Leslie Babroff, BHS '72 (1954-2025)

 

 

Leslie Caron Babroff

May 6, 1954 - 2025 

Received this sad text today from Jodean Ardizzone Myers... 

The class of ‘72 recently lost our Classmate Leslie Babroff with what was probably a heart attack. 

 

 

Joe James, BHS '64 (1946-2025)

Joseph John James

October 24, 1946 - May 25, 2025

The BHS Class of '64 loses another Classmate...

Jon and I received the sad news today that our long-time friend and BHS '64 Classmate, Joe James passed away this morning (May 25, 2025). Joe had battled a very difficult disease for several years. 

Joe was born (October 24, 1946) the youngest of 5 children and he was also the proud Father of 5 children and many grandchildren. 

 He loved sports and excelled in every sport he played. At BHS, he played Football, Basketball and was on the Track Team. He also played Football at Glendale College and graduated from BYU. He lived in Utah and became a teacher and went on to become a high school Principal. 

Joe was part of a "core group" of 5 guys (also from BHS '64), who literally grew up together...Rees Smith, Dennis King, Rollin Adams, Tim Ross (R.I.P.) and Joe James (R.I.P) For 60 plus years, these 5 fellows were like brothers. There were others who became part of the group too...Tim Avery '63, Terry Hutchens '64, Leigh Hilt '64, and Ron Riddle '64 (R.I.P.)...They met every summer to vacation together at Lake Powell and other places. They were (and always will be) inseparable. 

 Jon and I have so many fun memories and stories about Joe. He always had a smile and was always ready to have fun...he was a character and a good friend. We shall miss him a lot. 

Bon Voyage, Joey...God Bless... 

Love, Pam Zipfel Kirkwood '64 and Jon Kirkwood '64 

A sweet note from Joe's granddaughter along with more photos found on Facebook...

On Sunday May 25th, my grandpa passed over. I am so grateful for all of the fun memories, riding atvs, flying through the air after getting flipped off of tubes on the lakes, playing in his neighborhood pool, eating the yummy food he cooked while he asked the whole time if it was good(it was), riding with him on his Harleys, getting bribed to massage his feet, hearing stories about his life and playing the game he made called “grandpas life”. I will miss him so dearly but after years of suffering with Parkinson’s I am so glad he is no longer in pain. I know he is in a better place and that he will continue to cheer me on. I love you forever and I am so grateful for the memories and love you gave me. 

 

Obituary found online 

https://www.standard.net/announcements/obituaries/2025/may/28/joseph-john-james/ 

Joseph John James

May 28, 2025

1946 — 2025

Joseph John James passed away peacefully surrounded by his five children, whom he loved. After years of living with Parkinson’s, he left his broken body behind. He also left behind a legacy of love, adventure, and influence. “Once a teacher, always a teacher,” he influenced thousands of students and athletes with his genuine love for kids and passion for teaching.

Joe was born October 24, 1946 to parents John William James and Ruth Lucille Thompson. As the youngest of five, he was loved by his two sisters and tagged along with his two brothers. He enjoyed his childhood in Burbank, California. As a teen, he lived for sports. He played football, basketball, track and field and softball. He played football at Burbank High school as a tight end, then at Glendale Junior College and eventually for Brigham Young University. He graduated from BYU in Physical Education. His first teaching job was at Springville High School, as a science teacher and coach–the beginning of his lifelong passion. “Coach James” was born.

He taught Human Biology and Sports Medicine at Weber High for 22 years. He later became a principal for Fremont High. He was a football coach, a golf coach, and for many years, a wrestling coach. He retired at age 55.

Joe was blessed with a full life, including several significant relationships. He shared 35 years with his first wife, Phoebe Jane Wilkins (Fournier), and together they raised their five children. He later found companionship with Pat Larsen Rhodes for ten years and then Sherry Ward. While each marriage came to an end, these relationships brought lessons and connections to his life.

Joe is survived by his five children: Erin Madsen (Michael), Lindsay Johnson (Haakon), Ryan (Heidi), Taylor (Shannon) and Dustin James (Jyl) and 21 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 2, at 2:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary at 1867 N. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family on Sunday, June 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and June 2, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Joe’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.

Condolences may be sent to www.lindquistmortuary.com.

 

Jack Osborn, BHS '65 Passed Away May 12, 2025

 

Jack Lester Osborn

From the Office of the President, University of Redlands

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Professor Jack Osborn on May 12, 2025. Jack was a beloved member of the University of Redlands community, a 1969 alumnus, professor, mentor, global business leader, and friend whose life and work profoundly shaped our institution.

A proud Bulldog, Jack graduated from U of R with a degree in international relations. While at Redlands, he served in student government and wrote for the Redlands Bulldog. He went on to study Eastern economic and military affairs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, launching a distinguished career that would take him across the globe and into senior leadership roles at the highest levels of international business. He served as Vice President of TRW’s Asia/Pacific office and later as President and CEO of Kibun Products International and President and COO of Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics North America.

Jack’s expertise was widely recognized, and he served on numerous industry and government boards, taught at several prestigious universities, and testified before both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

In 2001, Jack returned to the University of Redlands as the Hunsaker Chair in Management. He brought with him global experience and a deep commitment to students and learning. He founded the University’s Global Business program and played a pivotal role in developing our Fulbright program, which has produced 28 Fulbright students to date.

Jack received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the University’s first Alumni Career Achievement Award in 1987 and the Outstanding Service Award in 2007. He was also nominated multiple times for Mortar Board Professor of the Year.

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, and at the request of Rich and Ginnie Hunsaker, both Class of 1952, the Hunsaker Chair in Management was renamed the Jack Osborn Chair in Management upon his retirement—a lasting tribute to his dedication and leadership.

As we remember Jack, we honor a life lived with purpose, passion, and generosity. He gave his students the gift of global vision, helped elevate Redlands on the world stage, and remained always, a true Bulldog. 

PS: Jack was also a true BHS Bulldog.  He was a natural leader, always active in student council, including student body president the second semester of our senior year in 1965.  RIP dear friend.  

 

FROM THE 1965 BURBANK HIGH SCHOOL CERALBUS YEARBOOK

 

 2021 ARTICLE

Loris Yadegarian, BHS '89 (1971-2025)

 

Amy Grover-Monroe posted on Facebook today, May 19, 2025 this sad notice... 

Last night I learned that Loris Yadegarian, my fellow 1989 alumni, passed away on February 28, 2025. We didn't really know each other during our school years but he became my podiatrist in the early 2010s. He went above and beyond in his care for patients which shows the sign of an excellent doctor and human being. We didn't see eye to eye on everything but he made me laugh. The following is from his obituary: 

"Loris was born August 1, 1971 in Isfahan, Iran to John and Artemis Yadegarian. He moved to the U.S. ... when he was 8 years old, initially living in Rancho Palos Verdes for two years and then moving to Burbank, California where he attended Burbank High School. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern California. He attended Temple University in Philadelphia where he earned his Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine and practiced the past 20+ years as a Podiatric Foot & Ankle Surgeon in Van Nuys, CA. He was diagnosed with cancer in August of 2024. Loris took his last breath on February 28, 2025 surrounded by the love of his sister, girlfriend, family and friends. While he was taken from this life too soon, he left a lasting mark on this world."

Mr Paul Seymour, BHS Teacher (1929-2025)

 

 

Paul loved to go Surf Perch fishing

Paul Allen Seymour

October 5, 1929 -  April 21, 2025 

Born in Chicago IL to Charles Louis and Dahlia Watters Seymour 

Posted by Anna Mongelli Coauette on Facebook today May 4, 2025:

 

Mr. Paul Seymour passed away peacefully at his home in San Luis Obispo on April 21, at the age of 95 surrounded by his loving family. A dedicated educator, Paul taught Industrial Arts at Burbank High School from 1959 to 1985. He was deeply committed to his students’ futures, often helping them find employment and guiding them into meaningful careers. His impact extended far beyond the classroom, as he touched many lives with his kindness, mentorship, and unwavering support. Paul will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him.

A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Jennifer Jo Morgan
Rest well Mr Seymour

Ronald Meyer
Paul Seymour was a fantastic teacher and always available to help his students. He stayed after school one day to help my straighten my bent motorcycle forks. I and hundreds of others have taken what we learned in his machine shop classes and used it throughout our careers. I own a lathe, a mill and other equipment and can make just about anything because of Mr. Seymour!

Christine Pepe Dorman
RIP

Richard Hernandez
Rest in peace, Paul thoughts and prayers go out to your loved ones

Tracey Kellstrom
RIP Mr. Seymour 🙏🏻

Karen Vitale
Rip🙏🏻

Greg Dybeck
Sorry to hear this. Great teacher, very nice man. Condolences to his family.

Steve Vlachos
Love mister seymour! Just an incredible human being! No one who took his class could ever forget him!!

Sue Basile
RIP🙏

Christina Vlachos-Peratsakis
He was a wonderful person and teacher. May he rest in peace.

John A. Edmondson
My mum and I were talking about Paul (and his family) just this morning. And then I come across this. What a strange coincidence. Rest in peace, my friend.

Dennis Guillies
Sorry to this. He was one of the nicer teachers. His son was in one of my classes with his dad, he did favor him at all. But overall was an enjoyable class to go to. Condolences to all of the family.

Kathleen James
Sorry to hear of his passing. A very humble man and teacher

Bob Hart
Rip

Mike Taylor
I’m sorry to hear of his passing. I was in his machine shop class, what he didn’t know was that I worked in my dad’s machine shop during the summer. He was showing the class how read micrometers, and, I was not paying attention to the lecture, so he asked me to measure using this micrometer, I read them then told him the they were not accurate. He asked me how I knew, so I told him that I worked in my dad’s machine shop during the summer, he told I would have less tolerance than the rest of the class, which was fair. He was a great teacher. RIP, Mr Seymour.

Kevin Barillaro
✌️❤️🙏

Craig Street
So sorry to hear this. So sad. He was a great person a
And great teacher! First class all the way! May this kind person rest in peace, lots of people will miss this person.

Sylvia Canterbury
RIP Mr.Seymour.He and his family were also neighbors. Condolences to all his family.

Richard P. Butler
I was in his class. Great, caring teacher

Amy Crescioni Perrier
One of the good ones! RIP

Larry Fenton
I still have a metal plumb bob that was one of our projects in #IndustrialArts from 1980.

Gerri Davis McCorkle
Rest in Peace, yes remember him well, always an eternal bulldog!

Libby Macris
I remember him well. Class of 1969

Mike Morse
A great teacher! He and my dad knew one another as college students. It was teacher like him that inspired me to teach industrial education for my 37 year career. Well done good and faithful servant! BTW I still have the plumb bob and drill gauge I made in the machine shop.

Steve Vlachos
Will there be any memorial?

Mike Duncan
I had him, he was a great Person and Teacher. His class was one l always looked forward to. R.I.P

Nadine Aguirre Lujan
Rest in peace.

Annette Dinolfo Bennett
🙏🏼💙🙏🏼

Barbara Zelenay Berry
RIP Mr.S. 🙏 😔