JIM SLEEPER, O. C. HISTORIAN, DIES

Published: Sept. 27, 2012 Updated: Sept. 28, 2012 8:06 a.m.
O.C. loses its first historian, Jim Sleeper
By GREG HARDESTY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER TUSTIN –
If Jim Sleeper were around to write a headline for this story, he'd probably come up with something like "Chronicle of a Country-Loving Curmudgeon: The Life and Times of a Yarn-Spinning Old-Timer." The legendary third-generation Orange County native, who died early Thursday at his ranch-style home in Tustin at age 85 after months of ailing health, was as well known for his seminal articles and books on local history as he was for the lengthy and colorful titles he affixed to them. For more than six decades, works such as "A Boy's Book of Bear Stories (Not for Boys): A Grizzly Introduction to the Santa Ana Mountains" made Sleeper the go-to source for all things historical in Orange County.
James Doren Sleeper, who grew up in Santa Ana and for more than 50 years owned a cabin in his beloved Holy Jim Canyon, was as much a prized resource for journalists in need of background information as he was an inspiration and model for a handful of scholars passionate about Orange County history. "If you had to pick the ultimate Orange Countian, in the best possible sense, he's probably it," said Chris Jepsen, 39, a local historian, assistant archivist at the Orange County Archives, and president of the Orange County Historical Society. "He was THE Orange County historian."
Sleeper's wife of 47 years, Nola, said her husband died at home at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Memorial services are scheduled for Oct. 12 at Waverley Chapel at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary in Santa Ana. The noon service is open to the public.
After bouts of esophageal cancer in 1999 and 2007, Sleeper remained in relatively good health until recently, relatives and longtime friends said. "He was just stubborn," said Nola Sleeper. Sleeper went on hospice care shortly after his birthday April 16, but as recently as last week was telling stories about Orange County's past. Jepsen, friends with Sleeper for about a decade, visited him Sept. 19. "We talked for about 45 minutes, and his sense of humor and storytelling prowess was still there," Jepsen said. "I told him I was planning to write a book about the history of Huntington Beach. His eyes popped open and he said, 'Oh, I got something for you on that.'"
Sleeper started keeping a diary in 1941, when he was 14 years old. His grandfather, the assessor of Orange County, played a key role in fostering his interest in then-rural Orange County and its history, Nola Sleeper said. Sleeper earned college degrees in classical literature and creative writing. In a story that appeared in Orange Coast Magazine in March 2010, he explained to Irvine-based author and freelance writer Scott Martelle how he fell into becoming a local historian. "I knew I wanted to be a writer," Sleeper told the magazine. "I started out wanting to be a short-story writer, but by the time I got out of college, all the short-story magazines were folding up. So I shifted to history." Sleeper would go on to do more than that. In addition to becoming an expert on topics ranging from the rise and fall of Santa Ana's Chinatown to the introduction of beautiful but destructive mustard grass in the county's foothills, Sleeper taught for a year at Orange Coast College in the 1950s and, about a decade later, at Fullerton High School, where he met his wife.
At heart, Nola Sleeper said, her husband was a newspaper man. While living full and part-time in Holy Jim Canyon, Sleeper published for about 15 years the Canyon Wren, chronicling stories of mountain lore for area residents. He also was a contributing writer to The Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times in the 1970s and '80s. Longtime Holy Jim resident and close friend David Niederhaus said Sleeper was instrumental in forming the Holy Jim Cabin Association and volunteer fire department in the mid-1940s. "His kindly personality, his unique sense of humor, and his ability to quietly lead and set an example will be long remembered by anyone who knew Jim," Niederhaus wrote Thursday in a message to Holy Jim cabin owners and fire department volunteers. In addition to serving as a ranger for the U.S. Forest Service and as a part-time firefighter and amateur geologist, Sleeper was staff historian for The Irvine Co. for a few years and also was a paid historian for the Mission Viejo Co./Santa Margarita Co./ Rancho Santa Margarita Co. Among his most well-known books are the three volumes of "Jim Sleeper's Orange County Almanac of Historical Oddities." The books, written in the 1970s and '80s, remain the acknowledged starting point for people interested in learning about Orange County's history, local historians say. Phil Brigandi, 53, former county archivist and as local historian, knew Sleeper for about 35 years. "As a historian, he wrote not only some of the best books, but also the most entertaining," Brigandi said. "He wrote like the person he was. He had a wry sense of humor and his own way of looking at the world."
In his final days, Sleeper enjoyed looking out the window of his home – just observing things, friends say. "To him, right up until the end, the world was a fascinating place," Brigandi said. "He just loved to watch the world go by."
Contact the writer: 714-796-6704 or ghardesty@ocregister.com

Watch a video interview with Jim Sleeper
VIDEO: Orange County historian Jim Sleeper dies
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sleeper-372961-orange-county.html http://www.ocregister.com/video/?videoId=1864615808001&play=now

  (Hopefully, one of these hot links will work so that you can see the video.)

Charles Ledbetter, FUHS 1953. died

 Patti Quist Johnson, FUHS ’53, sent Pat Vierra Zima,’53 class rep, the following:

Charlie passed away at 12:30 today.

Services will be Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at McAulay and Wallace Mortuary, 902 Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, in the chapel at 1 PM. Viewing from 11 AM-1PM. Burial will be at Memory Gardens in Brea.
Please spread the word.

 

Pat sent many of the class the message and added:

Hi everyone,

just received this email from Patti.
Sad, we just lost another classmate. God speed Charlie.

 

 



ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Ledbetter, Charles "Charlie" Curtis,

77, passed away on Thursday, September 27 at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Charlie was born at The Cottage Hospital at 600 North Spadra Blvd. (now Harbor Blvd.) in Fullerton, CA on August 28, 1935 to Murrell and Ruth Ledbetter. Except for a few brief moves to Murrell and Ruth's home state of Arkansas, Charlie attended Fullerton schools and graduated from Fullerton Union High School - at which he excelled as first team all CIF shortstop and where he met his first wife, Shirley Pharris.

Charlie earned both his undergraduate and masters' degrees at California State University, Long Beach. His first professional job was as teacher and assistant football coach at Norwalk High School. Charles became the first principal of Cerritos High

School when it opened in 1973 and eventually retired as Assistant Superintendent for ABC Unified School District. In retirement, Charlie became Bookkeeper and Marshall at the La Mirada Golf Course, where he was able to spend many hours playing his beloved sport amongst friends who shared his passion.

He also spent much of his retirement traveling with his second wife, Lyn Morgan Ledbetter, caring for his parents Murrell and Ruth, and enjoying visits with his children, Scott and Lisa, stepson Stuart, and seven grandchildren. His most recent happiness was in witnessing one grandson, Patrick, graduate from college and become an airline pilot, two others, Cole and Sara, enter college, and his youngest grandchild, Sinjin, gracefully enter sixth grade. He was also very happy to hear of his stepson's growing family in Washington.

Charles is preceded in death by parents Murrell and Ruth Ledbetter and wife Lyn Morgan Ledbetter. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Rhatigan and husband, Marc of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son, Scott Ledbetter and wife, Sylvia Sepulveda of Encinitas, CA; stepson, Stuart Morgan and wife Danica of Gig Harbor, WA; seven grandchildren, Patrick Rhatigan, Cole Rhatigan, Sara Ledbetter, Sinjin Ledbetter, Sierra Morgan, Grace Morgan, and Samuel Morgan; and his beloved caretaker, Keti Taulanga and husband Leo.

Viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. at McAulay and Wallace Funeral Home, 902 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton California 92832. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens in Brea.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Memorial Foundation, PO Box 4138, Fullerton, CA 92834. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary

Published in Orange County Register on September 30, 2012

| View Guest Book   (Available until 9/30/2013)

Pat Vierra Zima provided 8th grade pictures below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



FUHS CLASS OF 1948 REUNION

INFORMATION AND RESERVATION FORMS REGARDING THE 15TH ANNUAL POW WOW LUNCHEON ON MARCH 16, 2013 ARE AVAILABLE. EMAIL CONNIE. (SEE HER EMAIL ADDRESS AT BOTTOM.)

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FROM JOAN GRIGSBY SORSABAL FOR THE CLASS OF 1948 65TH CLASS REUNION TO BE HELD FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2013.
THERE WILL BE A SUITE AVAILABLE FOR VISITING AT 4:30 PM. (THE SUITE WILL BE UNDER JOAN SORSABAL.)
WE WILL HAVE DINNER IN THE HOTEL RESTAURANT AT 6:30 PM (ORDER FROM THE MENU AND INDIVIDUAL CHECKS).

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2013 –
POW WOW LUNCHEON 11 AM TO 4 PM.

THE SUITE WILL BE OPEN AFTER THE POW WOW FOR VISITING FOR THOSE INTERESTED. WE WILL ORDER PIZZA DELIVERED FOR EVENING SNACK. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE, BOTH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING AND WHICH FUNCTIONS YOU WILL BE ATTENDING. I WILL NEED TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR THE FRIDAY EVENING DINNER. (Email Connie for Joan's email address. CVANHORN@PACBELL.NET )

BOB SEAMANS, FUHS 1943, AND OTHER EARLY 1940 ALUMS

Gerry Campbell, FUHS ’43, sent me this email message: Had you heard that Bob Seamans ‘43, passed away earlier this year. He was a stellar member of this class and was a great help in getting people to come to the luncheons. He will be missed. Class of ‘43 is dwindling. Also: Ruth Pearcy Maxwell ‘42 Shirley Zoeter Muckenthaler ‘41 Bill Steel ‘42 Stan and Esther Ridgway Cramer ‘43 Joe Hope ‘44 Charles Jordan ‘45 Connie McCabe Oswald ‘45

BARBARA MARIE BASTADY MCPROUD, FUHS 1935

BARBARA MARIE BASTADY MCPROUD, FUHS 1935 McProud, Barbara Marie, peacefully passed away on August 21, 2012 after a very brief last illness. She was born on March 20, 1918 on the family farm in Buena Park, California, as the third child of father Frederick Bastady and mother Nellie Maria (Ruedy) Bastady. Her siblings were sister, Lillian and brother, Edwin, 10 and 9 years older, respectively. Both her father's family and mother's family had immigrated from Switzerland, many members of whom worked in the silk ribbon mills in New York State in the mid-1800s, and then came out West to California. After some serious health issues in infancy, Barbara lived a long and very healthy life. Her father died at a young age in an automobile accident when Barbara was just in 8th grade. That experience was very hard on the family, who continued to work the family farm, but they made it through. She and her family were very active in the Buena Park Congregational Church, including choral musical groups, and she attended elementary schools in Buena Park. Barbara graduated from Fullerton Union High School, and attended some college at what was then known as Fullerton Junior College. She obtained a Librarian Certificate after attending a training course in Riverside, and worked at the Buena Park Library as an assistant. One day, a fellow just home from the Navy after World War II, having served in the Pacific, came to the Library to look up some information about the Panama Canal for a Toastmasters speech; Barbara helped him with the research, and he asked her out on a date. It was her future husband, C. Hobart McProud, whom she married in 1946; they honeymooned in the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and other National Parks, which started a lifetime of enjoyment for Barbara of the National Parks, particularly Yosemite, and camping. Upon her marriage, Barbara retired from the Library, moved to Fullerton, joined the Fullerton Methodist Church, and became a full time homemaker. She had four children over the course of eight years, Lucy, Anita, Clarence and Bernice. Barbara and Hobart lived an active life as members of many clubs, such as the Farm Bureau, the Trailer Club, the Boat Club, the Camera Club, the Horseless Carriage Association, the Izaak Walton League, etc. She always prepared a delicious casserole for the numerous pot-luck dinners the family attended, and was used to cooking for a big hungry group. Barbara was also a longtime member and secretary of the Fullerton Women's Club, and very active in her church. She was the Sunday School teacher for the Two-year-Olds class at the church for many years, and loved children. Barbara was an avid "Quilter" with the church group that raised funds with outside quilting projects, for a long time. The family was able to travel abroad, and took a long and exciting trip to the Holy Land and Europe in 1964, followed by other trips to Mexico, Europe and Hawaii. Traveling was a wonderful experience for the family, but it was always great to get back home to Barbara's home cooking. Hobart passed away in 1997, and Barbara lived alone for a while before moving to the Morningside of Fullerton retirement community, where she spent many happy years. She enjoyed visits from the family and the grandchildren, and visiting the beach. Barbara was a quiet, steady, loving, supportive, and calm influence on her whole family. Barbara McProud is survived by her children and family: Lucy M. McProud, son-in-law Robert Bogdanoff and grandchildren Stephanie Bogdanoff and Scott Bogdanoff; Anita R. McProud, son-in-law Paul Hancock and grandchildren Christine Hancock and Katy Hancock; Clarence H. McProud and grandchildren Trevor McProud and Maggie McProud; and Bernice A. McProud. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, C. Hobart McProud; parents, Frederick and Nellie; sister, Lillian Neal; brother and sister-in-law, Edwin and Elsie Bastady; and sister-in-law, Mildred Burdorf. Memorial services will be held at the McAulay & Wallace Mortuary located at 902 North Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, California on Saturday, September 1, 2012 commencing at 10:00 a.m., the Reverend Keith Hwang presiding. A brief graveside service will follow at Loma Vista Memorial Park located nearby at 701 East Bastanchury Road, Fullerton, California. Contributions in memory of Barbara Marie McProud may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fullerton, 114 North Pomona Avenue, Fullerton, California or to the charity of your choice. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary Published in Orange County Register on August 30, 2012 http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/orangecounty/guestbook.aspx?n=barbara-mcproud&pid=159535213&cid=full View Guest Book (available until August 30, 2013)