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We just learned that Scott Thompson from BHS class 1969 passed away this past Saturday, October 4, 2025 in Arizona, according to his only son, Rene Rubalcava.
In his junior year, Scott moved to Costa Mesa and graduated from Costa Mesa High School in Orange County.
Roberta Lee Fisher Espinoza
July 9, 1953 - September 13, 2025
Sandra Odor posted this sad notice on Facebook today October 4, 2025:
I'm sorry to report that BHS class of 1971 alumna Roberta Fisher passed away from a long illness on September 13. She is survived by her loving husband Victor Espinoza, son Jeff Bennett and 2 grandsons, as well as cousins Sandra Odor, Terry Odor, Carla Hoaglund and Carol Williams. We will miss her lovely smile and caring spirit.
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LYLE MAXEY, BHS 1959, died August 16, 2025, as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident.
Born in New York City, he was five months old when the family moved to California. At BHS he played B football and oboe. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as an Army beach lifeguard on Oahu and member of the band. Discharged in 1963, he earned an AA degree from Los Angeles Valley College.
Most of his life he worked at sea as an abalone diver, sword fisherman, and tugboat deckhand/skipper. He held a 500-ton Masters license. In 1976 he met his future wife, Valerie, in Newport Beach. In 1989, they bought a 100-acre ranch on the Santa Barbara coast where they tended 15 acres of avocado trees while working as merchant seamen. That adventure complete, they moved to Solvang in 1999 where they were active in Old Mission Santa Ines, the Model A Club, and the American Legion. In 2014, they relocated to Cottonwood, Arizona to be closer to family.
At the time of his death, Lyle’s pet project was planting and nurturing an olive grove on their 2-acre property. He will be remembered for his innate ability to make friends, expound on just about any subject, his love of music (especially Beethoven), his culinary expertise and his willingness to drop everything to help a friend.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 47 years, Valerie, sister Marilyn (BHS 1954), daughter Gretchen, a granddaughter and two great grandsons. (Submitted by Valerie Maxey)
BHS SENIOR BULLDOGS OCTOBER HALLOWEEN LUNCHEON REMINDER
After posting Linda Southall's obituary, we learned that sadly, her sister Marie, also passed away. They have a younger sister, Susan Southall Baker, BHS '80. Sadly, Marie's husband Jeff Wagoner passed away 2 weeks after she died.
The following was posted on Facebook by Marcelle Tbuny on December 3, 2021:
"My mother passed away this morning. She will always be missed greatly by her husband, grandchildren, and her own children biological or not. I didn't think I would have to be writing this so soon. I will update everyone with proceedings to follow. I love you mom and I will never get over losing you. You are the reason I am as strong as I am today. You have always been a role model and my back bone when I needed guidance. I don't even know how to process this. I am so hurt and even more so for my daughter. You were her everything! Please God send me guidance because I really need it. I love you Mom."
Aaron texted, “I sure miss my friend and sweetheart.”
We just learned sadly that Carolyn Purser passed away last weekend at St Joseph Hospital. She was the youngest child of William and Mary Drennan Purser. Carolyn lived in Burbank and was a Receptionist/Human Resources Assistant at Taylor Dane Personnel Staffing.
Both her brother Larry Purser, BHS '66 and sister Patricia Purser Bushman, BHS '70 passed away in 2020.
May God bless and comfort this family and their loved ones.
