Mark Thomas "Tom" Allison, BHS '49 (1930-2026)

Senior picture of Tom Allison BHS 1949

Mark Thomas "Tom" Allison

BHS 1949 

May 11, 1930 - April 24, 2026 

Our Brother-in-law, Mark Thomas “Tom” Allison, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Pomona, CA, after a long illness. Tom was born on May 11, 1930 and would have celebrated his 96th Birthday in a few days.

Tom was a U.S. Air Force Veteran and he was a career Aerospace Engineer. He was an avid auto, airplane and train enthusiast (anything mechanical). He loved the out-of-doors and spent many hours hiking with the Sierra Club and completed numerous Cycling “Century” Bike Rides. Tom also had a passion for Classical Music and reading Books on a variety of subjects.

He was pre-deceased by his wife of 62 years, LaVonne Ruth Kirkwood Allison, his parents Mr. and Mrs. James Allison and his sister Lois.

He is survived by his four children Sharon Allison Templeton (Robert), Glenn Allison, Ronald Allison and Steve Allison (Kathy Gastelum), as well as four grandchildren Megan Allison, Ryan Allison, Matthew Allison and Marissa Allison Guillen (Arnold) and his sister Louise.

Tom was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, Brother-in-law and Friend and he was a “Loyal BHS Bulldog. He is truly missed by his Family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Submitted by Jon Kirkwood BHS '64 and Pam Zipfel Kirkwood BHS ‘64

Donald Wright, BHS '49 (1930-2024)

 

Donald James Wright

May 18, 1930 - February 27, 2024

Donald James Wright, age 93, passed away on February 27, 2024, in Lake Forest, CA, after a courageous battle with the complications of a stroke.

Don was born May 18, 1930, in Kewanee, Illinois, to Grace and Horace Wright.

While in Illinois, he played basketball at Lyle and enjoyed playing drums. In 1944, he and his mother travelled across country to Burbank, CA, to join his father, who had been discharged from the Army. He graduated Burbank High School in 1949.

During his high school years, he played Varsity Football in the positions of Leftfield, Backfield and later Running Back. It was said that he ran like "Crazylegs Hirsch". Don sang in the choir for three years and played trumpet in the High School Band.

After graduating, he worked for the City of Burbank until he joined the Navy in 1950. Boot training was completed in San Diego where he was then assigned to the U.S.S Genesee, stationed in Hawaii. Later, he spent 1-1/2 years on the U.S.S. Hooper Island. Don was proud to serve his country and proud of his time with the Navy.

Discharge came in 1954, at which time he rejoined the City of Burbank. In 1969, Don joined the Orange County Sanitation District as a Senior Construction Inspector. Don later worked for consulting firms, building sanitation treatment plants in Sweetwater, Carlsbad and Escondido. He assisted in the construction of the Blue Line Metro Rail in Long Beach. Don continued working for various cities; Poway, Mission Viejo, Fontana, Irvine and Laguna Beach.

Don loved God, family and friends. Whether he and his father were bowling on City leagues or golfing for fun, he cherished those moments.

Don is survived by his partner, Evelyn Logsdon; three sons, Michael Lawrence, Timothy James (wife Gretchen) and Steven John; grandchildren, Briana Michaele Garcia (husband Andy), Justin Lawrence (wife Tracy), Marc James, Daniel Timothy (wife Meghan), Steven John Jr., and Sabrina Nawal; great grandchildren Cailee Michaele Garcia, and Kole Anthony James Wright; and his sister, Elizabeth Hathorn.

Don's life was about faith, love, hope, resilience and courage. He is deeply missed, but the memories will forever be a source of comfort.

A memorial service honoring Donald James Wright will be held at noon, Saturday, April 6th, at Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point.

Don said he liked to make people laugh – which made him so endearing to others. He was a man who never hung onto negativity and would quickly forget any disagreements. He took much enjoyment from tackling any home project even if he never attempted it before. He would not hesitate to ask questions on how to accomplish his next project by asking the "old timers" in hardware stores. Nothing was beyond anything he could not learn to do.

He said he enjoyed waking up in the middle of the night to feed his children when they were babies and helped out with their care wherever he could. He was coach in his sons' little league, built tracks in the house for their toy cars and had fun tossing them in the pool. He would talk about having his boys all jump in the pool at the same time while trying to catch all of them to ensure their safety.

He was a man who enjoyed life – golf, tai chi, lifting weights in the gym up until the age of 89, bowling leagues, building things around the house, and maintain and fix anything around the house.

Don was a successful man as he knew how to enjoy life.

Maria "Maggie" Gomez Sands, BHS '49 (1930-2025)

My name is Emily Tempest, and I am the granddaughter of Maria M. Sands (Maggie Gomez) from BHS Class of 49’. Maria M. Sands passed away about 2 weeks ago on March 20, 2025 at the age of 94. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family. She lived a long and amazing life, and she often talked about how great her High School years were. She made many lifetime friends because of BHS and always shared those memories. 

OBITUARY

Maria M. Sands (née Gomez), a lifelong Burbank resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and cherished memories. Born in El Paso, TX, she moved to Burbank at a young age and built a life filled with family and joy. Maria was free-spirited, the life of the party, and had an unbreakable bond with her siblings. She was ambitious, loving, and always made sure everyone felt comfortable and happy. She was blessed with a big family, having four children, six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and four great great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored. One of her greatest achievements was working at The El Chiquito and eventually owning the restaurant alongside her siblings, creating a place filled with love, community, and lots of fun. She touched countless lives with her generosity and warmth, from her Burbank High School days to her beloved holiday tradition of collecting Santas. Though she will be deeply missed, her love and spirit will live on in all who knew her.

NOTE

Herminia Gomez Dilbeck, BHS '46 (1928-2021) was Maggie's sister and Bob Gomez, BHS '48 (1929-2022) was their brother as was Eddie Gomez, BHS '49 (1931-1968).

Dona Jean Creswell, BHS '49 (1931-2024)

 

Dona Jean Creswell

 June 20, 1931 – May 23, 2024

Dona Creswell passed away peacefully at her Assisted Living Facility on May 23, 2024. She would have celebrated her 93d birthday on June 20. She is survived by her brother Jim Creswell, her daughter Debra Petersen, 2 granddaughters, Jenifer and Nicole and 4 great grandchildren Kaley, Kyle, Pearl and Cyril III.

Dona lived a very full life.

In high school she was best friends with Debbie Reynolds, and that friendship continued throughout their adult life.

Dona was a pioneer in the x-ray business in Colorado. In the 1960s she would not take "no" for an answer. She knew that many in Colorado would benefit from portable x-rays. She convinced a radiologist to purchase a portable machine, and she convinced some very prominent radiologists that good x-rays could be taken on a portable machine. Dona served many patients in nursing homes and even those at home who could not get out to get an x-ray.

Dona loved people and she especially loved her family. She traveled with her great granddaughter to cheer leading competitions and cheered the team on to victory. She loved celebrating holidays and birthdays and accepted any other time to celebrate.

She was generous with her time and finances. She volunteered at hospitals and at FISH. She went on many Mission trips which she loved.

In the last 18 months of her life Dona lived in Assisted Living. She made many friends, and brought happiness to many caregivers as well as residents. Dona will be missed by all, we will all miss her happy smile, and contagious laugh. We love you Mom, Sister, Grammy, Mimi and friend.

 

 Jim and sister Dona

 

 

Dona and Jim with young friend

 

 

 

Jim selling newspspers

 

 

 Jim with classmate and friend Debbie Reynolds... a photo ke kept in his wallet up until his death

 

The Golden Years... sister Dona with Jim

Florine Armstrong Gardemann, BHS '49 (or '48) (1930-2022)

Florine Gardemann 

August 18, 1930 – June 27, 2022

Atascadero, California

Jonna Arell posted on Facebook today, "My grandma Florine Gardemann (Armstrong) graduated BHS I believe 1949 passed away on June 27, 2022 at the age of 91."

Eddie Gomez, BHS '49 (1931-1968)

Edwardo "Eddie" Gomez

November 9, 1931 - July 1968

We just learned that Eddie Gomez, brother of recently deceased Bob Gomez, passed away in 1968 while on a family vacation in a tragic car accident. 

 RIP Eddie.

June Marlene Palmer Burke, BHS '49 (1932-2021) UPDATE: Burroughs?

UPDATE: It is not clear, but Marlene may have gone to John Burroughs her senior year with Debbie Reynolds, her friend! The school was brand new and several Burbank High students were sent there even though Marlene's brother, Will Palmer, graduated from BHS in 1948. https://burbankhighblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/willard-s-palmer-jr-bhs-48-1929-2004.html

Marlene was my cousin and she passed away recently. RIP sweet lady...

June Marlene Burke (Palmer, Vasterling, Inzerillo,) passed peacefully at home March 21, 2021, with her loving grandson Russell Vasterling by her side. 

She was born Aug. 29, 1932, to Willard and Louise Palmer in Van Nuys, Calif. She was raised by her homemaker mother and father who was a contract "extra" for a major movie studio. She starred in a movie as a baby alongside Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell in 1932 called "Tess of the Storm Country." Her teenage years were filled with Hollywood type memories including friends like Debbie Reynolds and Vic Tayback. 

Marlene married at 18 and started her family in Southern California as a homemaker. Over the years she began working at various jobs while raising a family. She lived in Kansas for a short while before settling in Cupertino during the Silicon Valley start up days, working on the assembly line at Intel for many years. She enjoyed spending time boating in the Sacramento delta, and served as the first female Commodore in California for the Caliente Island Yacht Club. Over the years, she was fortunate enough to travel to many exciting destinations. She particularly loved England. Her last trip was taken with her daughter to St. Croix, visiting her grandson. She enjoyed dogs, cats, gardening, bunco, exercising and volunteering. Her special love was to support the local SPCA and visiting their flea market. She also dedicated many years to volunteering at the Mariposa Museum and History Center and meeting tourists new to the area. It goes without saying, her circle of friends were important to her. 

Marlene is survived by three children: Russell Vasterling, Teri Vasterling and Vallerie Gonzales (Inzerillo); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and a brother, Will Palmer. 

FIND A GRAVE LINK https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224728693/june-marlene-burke

Mary Jane Rummel Bente, BHS '49 (1931-2019)

Mary Jane Bente
April 1, 1931 – December 14, 2019

Mary Jane Bente, 88, of Burbank, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2019 surrounded by her family, and joining her loving husband of over 50 years, Wayne Francis Bente, who passed February 8, 2016.

Mary Jane was born to the late Elmer Jacob Rummel and Estella Evelyn Lister, on April 1, 1931 in Glendale, California. Mary Jane graduated from Burbank High School and attended Glendale Community College.

Mary Jane and Wayne spent the last 33 years in Northern California where they built a cabin in Hayfork surrounded by horses, lambs, chickens and a garden Wayne loved so much. They then moved to Shingletown and made lots of friends they called extended family, and then after some health issues moved to Paris Park in Redding, California. There they had a community of friends who played cards, had pot luck dinners and who looked out for each other. Mary Jane truly missed her friends there.

Mary Jane and Wayne were foster parents and received recognition from the Shasta County Board of Supervisors and Shasta County Department of Social Services for Foster Parents of the Year in 2007. Mary Jane also received a Certificate of Appreciation for 35 years of service to the Burbank Emblem Club #86 in 2012. Mary Jane and Wayne were active donors to BCR A Place to Grow founded in 1963 by her sister, Ruth Caughey, for Mary Jane’s developmentally disable daughter, Vicki Lea. Vicki lived in Redding, until she moved back to Burbank in 2011. Mary Jane and Wayne both loved to travel in their Bounder motorhome and going on various cruises. Mary Jane was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Burbank and was blessed by the community there.

Mary Jane is survived by six children: Charlene Jane Strickhouser of Mojave; Rachelle Evelyn Giliberto of Santa Clarita, Laurie Beth Roan and her husband, Dusty, of Hemet; Linda Sue Curtin of Burbank; Vicki Lea Williams of Burbank; and Michael Wayne Bente and his wife, Robin, of Priest, Idaho, as well as two sons, Lynn Arthur McFall and Reed Wayne Bente who are both deceased. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, with another great-grandbaby boy due at the end of the month, and her beloved service dog, Millie.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Burbank, Team Hope. A Celebration of Life and Resurrection, for both Mary Jane and Wayne, will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 10am at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 542 N Buena Vista Street, Burbank, California 91505.