Bob Johnson, BHS '45 (1927-2025)

Robert "Bob" Bruce Johnson

1927 - October 1, 2025

My dad, Robert Johnson, was a BHS alum and active member of the Senior Bulldogs for many years. He passed away earlier this month, just two weeks shy of his 98th birthday. His obituary and photos are below (the later one was taken at a BHS reunion event).
Best regards, 
Vickie Costigan

OBITUARY

Robert Johnson, Class of W'45, died on October 1, 2025. He was 97 years old. Bob (as he was affectionately known) graduated from John Burroughs Junior High in 1941, where he received the American Legion Award for "Top Boy" (his future wife, Norma, won it for "Top Girl" the same year). 

At BHS, Bob had leading roles in two operettas under Victor Boggis and served as student body president and senior class president. He graduated from Occidental College in 1951 and went on to receive an MA and a PhD in history from USC. He taught AP US History and Government at Culver City High School for 36 years, followed by another 13 years at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. 

Bob was married to Norma Beckett, W'45, for 68 years. She graduated with him at Burroughs, BHS and Occidental, and preceded him in death in 2016. He is survived by his daughters, Valerie and Vickie, as well as two grandsons.

Donald Bilyeu, BHS '45, Passed Away July 26, 2019

Wes Clark posted this today...

"Very sorry to report that Donald G. Bilyeu, BHS Class of 1945, died yesterday (7/26/19) in his home in Sandy, Utah. He was 92. A veteran of World War II, he is survived by two daughters, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren."

RIP Donald.

Aleta Dorothy Day Smith, BHS '45 (1927-2019)

Aleta Dorothy Day Smith
July 25, 1927 - Feb 4, 2019

OBITUARY
Aleta Dorothy Day Smith was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 25, 1927 to Lowell and Edith Day. At age five the family moved to California, where Aleta spent the rest of her life. She attended John Burroughs Jr. High and Burbank High School in Burbank and earned an AA from UCLA. In her early teens she began to attend Burbank First Presbyterian Church, where she heard the gospel and committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom she served faithfully all her life. There she also met Martin “Jiggs” Smith, her lifelong partner. They married in 1949. They subsequently moved to La Puente, where they raised their children: Carolyn, Lowell, and Rhonda. The family attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church together, where Aleta served as a deacon, an elder, and a Sunday school teacher. She influenced many young people to become faithful in their walk with Christ.

Aleta worked as a teacher’s aide in special education at the junior high level in the Hacienda-La Puente Unified School District until retirement. In 2009 Martin and Aleta moved back to Burbank when Martin and rejoined Burbank First Pres. Together Jiggs and Aleta enjoyed square dancing, first with the Funsters in West Covina and later with the Western Weavers here in Burbank. They traveled to several conventions and always encouraged new dancers. They also enjoyed traveling to many interesting places during retirement, such as Alaska, Cache Creek, Oklahoma, and Death Valley. In late 2010 Martin passed on to Glory. Aleta continued to be active, serving as a deacon from 2012 to December 2018. She continued to square dance also until three weeks before her home going. She was very friendly and always reached out to newcomers.

Aleta had other talents, too. She sewed clothes for her children and their dolls and Christmas ornaments. She also did beautiful cake decorating to the delight of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an amazing cook and taught her family about good nutrition and the virtues of homemade fare.

Aleta is survived by her children, Carolyn, Lowell, and Rhonda and their spouses. She also leaves seven grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

We will all miss Aleta’s smile and her kind ways, but we are sure she is having a wonderful time with Our Lord Jesus and all her friends and family who preceded her, and we dare to believe that she and Jiggs are once again dancing together in heaven.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 AM, Mar 30th at First Presbyterian Church of Burbank, 521 E. Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91501. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USO, Burbank First Presbyterian Church, or your favorite charity.

Norma Beckett Johnson, BHS '45 (1927-2016)

Norma Jeanee Beckett Johnson

Ventura, CA

Norma was born on January 12, 1927 to Orville Beckett and Marjorie Smithson Beckett in Hollywood, CA. She passed peacefully at home on July 24, 2016. During her long life she was a brilliant student, a beloved teacher, a dedicated friend, and most of all, a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother.

Norma met the love of her life, Bob Johnson, in 7th grade at John Burroughs Junior High School in Burbank. They graduated from Burbank High School in 1945, married in 1948, and enjoyed a loving and close union of over 68 years.

Norma and Bob both graduated from Occidental College in 1951; Norma began her teaching career at Culver City Junior High School shortly thereafter. She left teaching after four years to raise her two daughters, Valerie and Vickie, and returned to the classroom in 1971 at Jordan Junior High School in Burbank, where she covered such diverse subjects as English, math, and drama, always inspiring her students and forming lifelong friendships with her colleagues. Following retirement and a move to Dana Point in 1983, Norma and Bob both taught for several years at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano.

Norma was an extraordinary mother, and both girls fondly remember a childhood filled with love and laughter. She was involved in PTA and Ponytail softball, as well as being an amazing cook, seamstress, bridge player, Brownie leader, and loyal friend to all who knew her.

Upon the birth of their two grandsons, Norma and Bob relocated to Ventura, and Norma lavished her love on both boys as they grew up. Whether it was celebrating birthdays, cheering them on at countless sporting events, or cuddling up and reading a book together, she adored being their Nana.

Norma is survived by her husband Bob; daughters Valerie Johnson and Victoria Costigan; son-in-law Carl Costigan; and beloved grandsons Robert and Will Costigan. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held Monday, August 8th at 11:00 am at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road in Ventura.

Norma's family would like to extend special thanks to Livingston Memorial Hospice Care for their loving treatment of Norma in her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LMVNA, or to a charity of your choice .

Published in Ventura County Star from July 31 to Aug. 4, 2016
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/venturacountystar/obituary.aspx?n=norma-jeanee-beckett-johnson&pid=180845537&fhid=11567#sthash.JoVyrs0z.dpuf

James Lark, BHS '45 (1927-2013)

James Lark October 7, 1927 - June 19, 2013

James Lark (June 21, 2013)

OBITUARY

Burbank Leader

http://www.burbankleader.com/community/obituaries/tn-gnp-james-lark-october-7-1927-june-19-2013-20130621,0,4721898.story

Our beloved father and grandfather, James Lark, OD, passed away peacefully from pneumonia on June 19, 2013 in Laguna Hills, California. He was born October 7, 1927 in Denver, Colorado to Emil Skrivanek and Virginia Schutte Lark. An only child, he moved with his parents to Burbank, California in 1934. He was a graduate of Burbank High School, where he served as student-body president, class of 1945. He studied at Occidental College and Stanford University, and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry.

On August 19, 1950, he married Gale Raye Marshall of Burbank. For nearly 45 years they were devoted to each other in marriage until her passing in March 1995. Their union was blessed by four children, Jamie Raye (deceased), Craig Marshall (Debbie), of San Juan Capistrano; Nancy Sue, of Burbank, and Bradley James (Charlotte) of Anaheim Hills.

For more than 45 years he was a skilled, highly professional and popular Optometrist in Burbank. He was active in the Kiwanis Club for over 50 years and served as president twice. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings and volunteer assignments throughout his life, notably as Bishop of the Burbank 3rd Ward. He and Gale opened their home to many individuals and groups over the years where he was known for his sharp wit and humorous personality. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren, and devoted his life to them as a proud family patriarch.

He is survived by his children Craig, Nancy and Brad; grandchildren, Stephanie, Katie, Andrew, Taylor, Brittany, Brandon, Alyssa and Callie; and 12.5 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial service is scheduled for Wednesday June 26, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 136 Sunset Canyon Road, in Burbank, at 11:30 am.