Tracy boy saves sister's life

McKinley Elementary School eighth-grader Ezekiel Gilmer’s quick thinking saved his 2½-year-old sister’s life this month. On Sept. 24, Ezekiel was heading to the bathroom early in the morning when something told him to check on his sister, Patricia. Ezekiel’s mother, Pamela Dellums-Ginter, said he found Patricia lying on the floor, not breathing. Ezekiel alerted his father, Winfrid Gilmer, who told him to call 9-1-1.

Patricia was taken to Sutter Tracy Community Hospital and then transferred to Children’s Hospital in Oakland. Dellums-Ginter said doctors told her she might have seizures later in life, but right now, she is home and healthy. Dellums-Ginter said that without Ezekiel, she “would’ve been planning a funeral.”

Called to serve

Brandon Jack Hill has accepted a call to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He will be stationed in the Denver South Mission.

Brandon is an Eagle Scout and a 2008 graduate of West High School. He attended Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, for one year. Brandon is the son of David and Leslie Hill of Tracy.

West High grad off to boot camp

Demitri Jones left for U.S. Marines boot camp less than a month after high school graduation. He made the decision in February, when a Marines recruiter spoke to the West High School students on career day. 

Demitri was the youngest of 565 graduates Sept. 18 at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego.

Tracy man completes basic training

Specialist Michael S. Clark graduated from U.S. Army basic training at Fort Sill, Okla., on July 10. Clark was fourth in his class of 240 privates. He also was awarded the platoon guard of the honor platoon. Clark is now finishing medic training in Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Tex., where he holds the top spot in his company. He plans to graduate in November and return to California to finish his schooling.

Clark is a 1987 graduate of Tracy High School; a 1994 graduate of California State University, Long Beach; and a 1996 graduate of Life West Chiropractic College.

He is the son of Frank and Suzie Clark of Tracy, brother of Kevin Clark of Tracy, husband to Jennifer Clark and father to Nina, Madeleine and Laynie Clark of Concord.

North teacher honored by county

North School eighth-grade teacher West Walker was honored as the San Joaquin County Educator of the Year at the San Joaquin A+ Spirit of Literacy Gala Dinner. Jeanette Rasmussen, of Villalovoz Elementary, was named New Educator of the Year. The dinner was Sept. 21 at Wine & Roses in Lodi. Tracy Unified School District honored them both Sept. 22.

Employee of the Month

Tracy police communications operator Melissa Hubert has been named the city’s employee of the month for September. She has been with the police department since January 2004.

Tracy officials praised Hubert’s ability to create efficient schedules and help the communications department run smoothly. Hubert, who was born in Berkeley, earned her associate degree in accounting from Heald College.

Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts

On Aug. 27, two Boy Scouts from Troop 515 in Tracy earned the highest honor in scouting. 

Eddie Sosa, a junior at West High School, and Nathan Pearlman, a freshman at Kimball High School, both passed their boards of review for the rank of Eagle Scout.

Eddie worked with the Lammersville School District, where he built picnic tables and waste bins and painted safety areas throughout Lammersville Elementary School. 

Nathan did his project for the New Heart Community Church in Tracy, where he built a playground and landscaped the play yard. The boys worked on these projects for two years, and together raised almost $4,800.

Tracy man ready to farm

Tracy resident Robert Thomsen completed the John Deer Ag Tech Program on Aug. 22 in Walla Walla, Wash. Mid-Cal Tractors of Stockton, where he is a technician and mechanic, sponsored his training during the two-year program.

• Know someone who deserves an accolade. Contact Our Town Editor Justin Lafferty at jlafferty@tracypress.com