[Azham] W7JYX (former K9LUI), Verna - SK

[W. D. Mays]

I am sorry to inform everyone that a former Central Arizona DX Assn. 
member, Verna Franz, W7JYX became a silent key at 11:00AM on January
23, 2002.

Verna Franz and her husband Wilbur (Bill to the radio world), W7JYZ,
were prominent, active Amateur Radio operators and DXers for over half
a century. Previous to coming to Arizona in 1973, they were residents
of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Verna's call was K9LUI and Bill's was K9KYF.
They were members of the NIDXA from 1962 until the early 1980's. As
nearly as I can resurrect, they went on four round-the-world trips and
operated from numerous DX locations during the 1960's and 1970's.
Verna had a DXCC standing of 328 countries and Bill was credited with
348 countries with one additional, not submitted card for 349. A truly
remarkable accomplishment for a husband and wife team.

After relocating to Arizona, Bill and Verna lived in Scottsdale for 18
years before building a new home in Cave Creek, AZ, in a typical, high
DX
location. Bill passed away in March of 1999, and Verna continued to be
active from their residence until early 2000, when she entered a
Senior Care home in Scottsdale and went off the air.

Bill and Verna joined the CADXA in 1978 and continued as regular
members until sometime in the late 1980's. In addition, Verna was a
very early member of the Young Ladies Radio League and accomplished
DXCC/YL by 1971. We will all miss this outstanding couple and their
long and continous contributions to Amateur Radio and DXing in
particular.

For the information of those in the Ham community who knew Verna,
there will be a visitation from 2:00PM to 4:00PM, Sunday January 27,
at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd.  A visitation will
also be held at Leonard's Memorial Funeral Home, 565 Duane St. in Glen
Ellyn on February 2nd.  Burial will be in Oakridge Cemetery, Hillside,
IL.

73's Verna

Warren,  K7SA