In Memorium

THEY LOVED MOVIES!    THEY LOVED WESTERNS!   THEY LOVED LONE PINE…
We are all so appreciative of their years of support and dedication.

Packy Smith
September 28, 1941 – December 17, 2021

 

 

Dave Holland
January 22, 1935 – November 14, 2005

A co-founder of the Lone Pine Film Festival in 1990, Dave Holland was an author and film historian with a special focus on the B westerns. It was while working on location on commercials in the Lone Pine area that Dave recognized move location landscapes from B westerns he had watched. This discovery led him to purchase movie stills from classic films and westerns, then come on location to the Alabama Hills to find the exact location where the camera was placed.

As his location discoveries, found during weekends roaming the scenic area, accumulated, he made friends with local residents including Kerry Powell who with other Lone Pine Western film fans had discussed ideas on creating a tourist venue given Hollywood’s history of using the Alabama Hills of the Easter Sierra as a backlot for over 70 years. As Kerry later said, “Dave supplied the knowledge of locations, contacts with Hollywood and the event management expertise to begin the first film festival…Initially, Dave was the film festival, she said.” Of course, Dave knew he couldn’t have done it without hundreds of volunteers. He had a lot of ideas…He put it together and we all backed him up as best we could.”

Thirty plus years later, it is common on almost any weekend to run into film enthusiasts following in his footsteps looking for favorite movie locations. Each October, the Lone Pine Film Festival continues to pay homage to the legacy of over 500 films made in the region. The Film Festival and Museum of Western Film History, built in 2006, owe their longevity and foundation to the initiative, passion, and love of western films to Dave and the Lone Pine Community that have continued to support and document the history and legacy of Western films, Eastern Sierra movie locations, and the actors and actresses of the silver screen.

In 2017, Dave along with Kerry Powell were recognized with the first Museum of Western Film History “Founders Award”. Kerry and Dave had founded the Lone Pine Film Festival in 1990, assisted by a multitude of volunteers, both local residents and western film fans from all over the state.

Dave was born on January 22, 1935, in Raleigh, North Carolina moving to Los Angeles in 1938. His professional life included work as a photographic journalist in the Navy, Theatrical Press Agent, and Unit Production Manager. Dave Holland died on Monday, November 14, 2005, after a brave fight against cancer. His dedication to Western Film and Lone Pine will always be remembered.

Kerry Powell
March 19, 1933 – December 22, 2021

Kerry Ellen Christenson Powell, 87, passed away peacefully on December 22 at High Desert Haven, Ridgecrest, CA, joining her beloved husband Raymond. She was born on March 19, 1933 near Keeler, CA. A lifetime resident of Lone Pine, she helped Ray at the Best Western Frontier Motel and co-founded the Lone Pine Film Festival, now in it’s 33rd year. Throughout her life she spent many summers fishing the High Sierra, especially Tunnel Meadows. Her enthusiasm for nature, the arts, traveling and fishing was shared amongst her children, grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. An accomplished painter, she was active in the Inyo County art scene. She loved taking friends and family to the Alabama Hills and sharing the beauty of the Owens Valley. She and Ray traveled the world in their RV and airplane and had many wonderful adventures. Kerry was a great asset to the town, teaching swimming to local children, donating time, knowledge and monetarily to the Film History Museum and to the Southern Inyo Hospital. She took pride in helping paint the murals on the local town buildings.

The Annual Film Festival and later the Museum of Western Film History that was opened in 2005, celebrated and documented The Role of Westerns in Shaping the American Experience.  This celebration would not have happened if local businesswoman Kerry Powell had not recognized an opportunity to capitalize on the heritage of filmmaking in the Eastern Sierra and shared that vision with Dave Holland, Their idea has shaped the Lone Pine Community since its inception.

Kerry cherished her two sons, Gary (Cathy) Powell, Minden, NV, and Martin Powell, Lone Pine. Dearest sister to LuElla (Larry) Green, Arroyo Grande, CA, Valarie (John) Burton, Sun Valley, CA, and Carla (Paul) Grace, Burbank, CA. Beloved grandmother to Travis (Jennifer) Powell, Lone Pine, Jared Powell, Lake Arrowhead, CA, Colin Powell, Reno, NV, Whitney (Steve) DeOreo, Healdsburg, CA, and Breanne (Matt) Thompson, Ventura. CA. She leaves behind 4 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In 2017, Kerry and Dave Holland were recognized with the first Museum of Western Film History “Founders Award”. Kerry and Dave had founded the Lone Pine Film Festival in 1990, assisted by a multitude of volunteers, both local residents and western film fans from all over the state.

Bruce Ivey
April 24, 1934 -October 6, 2016

Bruce Stuart Ivey passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on October 6, 2016. Bruce was born to George and Laura Ivey on April 24, 1934, in Montebello, CA.

As a child growing up, Bruce enjoyed hunting, fishing and fixing or driving fast cars. When he graduated from high school, he took a field assistant position with California Fish & Game performing deer surveys in Inyo and Mono counties, as well as trapping chukar in the Inyo Mountains. This job would foster a lifelong passion for conservation, wildlife and wild places. While trapping chukar and camping at Santa Rita Flats, Bruce made weekly supply trips to the closest town of Independence, CA. This is where he would meet Elsie Lockridge, his love and companion for the next 62 years. After a few failed attempts, Elsie finally agreed to go out with Bruce and they eventually married on June 19, 1954. They quickly started their first auto parts business and had their first child Jenniferand five years later, Steven came along.

While running the fledgling company during the day and working at Walt & Bud’s Service Station at night, Bruce always put family, friends and community first, fiercely defending against anything or anyone posing a threat to his establishment. For the next 38 years, Bruce and Elsie would grow their auto parts business to seven successful stores throughout the Eastern Sierra and Nevada. Finally retiring in 1993, they decided to give back to the community and start a part-time business that was the beginning of the Lone Pine Pheasant Club. After a few short years, they were again running a very successful business that would span 21 years, bringing hundreds of visitors each year to enjoy a unique hunting and outdoor experience. Again retiring in 2007, they could focus on their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren without interruption. Note: Many will remember the Sunday morning brunch hosted by Bruce & Elsie at the Pheasant Club during the annual Film Festival. On the Menu – Pheasant & Eggs!

In 2008, devastating floods on Oak Creek damaged and destroyed much of the historic Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Bruce led the volunteer group “Friends of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery” (est. 1997) in the cleanup and restoration of the hatchery building and grounds, which amounted to thousands of volunteer hours and years of hard labor to complete; he was very proud of the volunteers and the work they accomplished. Bruce was larger than life, loved life and was well-loved in return. He was honest, straightforward and hardworking. This extraordinary man was a beloved legend who was greatly respected by all who knew him.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents George and Laura Ivey. He is survived by his wife, Elsie; daughter, Jennifer Ivey; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Teresa Ivey; grandchildren, Bruce and Joey Peterson, Kristen Peterson and companion Matt Stine, Edward Ivey, and Brandon and Mindy Patterson; Great-grandchildren, Paisley Peterson, Zackary Patterson, Steven, Dante and Laura Allen; Abigail and Jordan Stine; and godson, Gabe Fogarty.

Even during the tough times this past year, Bruce always enjoyed the company of friends and maintained a witty sense of humor. He taught and continues to teach us every day what hard work, honesty, and strength can accomplish. Thanks and prayers go out to the many good friends that have been by our side through this incredible journey. Grampa Bruce, you will be missed beyond our imagination, but your legacy will live forever through your love and wonderful memories.

James Drake  
December 2, 1944 – January 10, 2022

Jim Drake, TV/Movie Director, passed away on January 10, 2022 in Freeland, WA. The measure of a person, as is often said, is how much they are loved by others. After only a few minutes in the presence of this accomplished, knowledgeable, and ever inquisitive soul, nearly everyone who crossed his path was led to an enduring love and respect for James Richard Drake.

After earning a degree in Communication at Stanford University, he moved on to New York City to earn his Masters Degree from Columbia University. Soon Jim became a staff Associate Director at CBS. He later moved to Los Angeles where he would soon join the emerging staff at Norman Lear’s Production. His choice of career also introduced him to his soulmate, Brigit Jensen Drake, with whom he first worked on the legendary series, All In The Family. Jim’s credits spanned hundreds of television shows as well as TV and theatrical movies. Among the many titles: Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman; Fernwood Tonight; SCTV, Who’s The Boss; Buffalo Bill (nominated for a DGA award as well as an Emmy award); Newhart; The Golden Girls (earning another Emmy nomination); Night Court; Dave’s World; The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Police Academy IV.

In addition to his wife Brigit, he is survived by his daughter Christina, son Kevin and his daughter River, stepdaughter Christel Layton and husband Bob and their daughter Katrina, his brother Tom, and also by his first wife Kirsten.

Jim was not only a big western film fan but was also an aficionado of their productions from scripts to screen. Being a director himself he knew personally many of the production staff. He was an attendee of the Lone Pine Film Festivals from the very beginning (Sierra Film Festival 1990) and every subsequent festival until about 2008. During his attendance he documented many of the celebrity festival panels, interviews and tours with his personal cameras.  His wife Brigit, kindly donated this archive, totaling over 40 hours of video. These extraordinary films are being digitized and added to the museum library archives.