Warren L. Ward, BHS 1944

Warren L. Ward, BHS 1944

Warren L. Ward passed away August 29 in San Clemente, CA. Warren was born in Grand Junction, Colorado and later moved to Burbank, California. He graduated from Burbank High School, served in the United States Navy, then returned to college and graduated from Stanford University. During his college years, Warren was a member of the Stanford Track Team and later the Stanford Buck Club.

Warren became a restaurant owner and eventually owned 3 restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area. His last dinner house, Raffles, was in Downey. In the late 1980's Warren served as President of the California Restaurant Association. Warren and his 1st wife Jess moved to Huntington Beach in 1975. During his years in Huntington Beach he served on the Personnel Commission and was Chairman of the Beachwalk Homeowners Association. Warren is predeceased by his wife, Jess and his daughter, Sharon. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Liggett; daughters, Jacquette (Howard Shafer) Ward and Tricia (Paul) Dolkas; 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. He is also survived by 3 step-daughters, 5 grandchildren and 3 great granddaughters.


Warren L. Ward, BHS1944A celebration of Warren's life will be held on September 19, at 11:00 AM, Beach Point Church, 17415 Magnolia Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA.

Published in Orange County Register from Sept. 17 to Sept. 18, 2015

Michael Howard Lewis, BHS 1967

Michael Howard Lewis, BHS 1967

Aug. 15, 1949 - Sep. 15, 2015

Michael Howard Lewis, son of Howard and Hazel Lewis, husband, father, brother, uncle, and constant helping hand, is loved as acutely as he is missed. Always eager to help others, Michael sought out and valued close-knit communities wherever he was. From Guam to Oklahoma, Michael enjoyed being a part of something larger than himself. He made friends everywhere he went, with his offbeat sense of humor and appreciation for the kindness of others.

Michael loved flying, sailing, travelling, eating good food, listening to live music, playing with kids and dogs -- but above all, he loved his family and friends. Michael spoke fondly of his childhood in Burbank, CA. It was there that he found his passion for flying, which eventually led him to Continental Airlines and Guam. Michael loved the community and looseness of island life and spent his free time on the beach and sailing.

 

After his contract in Guam Operations was up, Michael transferred to Hawaii, where he got to know Kathie. Just a week after they started dating, Michael began applying for jobs that would take him to the mainland, where Kathie lived. Ten days after he got a job in Los Angeles, Michael and Kathie were married. The next 34 years would see Michael in three different states -- Oklahoma, California, and finally, Nevada. In each state he found lifelong friends, whether it was in his neighborhood in Broken Arrow, Thursday breakfasts at Nini’s in Burlingame, or at LifePoint Church in Minden, where he loved working Guest Central and being in fellowship with his small group.

 

He also treasured the community at Century 21 Clark Properties, where he was a realtor for the past nine years. Michael was known for his good attitude, his example of perseverance, and his will to live. He was baptized in Lake Tahoe and had a quiet and steady faith. He loved seeing the colors change in the Genoa wetlands and watching the sunsets and sunrises. He will be remembered for having a spirit even more full than he would pack the dishwasher. 

 

Michael continues to live in the hearts of his wife, Kathie, his daughter, Erin, his son-in-law, Chris, and the rest of the Lewis, Hughes, Carpenter, and Churchill families. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2016, at LifePoint Church, 1095 Stephanie Way, Minden. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Carson Tahoe Health Foundation for either the sponsor of a stay at the Merriner Cottages or their Cancer Resource Center -- both in support of the comfort and care of cancer patients.

 

The Record-Courier, September 2015

Donald (Don) Lee Rand, BHS 1962

Donald (Don) Lee Rand, BHS 1962

Don Rand, 71, passed away on March 12 , 2016 at home in Waldoboro, Maine where he was residing at the time. Don was born August 14, 1944 in Glendale, California to Elmer F. Rand and Gwendolyn Y. Dunn. Don grew up in California and  graduated from Burbank high in 1962 where he was on the Ceralbus Yearbook Staff where he and another fellow student did all the artwork for the yearbook.

Don was predeceased by his father and brother Gary Rand. Don is survivied by his mother Gwendolyn Rand of Cooper Mills, one Aunt, one nephew and many close friends. No services will be held at this time.

In his BHS Reunion profile page he wrote the falling:

After graduation from BHS he attended the Chouinard Art Institute graduating in 1966 and majored in film animation. Chouinard merged with the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music in his last year and the new school name is one that most of you know, California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts), now in Valencia, California.

After Chouinard he worked for a while at a little independent film studio over in Hollywood known as Graphic Films. They did a lot of films for the goveerment, including one of the moon landing. He was eventually laid off for several months and Don went back to making  some money restoring and selling player pianos, a hobby with him since he was a kid.

Funny how life can be!!!!  In 1968 a friend of mine and I opened a mechanical music store on Broardway in Glendale, California. We sold player pianos, nickelodeons and all the old Edison and Victor phonographs, plus the memorabilia that went with them. We had a great time and met many interesting people including President Nixon.

In 1976 Ed and I purchased the carousel in Griffith Park from the Davis family who placed it in the park in 1935. We made a lot of improvements and it was a great business for us but after ten years of a grinding, grueling schedule we had to bow out and sell it.

In 1986 I moved to Maine and Ed , my partner in the music business moved to New Hampshire, so we still keep in touch and we both love New England!!!

For the past twenty years my business has been manufacturing music rolls for all the collectors over the U.S., who own nickelodeons, which by the way were Americia 's first Juke Boxes and both J.P. Seeburg and Rudolph Wurlitzer got started this way.

Occasionaily I have down some art work since living in Maine, including work for the Merle Norman Museum out in Sylmar, California. So when people ask about my art career I usually state that both art and music have been in my life for a long time, long time and have enjoyed my involvement in each!!!

Richard Lee Crawford, BHS 1939

Richard Lee Crawford, BHS 1939 

June 29, 1921 - January 14, 2016.

Dick was born in Burbank to his parents Richard and Nora Crawford. He attended Burbank Schools, graduating from Burbank High School in 1939. Dick served in the Navy from 1940-1944. He married Elizabeth Katherine Burgess, known to all as Betty, in 1942. They had two sons, Richard James and Robert Lee Crawford.

He owned Orday Speed Shop in Burbank from 1959 - 1980. He sold the business and moved to Huntington Beach, where he went to work for Donovan Engineering, continuing his love for racing. There he designed the Billet Aluminum Block for racing engines. He had a 50 year Masonic affiliation and was a 33rd degree Mason.

He is preceded in death by his son Robert Lee. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, his son Richard, two grandsons, Rick and Todd, and a great grandson Alan. He will be missed by all in the racing circle, his family and friends.

Published The Burbank Leader, January 30, 2016.

Richard L. Cook, BHS 1969

Richard L. Cook, BHS 1969, November 12, 1950 - October 1, 2015

A REMEMBRANCE OF LIFE , Richard (Rick) L. Cook passed away peacefully on October 1, 2015. He was six weeks shy of his 65th birthday. Rick was born November 12, 1950, raised in Burbank, California and continued to be a life-long resident of the area. He was a 1969 graduate of Burbank High School and received his AA Degree from Glendale Community College, along with numerous aviation certificates and awards. 

By trade, Rick was an expert aviation mechanic who specialized in helicopters. He loved working with his hands and could build/fix/repair just about anything. Early in his career, he enjoyed working on tuna boats as their helicopter mechanic. Afterwards, he worked for various aviation companies such as Aviall, Ryder, Garrett and Rotor Craft Support. 

He loved music and his taste ran from The Rolling Stones to Adele. He was also slightly obsessed with The Duke and loved watching John Wayne movies as well as anything related to Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirates of the Caribbean and Laurel & Hardy. He was also a big fan of the History Channel, especially their WWII segments. His favorite time of the year was "football season"; however, he was also an avid fan of the L.A. Kings and the L.A. Lakers. 

Rick enjoyed a fun, full adventurous life that included many hobbies and activities, such as horseback riding, waterskiing, snow-skiing, hiking, boating, volleyball, trains, hot-rods & classic cars, attending airplane shows, car shows and building remote-controlled tanks & model airplanes. He was also a huge animal lover (especially dogs) and had a special connection with his beloved horse, Mr. Ed, whom he had for 36 years. 

Rick is predeceased by his beloved father Ken Cook and is survived by his mother Edith Cook and his sister Heidi Cook. Rick was an easy-going fella with a quick laugh and a huge heart and will be greatly missed by his family and his close friends and colleagues. Per the family's wishes, there was no service. 

Published in The Burbank Leader, Wednesday November 11, 2015

Salvadore Porretta, BHS 1961

Salvadore Porretta(1943 - 2015). age 72, passed away at home November 21, 2015, with his wife of 47 years, Vicki, at his side.

Sal was born August 23, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan to Rose and Sam Porretta. He grew up in Burbank, California and attended St. Robert Bellarmine, Notre Dame, and Burbank High School. After high school, he joined the Army in the Military Police Special Guard Unit. In 1967, Sal joined the Burbank Police Department. he earned a Bachelors degree from University of Redlands and went to the FBI Academy. Later, he was a traffic-hearing commissioner for the City of Burbank.

Sal loved his job with the Police Department, his family and friends, camping, traveling, and his time in Hawaii. Sal is survived by his wife, Vicki; daughter, Molly Serrao; son-in-law, Mike Serrao; granddaughter, Katie; grandson, Joey; brother, Steve Porretta; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life will be held in his honor. Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary Directors 661-259-0800.

Funeral Home Eternal Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary 23287 North Sierra Hwy Newhall, CA 91321 (661) 259-0800 

Published in Los Angeles Daily News on Dec. 3, 2015

Bonnie Lee Bustrom Money, BHS 1959

Bonnie Lee Bustrom Money, BHS 1959  
August 6. 1941 - November 24, 2015 

Bonnie (Bustrum) Money, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 from a long illness. She was born in Huntington Park, CA on August 6, 1941. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1959, where she met her husband Bob Money, who she later married on June 24, 1961. 

Bonnie is survived by her husband Bob, daughter Jolene Elliot, son Dean, sister Janis Moss, brother Rob Bustrum, and five grandchildren Jeff, Jonathan and Jimmy Elliot and Kyle and Emilee Money. Bonnie will be remembered for her great sense of humor and witty comebacks. 

Burbank Leader, Saturday, December 5, 2015