Larry Thomas Johnson, BHS 1961

Larry Thomas Johnson, BHS 1961

Larry Johnson, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and dear friend, passed away on August 30, 2022. Born Larry Thomas Johnson on July 27, 1943 in Tampa, Florida to Alvin and Mary Johnson. 

Larry was raised in Virginia by his grandparents and then moved to Burbank, California where he attended Burbank High School. Larry then joined the Air Force after graduating from California State College, Los Angeles. When he returned to Burbank he was a Fireman with Lockheed Airport and co-owned Firehouse Tavern with his lifelong friend, Michael Sugg. 

Larry then moved to Reno, Nevada and started his long career in Real Estate. He also met the love of his life, Anne Johnson. They were married for 29 years before Annie passed in 2014. 

Larry loved sports, riding motorcycles, camping, travelling, and playing golf. He is survived by his children Frank Deras, Tony Deras (Cathy), Gina Lord Garland Fennell (Jeff), Joey Lord (Stacy), Michelle Sugg (Tom), 12 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. We will miss Larry very much - he was a wonderful father, husband, and friend. A private ceremony is being planned. For more information, please contact Michelle Sugg at msugg@rwglaw.com

Published in Reno Gazette-Journal, September 12, 2022

John Lamar "Jack" Loutensock, Retired BHS Teacher/Coach

John Lamar Loutensock, Retired BHS Teacher/Coach

Born January 16, 1926 in Wilmar, California.

He passed away peacefully at his home in Orem, Utah on July 31, 2009.

Jack is survived by his wife and eternal companion of 59 years, Barbara Newmeyer Loutensock, his three children, Blyden Loutensock, Brett Loutensock, and Wendy Ruff, and preceded in death by his son, Mark Loutensock. He is survived by four grandchildren, Jason, Chelcie, Ashlee Loutensock, and London Ruff.

Funeral Services will be held in the Orem Park Sixth Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 114 South 400 West, Orem, on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. A viewing will be held on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, and also on Thursday one hour prior to the services at the Ward Chapel.

Interment will be in the Lehi City Cemetery. Full Military Rites will be conducted by the VFW District #4.

Published in the Deseret News on August 4, 2009.

Allen B. Collins, BHS 1949

Allen B. Collins, BHS 1949

Allen Collins, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, formerly of Cheyenne, passed away April 13, 2017 in Aurora, Colorado.

Allen was born Feb. 24, 1931, in Winchester, Indiana, to Wendell and Mary Virginia Collins. His family moved to California in 1937.

Allen attended Burbank High School and that is where he met his wife, Maxine Kensinger. They married in 1951, and were married for 49 years and had four children, Jeff (Kay), Andy (Teresa), Cheryl Forget (Mike) and Patricia Haraldson (Mike).

After the passing of Maxine, Allen married Rita Custer in 2002. Rita has two children, Joe Hesketh (Shannon) and Ricki Thompson (Charles).

Allen had 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren who loved him tremendously.

Allen served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict, and worked 31 years for Mountain Bell.

Wyoming Tribune Eagle April 16, 2017 

Walter Asa Story, BHS 1916

Walter Asa Story, BHS 1916

Burbank Daily Review, January 1988

Walter Asa Story, 88, died January 5, 1988 in Glendale, California.

Born in Burbank, California, he lived here all his life. He was the son of the first mayor of Burbank, Thomas Story, and was the owner of a hardware store on the Golden Mall. He was also, one of the founding fathers of the Golden Mall.

Mr. Story is survived by his son, Robert of Burbank; daughter, Kathleen Au of Sunland; and three grandchildren.

Services were held January 7, at the Eckerman - Heisman Funeral Home. Burial was held at Grand View Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Donations may be made to the Burbank Historical Society.

Joseph Clayton Proctor, BHS 1938

Joseph Clayton Proctor, BHS 1938 

March 12,1920 – November 28, 2022 

Joseph Clayton Proctor was born on March 12, 1920, in Muncie, Indiana to Virgil and Josephine. He had one brother, Ray and one sister, Marjorie, both deceased. 

Joe was in the Burbank High School Class of 1938. In 1939 he worked for Lockheed Aircraft as a Tool Planner. In 1942 he joined the Merchant Marines as a Baker. Joe was discharged in 1945 and married Norma Grahn in 1947. She passed in April 2000. They had one adopted son, Mark C. Proctor. 

Joe later worked for Hughes Aircraft Co. His hobby was building model airplanes. They were NOT store bought. Some were large, with a wing span of 4 to 5 feet. Some were small with a wing span of only 2 ½ feet. His planes are now in a few Aerospace Museums. 

Joe passed away on November 28, 2022. He is survived by family and many friends where he lived.

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.)  

Kathryn Ann Burlan Bacon, BHS 1964

Kathryn Ann Burlan Bacon, BHS 1964

Kathryn (Burlan) Bacon (BHS Class of 1964) passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 24, 2026, just three short weeks after the passing of her beloved husband, David Bacon. Kathy was 79 years old. 

Kathy was born in Los Angeles and her family moved to Burbank in 1953. She attended Monterey Avenue Elementary, Luther Burbank Jr. High and Burbank High School. Following graduation from BHS in 1964, she attended LA Valley College and worked for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. She later worked at the Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton, and served as a Public Information Officer for the U.S. Forest Service.

In 1967, while skiing at Big Bear, Kathy met the love of her life, Dave Bacon and together they built a life rooted in love, faith, and family. They welcomed three cherished children and, over the years, the family lived in Arizona, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Nevada and in both Northern and Southern California.

Kathy and her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their family’s faith was a source of great strength and gratitude – and provided many opportunities to be of service to others.

Kathy enjoyed reading, sewing, playing the piano, walking for exercise, church service, researching family history, and caring deeply for animals of all kinds. She also enjoyed learning Spanish and writing. Above all, she loved her family.

Kathy is survived by three children, nine grandchildren and two great grand-children. She will always be loved and remembered by her sisters who also attended BHS: Jane (Burlan) Cooper (BHS ’66) who is married to BHS ’65 grad Ron Cooper, and Nancy (Burlan) Fogel, class of ’75.

NOTE: From Kathy's sister original email: 

It is very sad for me to be sending you the brief obituary of my older sister, Kathy (Burlan) Bacon who graduated from Burbank High in 1964. Especially so because she and her husband had just returned from a month-long European cruise with seemingly both in good health in early December when my brother-in-law Dave experienced some significant back pain which was diagnosed as stage 4 lung cancer just 4 weeks after their vacation. Then, tragically, my sister Kathy who had no known health issues died in her sleep only 3 weeks after losing her husband.

As you can imagine, this has been a very sad time for all of our extended family and friends.

I am sending you this obituary for the BHS Memorial page and I’m including two photos of my sister Kathy who was also my best friend. Thank you so much for saying the words below with the Burbank High School Community.

Sincerely,

Jane (Burlan( Cooper (class of ’66)