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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 10, 2006 Eagle Point couple die By Chris Conrad Mail Tribune An Eagle Point couple and a former Central Point resident died early Tuesday when their boat capsized off the south jetty at Coos Bay. The couple were identified as Mike and Beverly Banz, according to Randall Sparks, who worked with Mike Banz at the U.S. Post Office distribution center on Sage Road in Medford. Sparks also worked with third victim Larry Jones, who retired a couple of years ago and moved to the coast with his wife. "It was just debilitating for everyone who works here," Sparks said. "Everybody liked these folks — they were part of the team." According to Sparks, the Banzes left either Friday or Saturday to spend the weekend boating with Jones and his wife, Cathy. Cathy Jones told Sparks they were kept on land because of harsh weather. On Tuesday, they thought it cleared up enough to take Banz's 17-foot boat out on the ocean. Mick Sneddon, chief of the Charleston Rural Fire Protection District, told The Coos Bay World that a witness reported the boat was struck by two waves after turning south from the jetty. He said witness told authorities the second wave capsized the boat. "We had about 8- to 10-foot waves with about 10 seconds between them," said U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Justin Denton. "The water was pretty cold, about 52 degrees." Denton said none of the victims were wearing a life jacket. The Coast Guard had not identified them officially as the victims late Tuesday. Sparks said Mike Banz was a veteran of the first Gulf War and an outdoorsman. He and Beverly Banz were in their early 40s. Beverly Banz worked as a nurse at Providence Medical Center in Medford. Larry Jones was in his 60s, Sparks said, and had recently reconnected with a long-lost daughter. "I just spoke with Larry around Christmas," he added. "He came in to see how things were going. He and Cathy were living large, enjoying their retirement as full-time RV'ers." Denton reminded the public of the importance of life jackets while sailing along the coast. "There's been quite a few deaths along the Washington coast here lately where people weren't wearing life jackets," he said. In March, a Coos Bay man died after water filled his small boat after he entered a section of rapids on the Umpqua River without engine power. And in January, a maritime pilot died trying leave a freighter he'd guided over the Columbia River bar and out to sea in stormy weather, officials said. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . The Associated Press and The Coos Bay World contributed to this story. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy