NEWS ABOUT BRIDGFORD ('53) GRANDSON

Click on http://fuhsindians.blogspot.com/ to read news article about Allan and Janet (Ray) Bridgford's grandson.

MAUREEN CONNER PELTZER, FUHS '54 (TREE FARM)

PHOTO BY PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Saturday, November 22, 2008
Fire doesn't delay start of Christmas tree sales
Loyal customers continue their holiday traditions at Peltzer Pines Christmas tree farm in Brea.
By ERIKA CHAVEZ
The Orange County Register
It's a yearly tradition for Katie and Neal Desai: heading over to the Peltzer Pines Christmas tree farm in Brea on the first day of the season, so they can roam the aisles of meticulously pruned trees and pick one of the prettiest to cut down and take home for the holidays.
But as fires raged into Yorba Linda and Brea last weekend, the Desais wondered if the scenic farm would be left standing, or if the flames would claim the thousands of trees planted and nurtured across 10 acres.
"I had my mom drive by this morning to make sure the farm was still here," said Katie Desai, who lives in La Habra Heights and has been picking a Peltzer Pines tree every year since she was a small child.
The farm was spared, just barely.
The flames stopped shy of the property on Rose Drive, north of Imperial Highway and almost adjacent to Carbon Canyon Regional Park. Charred black hillsides surround the bucolic patch of land dotted with neat rows of triangular trees. It was the property's dirt and gravel driveways that provided enough of a buffer to stop the flames from advancing, said owner Chuck Peltzer.
Dozens of trees on the northern edge of the farm, from strapping 7-footers to small saplings, were singed by the flames. The Desais chose a tree that was planted three or four rows away from the edge of the fire's reach.
"It was pretty sad to see the damaged trees and the burned areas all around," Neal Desai said.
Three Peltzer Pines farms throughout Orange County began selling trees on the customary Saturday before Thanksgiving. But it was the Brea farm that attracted the most curiosity, as customer after customer inquired how close the flames came and walked the perimeter of the property to see for themselves.
"We were worried about the trees last weekend when the fire was burning," said Michelle Willie of Yorba Linda, who brought her 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, to the farm today. "We come here every year to start the holiday season. We like to take our time and get lost in the trees."
Despite the fire that destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and consumed more than 30,000 acres, spirits were high among the customers that trickled into the Brea farm today. Owner Chuck Peltzer, whose family has farmed in Orange County since the 1950s, said that's one reason why he has kept the business going.
"It's fun," Peltzer said. "People are always happy when they come and run around the ranch."
Located in Brea, Irvine and Silverado Canyon, the farms feature popular Monterey pines as well as non-allergenic and long-lasting Leylandia cypresses. They range in size from 5 feet to 11 feet and are priced individually according to shape and size. A typical tree costs $80 to $100 and takes four to five years to grow, Peltzer said.
Jessica and Kyle DeBruyn of Cypress were excited to find a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm when they moved to Orange County from northern California four years ago.
It's a bit of a haul from Cypress to Brea, but the DeBruyns don't mind.
"Picking out a tree from the Home Depot parking lot just isn't the same," said Jessica DeBruyn, whose 4-month-old daughter Ava slept peacefully in a sling while her parents roamed the farm. "Coming here gets us into the Christmas spirit."
Contact the writer: 949-553-2914 or echavez@ocregister.com

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/farm-trees-peltzer-2238036-tree-brea

WILLIAN ROSEDALE, FUHS '48

Here is an email from Carolyn Cunningham, chairman for Pow Wow 2008:

I just rec'd a phone call from the daughter of William Rosedale '48. She said he passed away recently and wanted to let the Pow Wow Committee know. She had my name from last March. That's all I know.
Carolyn Cunningham

TOM BARR, FUHS '58

Mike Johnson, Class rep for the class of '58, sent the following:
Tom Barr class of 58 passed away this week in Portland OR after a long bout with cancer.


Thomas Lennen Barr
Barr, Thomas Lennen, passed away November 13, 2008 after a 9-month battle with brain cancer. He was 68. Tom was born the oldest of three boys on October 28, 1940 to Gertrude "Lou" and Terence Barr in Huntington Park, CA. He graduated from Fullerton Union High School in 1958 and married Janice Dickson in 1961. They had three children, Mike, Julie and Laurie. Tom spent 42 years of his life working as an electrician. He was a proud member of the IBEW Local 441. Tom married Judy Winters in 1983, and later they had a daughter, Jennifer. Upon his retirement, Tom, Judy and Jennifer moved to Grants Pass, OR in 1988. In his younger days, Tom enjoyed boating, waterskiing, scuba diving, and causing trouble. He was a member of the Pick Ups Limited Truck Club, T-Timer Car Club and loved working with cars. As he got older, Tom loved fishing with his best friend, Grover, working in the garden and spending time with his family and grandkids. He also enjoyed camping and traveling; most recently he was able to fulfill a life-long goal of visiting Spain. He was also a "Beaver Believer" and supporter of Oregon State University. Tom is survived by his wife of 25 years, Judy; his son, Mike; daughters, Laurie and Jennifer; and his 5 grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, John and Bill Barr, and his ex-wife, Janice Boals. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter, Julie Gess, who lost her battle with brain cancer in 2001. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008 at 11:00 am at Jesuit High School's Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances to the National Brain Tumor Society.
Published in the Orange County Register on 11/19/2008
View/Sign Guest Book (available until 11/19/2009)

KEITH EARLL, FUHS '44

Earll, Keith William. Farewell to Dad. The earth turned a little dimmer, but Heaven turned a little brighter on Monday November 10, 2008 as Keith William Earll passed peacefully into eternal life.
Keith Earll, 82, was born in Yorba Linda, CA in 1926 where he lived until his passing. He was a star athlete at Fullerton High School where he excelled in baseball, football and gymnastics. In 1943 he answered the call of duty and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps where he served with distinction. He was honorably discharged shortly after surviving the crash of his B-24 Bomber in the Aleutian Islands. Upon his return home, he continued his love of sports where he was quarterback and captain of his Fullerton Jr. College football team.
It was at Fullerton Jr. College that he met the love of his life, Velma, his life- long partner and wife of 60 years. Soon after, Keith assumed ownership of the auto repair shop his father started. Keith owned and operated Earll's Garage in Yorba Linda from 1948 until his retirement in 1991. Keith was active in the community he grew-up in and loved and willingly gave of himself in numerous leadership roles. Keith served over 30 years with the Yorba Linda Volunteer Fire Department, over 20 years as Chief. In addition Keith served on the Yorba Linda School Board, the Fullerton High School Board, and as a reserve Orange County Deputy Sheriff. Keith loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter (skills he developed in the hills of Yorba Linda), and was a member of the American Legion, National Rifle Association, and Yorba Linda Historical Society. Keith is survived by his wife, Velma Earll; his son, Chuck Earll; his daughter, Carol Somers; 5 grandchildren, Lindsey, Sarah, Emiley, Laura, and Keith; 4 great-grandchildren, Erin, Emiley, Linnea, and Clara, and his brother, Gene Earll.
Keith will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery with Military Honors on Monday, November 17, 2008, 11:01 a.m. Stage #5. Arlington Mortuary 1-800-275-4648
View/Sign Guest Book (This Guest Book is maintained online until November 14, 2009 by Arlington Mortuary)
Published in the Orange County Register on 11/14/2008

ALEX OMALEV, COACH, DIES

END OF AN ERA: Alex Omalev, who died Monday at age 88, was Cal State Fullerton's first men's basketball coach. Omalev coached the Titans from 1961-72. The longtime Fullerton resident also coached at Fullerton College from 1949-1961 and captured eight conference titles and a state championship.
PHOTO COURTESY, CAL STATE FULLERTON

Here is an email forwarded to me from Mike Johnson, class rep for the class of '58:

WE LOST OUR COACH AND FRIEND ALEX OMALEV ON MONDAY NIGHT.
THEY WLL HAVE THE SERVICE IN DEC.

ALEX OMALEV
DEC. 6 TH. AT II:OO AM.
FULLERTON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
114 N. POMONA
FULLERTON,CA.92831 714-871-4115
ON THE CONNER OF COMMONWEALTH AND POMONA

FOR MORE INFO. CALL ME AT (email Connie or Mike for the number) AND TELL ANYONE THAT MIGHT HAVE MET HIM.

THANKS EDGAR" BEAN' CLARK

****************************************************

Thursday, November 13, 2008
CSUF's first men's basketball coach dies
Longtime coach and Orange County resident, Alex Omalev, also served as a translator for Vlade Divac.
By LOU PONSI
The Orange County Register
Alex Omalev, Cal State Fullerton's first men's basketball coach, died Monday. He was 88.
The longtime Fullerton resident who still lived in the Fullerton home he built in 1954 with his wife of 63 years, Betty.
"She was holding his hand when he died," said his son, Tom, of Chula Vista.
Omalev coached at Fullerton College from 1949-61, winning eight conference titles, a state championship and compiling a record of 262-77, the best in school history.
He joined the staff at CSUF in 1961, coaching the Titans until 1972, compiling a 139-176 record.
"They were pretty good in those early years," said Steve DiTolla, CSUF Sports Information Director.
In 1961-62, under Omalev's guidance, the Titans advanced five rounds into the NAIA championship tournament and finished with a 24-7 record, still the best mark in school history.
Though he grew up in Michigan, Omalev spoke Serbo-Croation, the native language of his parents who were from Yugoslavia.
Omalev's command of that language came in handy in 1989 when he accepted a request from the Los Angeles Lakers to serve as a translator for the recently drafted Vlade Divac, who hailed from Serbia-Montenegro.
Omalev traveled with the Lakers, serving as Divac's translator and mentor for the first few months of the 1989-90 season.
A gifted basketball player himself, Omalev played four years at USC, where he earned second-team All-American honors in 1945 before joining the Navy.
He went to work at Fullerton College as a drama instructor in 1949, when he was asked to coach basketball on a "temporary" basis.
Omalev was inducted into the Orange County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Fullerton College Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
Omalev is survived by his wife, sons Tom, 51, and Stephen, 59, and five grandchildren. A daughter, Tania, died in 1990 at age 38.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Dec. 6 at United Methodist Church in Fullerton. Omalev was cremated.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/omalev-fullerton-college-2228057-basketball-record

SEND IN CHECK FOR MARCH LUNCHEON

The Pow Wow committee members are asking that you send in your check immediately so that they know if there is enough interest to pay for the luncheon this next March.
If you want the luncheon to continue each year, please support it now.
Email Connie if you haven't received the Pow Wow 2009 Invitation yet.
CVANHORN@PACBELL.NET
See the list of people who are coming on http://alumnipowwow2009.blogspot.com/
Class of '53, please see my message on http://fuhsindians.blogspot.com/

RON PACKARD, FUHS '54

Army National Guard Chaplain John Lockhart hands the ceremonial flag to Ron and Esperanza Packard after the ceremony for Ray Packard, Ron's uncle.
(Left-click on picture to enlarge it.)

I believe this is about Ron Packard's uncle. Can someone in contact with Ron (class of '54) contact him to verify?
Does anyone know if Ray Packard graduated from FUHS in about 1941 or 1942?

Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Ray Packard was listed as missing in action after being shot down in France in 1944. Last month, he was interred at Arizona's Prescott National Cemetery.

WWII pilot from Orange County makes his last journey home
By Mike Anton November 11, 2008

Two weeks after he left Orange County for World War II, Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Ray Packard took off in his P-38 Lightning fighter on a bombing mission over German-occupied France. It took him 64 years to return home.Packard's plane was among 11 shot down Aug. 25, 1944, when their squadron was overwhelmed in a dogfight with 80 German fighters over Beauvais, a rural area north of Paris. Five of the pilots survived and eluded capture. Two were taken prisoner. The remains of three pilots listed as missing in action were eventually recovered.
The fate of 20-year-old Packard remained a mystery."I was 8 years old when my parents got a call in the middle of the night saying my Uncle Ray was missing," said Ron Packard, 72, a nephew who grew up in Orange County and now lives in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. "It hit my family like a thunderstorm. It weighed on my dad significantly."In August, another phone call from the Army came out of the blue and rekindled those emotions. The remains of Ron Packard's uncle had been found and would be returned to the United States.
The search for Ray Packard began in 1951. An Army team investigating potential grave sites in Europe interviewed a French man who said he found human remains from a P-38 crash near where Packard's plane was last seen. The mayor of the small town of Angy told investigators the remains were buried in a local cemetery and later exhumed. What became of them wasn't known.The case was reopened 55 years later, in 2006, when military investigators went back to Angy to interview a local aircraft wreckage hunter who found human remains in a field. U.S. military officials conducted two excavations and found more remains, aircraft wreckage -- and Ray Packard's dog tags."For families, finally knowing what happened is what's most important," Greer said. "There's still a lot of emotion there even after all these years."In Packard's case, the immediate family that's left to remember him consists of one person: his nephew Ron, a retired Air Force veteran who served three tours of duty in Vietnam.The Army presented Packard with a small box containing his uncle's dog tags. In late October, Ray Packard was interred at Arizona's Prescott National Cemetery in a service that attracted about 100 veterans of all ages who didn't know the man."He was my favorite uncle," said Ron Packard, who opted for Prescott instead of Arlington National Cemetery so he could easily visit. "He always had a smile on his face, and every time he came over to our home, he had some kind of toy for me and my brother."I take comfort in knowing that he's finally home."
Anton is a Times staff writer.
mike.anton@latimes.com

Find the full text of the news article at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-airman11-2008nov11,0,3161750.story

· Map shows where Packard was shot down
· http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-111108-me-airman-m,0,6578767.mapimage

ROBERT ROOT OBITUARY- MAYOR '72-'74, ETC.

I have placed Robert Root's obituary on the following blog: http://fullertoncalifornia.blogspot.com/
He was the father of Pam Clark and Dawn Chesley and an involved Fullertonian.

100 YEARS OF FUHS FOOTBALL

(In an email from Louise Phelps Shamblen, FUHS '57)

By BARBARA GIASONE
With information provided by John Macon
In the beginning – 1908 – there was no interest in pigskin play at Fullerton Union High School.
Finally, T. Howard Wilson recruited a squad that played two games in its first season: a victory over the South Pacific School of Telegraphy and a loss to Santa Ana High School, according to the school's yearbook.
The next year, the record improved with a 3-3-2. But for the next six years, there was no football at the school. Indeed, the school board didn't allow football to return to FUHS until the 1915 season when the Indians lost their first two preseason games to Pomona and Whittier High schools, but then rallied to win their league with a season-ending victory over Citrus High School.
By 1919, the student body was cheering the second straight Orange League Championship with a 41-0 win over Santa Ana High School. "Passing Wizard" Archie Hawkins and halfback Bud Smith, who "hit 'em hard and hit 'em low" were the stars.
1920s
The Indians entered the decade as the two-time defending Orange League Champions, and played their first game against Anaheim High School. Since then, the Colonists and Indians have met 47 times with Fullerton winning 26 games, including the first game by a score of 48-0. In 1921, the first four-year football letterman, George Osborne, graduated and FUHS beat Anaheim by 109-0.
The end of the decade brought Fullerton its last championship league title for 18 seasons.
1930s
The Indians changed leagues twice, going from Orange League to Foothill League and then to Sunset League. But their scoreboards during the decade didn't light any records.
One of the halfbacks, John Raitt, went on to star on the Broadway stage in such musicals as "Carousel" and "The Pajama Game.
1940s
Three new head coaches in four years arrived at FUHS, but none brought league titles.
One game in 1941 did bring national publicity when Fullerton played Jordan High School.
The visiting drill team put on quite a halftime show with fireworks. When the fireworks were going off, a fog bank moved in and covered the field. The lights were barely visible and it was decided the game would be delayed and the second half would be played the following Monday. Fullerton came back to win the game 15-7 in a match that became known as the four-day game.
1950s
With a team hailed as the greatest team ever to come out of Fullerton High, the Indians went all the way to the CIF finals. They then lost a hard battle to Compton.
Coach Gil Tucker became head coach in 1955, and kept the position until the end of the 1977 season. He holds the school record for coaching victories (120) and length of service (23 seasons). He also won six league championships including back-to-back titles in 1968-1969.
1960s
In 1964, Fullerton moved to the newly created Freeway League. The school's only defeat that season came in the first round of playoffs to San Marino, 20-0.
1970s
Following the 1974 league title led by future NFL players Keith Van Horne and Hoby Brenner, the team struggled through the remainder of the decade. Coach Tucker retired after the 1977 season, and the varsity won only six games during the next three seasons.
1980s
The hiring of Martin Luczaj as head coach for the 1981 season changed Fullerton's football fortune dramatically. Quarterback Mike Willes set a CIF record for passing yards in one game with 477 yards. In another contest, wide receiver Kevin Parry broke the county mark for receiving yardage in a game with 284 yards. And during his six years at the school, Luczaj's winning percentage was the second best in school history.
1990s
Julian Smilowitz came on the field as head coach in 1992. In 1994, Fullerton broke an 11-year losing streak and defeated arch-rival Sunny Hills 28-7.
2000 and beyond
The 2007 season was marked with local wildfires that caused league games to be cancelled.
Michael Allain's 2,294 yards of rushing and 26 touchdowns was a highlight – plus a defense that shut out opponents five times.
In the long history of FUHS football, more than 900 varsity football games have been played in several different leagues.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/team-school-year-2209738-tucker-play
(Article about 100th year of football at FUHS and interview with Gil Tucker)

RICHARD GREGORY ('57)- FUHS WALL OF FAME

Here is an email message from Louise Phelps Shamblen, FUHS '57

(Click on picture to enlarge it.)

Richard Gregory's induction to FUHS Wall of Fame

Last Friday night was the induction of Richard Gregory to the FUHS Wall of Fame. It was a very special evening. It was the 100th year for FUHS football, (see website below), the 100th year for the Fullerton Fire Department, (the fire trucks brought in the cheerleaders) and to top it all off, the Fullerton Indians won the football game.

There was a good turnout to see Richard and his family with members of several grade levels in attendance. See the attached photo of Richard and his family. In order from left to right: Matt Gregory (son), Linda Gregory Meyer (sister), Richard and his wife Ann, Barbara Gregory (brother Carl's wife) and Chris (son).

The Culinary Arts Students made the food and did a great job in preparing and serving it. They all had ties on and were very formal in their presentation--very serious about their responsibility. We were outdoors, in about the area the old administration building stood. (The next evening the Homecoming Dance was going to be held in the same spot, under the stars). After the awards were given, the band marched out and played two songs (they all looked so young) and then they marched off to the Homecoming Game. It was very nostalgic and special. The school just finished second level walkways to unite the English building, Business building and Humanities building together, so you can get to all three buildings from the second level.

Quite a few of the attendees went on to the Homecoming Game where Richard was acknowledged at half time. Then the group went on to a Tappas restaurant for dinner. It was a fun evening of reminiscences.

Louise Phelps Shamblen, FUHS '57



http://www.fullertonobserver.com/artman/uploads/fonovs.pdf (Article about Richard with pictures)

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/team-school-year-2209738-tucker-play (Article about 100th year of football at FUHS and interview with Gil Tucker