Larry Purser, BHS '65 (1947-2020)

Larry Gene Purser
February 11, 1947 - May 28, 2020

Today we received the sad notice of the passing of Larry Purser, BHS Class 1965. He died of pneumonia (not Covid 19) on May 28, 2020.

This message came from Janis Miller who is friends with his sisters, Carolyn and Pat.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

RIP Larry.


MAY 31, 2020 UPDATE
OBITUARY

Larry Gene Purser was born on February 11, 1947 and passed away on May 28, 2020 and is under the care of Valley Funeral Home. No public services scheduled at this time.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/burbank-ca/larry-purser-9202376

Jodi Gable and the Beach Boys

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: The Beach Boys Burbank Connection

By Burbankia Mike On May 5, 2017
https://myburbank.com/flashback-friday-beach-boys-burbank-connection/

If you have ever listened to a Beach Boys Greatest Hits Record (yes I said Record) or you have heard this song on classic radio, you can’t forget the lively tune and the chorus “Be True to Your School…”!

All of this was brought about by Burbank High School Drill team member and super loyal student Jodi Gable. Here is her story as related in the book “The Blue and White Wave High” 2008 for the BHS Centennial…


Jodi Gable 1964

“As a child growing up in Burbank, Jodi Gable (Class of 1965) fondly remembers the grape arbors that filled the hillside above her house and describes her life as living in “a Norman Rockwell painting.” When Jodi was 13 she met the Beach Boys at an Olive Rec Center dance and was amazed at their sound. After talking with them they asked her to head up their fan club. After her parents met the Wilsons (parents of Brian, Dennis and Carl), Jodi began hanging out with the boys, who treated her like a sister, and building fan support.

“I loved BHS and couldn’t wait to get to school each day,” she recalls. “I called Dr. Leland, ‘Unc,’ and I had teachers who really seemed to care.” Jodi was an active member of the Drill Team, and her loyalty to BHS became the genesis of one of their hits. Jodi recalls, “Brian Wilson was a genius and could come up with lyrics on the spot.

We were eating chili fries one day at an A&W in Hawthorne and he penned, ‘Fun, Fun, Fun.’” Jodi was driving the guys crazy with her drill team stories and Wilson came up with “Be True to your School” (which coincidently contains part of “On Wisconsin,” Burbank’s fight song).

On her 16th birthday, the Beach Boys threw a party and performed in her back yard.

By the end of her junior year the band’s popularity meant greater demands on her time. Jodi left BHS and finished at Hollywood Professional School in order to work for the Beach Boys full time. At the time she was dating Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones and was in the middle of the exploding 1960’s music scene.

Eventually Jodi hired some of her classmates to join her staff and to help answer fan mail. She stayed with the band until she was twenty, and then went on to her own singing career.

Jodi resides in Oregon with her husband, but has stayed connected to her classmates and has always remained true to her school.”

When you hear this Fun song from the golden era of surf music just remember Jodi and Burbank High School.

(no hard feelings Burroughs J )

And just in case you have not heard this fine classic rock song here is a link! Or listen below. Enjoy, Crank it up!



A BIT MORE HERE...
http://bhsclass67.blogspot.com/2010/01/beach-boys-in-burbank.html

Burbank High School Commencement 2020

Mike Gannon, BHS '65 (1947-2020)

Michael Terence Gannon
April 12, 1947 - March 28, 2020

Sadly, it has been confirmed that Mike Gannon, BHS 1965, was in a car accident on March 26, 2020, and died 2 days later.

He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Mike was a Sound Director in Hollywood and here are a few photos from his Facebook page.

RIP Mike.


Mike working with John Wayne 


Mike on location with Bob Hope in Bejjing, China in 1979


Mike roller skating on the Wall of China






A FEW FACEBOOK COMMENTS

Julian Almaraz
RIP

Loanne Walker Ginchereaux
❤️🙏🏻

Kenneth Clark
RIP to my school friend with a great sense of humor!

Annette Dinolfo Bennett
❤️🙏🏼❤️for Casey , Karen and Jenny and his two grandsons Connor and Jared . RIP

Jetta Stire-Carrega
RIP

Barry Grueter
So sad 😞 sending healing thoughts and prayers to the family 🙏

Sharon Anderson McEntire
😢😢 RIP Mike you were a good friend of my brother Jim's and I have so many fond and funny memories of you!! 💖👍 You will be missed! 😢❤

Karen Madsen
RIP Mike. He was such a funny guy!!

Kathie Maybin
Mike was such a great guy RIP and condolences to your family

Carrie Diaz-Lathouwers
My condolences to all his family and friends. RIP.

Vicki Herrin Fields
Rest in Peace

Richard Clarke
Was close friends with Mike and Pat, great guy. RIP

Carol Forrand Tallakson
Comfort and peace to his family🙏🏻

Mary Boriso Jordan
Oh, no....so sorry to hear this...Really nice guy....Rest in peace, Mike. Love to his family and friends....🌹


Virginia Hamilton
RIP 🙏

Donna Luce Veatch Neitman
I remember Mike with Tom Veatch and Ronnie Ybarra, the three amigos! So sad to hear of his death! RIP Mike!

Peggy Melton Cyphers
So sorry to hear this.
RIP Mike

Paul Kinnaird
I can still remember when his mom Noreen gave birth to Mike... His family lived next door to my mom & dad for many years... RIP Mike...

Sue Basile
🙏🙏

Lovette Caples
RIP Mike.
Lovette Achen class of '59

Suzanne Lane Tondre
So sorry to hear about this. Rest In Peace.

Jeanette Alexander
God's blessings to family and friends#

Deanna Bergman
Sorry to hear that news. Sympathies to the family!

Susan Peña MacCaskey
So sorry -Condolences to his family and friends

Brenda Rossie-soto
My deepest condolence to all the family and friends 🙏

Nancy Fischer
RIP

Pat Purser Bushman
So sorry to hear this. My prayers and condolences to the family. Rest in peace.

Darlene Culotta
I remember him. Very sad. Sad that he lost his wife too. 😪😪😪

Gloria Carson Anderson
So sorry to hear about Mike. He was a really good friend of mine and Jims. We have a lot of fond memories. RIP Mike. ❤️ Condolences to his family. 🙏🙏