 W ½

Frank McGrew Willis was a prolific American screenwriter and occasional producer whose career spanned the silent and early sound film eras. Born Frank McGrew Willis in Pleasanton, Iowa, he emerged as a prominent voice in early Hollywood, beginning his career writing film shorts in 1914 and 1915. His first credited feature film, The Quest, appeared in 1915, launching a productive career that included screenwriting or story credits for more than 60 films over three decades.

Willis made his mark in the silent film industry with 43 scripts or stories, including The Girl in the Pullman (1927), Annapolis (1928), and A Blonde for a Night (1928). One of his most successful and enduring works was The Midshipman (1925), a romantic drama set at the U.S. Naval Academy and starring Ramón Novarro. The film was a significant box office hit and is often considered one of Willis’s biggest commercial successes. Notably, it also featured an early uncredited appearance by Joan Crawford, who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses.

F. McGrew Willis and Secret Sinners movie poster

During this prolific period, Willis worked with major production houses such as De Mille Pictures and Pathé Exchange, and he occasionally produced films himself. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, he successfully transitioned into the era of talking pictures, continuing to write screenplays for another 18 films. He later spent time in England in the late 1930s, scripting six more features before returning to the U.S. for his final screenwriting credit on Sis Hopkins (1941).

Later in life, Willis settled in Menlo Park, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He died there in 1957 at the age of 66 and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. His work helped shape the formative years of Hollywood, bridging the silent and sound eras with a talent for storytelling that remains part of cinema history.

William "Will" Sharkey (1876-1948): Publisher and Politician

 

Will Sharkey's vault in Mausoleum

Main Mausoleum Section E, 36, T4

William Richard Sharkey, born on June 6, 1876, in Sierra City, California, was a notable figure in early 20th-century Californian politics and journalism. He married Nancy "Nannie" Elizabeth Gott in 1899, and they had two children: Muriel M. Hexner and William R. Sharkey Jr. Sharkey passed away on July 25, 1948, in Martinez, California.

His son, William R. Sharkey Jr., was born in San Francisco in 1903. He became one of the first officers of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), holding badge number 5. Sharkey Jr. played a pivotal role in developing vehicle safety regulations in the 1930s, including the development of the sealed beam headlight, which replaced the bulb-type headlamp used in vehicles at the time. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he became the publisher of the family-owned Contra Costa Gazette in 1948. 

Will Sharkey for State Senate Billboard

 

Will Sharkey's political career began with his election to the California State Assembly in 1914 as a member of the Progressive (Bull Moose) Party, representing the 18th Assembly District. He later transitioned to the Republican Party and was elected to the California State Senate in 1916, representing the 9th Senate District. He was re-elected in 1920, 1924, and 1928. Following redistricting, he represented the 17th Senate District after winning the 1932 election. 

His legislative successes included the creation of the Mt. Diablo and Mt. Tamalpais State Parks, championship of the Central Valley Water Project and the development of highway, labor and school legislation. His Senate district included parts of Marin County.

In addition to his political endeavors, Sharkey made significant contributions to journalism. In the 1920s, he served as the editor and manager of the Martinez Daily Standard and the Contra Costa Daily Standard. Under his leadership, these publications played a crucial role in informing the public and shaping community discourse in Contra Costa County. 

Dr. Penelope “Penny” Vrachopoulos (1922-2019): Founder of Gilbert & Sullivan Theater Company

 

Grave Marker for Penny Vrachopoulos

Plot 13

Dr. Penelope Helen Vrachopoulos, was a gifted musician, educator, and pioneering director. Born in New York City to Emmanuel and Theresa Vrachopoulos, Penny pursued a life steeped in music and scholarship. She studied at Queens College and Columbia University, ultimately earning her Doctorate in Music from Stanford University in 1971—cementing a lifelong connection to the Bay Area.

Her distinguished teaching career spanned several respected institutions, including Cornish College of the Arts, SUNY Potsdam, and Washington State University. Known for her fierce dedication to her students, Penny inspired generations of young musicians to pursue their craft with discipline, heart, and humor.

In 1972, Penny founded The Peccadillo Players, a Gilbert & Sullivan repertory company in Bellevue, Washington, which she led for nearly four decades. Under her baton, the group staged all 14 comic operas in the G&S canon, delighting Pacific Northwest audiences and introducing many to the delights of rarely performed works. She also founded The Bellevue Opera and the chamber opera company Eastside Lyric Theatre, further nurturing the operatic arts in the region.

Posters for the Peccadillo Players

 

Beyond her musical achievements, Penny had a remarkable eye for talent. She played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many outstanding performers, including NY Metropolitan Opera tenor Rob McPherson, Berlin Opera mezzo Julia Benzinger, Broadway star Megan Hilty, TV personality Mary Votava, and Hollywood actress Deidre Kilgore. 

Penny’s love for music and performance also lived on in her family. Her daughter, Penelope Houston, became a central figure in the San Francisco Bay Area’s punk and folk scenes. As the lead singer of the seminal punk rock band The Avengers and later as a solo artist, Houston carved out her own legacy—recording albums like On Market Street at Berkeley’s famed Fantasy Studios. It was a different genre, but the same fierce spirit of artistry that Penny passed on.

Though her most public work took place in the Pacific Northwest, Penny remained deeply connected to the Bay Area, both through her academic roots at Stanford and her later years in Oakland. Her funeral service was held on July 22, 2019, at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland and was attended by a vast community of artists, musicians, students, and collaborators whose lives she touched.

Major John Lewis Bromley (1820-1909): Soldier, Pioneer, and Civic Leader

 

John Bromley and Family Plot

Plot 14B Lot 64

Major John Lewis Bromley (1820–1909) lived a life of service, sacrifice, and dedication to his country and community. Born on December 24, 1820, in Maryland, Bromley would go on to fight in one of the most pivotal conflicts of the 19th century—the Mexican-American War—and later become a respected figure in California’s civic and veteran communities.

Bromley enlisted in the U.S. Army in Memphis, Tennessee, joining the 14th Infantry Regiment during the Mexican War. He began his military career as a recruiting sergeant and quickly rose through the ranks to become orderly sergeant of Company G. His regiment was part of Brigadier General Cadwalader’s brigade, and under the command of Colonel Truesdale, with Captain James Scantland leading Company G.

Bromley saw intense combat in many of the war’s fiercest engagements, including the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, and the storied assault on Chapultepec Castle. During the climactic battle at Chapultepec, all of Company G’s officers were either wounded or reassigned, and Bromley assumed command of the company. The day after the fall of the castle, Company G was the first to enter Mexico City through the San Cosme Gate, capturing artillery and securing a key position. Bromley was wounded twice in action and endured a severe bout of typhoid fever. For his valor and service, he was honorably discharged in 1848 and awarded a military pension.

The 1903 Oakland City Charter and City Hall at the time

After the war, Bromley settled in California, where he became a rancher, merchant, and public servant. His career included several key roles: county assessor, justice of the peace, and Court of Sessions judge in Contra Costa County. He was also a charter member of the city of Oakland, a director of the Veterans Home in Yountville, and president of the Mexican War Veterans of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. His contributions to civic life earned him a place on the Governor’s staff with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was also a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution, linking his legacy to the nation’s founding ideals.

Bromley’s personal life was marked by both love and loss. He first married Martha Goldstein, who passed away in 1850. The following year, he wed Anna M. Levering in Baltimore, Maryland. Anna, born in 1829, was the daughter of William and Susan (Hall) Levering. The couple later moved to California, where Anna died in Oakland in 1906.

Major Bromley passed away on November 7, 1909, at the age of 88. His funeral was held at the family home on Twenty-eighth Street in Oakland, with Rev. William Day Simmons of the First Unitarian Church presiding. The service was simple, attended by a large gathering of friends and family. Floral tributes covered the casket, and veterans honored his memory—among them Major Edwin A. Sherman, President of the Associated Mexican War Veterans, and treasurer Ferdinand Myers, who served as pallbearers.

Frank Leach (1846-1929): Director of San Francisco Mint & Pioneering Journalist

Frank Leach and San Francisco Mint after 1906 earthquake

14B - Leach Family Plot

Frank Aleamon Leach (August 19, 1846 – June 19, 1929) was an influential newspaperman, legislator, and government official whose career spanned journalism, politics, and public service. He is best remembered for his leadership during critical moments in California history and his tenure as Director of the United States Mint.

Leach was born in Auburn, New York, to Edwin Warren Leach and Mary A. Leach. In his youth, his family relocated to California, where his father established a bottling plant in Sacramento. By 1857, the family settled in Napa. At the age of 20, Leach began his journalism career by founding the Vallejo Evening Chronicle in 1867. He later published the Evening Standard before moving to Oakland in 1886, where he founded the Oakland Enquirer.

The Oakland Enquirer became a prominent voice in Northern California journalism under Leach’s leadership. Known for its incisive coverage of political and civic issues, the paper played a significant role in shaping public opinion during a transformative period for Oakland and the Bay Area. Leach retired from journalism in 1897 after three decades of influence.

Oakland Enquirer Banner and Frank Leach

Leach also served as a member of the California State Assembly from 1879 to 1882, representing the Republican Party. During his legislative tenure, he focused on issues relevant to his district and contributed to Republican politics in California. His time in office reflected his commitment to public service and civic engagement.

Leach transitioned to federal service in 1897 when he was appointed Superintendent of the San Francisco Mint by President William McKinley. His leadership at the Mint was tested during the catastrophic 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. Amid widespread destruction, Leach organized efforts to protect the Mint building and its reserves of gold bullion—critical to maintaining national financial stability during the crisis.

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Leach as Director of the United States Mint, a position he held until 1909. During this period, Leach oversaw modernization efforts at the Mint and implemented Roosevelt’s vision for artistic coin designs, including those created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. These coins are now regarded as some of the most beautiful ever produced by the U.S. Mint.

Leach returned to serve briefly as Superintendent of the San Francisco Mint from 1912 to 1913 before retiring from public service.

Leach Family Plot

Leach’s contributions spanned journalism, politics, and government service. His work at the Oakland Enquirer shaped public discourse in Northern California, while his leadership at the Mint preserved financial stability during crises like the San Francisco earthquake. His memoir, Recollections of a Newspaperman, provides valuable insights into life and events in California during his era.

Frank A. Leach passed away on June 19, 1929.

Source: San Francisco Mint; Oakland Tribune

David Wesley Davies (1902–1940): Mountain View Cemetery Superintendent Who Drowned

David Wesley Davies and grave marker

Plot 50, Lot 348, Grave 4

David Wesley Davies was a dedicated civic leader and the longtime superintendent of Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. Born in 1902 in Piedmont to Hugh and Anna J. Davies, he was deeply rooted in the East Bay community where he was also educated. His early commitment to public service and community care led him to a prominent role in managing one of the region’s most historic and revered cemeteries.

By the age of 26, Davies had become superintendent of Mountain View Cemetery, a position he held with distinction for twelve years. Known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and compassion, he was trusted with the solemn responsibility of overseeing all cemetery operations and ensuring the grounds remained a place of dignity and peace for families mourning their loved ones. His leadership extended beyond day-to-day duties, as he fostered strong relationships with his colleagues, including organist Charles Besserer and fellow employee Thomas Stowell, with whom he shared a close camaraderie.

Tragically, Davies lost his life on January 28, 1940, in a drowning accident in the Russian River near Guerneville, California. He had gone to Monte Rio for a weekend retreat with his colleagues. Witnesses described how he entered the river, possibly intending a brief swim, unaware of the dangerous current following recent storms. When he began to struggle and shout for help, neighbors across the river and his friends attempted to rescue him, but the swift, muddy waters claimed him before help could arrive. His body was found 30 feet downstream, caught against a boat landing.

Russian River at Monte Rio

 

At the time of the accident, his wife Octavia Davies was in Kentucky on a somber family errand, accompanying the body of her sister-in-law for burial. She was notified by telegraph and immediately returned to Oakland. Davies left behind two young children, Douglas, age 4, and Mary, age 1½, who were being cared for by their aunt, Mrs. Eleanor Smith. He was also survived by his sister, Mrs. Smith, and a brother, Lieutenant John H. Davies.

Davies was a member of Oakland Lodge No. 188, F.&A.M., and had strong ties to the local Masonic community. His funeral service was held on January 31, 1940, at the Mausoleum Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery, under the auspices of the Oakland Lodge. Friends and family gathered to honor a man whose life had been defined by his steady commitment to service, family, and community.

David Wesley Davies is remembered not only for his professional accomplishments and civic contributions, but for the quiet integrity with which he lived his life. His sudden and untimely passing was a great loss to all who knew him, and his legacy endures in the cemetery grounds he so faithfully tended and the family he cherished.

Source: Oakland Tribune

William Fieldwick (1848–1906): Racetrack Superintendent Killed by Train

 

Elks Plot, burial site of William Fieldwick

 

Elks Plot 32, Grave 126

William Fieldwick was a British-born American horseman and racetrack superintendent whose life captured the spirit of California’s sporting and industrial transformation at the turn of the 20th century. Born in England in 1848, Fieldwick immigrated to the United States in the latter half of the 19th century, eventually settling in the San Francisco Bay Area during a period of explosive growth and cultural change.

Fieldwick became a prominent figure in California’s thriving horse racing world through his position as Superintendent of the New California Jockey Club, headquartered at the Emeryville Racetrack. Nestled between Oakland and Berkeley, the Emeryville track—also known as Oakland Trotting Park—was one of the most important racing venues on the West Coast, drawing crowds of thousands and attracting elite jockeys, breeders, and bettors from across the country.

As superintendent, Fieldwick oversaw the daily operations of the track and its extensive stables, playing a critical behind-the-scenes role in ensuring the smooth running of race events. Known for his discipline, reliability, and deep understanding of horses, he earned the respect of jockeys, trainers, and racing patrons alike. His work supported the Jockey Club’s rise to prominence during a golden age of California horse racing, when Emeryville became a lively hub of sport, society, and spectacle.

Oakland Race Track

 

Tragically, Fieldwick’s life was cut short on November 17, 1906, when he was struck and killed by a Southern Pacific train. While the precise circumstances remain unclear, reports suggest he was walking near or along the railroad tracks—likely in the course of his daily routines—when the accident occurred. During this era, rail lines crisscrossed East Bay towns, and pedestrian fatalities, though tragic, were not uncommon.

His death was noted in regional newspapers and mourned by members of the racing community who had come to rely on his steady leadership and knowledge. Though personal details about his family life remain scarce, Fieldwick’s legacy is preserved in the role he played during a formative chapter in California’s sporting history.

Today, the site of the old Emeryville Racetrack is the location of Bay Street Emeryville, a mixed-use development featuring retail stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and residential units.

Charles William Wendte (1844–1931): Influential Unitarian Minister

Rev. Charles Wendte

PLOT 2

Charles William Wendte was a significant figure in American Unitarianism, as well as a writer, author, editor of religious hymns, and an advocate for woman suffrage.

Born in Germany, Wendte immigrated to the United States as a child. He pursued theological studies and was ordained as a Unitarian minister.

Wendte's contributions to the religious and social landscape were broad and impactful. He served several congregations across the United States, including in Chicago, Cincinnati, Boston, Rhode Island, and Los Angeles. In 1886, he led the First Unitarian Church of Oakland through its early growth and the construction of its still-iconic building, designed by noted architect Walter Mathews. The site is a registered California Historical Landmark.

First Unitarian Church in Oakland

 

Wendte was deeply involved in social reform activities, particularly those concerning peace, education, and racial equality. His efforts extended to support for various progressive causes, reflecting his commitment to applying religious principles to solve societal issues. He was also involved in religious education and youth work, contributing to the development of programs and materials that would nurture the spiritual and moral development of young people within the Unitarian faith.

On June 22, 1880, he offered the opening invocation at the 1880 Democratic National Convention, calling the United States "an asylum and a refuge for the distressed and downtrodden throughout the world," and praying that "all sectional divisions and differences may cease forever among us."

He retired to Berkeley in 1926.

Raymond Baker (1878-1935): Director of US Mint

 

Raymond Baker's NY Times obit

Raymond Baker was a wealthy United States businessman who was Director of the United States Mint from 1917 to 1922. 

He was born in Eureka, Nevada on November 22, 1877 to George Washington Baker and the former Mary Agnes Hall. His father was the lead counsel to the Southern Pacific Railroad and his brother Cleve Baker served as Nevada's Attorney General.  Raymond Baker attended the University of Nevada at Reno and then Stanford University.

After college, Baker became involved in gold mining, being one of the first investors active in Rawhide, Nevada. He became a rich man when he sold his claims and moved East, where he had a brief romantic relationship with the scandalous British romance novelist Elinor Glyn.

Baker had a longstanding interest in prison reform. In 1911, with his brother Cleve Baker serving as Nevada Attorney General, Raymond T. Baker became the warden of the Nevada State Prison, a position he held from Februar 1911 to May 1912.

In 1915, Baker traveled to Russia to become confidential secretary to San Franciscan banker George Marye, Jr., who was serving as the United States Ambassador to Russia. 

Baker family mausoleum

 

Upon his return from Russia, President Woodrow Wilson named him Director of the United States Mint in 1917. Baker subsequently held this office from March 1917 until March 1922. During World War I, the U.S. Mint played a critical role in the production of metal medals and other items needed for the war effort. Baker oversaw these operations, ensuring that the Mint contributed effectively to the national needs during the war.

Baker was involved in the issuance and promotion of commemorative coins. These coins often celebrated significant historical events and helped raise public interest in numismatics (the study or collection of currency). He also advocated for the role of the arts in minting, supporting the use of high-quality and aesthetically pleasing designs for coins. This was part of a broader movement during the early 20th century to improve the artistic quality of American coinage.

On June 12, 1918, he married Margaret Vanderbilt, the widow of Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, who died aboard the RMS Lusitania. His best man at the wedding was Nevada's United States Senator Key Pittman. The couple divorced after a decade of marriage.

During the 1926 Senate elections, Baker sought election as United States Senator from Nevada on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Tasker Oddie.

Baker died of coronary thrombosis in Washington D.C. on April 28, 1935, three months after suffering a heart attack.

Sources: Wikipedia, NY Times, Find a Grave

James Yimm Lee (1920-1972): Mentor and Roommate of Martial Arts Legend Bruce Lee

James Yimm Lee

 PLOT 12, LOT 280, GRAVE 563

James Yimm Lee was an American martial arts pioneer, teacher, author, and publisher. He was a welder in the shipyards by profession and a U.S. Army veteran, fighting in both the Battle of Luzon and Battle of Mindanao campaigns during WWII.

He is known for being a mentor, teacher and friend of the late Bruce Lee, being only one of three individuals to be personally certified by Bruce Lee to teach his martial arts. During the period known to martial arts aficionados as the Oakland Years (1962-1965), the two men lived and trained together, and their mutual collaboration evolved into the now-famous fighting art known as Jeet Kune Do. 

James Lee became well known for his Iron Palm specialty, and would routinely break bricks at demonstrations. He was the first to publish an Iron Palm book in America in 1957.

James Yimm Lee was also an accomplished weightlifter and helped get Bruce Lee started in a weight-training program, which subsequently resulted in his sculptured physique.

Lee died at age 52 from lung cancer caused by welding fumes. 

The two men were not related.