Victoria Kathleen Esra Echols, BHS 1994

Victoria Kathleen Esra Echols, BHS 1994

November 8, 1976 – March 13, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Victoria Kathleen Echols on March 13, 2025. Born on November 8, 1976, in California, Victoria was a bright light in the lives of her family and friends. She grew up in Burbank, CA, and graduated from Burbank High School in 1994 where she enjoyed cheerleading and swimming. Creative and passionate about design, she pursued higher education at Brooks College, a design school in California, where she earned an Associate Degree in 1998.

Victoria built a career in the furniture and textile industry, where her keen eye for design and dedication to her work left a lasting impact. She contributed her talents to several companies, including Minson Corporation; Tropitone Furniture; Trivantage, LLC; Outdura , ultimately ending up as the Director of Outdoor Sales for Revolution Fabrics. Known for her creativity, commitment, and the friends she developed during her career, her passion was connecting people in the industry.

A Life of Love and Family

More than anything, Victoria’s true passion in life was her family and her friends. She was a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished daughter, adoring grandmother, and a passionate friend who always put the needs of her loved ones first. She found immense joy in spending time with her family, creating memories that will be treasured forever.

Victoria is survived by her husband, Bryan Echols, and their four beloved children:

Madison Bolt

Maverick Bilsky

Chandler Echols

Gabrielle Yow

She was a proud and loving grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren:

Beau Echols

Cassie Yow

Wyatt Echols

Victoria’s family also includes her dear parents, brother, and her extended family:

Susan Dawson

Gerald Esra

Kathleen Esra

Phil Esra

Megan Bergkessel (sister-in-law)

Rebecca-Lynne Echols (daughter-in-law)

Orion Yow (son-in-law)

Jacob DeWitt (Madison’s boyfriend) 

Her kindness, love, and unwavering support made her the heart of the family, and she was always the first to offer a listening ear, a warm embrace, or words of encouragement.

A Legacy of Strength and Kindness

Victoria had an incredible ability to make people feel valued and loved. She was someone you could always count on—whether for advice, a good laugh, or a shoulder to lean on. Her presence lit up every room, and her laughter was infectious. She enjoyed design, anything creative, and spending time outdoors, often finding joy in life’s simple moments. Her family will forever cherish the memories of her warm hugs, her passion for life, and the unwavering support she provided to everyone she loved. 

Victoria’s love, kindness, and strength will remain in our hearts forever. While she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit will continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched. 

For service information see link below:

https://everloved.com/life-of/victoria-echols/

Dena Long Stetson, BHS 1994

Dena Long Stetson, BHS 1994

On July 8th, 2024 my sister Dena Long (Stetson) was found unresponsive in her car in Boulder City. Our family is left shattered and grief-stricken. Dena struggled with her demons, but unfortunately, she never got the help she desperately needed. In light of this tragedy, 

I’m reaching out to our community to help raise funds for her funeral expenses. Any donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and help us give Dena the proper goodbye she deserves.

David Goodman, BHS 1994

David Goodman, BHS 1994

This was posted on Facebook by a good friend of David 

I was devastated to hear that my old high school buddy and track teammate David Goodman suddenly and tragically passed away from a major stroke in March 2022.  David was so full of life it is inconceivable this could happen to him. He had an infectious smile and laugh that could turn anyone's day around. He had a huge heart and was always supportive and positive to those around him. He left behind his wife and his 6 year old son, who could really use our help right now.

David was a great guy! I remember hanging out with him from time to time watching Boys Basketball games at Burbank High School when I was a Senior and he was a Sophomore. He absolutely loved sports and was a very good Track and Field athlete in the Long Jump. I was a little surprised that he didn't try and take his talents in that Field event to College as he decided to enlist in the US Army instead for 4 or 5 years, but he wanted to see some of the world and he was able to do that during his time in the military. 

I actually used to call David Goodman AC when we were in High School because I always thought he looked so much like former NBA great A.C. Green who had a very successful playing career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks.

No other detailsat this time.

Laura Georges, BHS 1994

Laura Georges, BHS 1994

Posted on Facebook:

On December 16, 2021 Laura Georges, passed away. She would have been 46 this week. Sadly, her father preceded her in death by only a couple weeks. She leaves behind a heartbroken husband, mother, 2 brothers, nieces and nephews, and countless friends who loved her very much.  

Her parents used to own a restaurant called Middle East Connection at the old 5 points. When that was sold her older brother opened up Gittana on Magnolia, shortly followed by her younger brother opening up Cafe O next door. Both remain today.

Graveside funeral services for Laura are being held tomorrow, January 6th, 8:30am at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. No other details at this time.

Kenneth Anthony Caldera, BHS 1994

JUSTICE FOR KENNY CALDERA

Not guilty plea in 1991 slaying

ATTACK: Victim was football player, homecoming prince
By C.J. Lin Staff Writer
03/26/2010, Los Angeles Daily News

Nearly two decades after a Burbank high school football player was killed in a drive-by shooting in Van Nuys, his accused killer pleaded not guilty Friday to murder.
Defendant Rodolpho Gallegos, 35, who fled to Mexico sometime after the shooting, was arrested there in October 2008 and extradited to the U.S. in March 2009.

Gallegos was 16 on Aug. 24, 1991, when authorities allege he opened fire at a car, killing Kenneth Anthony Caldera, 16, and wounding two of the four other people in the vehicle.
Gallegos is charged with one count of murder and four counts of attempted murder, each of which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Wearing a blue jumpsuit and handcuffed to a chair, he stayed silent through the short hearing. Public defender Brock Hammond entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. Gallegos, who in 2002 was ranked second on the the LAPD Valley Division's most-wanted list, is being held on $2 million bail.Caldera had been voted most valuable player by his teammates at Burbank High and Homecoming Court Prince the year he died, his father, Kenneth Caldera Sr., wrote in an open letter to Gallegos in 2001.

"You murdered him 10 years ago, he was 16 years old at the time, you were about the same age," he wrote. "This person was a sweet young man, a son any parent would be proud to have."

The younger Caldera was riding in the back seat of a car that passed through Blythe Street Gang territory on the way home from a swimming party, officials say. Gallegos, who was in another asked Caldera's group where they were from – a traditional gang challenge. Prosecutors say that Gallegos pulled a gun and fired at the occupants of the first car as they tried to tell him they were not gang members, according to the District Attorney's Office.

NOTE: A gang member extradited from Mexico for killing a 16-year-old Burbank student more than two decades ago has been sentenced to 85 years to life in prison.

Melissa Beth Levitin, BHS 1994

Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, The (CA) - Friday, March 21, 2008

Melissa Beth Levitin, BHS 1994 died Jan. 27, 2008 at 31. She is survived by her father, Chuck; brothers, Barnaby and Dylan; and sister, Sonnie. Mount Sinai

From the Family:

Melissa Beth Levitin, In Loving Memory....December 31, 1976 - January 27, 2008. On January 27th, 2008 the Beacon of light that was Lissa was prematurely extinguished. Left in the wake of such loss are her parents, Debra Hale, Mitch and Gayle Plessner, her brother Ari Plessner, and her sister Kat Plessner.

You might not have known that Melissa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. You might also not realize the perseverance with which she pursued this degree, graduating college at the age of 30; anyone who has gone back to college later in life will tell you that it's not an easy task. Through many trials and setbacks Melissa achieved part of her life's goal. She would have begun her masters program in 2009.

A fiercely independent woman, never wishing to impose on anyone, and never hesitating to help those who asked. All who knew her will tell you that the loss of this shining light is no less than tragic. She is loved and missed by all who knew her.

She was type 1 diabetic and passed away from Addison's disease. Melissa was a 1994 graduate of Burbank High School, Burbank, California