Tracy Purcell, BHS 1981

Tracy Purcell, 36, died October 28, 1999 in Glendale, California.

Ms. Purcell was born in San Diego, California. She was a Burbank resident for 33 years. She worked as a cashier with Full of Life for 10 years.

She is survived by her mother, Joanie Pederson of Burbank, and by her grandmother, Ruth Ritz of Burbank.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary is handling the arrangements.

Published in the Burbank Newspaper, November 1999

Jeffrey Eugene White, BHS 1961

Jeffrey Eugene White, BHS 1961
November 1, 1942 - May 14, 2015

Jeffrey Eugene White of Summit, Mississippi was born November 1, 1942  in Los Angeles, California to Edwin and Ellinee Prescott White. He passed away  after an extended illness on May 14, 2015. The youngest of three, Jeff was very gregarious and outgoing. Anyone who met him was drawn to him instantly. He had a magnetic personality with the ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room when he was talking with you.

An All-American athlete out of Texas Tech, his football career eventually took him to the NFL, playing for Coach Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. An equally successful career followed.

Loyal to a fault, his family and friends were everything to him. A father could not possibly be more proud of his two boys and their accomplishments. Upon his retirement and relocation to Mississippi, he was fortunate to spend a great deal of time with his sister Bobbie and brother "Butch" (upon his twice annual visits). Laughter was abundant!! His devotion to his wife, Martha, the true "love of his life", was evident to the end.

Mr. White is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Martha Carnie White of Summit; his two sons, Christopher Nils White and wife, Ruthanne of San Diego, California and Martin Jeffrey "Marty" White and fiancé, Victoria McInnis of Summit; his brother and sister-in-law, Edwin White and Carmen of Fircrest, Washington; his sister, Barbara Van Epps of Summit and his grandson, Evan Patrick White of San Diego, California.  Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family.

Visitation is Monday from 2 p.m. until memorial services at 3 p.m. at New Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. David Lemburg and Rev. Rick Kennedy officiating. Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit is in charge of arrangements. Honorary pallbearers will be Edwin White, Johnny White, Wayne Busby, Brent Albritton and Julius Nash.

catchingsfuneralhome.com

NOTE: Jeff will be installed into the Burbank High School Athletic Hall of Fame next month September 2016.

Dolores Storm Coffelt, BHS1945

Dolores Storm Coffelt, BHS1945

Burbank Leader, January, 2007

Dolores Storm Coffelt,, born on June 24, 1927, passed away on Sunday January 14, 2007 at her home in Glendale. Dolores attended Burbank schools and graduated from Burbank High in 1945. In 1954 she met and married Dr. R. Wendell Coffelt a long time Burbank pediatrician.

Dolores was pre-deceased by her husband Wendell and daughter, Kimberly Cameron. She is survived by her daughters Wendy (Phillip) Kazanjian of Glendale; Lisa (Bill) Parrott and Christina (Ron) Crabb of Bainbridge Island, Washington; sons Brian of San Francisco, CA and Phillip of Sacramento, CA; thirteen grandchildren, and two great-grand children.

Memorial services will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California in the Old North Church.

Earnest Hubert "Hubie" Clark Jr. , BHS 1944?

Clark Jr., Earnest Hubert "Hubie"

Clark Jr., Earnest Hubert "Hubie", 88, of Aliso Viejo, California, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24th, 2015 at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Patty) Clark, and children, Stephen Clark and his wife Susan, daughter-in-law Margaret Clark, Timothy Clark and his wife Shirley, Daniel Clark and his wife Cynthia, Scott Clark, and Rebecca Clark Kane and her husband Stephen. He was preceded in death by his loving son, Kenneth Clark. Hubie was the loving grandfather to fourteen and great grandfather to seven.

Hubie was born September 8th, 1926 in Birmingham, Alabama, to Ernest Hubert Clark Sr. and Grace May (Smith) Clark. He attended Burbank High School where he met his bride-to-be, Patricia Margaret Hamilton. Between the years 1943 and 1947, he graduated high school, earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude) from the California Institute of Technology (Cal Tech), served three years of active duty with the United States Navy, earned his Master's degree from Cal Tech, and married Patty Hamilton - all before he was twenty-one years old.

In 1947 Hubie began his career as an engineer working for Baker Oil Tools in the City of Commerce. He advanced rapidly and became President of the company in 1962 and Chief Executive Officer in 1964. Hubie was considered by many on Wall Street as the finest CEO in the industry and throughout his long career he received countless honors and recognition for his business accomplishments. He was the Chairman of the California Chamber of Commerce during the George Deukmejian administration and was appointed by President Gerald Ford to the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmospheres.

The YMCA was a big part of Hubie's life. He had a sincere desire to help those less fortunate, and volunteered his free time and talent, eventually becoming the Chairman of the National YMCA Board. He was also very involved with Harvey Mudd College, where his special interest was the Engineering Department. He was instrumental in forming the engineering curriculum and was the first "non-Mudd" Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Harvey Mudd College.

Hubie's greatest passion was to spend time with his family and share annual "family" vacations that took the Clark Clan to many destinations, both near and far. He was an avid scuba diver, logging over 1,700 dives, and continued diving into his eighties. Hubie was also an accomplished tennis player and enjoyed going to tennis tournaments with Patty and friends from the Downey Tennis Club.

Earnest Hubert "Hubie" Clark Jr. will be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, an accomplished business man, a dedicated friend, a proud patriot and United States Navy veteran. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mission Viejo YMCA Adventure Guides program in memory of E. H. "Hubie" Clark, Jr.

Orange County Register, The (Santa Ana, CA) - Sunday, May 3, 2015

Alan Michael Glassman, BHS 1964

Alan Glassman, Attorney, 67, died August 16, 2014. He leaves his wife of 46 years, Jenny, daughter Gigi and her husband Kris Burmeister, and grandsons Hunter and Heath. A Memorial Service will be held at Grace Bible Church, 11306 Inwood Rd., Dallas, TX 75229 on Saturday, September 13 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Baylor Neuro-Oncology Foundation c/o Karen Fink, M.D., Ph.D., 3600 Gaston, Suite 100, Dallas 75246, or Grace Bible Church.

Published in Dallas Morning News on Sept. 7, 2014

Note: Alan lost his 11 year battle fighting malignant brain tumors on Saturday, August 16, 2014. Alan fought valiantly while always maintaining his wonderful wit and humor...His dear wife Jenny, was always right there by his side.

Alan and Jenny lived in Dallas, Texas, where Alan practiced law for many years, until his illness caused him to retire.

Jerry Anthony Dubray, BHS 1970

Man, 28, succumbs to cycle injuries

Burbank Newspaper, June 1981

A 28 year-old man thrown from his motorcycle in a collision with a Cadillac Thursday night died Friday, June 19, 1981 from injuries received in the accident.

Jerry Anthony Dubray, Verdugo City, reportedly was driving down Honolulu Avenue when his motorcycle ran into a car making a left turn onto La Crescenta Avenue. His body bounced against the car's windshield and was thrown into the street according to witnesses.

The driver of the Cadillac, Bruce Edward Chapman, La Crescenta, told investigators he never saw Dubray and thought the motorcycle may have been speeding.

But a service station employee said he heard the Cadillac's tires squealing and looked up to see the car , which he said appeared to cut the turn short. Apparently the car failed to yield to oncoming traffic, a traffic investigator said.

Dubray was taken to Verdugo Hills Emergency Hospital in critical condition and died Friday afternoon. Traffic follow-up investigators will present findings to the Glendale district attorney's office for possible filing of criminal complaint, Lt. Rodger Simon said, standard procedure in auto accidents resulting in a death.

Thomas Warren Parlin, BHS 1966

Thomas Warren Parlin, BHS 1966

Thomas Warren Parlin, 47, of Anaheim, a warehouseman for Cytec Manufacturing Co., died Wednesday of natural causes. Visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, Anaheim. Services at noon Saturday at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church, Anaheim. Burial at Anaheim Cemetery.

Survived by his wife, Gladys; daughters, Tammy, Christy and Carrie, all of Anaheim; son, Michael, of Anaheim; and sister, Donna Spilman of Petaluma.

Orange County Register, The (Santa Ana, CA) - Thursday, July 13, 1995           

Phillip Ray Burke, BHS 1941

MOURN WAR HERO PHILLIP R. BURKE

Burbank Review, January 1962

Services will be held Friday at noon for former Burbank High School student body president and Purple Heart  recipient Phillip R. Burke. Rites will be held at the Church of the Hills, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.

Mr. Burke died Monday, January 1, 1962 at the age of 38. He had resided at 943 Bethany Road and had lived in Burbank for 33 years. 

He was graduated from Burbank High School in 1941. While there he won the high school speech contest and was "Mayor" of Burbank for a day, when he was a senior.
He was president of the Knights and Ladies, master councilor of De Molay, and a member of the debating team. He was graduated from the University of Southern California in 1948.

While serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, he was honored with the Legion of Valor, Navy Cross, British Distinguished Service Medal, and the Purple Heart.

He also held membership in the Alumni Club of USC, Burbank Gray-Y, Greater Los Angeles Press Club, Sigma Delta Chi Fraternity and Marine Corps Association.

He is survived by his widow, Mildred G. Burke; sons, Phillip Michael, Christian Benjamin; daughters, Jennie Ellen, Susan G., all of Burbank; father, Roy E. Burke of Mariposa; mother, Mrs. Helen Hansen of San Pedro, brother, Roy E. Burke of Anaheim.

Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. Eckerman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Read his Navy Cross Citation below:

BURKE, PHILLIP RAY
Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Phillip Ray Burke (350206), Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company A, First Battalion, Eighteenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces At Betio Island, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, on 20 November 1943. Wounded while landing on the beach during the initial assault, Corporal Burke immediately organized a group of men and, despite heavy enemy machine-gun and rifle fire, gallantly attacked hostile positions with TNT charges until the ammunition was depleted. Sustaining further wounds the following day, he continued on in the action and courageously threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save the lives of members of his section, receiving serious wounds in his right arm. By his indomitable fighting spirit, Corporal Burke contributed materially to the success of our operations, and his devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.SPOT AWARD, Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: Serial 01489

Earl Kenneth Forsse, BHS 1954, creator of Teddy Ruxpin

Earl Kenneth Forsse, was born September 25, 1936 in Bellwood, Nebraska. His family moved when he was a child to Southern California. He graduated from Burbank High School and teamed up in the late 1950s with others to develop a children's TV show starring puppets. "My job on the pilot was to sculpt and cast the latex puppet characters and build the settings," Forsse said in a 1999 interview with Isaacson. Ken passed away on March 19, 2014 in Laguna Woods, California of congestive heart failure, at the age of 77.

Earl Kenneth "Ken" Forsse, was an American inventor, author, and producer who created the hit toy Teddy Ruxpin and the subsequent animated series, The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin. After working for The Walt Disney Company, Sid and Marty Krofft Entertainment and other entertainment companies, he founded Alchemy II, Inc. One of Alchemy II's first projects was building the animatronic characters used on the television shows, Welcome to Pooh Corner and Dumbo's Circus. Forsse and his team then brought Teddy Ruxpin to the marketplace. Teddy Ruxpin became the top selling toy of 1985 and 1986 and was made by Worlds of Wonder. "1986 and 1987 were insane; you could hardly find Teddy Ruxpin in stores, it was so popular," said toy expert Jim Silver. "The slogan they used to advertise Teddy, 'A friend for life comes to life,' described aptly the friendship Teddy Ruxpin made with millions of children." Teddy Ruxpin, at a premium price of $70 that included read-along storybooks, was a hit almost from the start. Silver said it came out at a time when it was increasingly common for both parents to have jobs, cutting into time spent with the kids. "And what parent wouldn't like a teddy bear that would read along with a child?" The bear racked up an impressive $93 million in sales in a year and a spun-off daily animated TV show, "The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin," ran for 65 episodes.

In 2005, Alchemy II made an agreement with toy manufacturer BackPack Toys to have Teddy Ruxpin back on the shelves yet again and the toy made a successful return in 2006 before eventually being discontinued again in 2010. In addition, the animated TV series was released for the first time on DVD in 2008.

Clarence "Clancy" Cornell Leland, BHS 1961

Clarence Cornell Leland, BHS 1961
November 21, 1943 - March 19, 2012

Clancy Leland was born in Duluth, MN and passed away in Sacramento, California.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carole (Owens) who was the Love of his life; he missed her deeply, and the family is certain that his big, bright smile is as wide as ever as he reunites with her in heaven. Clancy was very proud of his daughter, Heather Sherburne, who was the Light of his life. He loved his two grandchildren, Ryan and Piper, and talked about them to everyone.

Clancy is also survived by his father-in-law, Jack Owens, who he greatly respected and called Dad; sister, Jennifer Poindexter (Lloyd); niece, Dawn Poindexter; sister-in-law Sharron Owens- Rogers (Mike); niece Robin Garvisch; niece Kristen Kozlowski (Mike); and dogs Chloe and Izzy.

Shortly after graduating from CSU Northridge, he began his civic career and ultimately became the head lobbyist for Los Angeles County before retiring in 1996 and becoming a private lobbyist. He was involved with historic legislation that benefitted millions of Californians.

Clancy was able to enjoy the finer things in life and had a passion for sharing fine foods, elegant restaurants, and specialty grocers. Clancy was an intelligent, articulate, distinguished, patient, compassionate, religious, and well read gentleman.

A memorial service will be held March 28, 2012 at St. Johns Lutheran church, 1701 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. A private family burial will be held at a later time.

Published in the Los Angeles Times, March 25, 2012

Ardyne Joyce Sage Elliot Blackstone, BHS 1945

Ardyne Joyce Sage Elliot Blackstone, BHS 1945

Ardyne Joyce Sage Elliot Blackstone passed away in her home on February 15, 2015. She was born in South Dakota to Myrtle and Leslie Sage and had four siblings, Georgia, Ruby, Floyd and Myrna. The family moved to Burbank where she graduated from Burbank High School in 1945. Ardyne married James Homer Elliot in 1946 and they had two children, Jim and Jorga. 

Her husband James aspired to be a career soldier and joined the Army near the end of WWII. He was a Master Sergeant in the Army serving in the Korean War when he was listed as Missing in Action, which continues to be his status today.

Ardyne eventually returned to South Dakota and married George Dennis Blackstone in 1956. They had four children; Blaine, Bruce, Leslie, and George. In 1966, they returned to California and raised the children. After Dennis passed away in 1967, Ardyne remained living in Burbank with her brother Floyd until he passed away in 2004. 

Ardyne sister Myrna  joined her and they spent their last ten years together showing up at family functions for any one of the dozen's of children in the family. Their nickname, "Thelma and Louise: followed them with their laughter and antics at family functions. 

Ardyne was a tremendously loving, genuine, patriotic lady. Her love of God, Family and Country should be an aspiration to us all. She went peacefully in her sleep surrounded by loved ones. Her ashes were scattered in the Eastern Sierra where she enjoyed serenity, peace, and beauty.

She is survived by her sister, Myrna, her children; Jim (Donna), Jorga (Clyde), Blaine (Michelle), Bruce, Leslie, George (Kim) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Charles Douglas Greer , BHS 1942?

Charles Douglas Greer , BHS 1942? 

Charles Douglas Greer May 21, 1921 - January 6, 2016

 

Santa Cruz, CA - Charles Douglas Greer (Doug), passed away at the young age of 94. Perhaps you had the privilege of meeting him when he would be out on a walk in Scotts Valley or Santa Cruz. He was quick to offer a smile and a four leaf clover. He loved to meet new people and share his sense of humor, good attitude and one or two of his many amazing stories about his life.

 

Born in Ottawa, Canada in 1921, Doug moved to Glendale, California in 1924. He began working in the movies at age seven after winning a freckle contest. It was his many freckles that earned him the name, "Turkey Egg" given to him by Robert McGowan, director of the "Our Gang" comedies, also known as, "The Little Rascals", which Doug was a regular in. His freckles reminded the director of the speckles that cover turkey eggs.

 

Doug spent twelve years of his childhood working in the movies alongside actors such as Mickey Rooney, John Wayne and Jackie Cooper. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and acquired around 60 screen credits. Due to his busy career as a childhood actor he found himself behind in school. Thanks to his homeroom teacher at Burbank High school he was able to graduate at age twenty-one.

 

He had learned how to work with aircraft sheet metal in high school which helped him get a job working for Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, California. In 1943, during World War II, he was one of the first members of the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops at Camp Hale, Colorado. After finishing training, he was transferred to inactive duty to go back to Lockheed for a specific job, just before his outfit was to head overseas to the Italian Alps. He later discovered that every officer in his company had been either killed or wounded in the first three days of battle.

 

After his job at Lockheed was finished, he was called back to service on June 8th, 1944 with the "1267 Combat Engineers" and visited England, France, Luxemburg and Germany. After the war was over he traveled to Marseille, France and traveled through the Panama Canal on his way to the Philippines. Malaria cut short his military service and he was Honorably Discharged on March 31, 1946.

 

Back in the Los Angeles, California he met and married his wife of forty years, Doris Greer. They had one daughter together, Diane and four grandchildren. He founded his own company, American Northern, Inc., a laboratory furniture and supply company, specializing in fume hoods, biological safety cabinets and exhaust systems. It was at Northridge Hospital that his equipment helped stop a tuberculosis outbreak.

 

In 1978, he designed and built a three-story home in Lake Tahoe and lived there with his family for several years, enjoying fishing and skiing. Doug was also an accomplished magician, and a lifetime member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. He was a very genuine, caring person who wanted only the best for his family.

 

He is preceded in death by his wife Doris Greer; companion of 20 years, Beverly Paine; daughter Diane Welton; and his grandson Wesley McCall. He is survived by his granddaughter Christen Miller, grandson Scott McCall, granddaughter Misty Moran, and great grandchildren Sierra and Zachary Miller and Abram Moran (arriving 04/04/16). A memorial service for Doug will take place on February 20th at 2:00pm at Gateway Bible Church in Scott's Valley. View the online memorial for Charles Douglas Greer

 

Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) - Sunday, February 14, 2016

Alice Marie Englert, BHS 1944

Alice Marie Englert, BHS 1944 

April 30, 1926 - May 20, 2016

Alice Englert, a Burbank resident since 1943, passed away peacefully at her home on May 20, 2016 at the age of 90. Alice owned and managed apartment complexes in Burbank where she created a community that celebrated holidays, birthdays and other special events together. She considered many of her tenants to be part of her extended family -- offering advice, helping them through difficult times and sharing in their joys. 

Born in Mitchell, SD, Alice was the oldest child of Cecilia and Jack Englert, named in honor of her maternal grandmother Alice Desmond. Her younger sister Donna Englert Gottschalk and younger brother John Englert predeceased her. 

Alice spent her early childhood on a farm in Farmer, SD. In the mid-'30s the family moved to Lompoc and in 1943 they relocated to Burbank. After graduating from Burbank High School in 1944, Alice started working in the publicity department of RKO Pictures. She was in charge of publicity stills and became used to having stars like Jane Russell, Cary Grant, Debbie Reynolds, John Wayne and others stop in to look through the photos. 

Volleyball was a particular passion and Alice was on the first women's team in the United States to compete in international competition. She competed in Paris in 1957 and Rio de Janerio in 1960. Alice went on to manage women's national teams that competed in Canada, Tokyo, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay. The USWVA recognized her with its highest honor -- the George Jay Fisher Award in 1967 and again in 2010 with the Dr. James Coleman Award. 

Alice was always interested in politics and faithfully watched the televised Burbank City Council meetings. Family was central to Alice's life and with her sister Donna criss crossed the United States in a variety of RVs. Each January found them in Quartzite, AZ. Alice was an integral part of the lives of her niece Mary Gottschalk, nephews Brian and Bruce Gottschalk, grandniece Julie Gottschalk and grandnephews John and the late Matt Gottschalk. 

A Celebration of Alice Englert's life will be held on Monday, May 30th, 2016 from 2 p.m., at her home. Contributions in Alice's memory may be made to Burbank Temporary Aid Center, P.O. Box 7231, Burbank, 91510, or to the charity of choice.

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - Friday, May 27, 2016

Philip Richard Dionysius, BHS 1968

Phil Dionysius, BHS 1968

 

Born:
May 3, 1950 :: Burbank, California

Passed Away:
March 26, 2015 :: Louisville, Colorado

Memorial Service, Friday, April 3, 2015 at 10:15 am., Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colorado 80235

Phil Dionysius, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, 64, of Firestone Colorado passed away on March 26, 2015. Phil is survived by his wife Jodie, four children Dawn (Kenny), Brandy (Chris), Billy (Crystal) and Bobby (Erica), brother Jim (Maryellen) and sister Patty Waddell, niece Mary and her daughter Esther, seven grandchildren, James, Eric, Rosalie, Zane, Alex, Josie, Kylie and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Esther Dionysius.

Phil served in the US Army and did one tour in Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany and was in the reserves. He was honorably discharged in 1985. He moved to Colorado with his family in 1979. He was married to his first wife Dana from 1969-1993; they had four children together. Married his current wife Jodie in 1993. He loved his family and friends and his love for animals was beautiful. He will be greatly missed.

Celebration of Phil’s life will follow the memorial service at his son Bobby’s house.

Jamie Raye Lark, BHS 1969

Jamie Raye Lark, BHS 1969

Burbank Leader, February 2007

Jamie Raye Lark passed away on Thursday February 8, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, the very same hospital where she entered this world nearly fifty-six years ago. Born June 29, 1951, Jamie was the first child of James and Gale Marshall Lark.

Jamie attended school in Burbank starting  out at Washington Elementary and transferring to Horace Mann School, then John Muir Junior High and graduated from Burbank High School in 1969. Jamie also attended Valley College, Brigham Young University and graduated from Woodbury University in 1992. Jamie's professional experience included, office manager and administrative assistant positions with the Seeley Company, Warner Brothers Television and Loomis Sayles.

Jamie is survived by her father James Lark of Burbank; sister, Nancy Lark of Burbank; brother, Craig and his wife Debbie of San Juan Capistrano; brother, Brad Lark and his wife Charlotte of Anaheim Hills; six nieces Stephanie Hawkins, Katie Hoffman, Ashley, Brittany, Alyssa ad Callie Lark; and five nephews, Brandon, Taylor, and Andrew Lark, Steve Hoffman, and Ryan Hawkins. She is also survived by the latest generation of Larks her great-nieces and great-nephew, Brinley, Taylin, and Beckham Hawkins.