Mary Lou Johnson Anderson '64, said her brother, Howard C. Johnson (class of 61) passed away 6/27/10 at his home in Cohasset (the hills of Chico) of what they believe was a heart attack. There is no other infomation available right now.
Howard's siblings are Laura Johnson Chambers '70, Phil Johnson '72, Connie Johnson Marrone '66 and Mary Lou Johnson Anderson '64. Howard was pre-deceased by his wife of 40 years last September.
Please keep the family and loved ones in your prayers.
OBITUARY
Howard Cecil Johnson lived his life in CA. On 31 October 1969, he married his wife, Coletta Irene Johnston. He raised 3 children as his own, with great love for them and had one child with Coletta.
Howard was an active member of the LDS church. As a younger man, he lost an arm while participating in time trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. This never slowed him down in life. He worked for decades building water tanks for fire fighting suppression in Cohasset, CA.
It is said that Howard died of a broken heart 9 months after the death of the love of his life.
Howard Charles Graul BORN: July 11, 1947 DIED: February 14, 2010 LOCATION: San Francisco, CA
Howard C. Graul Died of heart failure on 2-14-10 at 62. He spent his early years in Steubenville, Ohio and Burbank, CA and was a long time resident of San Francisco. He graduated from Burbank High School and from the University of Wyoming. Howard is survived by a world-wide network of friends. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association.
Parents: Howard Mark Graul (1895-1978) and Virginia Boyd Graul (1908-1987)
Although I did not go to BHS, I knew Howard through our Bethany Pres. Church. He, Rick Cooper and I went to that church. Does anyone have any other details? It was a shock as we are same age.
scroll down for updates... Friday Celebration in San Rafael
Received this email from Alan Landros (BHS '70) today. Steve was the younger brother of Mitch Bader, BHS '66:
Sad news today. Debbie Green Montgomery e-mailed me early this afternoon to tell me that Segovia (Steve) Bader passed away June 2, 2010. No details are known yet. Segovia had recently e-mailed that there was more than a 50% chance that he would be able to attend our upcoming reunion on June 27.
Steven Andrew Bader was born May 25, 1952. He grew up on Andover Dr. in Burbank, middle son of Dr. Stan Bader and Ruth Bader. He attended Thomas Jefferson, John Muir, and Burbank High graduating in 1970. He was a professional musician all of his adult life, and after becoming an adult he legally changed his first name to 'Segovia', after the famous Spanish guitarist, Andreas Segovia. He had played professionally with groups all over the world on musical tours for decades. For many years his home base has been San Rafael, CA. Over the many years he had accumulated a solid 13 years of travelling to 101 different countries in all parts of the world. His last extended trip was a little over one year ago. Many of us have received his "travel logs" from him while he was on his trips over the years. He and I started out together in the second grade and in Cub Scouts the same year, with my mother as the Den Mother and Ruth Bader as the Assistant Den Mother. That was in 1959!
Segovia Bader passed away June 2, 2010, just one week and two days after his birthday on May 25. He leaves an adult daughter and an adult son, his mother, Ruth, of Burbank, his older brother, Mitch, his younger brother, Kenny, and their families. If more information is learned I will pass it along.
Alan Landros
BHS 1970 'IN MEMORIAL' LIST
Deborah Lee Albas Segovia (Steven Andrew) Bader - b. May 25, 1952; d. June 2, 2010 Brian Henry Bartsch - b. June 10, 1952; d. October 9, 2005 Dennis James Canterbury - b. September 22, 1952; d. December 9, 1994 James Anthony Caraway - b. March 23, 1952; d. January 2, 1978 Guy Robert Casagrande - b. July 23, 1952; d. August 9, 2005 Dale Bernard Cordier - d. August 28, 2001 Karl Mordo Dana - b. August 8, 1952; d. June 13, 2000 James Kenneth Dean - b. December 29, 1951; d. April 14, 2008 Charlene Dotson Stenson - b. April 19, 1952; d. May 9, 2006 Jerry Anthony DuBray - b. September 24, 1952; d. June 19, 1981 David Michael Dudden - b. November 30, 1952; d. September 24, 2007 Santiago Escobar - b. July 4, 1952; d. November 1982 Robert Ian Gorrie - b. December 19, 1951; d. January 6, 2006 David Charles Greene - d. July 1992 Sandra Jean Haldeman - b. November 8, 1951; d. November 4, 1991 Leila Hamner Wasson - b. May 2, 1952; d. October 10, 2008 Michael A. Hansen - b. August 27, 1952; d. November 24, 2008 Debra Jean Hathaway - b. May 18, 1951; d. April 22, 1973 Nancy Rae Helquist - b. July 12, 1952; d. September 2008 Jeanine Ellyn Hilt - b. November 22, 1952; d. August 11, 1993 Sandra Joanne Hoorn - d. 1994 Tommy Clyde Hopper - b. January 12, 1952; d. November 8, 2009 Steven William Leach - b. February 8, 1952; d. September 26, 1996 Mark Rutherford Lean - b. January 3, 1951; d. April 1, 1974 Lance William Long - b. October 20, 1952; d. March 17, 2008 Keith Ian Olsen Maiben - b. August 31, 1952; d. July 26, 1979 Geraldine Lillian Mann - d. 1971 Jean Ann McMurrin - d. February 25, 2004 Robert Louis McNeal - b. June 29, 1951; d. December 24, 1998 Kristine Ann Meade Reger - b. April 30, 1952; d. June 28, 2006 Dana Molin Allen - b. January 27, 1951; d. March 23, 1996 Harry Andrew Morris - b. June 23, 1952; d. May 16, 1977 Michele Marie Nolan - b. February 2, 1952; d. August 13, 1983 Kim Christopher Norwood - b. July 1, 1951; d. December 20, 2009 Gary Douglas Rand - b. April 16, 1951; d. December 17, 2009 Dennis Keith Sabin - b. May 29, 1952; d. January 1, 2007 Anthony Vincent Schiavone - b. October 10, 1952; d. March 13, 1986 Samuel Sanford Smith - b. February 21, 1952; d. March 11, 1986 Kerry David Sterger - b. July 12, 1951; d. March 2, 2006 Christine JoAnne Walsh Ramirez - b. April 23, 1952; d. May 25, 1991
JUNE 5, 2010 UPDATE Email from Alan Landros
I have heard back from so many of you today of how shocked and sad you are hearing the news of Segovia Bader's passing June 2. About five of you wrote with more information that you knew or have now learned regarding the circumstances of his passing. Segovia had a melanoma on his leg and had surgery about a year ago to remove it. His doctors thought at that time that "they got it all", but unfortunately that was not the case. Later the melanoma spread to his chest. Ultimately melanoma is what caused his death. He did not tell many of us who had recently heard from him that he was so ill. Several of you wrote about how shocked you are, since you also had just heard from him in the last week or so.
Segovia's family and friends had a huge birthday party for him on his birthday last week. Now so soon after that he is to be cremated and there will be a memorial service for him in the Burbank area, but plans have not been determined yet as to any details.
Ironically the man that Segovia honored by taking his name, Andres Segovia, died on JUNE 2 in 1987. But, Andres Segovia was blessed to live to the age of 94.
--- end ---
Found the following video of classical guitarist Andres Segovia:
Segovia's brother posted the following inFacebook:
Hello Facebook "Friends"
Some of you may know about this, most of you will not. In fact many of you will hardly know who I am. Maybe a distant "friend of a friend" who you somehow sent a friend request to or received one from me. However it happens, it's always good to have friends, isn't it! So is Facebook! If you are receiving this letter it is being sent out by my brother at my request. Why? Because I am no longer of this planet to do so myself. I am deeply sorry to have to tell you that (sometime shortly before this letter went out) I lost my battle with cancer. The melanoma that appeared on my knee a couple years ago apparently managed to enter my blood stream before we got it cut out and subsequently found its way to my lung and then my brain. Melanoma is a nasty little bugger and there's not a lot of hope once it gets to that point.
So if anyone is wondering why I don't post anything or answer your letters, this would be why. I want to say to everyone that I would rather that you please rejoice over me and the incredible life that I was blessed with. Don't feel sad or mourn. How many people get to play music all their lives, have a wonderful loving family with two incredible kids, friends ALL over the world, get to retire by the time they are 48 and then have the opportunity to travel ALL over the world for the better part of 9 years?! How many people spend more than 13 years of their lives abroad and have the chance to visit 101 different countries?! If you know what a "Bucket List" is then you know that it is a list that you put together when you know your days are numbered, consisting of things that you have always wanted to do and would like to try to do before you leave the world. Well friends, my list was blank!! Sure there were some places that I would have liked to run off to for a visit. To spend some more time in. And a few like the Galapagos and Madagascar that I always wanted to get to. But the reality of it all was that I was content with my life. I will miss you all very very much but didn't we have a wonderful dance together while it lasted!
We are all musician friends of Segovia. His family isn't planning any sort of memorial so we are having one in Marin County Friday Night. If anyone cares to attend here is the story:
Hello out there, I'm letting everyone who is interested in knowing, that a few musical friends & I are putting together a little gathering for our recently ascended Brother, Segovia (Steven Andrew) Bader.
Like the Rock Star we all thought him to be, he took off on a Bright North Bound Star around Midnight on the evening of June 2nd 2010. He had just celebrated his 58th Birthday over Memorial Day weekend with Family & Friends, knowing that the likely-hood of a Loftier Life was just around the corner. Less then a week later it was so. According to those closest to him, he had all his ducks in a row. His son Von had just left, & his Brother Kenny & Sister-in law Tree, stayed with him, comforting him as he passed, & talking to him for a little while after he was gone.
Having lived out his dreams, he visited over 100 countries in his last 9 years. Semi-retired since before the age of 50, playing a little music just for fun, as he went along on his own path. All over the Freakin Globe! God bless Him!
We will celebrate with Segovia sitting in on Bass, this coming Friday evening at San Rafael Joe's, 4th & Court St, Down Town San Rafael, Ca. at 8:30 P.M. Although there will be some other wonderful musicians on board, I have hired Segovia over the past 20 + years to play Bass on my pre-recorded Solo backing tracks and albums, so he will be well featured on this night!
There is no obligation to bring anything other then your love, and maybe a few flowers... This is also my last Friday night after 9 years at Joe's. I will be playing Thursdays nights only (Farmers Market) through this summer.
Segovia was our friend, a great person and a really fine musician, that will be missed. I am very fortunate, as I get to play with him for the rest of my life. What an honor, pleasure and a blessing. No exaggeration, with Segovia on Bass, Ian Hoffman on drums & myself up front on guitar, we played around two thousand gigs (or more) in the past 25 years. Ian should be there too.
We hope to see you all...
Here's to Segovia looking down, smiling & laughing,
Graduates Mary Beth Medina, left, and Amelia Nino snap a photo together at the Burbank High School Graduation held at Starlight Bowl Friday. (Alex Collins)
Burbank High School: 'This is it' for 670 students
By Max Zimbert May 29, 2010 Burbank Leader
Ani Vertanous and Sabina Agazarian said they've been friends since middle school, but walking up the hill to the Starlight Bowl for their Burbank High School commencement Friday, they started yelling.
They weren't going to be sitting next to one another for the ceremony, but they said that didn't take away from their sense of accomplishment, relief and joy.
"It feels amazing," Vertanous said. "It's the end, and I accomplished everything."
The two will be going to Pasadena City College next year, representing two stories among the almost 670 graduating seniors who became alumni Friday night.
"Senior year was the best year," said Tyler Wells, who'll be enrolling at Glendale Community College.
His family flew in from the Bay Area. For his mother, Fran Wells, reflecting on her son's accomplishments and growth in the last four years almost made her cry, she said.
"I'm so proud and excited for him," she said. "And he's going to be around, and we're happy to have him."
While Tyler Wells will be in the neighborhood next year, the commencement theme "This Is It" rang true for many others who'll be moving far from home, like Aaron Frank.
"In ninth grade we had a speaker who said, 'No regrets,'" said the incoming Syracuse University freshman. "I pushed myself and made sure I never regretted any decisions I make."
Same with Sophie Irwin, who'll be going to college in Alabama. Her father, Steve, said he's gotten accustomed to not seeing Sophie much.
"This year, we barely saw her," he said. "She'll be back on major holidays. We have a small house, the extra elbow room might be nice."
Baseball teammates Sam Levitt and Lonnie Kauppila said that with several graduating seniors, the lineup is likely to enter a rebuilding phase. Kauppila will be playing baseball at Stanford University next year, while Levitt enrolls at UCLA.
"I'll see him when he's in town [playing UCLA]," Levitt said. "It hasn't hit me yet. I'm looking forward to the future, but I'm trying to remember everything that happened during high school."
Clad in blue caps and gowns, students milled around the grass behind the bowl's seats, taking pictures and celebrating their final moments in Burbank Unified.
"They are so close with one another and friendly, and just really nice kids," said Carolyn Grogan, an English teacher.
For Daniel Flores, one of the student speakers, it was a moment he wasn't sure he'd see.
Freshman year was his low point, he said. The next year, he transferred to Monterrey High School, made up 127 credits and returned to Burbank High, giving up horseplay for career goals.
"The message is, no matter who you are or what you want to do, you can do it," he said. "This is a very special moment for me right now."
That's what "This Is It" was all about, said Mary Beth Medina, the school's student board member and a graduation speaker.
"This expression depends on every senior here," she said in her address. "It's not what you say, it's about what you do . . . We made it through. Now, welcome to your future."
Allen Kessler helps Carol Nerone with a ring at Kessler Jewelers on Tuesday. The family-owned jewelry store that has been doing business for the past 43 years at the same location is going out of business. (Scott Smeltzer/The Leader)
Jeweler forced to close Business that has been in Burbank since 1967 falls on hard times.
By Christopher Cadelago May 26, 2010
Kessler Jewelers, the family-owned business that for more than 40 years has been a fixture of the downtown shopping district even as everything around it changed, will close its doors for good next month, the family said.
An award-winning shop whose grand opening in 1967 coincided with the opening of the Golden Mall, Kessler served as the last remaining holdout of an era that saw seven downtown jewelers shut down in the last 50 years.
A sluggish economy, Internet competition, soaring downtown rents and the mass migration of buyers from brick-and-mortar jewelers to big-box chains have made for an especially tough last three years, the family said.
"Ever since the writers strike, things have been really tough," said Barry Kessler, 50, who began working for his father, Allen Kessler, at age 16. "Put simply: The rent went up, and what didn't go up was our profit margin."
Kessler Jewelers, whose four full-time employees boast a combined 135 years of experience in the business, has remained in the same building for the last 43 years. Founded by Allen Kessler, the company survived lean times by handcrafting and customizing much of its retail offerings.
Customers personally designed and altered everything from engagement rings and wedding bands to pieces for newborns, children and sweet 16s. Other customers brought in watches to repair and rings, necklaces and bracelets to clean.
"They've been an institution in Burbank for decades," said Gary Olson, president and chief executive of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce. "As far as the business community is concerned, it's a big loss."
The closure will mean a personal loss for Olson, one of the shop's regular customers. But with the price of gold steadily increasing, Kessler was done in by what one expert called the "Costco-Wal-Mart-Internet Complex."
The megachains and discount and tax-free online retailers have the buying power to make good margins even in rough times, pushing mom-and-pop retailers to the periphery, said Bruce Ackerman, president and chief executive of the Valley Economic Alliance.
"All of a sudden, customization and craftsmanship become secondary," Ackerman said.
Sales and holidays, of late, have done nothing to increase profits, Barry Kessler said. Christmas sales figures were down 70% compared with the previous year, and Valentine's Day, the annual high-water mark for jewelry sales, was "virtually nonexistent," he said.
The suffocating effect of the Great Recession only amplified the other impacts, he said.
"When it's a discretionary purchase — something you don't absolutely need that starts to fall into the 'want' category — I suspect it gets much more difficult," Olson said.
Despite the grim pronouncements, the only indication of the shop's impending closure this week were the dozens of signs alerting customers of "Nothing Held Back! Selling out to the bare walls," as well as "Doors closing forever. Save up to 70% off."
A clerk offered everything from a 2 1/2 -carat diamond ring to $200 and $300 earrings.
Joe Kovach, of Glendale, has visited the store about four times annually for the last 40 years.
On Tuesday, he browsed the selection with his sister, Rosemary Kolegraff, of Sylmar.
"You trust the family," he said, explaining why he's returned after so many birthday and holiday gifts. "They're just really good people."
Barry Kessler breezed through the showroom and toward his father, a magnifying glass in one eye, working to the very end. Allen Kessler was the 2008 recipient of the Robert B. Westover Distinguished Service Award by the California Jewelers Assn. A graduate of Los Angeles High School, Allen Kessler was a freshman at UC Berkeley when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He came home and took a job at another jewelry store before deciding to open his location in the 300 block of San Fernando Boulevard.
For the family, no job was too big — or too small. In the ensuing years the staff grew to include three graduate gemologists, including Barry Kessler.
He said one of the family's favorite stories dates all the way back to the store's opening, when a rival jeweler walked into Kessler and noted the carpeting and chairs spread out in front of eye-level glass cases. The competitor looked around and said: "Oh, that's for Beverly Hills. That's not for Burbank."
Barry Kessler said that at the time most shops were barren.
Allen Kessler, 80, plans to finally retire. Barry Kessler said he'll keep customers informed of his next move, which will include an online component to Kessler Jewelers.
"Jewelry is something given between people who love each other," he said. "Daily, we see customers that are saddened by the news of our closing. We're going to really miss the customers and the people of Burbank."
From ebay: "This is a booklet from the 45th reunion of the Burbank High (Burbank, Ca.) class of 1962. For some reason my wife received 2, so if you're from that class and didn't receive a book, here's your chance to get one. It has been put away is in new condition - stored in a non-smoking home. There are 7 pages of pictures from the reunion as well as a class directory. Shipping is $1.25 USPS first class mail in the lower 48 states. I ship within one day of receiving cleared payment, and pack every item I sell carefully. I ship to the US, Canada,and most European Countries.E-mail me for a shipping rate out of the US. Thanks for looking!!!"
.jpg)
