Richard Lee Gilman, BHS 1967

Richard Lee Gilman, BHS 1967

17 Jan 1949 - 19 Sep 1996

Richard Lee Gilman was a United States Army veteran, having served his country in the Vietnam war. Richard was a 1967 graduate of Burbank High School in Burbank, California. 

Next to his senior picture it says the following: Elec. Civil Air Patrol Capt., Will be going to school and then enlist in the navy. 

Richard passed away in Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon on September 19, 1996. Richard was living in Oregon at the time of his death.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Joseph William Gilman and Ruth Louise Corl. He was survived by at least one daughter, Tracy. He was buried in the Miller Cemetery, Scio, Oregon.

A classmate remembers Richard Gilman:

I was a close friend of him during High School, in his senior year he dropped out his last year and I lost contact. I found out that he was in the Army and in Vietnam. I was drafted and served my term in Germany. When I got out, I met Richard again. I got married and only saw him occasionally. Then I lost track of him until I received a phone call from his sister that he had died. The story I got from her that he was on the road with his truck and was not feeling well, he pulled into a truck stop and died. I do miss him but time has changed our friendship that we had in High School. My mom always talked about him she really liked him. I guess she can talk to him now since she passed away this year. Richard was a great friend and always be .

Kees de Vries, BHS 1967

Kathleen Mary O'Rell Schaedler, BHS 1968

Kathleen Mary O'Rell Schaedler, BHS 1968

Kathleen Mary O'Rell Schaedler passed away on May 11, 2022 after a 3 year battle with cancer.

Kathy was born February 12, 1950 to Bob and Mary O'Rell. She was the eldest of 3 children. Kathy was born in Chicago, Illinois, but after a year the family moved to Burbank, California, where she lived the remaining 71 years.

Kathy was a graduate of Burbank High School, Class of 1968. She began working at the Burbank Unified School District in 1969, starting as an intern in the work experience program. She retired from the school district in 2005 after 37 years.

Kathy met the love of her life in 1968. Gary Schaedler and Kathy were married in February 1969 (53 years). In retirement they enjoyed boating and camping.

Kathy leaves behind her husband Gary, their daughter Jennifer and her brother, Brian, along with many lifelong friends. Kathy will be missed, but never forgotten! May she rest in peace.

Marilyn Fretz French, BHS 1954

Marilyn Fretz French, BHS 1954

WHITE OAK — Marilyn Fretz French 85 passed away Monday, September 20, 2021. Marilyn was born in Guthrie, OK on June 21, 1936 to Meredith and Thelma DeEtte Fretz. When she was a little girl her family moved to Southern CA and then finally settled down in Burbank, CA. Marilyn graduated high school in 1954. Milton and Marilyn were self-employed in the commercial art business in Burbank before retiring to White Oak, TX in 2006 to be closer to family.

Marilyn married Milton Read French in 1958. They have two children: David Read French of Portland, OR and Regina French Mattingly of White Oak, TX.

Marilyn was preceded in death by Milton French in 2019, and a sister Francis Savene in 2020.

Marilyn is survived by son David French of Portland, OR, daughter Regina French Mattingly and husband John Mattingly of White Oak, TX, sister Ellen Hays of Tehachapi, CA, brother-in-law Dennis French and wife Carol of Oro, AZ, granddaughter Michelle Longoria and husband Ezekial of Longview, TX John Mattingly, II of White Oak, TX, Kirk Mattingly and wife Brittany of White Oak, TX, Anthony Mattingly of White Oak, TX; great grandchildren, Braydon Mattingly, Hayden Mattingly, Kayden Mattingly, Maverick Youngblood, Alexander Bishop, Victoria Longoria, finance Ryan Sellers, Kristen Youngblood and Stephanie Youngblood; great-great grandchildren, Grace Lynn Youngblood, Maverick Youngblood, II, Olivia Youngblood, Michael Youngblood, Ryker Sellers and Lena Sellers.

Celebration of life will be Friday, October 1, 2021at 2:00 pm at Croley Funeral Home, 401 N. Center St., Gladewater, TX 75647.

Published on the Croley Funeral Home, Gladewater, Texas

Curtis Robert Smith, BHS 1958

Curtis Robert Smith, BHS 1958

June 23, 1940 - September 23, 2024

Curtis Smith was born on June 23, 1940, the son of Curtis and Elizabeth Grein Smith. His younger brother Alan graduated BHS '62. Curtis passed away on September 23, 2024 after a brief battle with brain cancer. 

He was a dedicated husband and father who proudly bragged about his grandkids. At Burbank High School, he excelled in basketball and attended the University of Evansville (Indiana) on a basketball scholarship. He returned to Burbank and enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career at Lockheed Aircraft, marrying Carole Lynn Prescott Smith, BHS '62 and together they had two daughters. 

After retirement, he and Carole traveled the world and welcomed 5 grandchildren into the world.

(From Christine Smith Dull, daughter.)