Kevin Michael Nalepa, 40, of Sweet Home died Jan. 20, 2010 at his home.

He was born Feb. 29, 1969 in Ohio. After he left home he spent many years in the Navy aboard submarines. After being honorably discharged, he lived in San Diego, Calif., where he worked at 7-Eleven until 2006, when his father came down with cancer.

Mr. Nalepa moved to Sweet Home to be with his father. Although he had left San Diego, he spoke so often of 7-Eleven and "Helen," his boss there, that everyone around him came to know her as his mother.

Mr. Nalepa had a great appreciation for the holidays, especially Christ...