James Lee (Jim) Haws, BHS 1977

James Lee (Jim) Haws, BHS 1977

3/12/1959 - 3/15/2025

It’s with heavy heart that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Haws who passed peacefully in his sleep on March 15, 2025 in Palmdale, California.

Jim grew up in Burbank, California, and attended Horace Mann, John Muir and Burbank High School, Class of 1977. Jim was a carpet installer for many years and later in life worked as a lighting electrician for the studios. He was a member of IATSE Local 728 in Burbank.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting and going on rides on his Harley motorcycle. In his retirement, he was a longtime member of the Moose Lodge 507 and spent many summers running the firework concessions for the lodge in Palmdale.

Jim’s wife Courtnay preceded him in death in 2023. He is survived by his father Glen, his brother John and sister-in-law Kathy, Brother Bob and sister-in-law Terrie and his sister Linda (Wright) and brother-in-law Mark. He had 7 nieces and nephews and 8 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Published in Burbank Leader

Alex Noel Torres, BHS 1977

Alex Noel Torres, BHS 1977

September 3, 1959 — August 12, 2021

Alex Noel Torres, 61, of American Fork, passed away August 12, 2021 in Provo, Utah surrounded by his loved ones. Born September 3, 1959 in San Antonio Texas to Alejos (Alex) Garza Torres and Elodia (Lola) Diaz Valdez. Alex married Pamela Eileen Ross September 28, 1985. She preceded him in death July 19, 2016.

At the age of 6 his family moved from San Antonio to Los Angeles California settling in Burbank where he attended school and graduated from Burbank High School in 1977.

Alex made his career working in the motion picture industry. Shortly before graduating from High school he began working for Mathew’s Studio Equipment in Burbank which supplied lighting and equipment to the film industry. He was their salesman for many years but eventually began his own company called Service, Supplies, and Equipment which was based in North Hollywood. Alex was very creative and came up with his own designs of equipment and sold them to the studios. In 1994 his family which consisted of his wife Pam, daughter Amber, and son Christian relocated to American Fork, Utah. He began working Grip on the TV series of Touched by an Angel until their final season and episode in 2003. Alex continued to build and sell his equipment up until shortly before his passing having worked in the industry for 44 years.

Alex loved music, dancing, telling jokes, a good dare, and being the life of the party. He was always making others laugh as well as himself. Alex was kind, polite, and happy even under difficult situations throughout his life. His greatest joy was his family wanting nothing more than for his children to be happy.

Survivors include his daughter Amber Torres, Son Christian Torres, grandson Brayden Williams, siblings Fred Torres, Zorina Steinman, Tyra Willis and many nieces and nephews who affectionately called him Uncle A or Unc. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pamela, a sister Blanca Willis and a nephew Brandon Steinman.  Funeral services will be held Friday August 27, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, Am. Fork and a viewing will be held prior to the services from 9:45 to 10:45 am. Burial in the American Fork Cemetery. See Alex's Find A Grave Memorial Here.

Lea Ann Clark Prestia, BHS 1977

Lea Ann Clark Prestia, BHS 1977

October 31, 1959 - January 15, 2022

Lea Ann Prestia passed away at home on Jan. 15, 2022, after a long illness.

Born in Athens, Ohio, on Oct. 31 1959, Lea Ann lived with her parents and sister Shelley in Ohio.  She visited her grandparents often and enjoyed the seasons, which included walking in corn fields, building igloos in the winter and catching fireflies in the summer.

However, a job offer in California got the young family moving to Southern California in the early 60’s.

She attended Thomas Edison Elementary, Luther Burbank Junior High and Burbank High School, where she was the starting catcher on the BHS Girls Varsity Softball team.  Upon graduation, she went on to get her college degree at Cal State Northridge.

Lea Ann saw her future husband, Russ, while attending a church “singles” event.  They sat close to one another, but never met.  Luckily, an after-event gathering at a nearby restaurant gave them a second chance to meet. They were together ever since.

The couple wed in 1994 and enjoyed being each other’s best friend until the time of her death in Prescott, Arizona.

Their backyard gazebo was a favorite spot for Lea, who enjoyed gardening and taking in the view of her beautiful flower garden.

Lea Ann is survived by her husband, Russell, mother, Vera, sisters, Shelley and Cindy, and brother, Randy.   She was a beloved aunt to Matt, Krysta, Rachael and Olivia.

A memorial service has already been held in Prescott, Arizona.

Published in Burbank Leader/Outlook Newspaper, January 2022

William Raymond Adams, BHS 1977

William Raymond Adams, BHS 1977

William Raymond Adams was born September 19, 1959 in Glendale, California. Bill as he was known passed away at the age of 61 on October 1, 2020. Bill was raised in Burbank where he attended local schools and graduated from Burbank High School with the class of 1977 according to his sister. While at Burbank High, Bill was active in sports, playing basketball, baseball and football which he enjoyed the most. Bill was proud of being a Burbank High Bulldog.

Bill was an animal lover and a sports fan of his local teams, but most of all he was a loving family man. He was employed for many years working for the Applause Toy Company and Munchkin having a strong work ethic. Bill enjoyed traveling with his family and friends to Las Vegas.

Bill is survived by his parents, Bob and Jan Adams, wife Laurie, three children, Louis, Jas and Taylor, three grandchildren, Hailey, Addison and Everly and numerous other family members.  His grandchildren were his pride and joy and loved spending time with them.

Bill was laid to rest in Chatsworth. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Kevin Charles Bass, BHS 1977

Kevin Charles Bass, BHS 1977

5 Apr 1959 -  13 Oct 2019 

Kevin C. Bass was born on April 5, 1959, the son of Colon (Ted) Bass and Mardelle Forst Bass, and passed away on October 13, 2019. He was 60 years old and a 1977 graduate of Burbank High School. 

According to his headstone he was a devoted husband, father, coach and friend. He was a Bandits and Lakers fan. Also on his headstone is the #74 and the words "Leave No Doubt" He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California. No other details at this time. Find A Grave Memorial

Virginia Lee Rocha, BHS 1977

Virginia Lee Rocha, BHS 1977
1958-2017

Virginia Lee Rocha, 58 of Visalia, California, died on Saturday, June 17, 2017, in Fresno, California. Services have been scheduled with Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. 

A Memorial Tribute can be offered by logging into www.salseranddillard.com. 

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virginia Lee Rocha please visit our Sympathy Store.

Visitation

JUN 26. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel
127 E. Caldwell Ave
Visalia, CA, US, 93277

Funeral

JUN 26. 12:30 PM
Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel
127 E. Caldwell Ave
Visalia, CA, US, 93277

Brent William Poe, BHS 1977

Received word that Brent Poe passed away on July 18, 2018 after a long and brave battle with cancer.

From a friend and classmate:

Brent went to ride some better waves and ski some perfect powder this week... and then decided to stay there. He said to come up whenever because the conditions are perfect everyday. 

So glad we got together to see you in March for dinner and fellowship. I'll see you soon and we can drive that shitty Pee Yellow VW with 60 series tires (too big) on it to the Heavenly Wedge where you'll never lose a fin or get cut-off.

Miss you Brent - See you later! - This is NOT goodbye. 

Thomas Alan Danks, BHS 1977

Thomas Alan Danks, BHS 1977 

Burbank Review, Saturday, August 27, 1977 

Burbanker Dies from Injuries 

A Burbank youth died Thursday after breaking an arm while playing football on a local beach. Thomas Alan Danks, 17, of E. Cypress Ave, died when complications arose during an operation for the injury at St. Joseph's Medical Center. 

Danks was the son of the Rev. and Mrs. Edward R. Danks of Darten, CT. The Rev. Danks, served as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank for 14 years. The Rev. and Mrs. Danks left Burbank in February when he was appointed pastor of a church in Darten. Thomas stayed in Burbank with friends of the family in order to complete his senior year at Burbank High School. He graduated in June and was perparing to enter an Eastern college in September. He had decided to spend the remainder of the summer in Burbank in order to be with his friends here, a friend of the family said. 

Thomas was born in Inglewood, California. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank and a member of the Madrigal Choir while at Burbank High School. 

He is survived by his parents; a brother, Edward R. Danks of Burbank; a sister, Debra L. Danks of Darten; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Danks of Thomas River, New Jersey and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bean, SR. of West Concord, MA.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, August 28, 3 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, Fifith and Olive. Interment will be priviate. Eckerman-Heisman Funeral Service, Burbank Directors.

Jeri Lynn Hawver-Laricchia, BHS 1977

Jeri Lynn Hawver-Laricchia, BHS 1977

From Burbank Leader - August 24-25, 2002

JERI LYNN HAWVER-LARICCHIA" Forever Young"

Jeri Lynn Hawver-Laricchia was born February 9, 1961 in Burbank, California and passed away July 31, 2002 in Huntington Beach, California after a lengthy struggle with cancer.

Jeri is survived by her husband Joe, her sons Josh and Joey; her mother Joanne Hawver of Burbank, California; her father Jerry Hawver of Phoenix, Arizona; her sister Joni (Macias) also of Phoenix, Arizona; and her brother Jay of Palmdale, California.

Visitation and Services were held at Heritage Memorial Services and First Christian Church in Huntington Beach, August 12 and 13, 2002 respectively. Burial services concluded with The Release of the Doves at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach.

Several hundred relatives, friends and Jeri's extended family - the Southern California Hockey Association members and their families were in attendence at the Celebration of Jeri's life.


Note: Jeri Lynn Hawver-Laricchia was a 1977 graduate of Burbank High School, Burbank, California.

Roland C. Nivette, BHS 1977

Roland C. Nivette, BHS 1977

ROLAND C. NIVETTE

MAY 10, 1959 - JUNE 19, 2010 Survived by son, Nicholas; daughter, Amy; grandson, Troy; mother, Lillian; sister, Lori (Jim) Fox; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Published in Los Angeles Daily News on July 1, 2010

Melanie Ann Meyer Menter, BHS 1977

Melanie Ann Meyer Menter, BHS 1977

Los Angeles Times, October 2, 2004

Melanie Ann Menter, 45, beloved wife of Jerry and mother of Brian and Christopher. Melanie was born in Glendale, California on November 24, 1958 and died September 28, 2004 with many loved ones at her side. Melanie was raised in Burbank and graduated from Burbank High School, Los Angeles Valley College, and Art Center School of Design. A talented artist, Melanie worked as a graphic designer until she began to devote full time to her family.

She leaves her beautiful children, Brian and Christopher, a loving husband, Jerry, her mother and father, Richard and Jacqueline Meyer, her brother Rick (jeanette), sister Nancy Stewart (Robb), brother Ron (Debby), brothers-in-law Larry and Duane and sister-in-law Mary. She also leaves three nieces and three nephews.

While Melanie devoted her life to Jerry, friends, family and the community, her real passion in life was her two sons, Brian and Christopher. She loved them so much. The strength she hasgiven to her family and friends will be the driving force for allof us in the future and will be her deserved legacy. We'll all miss that great attitude and wonderful smile.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Melanie's life on Sunday, October 3, 2004 at 1:00 in the chapel of the Eternal Valley Memorial Park. Eternal Valley is located at 23287 N. Sierra Highway in Newhall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Providence Holy Cross Foundation (oncology education) in memory of Melanie Menter, 15031 Rinaldi, Mission hills, California 91345.

Charles J .Van De Rostyne, BHS 77

Charles J . Van De Rostyne, BHS 1977

Daily News of Los Angeles (CA) - Wednesday, December 5, 2007
CA United States

CHARLES J. VAN DE ROSTYNE Age 48, of Nevada City, California; passed away November 26, 2007. Charles was born in Glendale, California, on July 11, 1959. He attended the Burbank Schools of Emerson Elementary, John Muir Junior High and Burbank High, where he graduated in 1977.

Charles was an avid sports fan and began playing sports at the age of five in the Pee Wee division. He traveled extensively, assembling displays at convention centers all of the United States.

He leaves his wife of 27 years, Tari; his son, Bryan (25) of Sacramento, California; his mother and father, Cotton and Robert of Burbank, California; and h is brother, Steven of Chatsworth, California. Charles was known for his friendly and outgoing personality and was admired by all who knew him. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Services were held November 29, 2007, in Nevada City, California, where he resided for 21 years. Funerary arrangements were conducted by Hooper Weaver. Charles was a devoted husband, father and son. He will be missed.