Rex Karl Peppmuller, BHS 1931

Rex Karl Peppmuller, BHS 1931

February 6, 1912, Spencer, South Dakota - October 11, 2001, Burbank, California

Burbank Leader, 2001

Rex Karl Peppmuller died October 11, 2001 in a Burbank hospital. He was 89. Mr. Peppmuller was born February 6, 1912 in Spencer, South Dakota, and lived in Burbank for 72 years. He was a machinist for Adel Company. He was a member of Calvary Bible Church.

Mr. Peppmuller is survived by his son Rodney Peppmuller; brother, Robert Peppmuller; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

A graveside services was Tuesday at Grand View Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Warner Dussault, BHS 1931

Robert Warner Dussault, BHS 1931

The San Bernardino Sun, San Bernardino, California, March 31, 1978

Robert Dussault, Crestline, 64, a resident of Crestline died Monday in Tijuana. He was born in New York. He was a postal employee.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia and two daughters, Judy Mittelman of Encino and Irene Stagg of Lake Port.

Services are scheduled for 1:39 p.m. Saturday in the Church on the Hill, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills. Forest Lawn Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Lusk, BHS 1931, Disney, Hanna-Barbera Animator

Don Lusk, Animator on 'Pinocchio,' 'Fantasia' and Charlie Brown Specials, Dies at 105

He served during Disney's 'Golden Age' and later worked on episodes of 'The Smurfs.' Don Lusk, the prolific animator whose pencil drawings brought to life Pinocchio, Fantasia and 11 other classic films during Disney's Golden Age, has died. He was 105.

Lusk died Sunday December 30, 2018, at a retirement home in San Clemente, California, his son, Skip Lusk, told The Hollywood Reporter.

From 1933-60, Lusk was one of the many animators employed by Walt Disney to work on shorts and feature films, and his output was staggering. He drew Geppetto's pet goldfish Cleo and pet tuxedo cat Figaro for Pinocchio (1940), the Arabian Fish Dance to the "Nutcracker Suite" for Fantasia (1940), the dog chase for Bambi (1942), the mice for Cinderella (1950) and the title character floating down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland (1951).

After leaving Disney, he joined Bill Melendez Productions and animated such films as A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969), Snoopy, Come Home (1972) and Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977). He worked on 10 Peanuts primetime specials through the 1970s, including the enduring classic A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

At Hanna-Barbera, Lusk directed 136 episodes of The Smurfs as well as installments of Challenge of the GoBots, Pound Puppies, The Addams Family cartoon series and a Jetsons-Flintstones TV movie before retiring in 1993 at age 80.

In the 1981 book Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston — two of Disney's famed "Nine Old Men" crew — wrote about Lusk's work on Fantasia: "The scenes of the glowing white fish in the Arabian Dance section of 'Nutcracker Suite' amazed the whole studio. Never has an object on celluloid looked so diaphanous and delicate … No one had ever seen such a gossamer effect, and very few knew how it had been achieved."

Four decades earlier, Lusk was one of the 334 Disney animators who went on strike, demanding a bump in salary from $87.50 a week.

"I didn't know what people at MGM or Warner Bros. were making, but I know they were making more than we were," Lusk told the Animation Guild in a 2013 interview. "So, I just said to hell with it, I'm going to go out on strike." He went to work at a liquor store until the walkout ended five weeks later.

Lusk then missed another three years at the studio when he served with the U.S. Marines in its newly created Animation Unit. Upon his return, he found his pay had increased to $125 a week.

The strike created friction between Walt and his animators, and Lusk recalled that the studio chief drew up a list of strikers to eventually be blacklisted. He survived at the studio until 1960, when he drew puppies for 101 Dalmatians. "I just barely got credit," he said. "I think I was the next to last name."

Lusk was born in Burbank on Oct. 28, 1913. He began his career in set and costume design. After being laid off, he caught a glimpse of Walt Disney's Hyperion Studio on his drive home to Glendale, California. (He ended up working over a lightbox there for nearly 30 years.)

He began as an "in-betweener" — those who filled in the action between key poses — on Goofy short films. "He wasn't easy. Goofy has too much detail on him," he recalled. Then, as a clean-up artist, he helped Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) make deadline.

Other Disney classics on which he worked included Song of the South (1946), Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955) and Sleeping Beauty (1959).

Late in his career, he directed episodes of Yogi's Treasure Hunt, A Pup Named Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry Kids.

His wife, Marge, was a secretary at Disney in the personnel department and later in charge of the move of the studio to Burbank.

Disney conceptual artist Mike Peraza wrote in a Facebook post Sunday that "as with so many animation veterans, [Lusk] was as talented [and he was] as he was generous to others with his advice and help over the years. He will be missed, but his wonderful work will live on."

In addition to his son, survivors include his daughter Marilyn; grandchildren Jason and Erica; and great-grandchildren Kyler, Catalina, Conner and Kayla.

In 2015, Lusk was the recipient of the Winsor McCay lifetime achievement award at the Annies event. "This is certainly a great honor for me," he said in a taped acceptance speech. "Somebody has to have a peak of their career, and this is it."

Mike Barnes contributed to this report.

Leslie T. Beyea, BHS 1931

LESLIE T. BEYEA
March 15, 1911 ~ Jan. 5, 2009

Les Beyea went quietly home to the Lord on the afternoon of January 5, 2009. He had a relatively brief battle with cancer and was blessed to pass away at home and in the loving care of his wife, Pennie.
Les was born nearly 98 years ago and raised in Burbank, California during the time when it was a cradle of American aviation. In his early days, he flew WWI era airplanes and loved aviation till his last days. He spent his vocational life in the Southern California Aerospace Industry and worked on such programs as the Howard Hughes H-4 Hercules Transport, (the Spruce Goose, now located in McMinnville, Oregon) the early American ICBM rocket development programs and the Apollo Space Capsule re-entry systems.

In 1991 he followed his son and family to the Pacific Northwest where he became involved with new friends at Vancouver's First Church of God in Vancouver, Washington. At the tender young age of 82 he and a friend went to Hawaii to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity. He was loved by all because of his joyful spirit that endured even to his last hours.

Les is survived by his wife, Pennie Beyea; his son, John Beyea; his sister, Jeanette Barton; and his two grandchildren, Amy Beyea and Tommy Beyea who were fortunate to enjoy their grandfather into their adult years.
A memorial service was held at the First Church of God, Vancouver, Washington on Thursday, January 15, 2009.

Published in The Columbian, Vancouver, WA on January 11, 2009.

Clinton R. Pittman, BHS 1931

Clinton R. Pittman, BHS 1931

Burbank Dailey Review, Saturday, September 15, 1979

Clinton R. Pittman, died September 8, 1979. Born in Selma, California, he was a Burbank resident. He was a graduate of Burbank High School in 1931, was an employee for 30 years with Lockheed, a retired field service office manager, member of Thomas J. Shryock Masonic Lodge #223 of Hollywood, Maryland and a member of Almas Shrine, Washington, D.C.. 

He is survived by his wife, Mae Bogardus Pittman, son, Harold C. Pittman of Escondido, California; brother, Joseph Pittman of Los Osos, California; two grandchildren. Private services were held at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery. Inurnment was private.

Florence Manoogian Agbashian, BHS 1931

Florence Manoogian Agbashian, BHS 1931

Fresno Bee, The (CA) - July 1, 2007

Florence Manoogian Agbashian passed away peacefully on Monday, June 18, 2007, surrounded by her family. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Mariam and Krikor Manoogian on August 29, 1913, in Burbank, California.

She was preceded in death by her husband John, who passed away on October 3, 1991; her parents, her sisters, Ruth Sarkisian, and Sally Savoy; and her niece, Gloria Arslanian.

Florence attended schools in Burbank, California and graduated from Burbank High School. She worked in the retail business in department stores in Los Angeles and Fresno, California. She met her future husband John, through friend’s and. relatives who came from the same village in Armenia. Florence and John were married on August 8, 1936, in Glendale, California. They made their home in Fresno, where they raised two daughters, Janice Agbashian Andreasian, and Geraldine Agbashian Tahajian.

The couple was very active in their church and civic activities. Florence was President of the South Fresno Chapter of Lady Lions. They devoted their lives and were members of The Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church for over 70 years, and were also on the building committee for the new church.

Florence was in Dorcas Guild, her church's Ladies Group, the Daughters of Vartan since 1948, and the Ani Guild. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed entertaining. She also loved traveling with her husband throughout the world.

We want to give a special thank you to Florence's caregivers, Ruzanna, Veronika, and Elaine; great-nieces, Susan, Cindy, and Jewel Savoy and family, and Dr. Dickran Gulesserian.

Florence is survived by her daughters, Janice Andreasian and Geraldine Tahajian and her husband Gerald; grandchildren, David Mardikian and his wife Julie, Allyson Adams and her husband Robert, Amber Gorman and her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Gorman, Bradley Tahajian, Brenton Tahajian, and Bryce Tahajian.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Spencer and Shelby Adams, Hanna Mardikian, Tanner, Jillian and Tatum Gorman, and. Shannon and Ashley Burt; her niece, Virginia Krikorian; and her nephews, Lee Sarkisian and Robert Sarkisian and their families.

A Graveside Service for family and friends will be held at Masis Ararat Cemetery on Friday, July 6, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. The Daughters of Vartan and Memorial Service will follow at The Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances may be made to The Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, 3673 N. First St., Fresno, CA. 93726; or The California Armenian Home, 6720 E. Kings Canyon, Fresno, CA 93727.

Marian Lynette Wheeler Warren, BHS 1931

Marian Lynette Wheeler Warren, BHS 1931

Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA) - April 25, 2007

Marian Lynette Warren, " Aunt Lynette," 94, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in Burbank, Calif. Lynette was born December 1912 in Burbank and was a graduate of Burbank High Class of 1931.

After receiving her real estate license, Lynette worked as a loan broker while buying and selling her own properties. She married the man of her dreams and enjoyed nearly 50 years of marriage. They settled in San Bernardino, Calif., in 1942 and then retired to Shell Beach in 1970.

Lynette loved people and especially children. Although she had no children of her own, her house was always the favorite place to go. The kids knew they were always welcome, and there was probably a little candy in it for them, too.

Lynette loved fishing and clamming, and took many trips with her husband and friends. What she loved most was her gardens. Everyone who saw her beautiful flowers fell in love with them, too.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Guy F. Warren. She is survived by two nephews Glen (Sharon) Roskilly of Shadow Hills, Calif., and Barton ( Suzette) Campbell of La Canada, Calif.; three nieces Dorothy Campbell Kosmak of Dadesville, Ala., Marian Campbell D'lia of Burbank and Grace ( Sam) Campbell Strong of Tehachapi, Calif.; and 18 great- nieces and great nephews and their families.

Norman Edward Cottle, BHS 1931

Norman Edward Cottle, BHS 1931

Burbank Leader, February 2004

Norman Edward Cottle, 91, died Feb. 18, 2004.

He was a Burbank resident for 85 years. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Cottle; a daughter, Marilyn Saylor; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.Services were Monday at Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service.

Rowland (Red) A. Price, BHS 1931

Rowland (Red) A. Price, BHS 1931

Orange County Register, Thursday, Febuary 8, 2007

Rowland A. Price, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died February 5, 2007 at the age of 93 at home on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen; son, Dennis (Kathy); daughter, Judy (Tom); five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Rowland was born in east Liverpool, Ohio on July 9, 1913. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army and participating in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a 65 year resident of Burbank, California and a 1931 graduate of Burbank High School. He was a small business owner, stockbroker, and tennis instructor. He retired in Fallbrook, California, and then moved to Newport Beach.

Services will be held at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rowland's name to Companion Hospice, 2041 W. Orangewood Ave, Orange, CA 92868, or your favorite charity.

LaVerne Still, BHS 1931

LaVerne Still, BHS 1931

Los Angeles Times, November 9, 1991

LaVerne (Buzz) Still, a retired electrical contractor who served on the Burbank City Planning Board and other city advisory boards, has died at a Los Angeles hospital. He was 78. A longtime Burbank resident, Still died Tuesday of complications of emphysema, said his wife, Leah Still.

Still was born in Saginaw, Michigan. His family moved to California when he was 4 and settled in Burbank. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1931 and worked as an electrical contractor, wiring many buildings and homes in Burbank. He later opened an electrical appliance store called Still Electric on San Fernando Road in Burbank, which he operated until the early 1970s. He then worked as a salesman at other appliance stores before retiring in the early 1980s.

Still served on the Burbank Park Commission from 1947 to 1951; City Planning Board from 1951 to 1959, and Board of Building and Fire Code Appeals from 1961 to 1969. He was a member of the Burbank Masonic Lodge, Optimist Club, Rotary Club and First Presbyterian Church of Burbank.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, Still is survived by his daughters, Linda Still of Burbank and Laurie Dressler of Alberta, Canada; sister, Evelyn Rossi of Amity, Oregon. and two grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at noon today with funeral service at 1 p.m. at Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service chapel, 333 East Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank, which is handling the arrangements. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Still's name to the Shrine Crippled Children's Hospital or the Optimist's Boys Home, both in Los Angeles.

Ora Vernon McConaughey, BHS 1931

Ora Vernon McConaughey, BHS 1931

O.V. (Vern) McConaughey, age 93, of Aurora, Nebraska, died Friday, December 2, 2005, at Memorial Hospital in Aurora.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 A.M., Monday, December 5th at the Aurora United Methodist Church. Rev. Richard Karohl will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. Sunday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Aurora Lion's Club or the United Methodist Church. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: O.V. (VERN) MCCONAUGHEY

Ora Vernon (Vern) McConaughey, the son of Ora T. and Kathryn Lee (Kinner) McConaughey, was born in Stockham, Nebraska on June 5, 1912 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on December 2, 2005, at the age of 93.

Vern was raised on the family farm and attended school in Aurora through the 8th grade. Vern graduated from Burbank High School and went on to attend a year at Glendale Junior College in Glendale, California. He moved back to Nebraska to farm with his father. On December 8, 1935, he was united in marriage to Pauline Miller at Osceola. Vern farmed until 1953 when he went to work for the City of Aurora until 1965. He then owned and operated the Vern's Skelly Station in Aurora until he retired in 1976. Vern worked part-time for Andrew's Ben Franklin after retiring. Vern was a member of the Aurora Lion's Club for 53 years. He served as President and Secretary-Treasurer for 21 years. Vern also served as the Lion's Deputy Governor. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Plainsman Museum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, James Plambeck, infant grandson, Gregory and three brothers and sisters. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Pauline McConaughey of Aurora; four children, Verna Plambeck of Kansas City, Missouri, Thomas (Bette) McConaughey of Lincoln, Kathryn (George) Cyboron of Boelus and Diana MaConaughey of Aurora; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and several niece and nephews.