Sidney Dee Conkwright, BHS 1941

Sidney D. Conkwright

Burbank CA United States

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Sidney Dee Conkwright. He is survived by his wife Shirley and daughter Tamralyn.

 

Sidney was born in Los Angeles to Sidney and Faun Conkwright on October 9th 1923. In 1938 he and his family moved to Burbank CA where he attended Burbank High. In 1941 he enrolled in UCLA for pre-med studies but was interrupted by a call to duty. Sidney attended the Naval Medical School and served in the Pacific as a medical assistant from 1943 to 1946. After returning to UCLA he was again called to action and spent several years serving as a pharmacist and surgical nurse. After being again honorably discharged in 1953 Sidney returned to Boyle and Co Pharmaceuticals where he showed remarkable aptitude for sales and marketing. He put these skills to good use and followed his mother';s footsteps into the real estate world.

 

In 1956 he married Shirley and in 1968 they were blessed with Tamralyn. Sidney spent the rest of his long and successful career helping families find their perfect home and was recognized frequently by the San Fernando Valley Realtors Association. After retiring Sidney enjoyed spending time with his wife at their Van Nuys home where he gardened and visited with the neighborhood cats. He volunteered at the library where he read to young children and often became an encouraging mentor and ";Grandpa"; to them. He will be missed by many, all those whose lives he touched have fond memories and will continue to think of him.

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - Sunday, September 6, 2015

Martha James Edde, Former BHS Teacher

Martha James Edde

Camarillo, CA

 

Martha James Edde passed away during the evening of May 12, 2016. She was born in Los Angeles in 1939 to Robert Jack James and Bernice Marian James. She grew up in the Los Feliz district of Los Angeles and graduated from John Marshall High School. She attended UCLA and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in education.

 

At UC Berkeley, she met Byron Edde, then of Santa Paula. They wed in 1961, and were happily married for 54 years. They have lived in Camarillo for the last 40 years. He was with her when she died.

 

She taught at Isbell School in Santa Paula and Burbank High School. For the past 36 years, she has managed the financial aspects of the family business.

 

She is survived by husband Byron Edde; son Robert Edde, daughter-in-law Wendy Gleason Edde, and grandsons Colter and Paxton Edde, all of Bend Oregon; sister Bobbe Jay of Orange County; cousins Bonnie Stewart of Denver Colorado, Tom James of Concord Massachusetts, Donna Wright of Valencia California, Marian Jewett and Darrell Murphy of Grass Valley California, and Beverly Page of Honolulu; and their families; and many friends. Her favorite charities were Camarillo Hospice, Friends of the Camarillo Library, and the Meadowlark Service League.

 

She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park. A memorial will be held later. I (Byron) want to thank her many fine friends, relatives, and caregivers who offered much-needed help and support during her final days. I especially want to thank our son Rob and his family for being so loving and caring, and for being so generous with his time so that he could support her and me during this difficult time. She will be missed.

Ventura County Star (CA) - Friday, May 20, 2016

Arthur William Robinson, BHS 1967

Arthur William Robinson
June 27, 1949  -  July 16, 2016  
                                 
Arthur William Robinson, 67, of Napili, went to be with Jesus on Saturday, July 16, 2016, while under the care of Island Hospice in Kahului.

He leaves his three siblings, Suzanne Elliott, Sandra Robinson, and John Robinson; his three daughters, Lisa (Jay) Whitten, Chantiel (Jeremy) Reese, and Keili Bell; six grandchildren; two nieces; a nephew; and many close friends. 

Raised in Burbank, CA, the son of Billie and Shirley (Gabhart) Robinson, he had a childhood filled with adventure. His father was an experimental aircraft pilot, and his mother often participated in women's air derby's. Art learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive and he once mentioned that the family would fly to various airports around California to sample different airport delicacies. For instance, they knew which airport had the best burgers and which airport had the best banana cream pies and milk shakes.
 
As a child Art and his siblings were allowed to use their father's tools and building materials, so he built go carts, race cars, a tree house, and many surfboards while growing up. He and his siblings also helped their father build racing planes in the garage, and his knowledge of aerodynamics, wind patterns, and ocean currents was extensive. Once when Art was about nine years old, his father told him to see how long he could keep the plane soaring in the air with the engine off. They rode the air currents all the way up to Northern California and a family of Condors flew right next to the plane, looking at them while gliding by in silence.

Art loved to surf and after exploring the California and Baja, Mexico coastlines, decided to move to Hawaii. Moving to Maui was like love at first sight. Art made many friends from all walks of life and shaped many custom surfboards, often displaying his creative airbrushed artwork on "Lost Art" and "Secret Weapon" surfboards. He also loved animals and harbored many birds, cats, and dogs during his lifetime.

During Art's last days he often repeatedly prayed "Thank you Jesus for my life. I love life. I love everybody." He wanted to make sure that everyone in his life knew how much he loved them. Fortunately, he was able to personally tell many of his friends and family how much he cared during his last month of life. He was a kind, big hearted person who did his best to help his friends. He remained positive and refused to give up hope that he would get better. He will be deeply missed.

A life celebration will be held at D.T. Fleming beach park on Saturday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. Bring a dish and some anecdotes to share. Ashes will be spread earlier that morning (8:30) at Subs/Coconuts.

Gary Edgar Metcalf, BHS 1966

Gary Edgar Metcalf, BHS 1966 
March 27, 1948 - May 15, 2015

Gary Metcalf, 67, of Nampa, ID passed away May 15, 2015 at home with his daughter, Summer and girlfriend, Debbie by his side.

Gary was born March 27, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA to Edgar G. Metcalf and Hazel Young Metcalf. He was the first born of two sons and had a younger brother named Ron. Gary graduated from Burbank High School in CA in 1966. While attending Burbank High, Gary became a member of the swim team and that year they won the SCIF finals! When Gary wasn't in school he was at the beach surfing any chance he could get.

In 1968 Gary was drafted into the Army, they sent him over to Vietnam where he was a Communication Center Specialist. In 1970, after being discharged from the Army, Gary was hired on at Union Pacific Railroad. Gary worked there for the next 35 years until he was forced to take a medical retirement in 2006 because of heart problems.

Gary was married to Colleen Metcalf in 1987, they had 2 children together, a son named Rory and a daughter, Summer who was the apple of his eye. They were divorced in 1995 where Gary had full custody of children and loved being a full time dad. Gary has been blessed with 2 beautiful grandchildren through daughter, Summer, Evan 7 and Emma 3.

Gary was a professed atheist most of his life. He was an empirical thinker who believed in the power of reason and rationality and wasn't afraid to share his opinion on politics and religion. When asked what he would like to be remembered for, he said "if I've been able to make people laugh and help them have a good time, then I feel like I have done something worthwhile." All who know Gary would say that is exactly what he did. Laugh out loud any chance he got. Gary had an open door policy at his home, where any friend was welcome anytime.

Gary was a good friend to all who knew him and his smile would light up the room. Gary met his girlfriend, Debbie in 1999. Gary spent his last few months at home with Debbie taking care of him and visits from his daughter, Summer, his ex wife Colleen and many of his wonderful lifelong friends. Gary was loved by many and will be remembered by all who knew him as an all around good guy who knew how to have fun.

Per his request there will be no services but we are having a Celebration of Life at the "Monkey Bizness" Bar downtown Nampa on Saturday May 30th at 2 pm. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bowmanfuneral.com.

Virginia “Ginny” Lynn Clausen Pokorny, BHS 1965

Virginia ‘Ginny’ Lynn Pokorny, Aug. 28,1947 — June 21, 2016

 

Virginia “Ginny” Lynn Pokorny, of Sonora, went to be with our Lord on June 21, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was born in Burbank, California, on Aug. 28, 1947, and later in life she graduated from Burbank High School. In May 1966, she married Tony Pokorny; they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

 

In 1979, the family moved to Oakland, where she worked at several different companies in accounting and administrative support until retiring in 2003 and relocating to Sonora. She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed camping, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

 

She also enjoyed touring the United States and several foreign countries. Her favorite was a recent trip to Israel, Jordan and Turkey. She was so happy to visit the places where Jesus and the apostles preached the gospel.

 

Ginny had a beautiful smile, loving heart and gentle spirit. She loved life and was moved to volunteer at the Foothill Pregnancy Center in Sonora. The center supports young pregnant women and young mothers in need. She managed the “Mommy Store” and the clothing donations. Seeing the mothers and their babies in the store was a very rewarding and joyful time in her life. She loved the Lord, spending time praying and reading her Bible daily. Ginny touched our hearts with her beautiful smile and calm presence.

 

Beloved daughter, of the late Joe and Marjorie Clausen and her brother, Jerry. She was the loving wife of Tony Pokorny; and mother, of Weston and Jason; grandmother to Alexis, Daniella, Lukas, Tony and Kimberly.

 

She is survived by her brother, Larry Clausen (June), of Fillmore, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. “We will always love you and cherish the wonderful memories you left for us.”

 

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. July 16, 2016, at the Calvary Chapel Sonora, 19889 Soulsbyville Road, Soulsbyville. Reception to follow.  Memorials may be made in Ginny’s name to the Foothill Pregnancy Center of Sonora, 427 N. Highway 49, Suite 101, Sonora, CA 95370.

 

Published Jul 1, 2016

William Steen Nielsen, BHS 1958

William S. Nielsen, BHS 1958
Burbank Leader, August 1987

Services will be noon, Monday for William S. Nielsen, 47, former basketball stand-out at Burbank High School who died of cancer on Tuesday August 10, 1987 at Glendale Memorial Hospital.

A 1958 graduate of Burbank High School, Mr. Nielsen was Most-Valuable Player in basketball and lettered in tennis. He attended UCLA and as a freshman was the sixth man on the freshman basketball team.

Mr. Nielsen was a representative for a candy manufacturer.

He was active in the Junior Achievement program at Burbank High School where he was insturmental in starting a candy company.

He is survived by his wife, Renate, sons, Mark and David, and stepson, Glen Wachtel, and parents, W.A. and Grace Neilsen.

Services will be noon, Monday at Emmanuel Luthern Church, 6020 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood.

Helena Josephine McIver Bradley Howell, BHS 1943

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona,
Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Helena Josephine McIver Bradley Howell passed away on Aug. 28, 2015 peacefully in her sleep. She was born on July 16, 1925 in Pueblo, Colorado, the only child of Selma Cagle McIver and Paul Dewitt McIver.

Our mother spent her early childhood in Salt Lake City and her youth in Southern California. She graduated from Burbank High School in 1943, attended UCLA and completed her Master's Degree in English Literature at Occidental College in 1967.

She and her husband moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1980 and fell in love with the southwest.

Helena was a 31-year member of Prescott Art Docents and loved bringing the art museum experience to children throughout the area. She was always the first to volunteer where needed. She served many years on the Board and could always be depended on to give her endearing, straightforward, unvarnished opinion.

She was one of the longest serving volunteers for the Smoki Museum as well as the Phippen Museum.

In her life, she learned to sail a 33-foot cutter, fly a Cessna airplane and master a potter's wheel. She also played bridge, sewed, gardened, traveled and was an amateur Archeologist with extensive knowledge about ancient pottery techniques from American Southwest Indian cultures.

Our mother had read thousands of books and spent 65 years studying and piecing together our family history and was a member of both the Montrose and Prescott Genealogy Societies. She loved her ancestral home in Six Mile Cross, County Tyronne, Northern Ireland and had been there several times.

She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Charles Reed Bradley and Kenneth William Howell.

She is survived by her son Charles Craig Bradley (Chery Bradley) of Ridgway, Colorado; her daughter Katherine Victoria Bradley (Greg Hunger) of Montrose, Colorado; stepdaughters Amy Hoover (Nick Hoover), Dee Warner (Bob Warner); and stepson Kenneth Howell (Diane Howell). She had one granddaughter Hannah Jones Samuelson (Devin Samuelson) of Montrose, Colorado; step grandsons Logan Lloyd (Nikki Lloyd) of Aurora, Colorado, and Forrest Lloyd of Anchorage, Alaska.

She will be dearly missed by all of us, her friends, and her two kitties.

Memorial service will be at noon on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 at Montrose Pavilion, 1800 Pavilion Drive, Montrose, Colorado.

A special thanks to Hope West Hospice in Montrose, Colorado and her caregivers Mary, Starla and Jessica.

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to the Yavapai Humane Society, 1625 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott, AZ 86301.

Information provided by survivors.

Louise Ann Shetler Cultice, BHS 1954

Louise Ann Cultice (1936 - 2015)  Louise Ann Cultice was born August 3, 1936 in Elkhart, Indiana to Earl and Pearl Shetler She died at home on July 23, 2015 in Palm Springs, California. 

 She grew up in Burbank, California and graduated Burbank High School class of 1954 and remained lifelong friends with many of her classmates. She was a Queen in the Burbank Parade, 1953, sponsored by the Moose Lodge. She pursued a successful career in office management working for several large corporations, eventually meeting her husband of 38 years, Doug.

Louise and Doug permanently moved to Palm Springs in 1980 when she became a successful real estate agent for over 20 years. They were active volunteers with the Palm Springs Historical Society, the Elks Lodge in Palm Springs, VFW in Cathedral City and were involved in other civic and advocacy work. They were a "work hard, play hard" family and loved to travel and take cruises together.  

Louise is survived by a combined family of six children: Mark Cultice (Jill); Gene Collins (Vivian); Julie Tringale (Peter); Linda Cunningham (Jeffery); Tracye Woolery (Greg); Debbie Douglas (Randy); thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. 

A private internment will take place on Friday, Aug 7 at Forest Lawn Mortuary Park in Cathedral City, California. .

Published in The Desert Sun from Aug. 4 to Aug. 5, 2015

Jinni Ellen Gaines Reinus, BHS 1970

Jinni Ellen Gaines Reinus, our friend from Burbank High Class of 1970. April 28, 1952 - June 20, 2016 

Jinni passed away peacefully on Monday at home in Fieldbrook, CA with her loved ones with her after suffering so much and enduring so much over the last six years. Her husband of 45 years, Jeffrey Reinus, endured it all along with Jinni these past years. Jeffrey is also our BHS '70 classmate (he and I began in kindergarten together), and he and Jinni were high ...school sweethearts. 

Jinni's service will be this Thursday the 23rd at 10:00 A.M. in Eureka, CA. Please be thinking of Jeffrey and his family during that special time for them. Besides Jeffrey, Jinni leaves their daughter Jessica, and her husband Justin, her two granddaughters Sadie and Orah, her brother David, and sister Terri. Jeff and Jinni's daughter, Jaimee, predeceased Jinni. Any memorial contributions may be made to "Hospice of Humboldt". 

From: Alan Landros, BHS 1970

Carole Ann Vaughn Toffel, BHS 1957

Carole Ann Vaughn Toffel, BHS 1957
February 1, 1939 – June 11, 2016

Born in Los Angeles on February 1, 1939 along with her twin Brother Kenny to Robert and Elizabeth Vaughn, Carole Ann Toffel passed away peacefully at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with arthritis and cancer on June 11, 2016 in her Burbank home surrounded by her immediate family.

Carole was raised in Burbank and graduated from Burbank High School with honors in 1957. Soon afterword she married Lee Toffel and moved to Arleta, California where she would soon be the proud mother of Robert Toffel (1958), Alan Toffel (1960) and Linda Toffel (1963). She worked part time, while raising three young children, at the Talley Rand restaurant in Burbank as a waitress. She was a very active member of the PTA and supported numerous charitable organizations. Carole was dedicated mother and friend to all.

The family eventually moved back to Burbank in 1974 where Carole started a new career at Republic Federal Savings and Loan as a Bank Teller. She eventually put herself through college and rose to the rank of Bank President and held that title until she retired. Carole was heavily involved with the Burbank City of Commerce, multiple charitable organizations and was named women of the year in Burbank in 1985.

Carole's health declined in her later years due to rheumatoid arthritis and she was forced to retire earlier than she would have liked but she took this free time to do what she loved to do best, give back to the community. She spent most of her last year's spending time with family and friends, working for
the church thrift store and offering her time and home to others in need.

Carole is survived by her son Robert Toffel and his wife Annie, Alan and Tricia Toffel and Linda Young. She is also survived by her greatest joys in life, her grandchildren; Max, Ben and Charlie Toffel and Samantha Rivera and Dustin Young. She was lucky enough to enjoy her great grandchild, Dominic Rivera, born 12/30/2015, for a short while. Carole made the world a better place and our family will forever miss her smile, kindness and unconditional love.

 Funeral ceremony will be held Saturday, June 18th, at the Burbank First United Methodist Church at 700 N. Glenoaks Blvd. in Burbank at 3:30pm. Reception immediately following at 933 N. Lincoln St. in Burbank. In lieu of flowers, please don't vote for Hillary Clinton.     

Published in Los Angeles Daily News from June 16 to June 18, 2016