Sharon King Mortenson, BHS '59 (1941-2022)

Sharon King Mortenson

1941 – 2022

BHS Class of 1959 

Sharon King Mortenson died in Lehi, Utah, on Thursday, October 6th, 2022. Sharon was born on July 16, 1941, in Glendale, CA, to Carl Marcus and Virginia Bowen King. 

Sharon received a BS Degree in Elementary Education at Brigham Young University, which she used to teach third grade as a young adult. She was an accomplished vocal soloist, talented teacher, and gifted pianist for over sixty years. Sharon toured Europe as the premier vocal soloist for the Brigham Young University Madrigal Singers. In her community, she sang the soprano solo for Handel's Messiah with a full chorus and orchestra multiple times. In 1959, she was the lead role in the Burbank High School production of the musical operetta “Rose-Marie”.

On June 6th, 1964, Sharon married her eternal sweetheart, Jerry Mortenson. Together they raised 6 beautiful children and spent 58 wonderful years together. 

Sharon is survived by her husband, Jerry V. Mortenson, and 5 children: Ann Bull-Rudelich, Peter Mortenson, Katherine Weller, Jennilyn Burr, and Lisa Lewis. Her oldest son, David Mortenson, preceded her in death. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, as well as 4 of her 5brothers.

Bob Jones, BHS '44 (1926-2010)

  

 Bob Jones and his sister Dorothy Jones Ardizzone

 

Jodean Ardizzone Myers sent me the following message along with this article about her Uncle Bob Jones.

Hi Cathy. I’ve always wanted to add my aunts and uncles to the memorial blog all attended BHS. Today in my memories Uncle Bob Jones came up I hope I’m sharing correctly. Passing on information thank you. In his youth picture at Hollywood Palladium Is Bob Jones and his sister Dorothy Jones Ardizzone my Mom. She’s already been shared to the memorial page. Thank you.

Uncle Bob Jones - Mom's brother died 12 yrs ago today. He was in his 80's and a very interesting man. Born in Burly Idaho. Moved to Burbank at the age of 12 he went to John Muir and Burbank High class of '44. At 18yrs old he joined the Navy and there began to think about a career with horses. He purchased the Lazy 3 - a riding academy in Glendale and a hang-out for Hollywood cowboys. Like Jack Fishburn (jockey), Robert Fuller, and Chuck Courtney. He later bought a ranch in Placerita Canyon. He was co-founder of the LA Horse Show Exhibitors Assoc. and served ten yrs as President there. He had a long and interesting life and is missed.

 

 

Stan Wood, BHS '60 (1942-2021)

Stanley "Stan" Daman Wood
Scottsdale AZ
April 15, 1942 - January 3, 2021

 

OBITUARY

Stanley Daman Wood of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on Sunday, January 3rd 2021 at the age of 78. He passed away due to complications with congestive heart failure, exasperated by COVID.

Stan, was born to Charlotte and Stanley Wood on April 15, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. Stan grew up the eldest of three children and graduated from Burbank High School in 1960. Stan graduated from Arizona State University in 1965 and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.

On June 4th, 1965, Stan married Carolyn Ruth Moore and the couple had two children. Stan and Carolyn moved to Bakersfield, California shortly after they were married.

One of Stan’s greatest passions was football. He played football in high school and had a huge love for the game. Another passion of Stan’s was playing tennis with friends and family while living in Bakersfield. He was often seen, coaching his children as they played competitive tennis. Lastly, Stan and Carolyn were great hosts and loved to entertain friends at their home and often times Neil Diamond, Eagles or the Bee Gee’s were played on the stereo. Stan will be remembered by his warm smile, big laugh and the twinkle in his eyes.

Stan is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Lorne’ (Victor) and Daman, 4 grandchildren and his sister Janet Woerner (Jon). He is preceded in death by his parents Charlotte and Stan Wood along with his brother, Bill Wood.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating the American Heart Association. 

 

https://everloved.com/life-of/stanley-wood/obituary/

Ron Franzen, BHS '66 (1948-2022)

Ronald Phillip Franzen

January 8, 1948 - October 19, 2022

 

FIND A GRAVE Link

We are very sorry to share that Ron Franzen passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night at his home in Westlake Village.

Ron Franzen was born in Van Nuys California along with his twin sister Connie in 1948. In 1956, the family moved to Burbank as his father Roy Franzen became postmaster general for the city of Burbank. 

Ron attended Burbank public schools and received a varsity letter for football in 1966. After high school he joined the US Army and went to Vietnam after which he returned and joined the Santa Monica Police Department where he was there for thirty years as a police officer and a detective. 

He was married to his wife Lynda for twenty seven years and resided in Westlake Village till his passing. He has survived by his sisters Sunny, BHS 1960, Connie BHS 1966 and Sally, BHS 1976. No services are planned by his wishes.

RIP Ron.

 

BOB'S 2007 

Here's a great photo from Cathy Coyle: Front row: Donna Luce Neitman ('67); Sandi Tate Uribe ('66); Peggy Melton Cyphers ('66); Randy Boeing ('66); Cathy Nicholls Coyle ('67) and John Coyle ('65) 

Second row: Jon Kirkwood (64); Steve Gillion ('66); Don Melton (RIP '65); Margie Boeing ('69); Al Thouette ('67) and Gil Uribe ('66) 

Back row: Ron Franzen ('66); Ron's wife and Pam Zipfel Kirkwood ('64)

2007 BHS '66 FOOTBALL PLAYERS

L-R: Steve Gullion, Ray Yokum, Mel Barnes, Jim Bennett, Gil Uribe, Joseph Baldino. (front) Jim Davis & Ron Franzen - all class '66

2008

Tom Bennett '68; Jim Knight '66; Jim Bennett '66; Ron Franzen '66; Steve Lopez '66; Dave Marshall '65; Al Thouette '67; Gil Uribe '66 and Steve Billos '67

Jim Davis Memorial
July 26, 2015
Linda Schuster (Mazur), Ron Franzen, Mel Barnes, Steve Gullion, Gil Uribe, Steve Lopez, Bob Carter (Host) & Ray Yocum. 

Joe Baldino, Jerry Tomic, Ron Franzen and Rick Polikowski

 

Joe Baldino posted this photo and wrote on Facebook:

“RON WAS A VERY PRIVATE GUY DID NOT LET MANY PEOPLE KNOW THE REAL PERSON  WAS A GOOD TEAM MATE  ONLY 10 & 11 ARE LEFT NOW  MET HIM IN 8TH GRADE  WAS  HIS TEAM MATE ON THE VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM OUR SENIOR YEAR &  WE GOT TOGETHER A FEW TIMES  IN THE 1990'S  & 2000'S   LOVE HIS DOGS  I ALWAYS FELT YOU NEVER KNEW THE REAL RON”

Ralph Urquiza, BHS '76 (1957-2009)

California Fire Foundation > Memorial Bios

Ralph D. Urquiza 

DEPARTMENT Los Angeles City 

Ralph Urquiza wanted to join the fire service at an early age. The challenge and excitement of battling a burning building and helping others fueled his passion to master his trade. He received a Medal of Valor when he helped rescue a victim trapped in the rubble following the Northridge earthquake. He devoted his time to mentoring the Explorer Program. He was also a member of the original USAR Task Force and was working on his certification to travel worldwide as a USAR team member. His hobbies included camping, hiking and running, as well as spending time with his family. He died of a job-related aneurism at 52. 

FIND A GRAVE PAGE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44213630/ralph-d-urquiza 

FROM FACEBOOK 2011

Jeanne Dyrness Urquiza  

So hard to post this here, he is incredibly missed and loved...
BHS Class of 1976
Ralph D. Urquiza

Don Graham, BHS '61 (1943-2022)

Sadly, Don Graham from the Burbank High class 1961 passed away this month. Here is a portion of what his daughter Terri Graham wrote on a GoFundMe page:

I am saddened to share that my daddy, Don Graham, has passed away.

From serving in the National Guard for five years, two years in Vietnam, Burbank PD, 35 years with LAPD and 20 years as an Elks lodge member. He has spent his life serving and caring for others. When he retired from LAPD after 35 years, it was to care for his sick wife until she passed away in 2011.

In 2017 he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and fought a long hard battle! This year things worsened, and the cancer spread to his kidney, lung, vertebrae and spine. The last week of his life, he was getting sicker and weaker. I had him transported to Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital, where he spent his last 5 days of his life. I was there every day with him until he took his last breath on October 7, 2022. The hardest thing I have ever done.

My dad was the most caring, giving and supportive person I have ever known.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dads-funeral-retired-vet-and-lapd

RIP Don. 

Rick Fields, BHS '71 (1952-2022)

Richard "Rick" Allan Fields

1952 - 2022

Just learned from Alan Landros via Coach Kemp that Rick Fields recently died from a series of strokes and complications.

He grew up in Burbank and attended Thomas Jeffereson Elementary, John Muir Jr High and graduated from Burbank High in 1971,

Rick was a noted sprinter on the BHS track team and he held the BHS school record in the 220 in Track from 1971 until it was finally broken this Spring of 2022.  

RIP Rick.

George Hall, BHS '70 (1952-2022)

 

George Hall

April 14, 1952 - October 2, 2022

SM Sgt. George Francis Hall, Retired; age 70, of Larimore, ND, passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND.

On April 14, 1952 George was born at Midway Hospital in St. Paul, MN to Marian Therese (Winkler) and George Octavia DeLisle.  When George was a few years older the family moved to Burbank, California.  George attended and graduated from Burbank High School in May of 1970. 

In March, 1971, he enlisted in the Air Force.  His first duty station was at SAC Headquarters Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska where he met his wife Jewell Anna DuPree.  They had three children: John Paul (Claire) Hall of Larimore, ND; Marian Eloise (CMSgt. David) Southall of Elgin AFB, Florida and George Robert Ward (Dani) Hall of Grand Forks, ND.

George served in Vietnam while stationed in Thailand.  He was then stationed at Minot AFB, ND for 9-1/2 years.  He was then stationed at Misawa, AB, Japan for 4-1/2 years where his youngest child was born.  After Japan he was stationed at Grand Forks AFB, ND. He purchased a home in Larimore, ND, at that time where he and his family stayed after his retirement in April, 1992.

George was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather.  He is survived by 4 siblings, 4 siblings-in-law, 7 grandchildren: Aerica (Alex), Matthew, Michael, Megan, Sarah, Fara and Luca; several nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

George will be remembered as the youngest Eagle Scout in Burbank, California when he made rank, as an avid gardener, someone that would help anyone and watching his children and  grandchildren living life experiences and having fun.

Celebration of Life Services will be at Harvest Baptist Church, 701 East Front St., Larimore on October 15, 2022 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Ken Shaffer officiating.

Interment will be Monday, October 24 at 11 a.m. in the Fargo National Cemetery.