Math Major, Varsity Football, Varsity Club President, Senators

"Rest In Peace, Ruben Amaya"

I think I spent more time with Ruben than anyone else during high school so I was one lucky teenager!  Taking the school bus until we were old enough to drive...playing Risk and Stratego during the summer of 1969 (Ruben was unbeatable at Stratego) .  Playing poker daily in the summer of1970.  Ruben and I were in a poker game during the moon-landing. We both thought it was great but wanted to get back to the next hand.  I have dozens of memories of Ruben playing football and wrestling. Some really funny. The 30 year reunion was made for me when I saw Ruben; we soon were back at Whittier High and Sunrise Hills, laughing with our wonderful memories. Best of all, a group of us stayed in touch after the reunion, so a few of us got to see Ruben regularly until he passed. Ruben, there was no one better. We miss you. Rest In Peace .... my good friend.

--Jon Walters

The thing I remember about my WHS classmates is their personal qualities - not how smart they were, or how high their grade point average, or how many varsity letters they earned, but rather, their presence, sincerity, and humility.

Ruben stood out for me. More than anything, he was kind and gentle, and over the years as an adult, I have learned over and over again that these are the very most central qualities for good health and sound friendships. Ruben had these qualities in spades, and I will always remember him in this way.

--Carl Devore

"Rest in Peace, Fred Apodaca"

Fred and I went to Wiggins Elemenary and Los Nietos 7th and 8th grade.  We grew up together for a few years, then in high school we fell in with different crowds.   He had a family in Las Vegas and was doing good.  Ended up back in Whittier where his life got hard.  Took some wrong pathways and ended accidentally taking his own life.  He had a good heart.  WE HAD FUN....

-- David Ousley

A.S.B. Songleader 

"Rest in Peace, Adela Calvera"

Adela Calvera Hall, b. May 1953 - d. January, 2013. Adela graduated to work in various fields until she met her husband. Together they built a successful  real estate business in an upscale Los Angeles County area.  A mother of three,  she remained earnest, fun, beautiful, bubbly, and incredibly bright until she passed. Adela continues to be deeply missed by family and friends who today express having been delighted to share time with spirited Adela

-- Darla

"Rest in Peace, John Clark"

Art Major

"Rest in Peace, Bruce Coon"

Bruce Coon was a gentle giant, easy going, pleasant to be around and a true gentleman.  Bruce had a kind word for everyone, and such a fun personality that all of us liked to be with him.  He embraced life whole-heartedly and his passing is a great loss.

-- Grace Chela (Franciso) Sandy

"Rest in Peace, Bob Dibelka"

A.S.B. Council

"Rest In Peace, Tom Dominque

"Tom Dominque and I went to Lincoln Elementary together. He was a good guy. I think his Mom was our Cub Scout Den Mother. We hung out on the playground together with Terry Sorenson. He was always precocious and liked to flirt with the girls. One day, he told one of the girls that he was going to ask a girl in our class to marry him. I was standing next to him so he said so will Jim. I was a amazed! It was so audacious.

But, later that day, he got down one knee and asked her (I don't remember her name, does anyone know?) to marry him. She stood there respectfully and I think giggled a bit. Then, I did the same and asked Joan Vargo. She received it respectfully as well and I understood that she took it under advisement.

Student Curriculum

"Rest In Peace, Debbie Donnett"

Debbie was genuine and had a unique style of her own. She apparently carried a burden much deeper than most of her friends knew. Her time on this earth was much too short. If she had been able to weather those young and challenging years, she would have had the chance to find her own path, peace and happiness.

-- Carol Willford.

 I met Debbie in Senior year Modern Literature. I sat behind her and she introduced me to the "non-college track" high school experience. I walked her home and we started dating. We went to a party at John Johnston's house. I had more fun at a WHS dance than ever before. We drove around with her friends in her (main?) boyfriend, Jerry Polos', NOVA car.
She lived in a house across from the Graveyard Park. Her parents had drug problems and listened to jazz. There were screaming fights at 1 am in her front yard. She ran away for a week and then came back.
We had a great Christmas together and then broke up on New Years Day at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade.
I saw her for one night in between transferring colleges when I was in Whittier for a day.
She died the next month. Buried in Rose HIlls.
Something about her was beautiful, free, open and very brave. When Elton John's song about Norma Jean came out, I thought it just as easily could have been about Debbie.

- Jim Oberholtzer

"Rest In Peace, Paul Edgar"

Stagecrew

"Rest In Peace, Ron Foss"

"Rest in Peace, Bruce Frazier"

Bruce Frazier was one of the cutest boys in our class. He not only looked great, but he was super nice, too. His smile could light up the coldest day. His kind eyes twinkled with a great sense of humor. He is greatly missed.

-- Grace (Francisco) Sandy

"Rest in Peace, Alfonso Garcia"

Alfonso attended Longfellow Elementary and Dexter Junior High schools. He loved music and had a gentle spirit and many friends. Alfonso was the best guitar player in high school and could play Spanish, Jazz, Rock and more. He was a kind soul to all. In the 70's he had had one daughter. He died in an automobile acciddent while in his 20's and is believed to be buried in Mexico with his other family members.  

-- Bill Wenda

Just wanted to add I went to Longfellow with Alfonso. We both lived very close to the Longfellow Elementary School and I would go over to his garage to play guitar with him. He showed me a lot of new stuff and we would jam like future rock stars. Great guy. He had a very gentle spirit. Very sorry to hear about his tragic car accident.

--- Uwe Schick

Drug Awareness, Publicity Club

"Rest in Peace, Merci Garcia"

Merci (Mercedes) Garcia went to Orange Grove Elementary School, Dexter Junior High, then on to Whitter High. She was a happy young girl, always friendly with a smile and ready to laugh. We lost her way too soon. She was only in her 20's.

--- WHS Grad 

"Rest In Peace, Keith Geoffrey"

"Rest in Peace, Lou Gross"

Lou Gross was always smiling. He was friendly and cheerful and was a good sport. I always appreciated those qualities in him. 

-- WHS Grad

Varsity Water Polo, Swimming, Varsity Wrestling

"Rest in Peace, Mike Hendricks"

Varsity Wrestling

 Rest in Peace, Bob Herbrand

"Rest in Peace, Steve Hooton"

Steven R. Hooton b.09-28-53 d. 02-12-02

Steve was a quite person. He went to Wiggins Elementary and Los Nietos Junior High schools.
We grew-up on the same street, one house away from each other, played Little League and joined the Boy Scouts together.

After high school Steve earned his MBA from USC. He was employed as a CPA for several of the "Big Eight" accounting firms over the next several years, eventually founding his own accounting firm in Newport Beach.

He loved his kids, coached Little League and basketball and enjoyed playing tennis.

Thinking back, I can't help but remember all the fun we had as kids during the summers - the beach, Dodgers' games, fishing, bowling and many other adventures. Those summers, so long ago, seemed like they were never going to end.

Steve is deeply missed by all that knew him.

Craig Logan

Architect Major

"Rest in Peace, Steve Horowitz"

Steve and I went to the same pre-school.  It was there that we decided we would get married when we grew up.  This sweet "engagement" would have our parents referring to each of us as "boyfriend & girlfriend" for years.  The label stuck as we went to Orange Grove Elementary.  Later, I moved to another elementary school but met up with Steve again in Jr. High and WHS.  We would laugh about being "first" boyfriend & girlfriend. Dark haired, slight, & always friendly, he would brighten my day when we passed in the hall.  After high school I lost track of Steve and now am sorry we never reconnected.  He will always hold a special place in my childhood memories and heart as my "first boyfriend."

-- Deb Malchow McCarty

"Rest in Peace, Bill Kelp"

Bill was a genuinely happy guy, he enjoyed being with his friends more than anything. His parents let him use their Lincoln Continental and he would drive us to Huntington Beach for the day, or to Hollywood or downtown LA, always up for road tripping and generous to all! Memories of him are truly a blessing. (Chela Sandy Francisco)

Business Major, Football, Baseball

"Rest In Peace, Bruce Kolster"

"Rest in Peace, Mike Laney"

Mike Laney and I were a band called "In Case of Fire" as I remember.  It was our first band at 15 or 16 years old.   We hung out together for awhile.  His sister was killed in Santa Barbara in the 80's as she was putting up posters about the dangers of hitch hiking, because other girls had been killed.  I don't know if he was bitter about that.  He was his own man.  We also got jumped coming out of the Wardman Theater by some bad guys that had a BIG knife...they tried to rob us of some change but the Rexall store clerks chased them off.  we were wearing those psychedelic homemade bell bottoms.  Baby Hippies.

-- Dave Ousley

Student Council Alternate, S.T.O.P.

"Rest in Peace, Steve Leuty"

I had Steve in a few of my classes in elementary school, and remember how much he loved trains and how gifted he was with math.  He always came to class with a smile on his face.

-- Carol Wilford.

Steve was another who walked around campus smiling.  He was very involved in things like student council and STOP.  I am so sorry to hear of his passing and send deepest condolences to his family. 

-- WHS Grad

Nurses Aide; Homemaking Major

"Rest in Peace, Mary Lyon"

Mary Lyon was a very kind and funny girl. We had home ec together and she would learn everything really quickly, then proceed to make us all laugh and get distracted. Many a baked item was overdone due to her hilarious hijinks! She was intensely smart with a quick wit, ready to help anytime a classmate needed her. We touched base a couple of times after high school, she led a wonderful life and is missed. Grace Chela Francisco

S.H.A.R.E Chairman, Science and Math, C.S.F

"Rest in Peace, Chris Marino"

Chris departed suddenly, but peacefully, in the company of Phillip Jones, her husband of almost 42 years. Chris was born and raised in Whittier and, after high school, earned her Bachelors' and Masters' degrees in Biolgoy from CSU Fullerton. In 1981, she achieved one of her life's goals when she graduated from UC San Diego Medical School. She completed her residency in dermatology, worked in that field for several years, then earned a Masters' Degree in Public Health at George Washington University and joined the National Cancer Institute as a research fellow. Later, she settled in Spokane Washington and rejoined a dermatology practice. In her spare time, she earned a certification in French culinary theory, technique and pastry. Her kindness, generosity, unwavering resolve and sense of humor will be profoundly missed.

Spanish Club, Dance Committee

"Rest in Peace, Vicki Martinez"

"Rest in Peace, Terry McAllister"

Football, Varsity Baseball, Math Club 

"Rest in Peace, Cam Miller"

 In loving memory of Cam Miller
From Gayla
"Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you."

From Gayle (sent April 19, 2022 to WHS1971): Today while cleaning my much neglected office I found a box of memories. Many condolence/sympathy cards from when Cam died. Among these is a small card from Debby dated 9/27/82. Her note was filled with love. She had known Cam since she was four and said she had many happy memories.

Cam Miller (DouglasCameron Miller) was raised in the Palm Park area and went to Orange Grove Elementary and Dexter Jr. High before starting at WHS.  He was married to our fellow classmate, Gayla Shinn, at the time of his passing in the early 1980's.  Fellow classmates had a tree planted at Palm Park in his memory, and a marker with his name. His mom and dad were often seen walking along Palm Avenue on their way to visit the tree.  Both his parents passed on a few years later.  

-- WHS Grad

Marilyn Myers (Lower) was a strong and energetic person. Always a smile in the hall. She will be greatly missed by those that knew her for over 50 years as well as those who knew Marilyn while in high school. - Paula Martinez

From Marilyn Lower's offspring:

Marilyn left this world at the age of 69. U’ve spent time since pouring over family photo albums and came across her year books. In the handwritten notes in the back of the book and the margins classmates referred to her “Mighty Marilyn”. I never knew that. I remember my grandma saying she was the fastest kid in her class, much like my Bailey Jane is now. I also remember many a summer she’d be out in the woods behind our house cutting firewood with her little red chainsaw. But now I see the irony in the name. Mighty, if there’s one word to describe my 5’1 tall petite mom, that would be it. She was a Mighty Mother, that was for sure. My parents escaped 1970’s LA and drove their 1969 Mustang up to Oregon to attend college in Eugene and later Ashland. After finishing school they sold the Mustang and bought ten acres just outside Jacksonville. They built a geodesic dome home, grew their own food and opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Jacksonville. The faded photos floating through my hands look like a 1970’s hippie film. Those were the good days. My brother and I were born at home, in the same geodestic home she died in. Our childhood was filled with love, adventure and opportunity. Every interest we had was explored and as a result both my brother and I earned full college scholarships to private schools. Our life was full but not full of abundance. My parents worked hard and spent every dime they earned on our activities and education. Even with a degree in business my mom gave up her hotel managerial position and took on a job at Harry & David so she could have good medical benefits and work a 4am to 2pm shift so she could be home when we got out of school. It’s only now I see and appreciate what they did for us. It’s a debt I can never repay, only to pay it forward in my own children. I loved my childhood. My family unit was a supportive springboard into the rest of my life. I suppose it’s another of life’s ironies that our adult lives would be filled with so much tragedy.

When I was 13 and my mom turned 40 our family was full throttle into Little League. My parents were daily volunteers. My dad kept up the grounds and my mom ran the fundraising efforts and snack shacks. My brother and I both played ball. I have many memories driving down that dusty road in my mom’s red Toyota Tercel. She always had a plastic water bottle with ice tea in it and a straw that was chewed to pieces. I remember one sunny afternoon our family was playing in the fields and we noticed an odd gait in my mom’s run. She’d be an avid runner and exerciser my whole life and the gait was an obvious change. After several weeks of doctor’s visits and exams they landed on a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. I don’t remember the exact details of the day we found out. My mom always seemed incredibly strong. I only have one memory of her breaking down while trying to paint her nails with hands that no longer worked like they used to. After that she seemed to dry up her tears and plow forward with life. She was Team Mom for various sports, running my brother and team mates all over the region. She’d drive me and a van load of friends up to Mt. Ashland for ski team and help run the Girl Scout and later 4-H Meetings and fundraisers. She made homework and take-home projects fun and we always spent the summers with a calendar full of activities. She took on exchange students and always sought out those that seemed left out and figured out ways to include them. After a few years, she started needing a cane to walk and eventually, she became mostly confined to a power chair. She could no longer partake in any of our trips and adventures but she would always send us off with genuine enthusiasm and a “don’t forget to send me a postcard!”

My brother, Patrick, attended St. Mary’s College in San Francisco on a soccer scholarship and I was finishing up grad school in LA when tragedy number two struck. My parents received a call from my brother’s soccer coach that was rather disturbing. Pat was the soccer team captain as a sophomore but started displaying some very odd behaviors. A once national soccer athlete now had no endurance and wouldn’t communicate or sit with his team. I visited him one weekend and it was clear something was very wrong. We brought him home and embarked on a long journey to a diagnosis. We started with the obvious. My mom’s brother had been found unconscious in his mid-20’s and passed away from any unknown illness. Upon autopsy they discovered he’d had Addison’s disease. The test for Addisons, a disease affecting the adrenal gland, is rather simple. It soon became apparent that my brother suffered from the same illness. The prognosis for Addisions is manageable with steroid medication and we were hopeful he could be regulated and returned to a somewhat normal existence. When the medication didn’t seem to addressing all of his symptoms we started to dig deeper. Finally, a genetic test performed by John Hopkins in Baltimore confirmed our worst fears. Pat had Adrenoleukodystrophy, and debilitating and genetic disease. It became clear that my mom had been misdiagnosed all these years and was a “carrier” of his disease. Only 10% of women develop the atrophy she has from being a genetic carrier. We traced the path through the family tree and discovered that my Great Grandpa, who had been committed to a hospital, passed the gene to my Grandma who was the youngest of thirteen children. Her mother had passed away and with her father in the hospital she went to live with distant relatives in California. She is complete

Debbie Orr

Art Major

"Rest in Peace, Debbie Orr"

Debbie passed away quietly March 16, 2009. She went to BYU and ASU and earned a BS, then was awarded an MS in social work from UCSF. Debbie was elected to the Petaluma School Board, then became its President but voluntarily stepped down shortly after she realized she was getting Alzheimer's Disease. I remember very well when she was diagnosed with cancer. By all rights, she shoulhd have been gone within a year. My wife and I were actually ready to offer to help Don raise her babies just in case. Then she underweent what was a cutting edge stem cell therapy with intense chemo and she survived. Our prayers were answered and she was able to raise her babies and get them into college. Those extra years were truly a miracle. Our Mom Leta (WHS 1945) passed away a year later. My brother Jim related a story about how just before Mom left, she shared that she'd had a vision wherein she learned she would be leaving soon because her Mom, Grandma Willie, her sister Gloria (WHS 1944) and Debbie were baking cookings and waiting for her help. I know Debbie and Mom are both happier than ever now and waiting for the arrival of the rest of the crew.

-- Daniel Orr

I knew Debbie would make a difference wherever she went. She will be greatly missed. I always appreciated her friendliness and genuine care for others. 

-- Jan (Meise) Murphy

I had such great times with Debbie at WHS. She was a wonderful person. My prayers go out to her family. 

-- Fran (Torigian) Kearins

Loren Price

Art Major

"Rest in Peace, Loren Price"

Rick Rottschaefer

Drama Club

"Rest in Peace, Rick Rottschaefer"

Rick was a sweet friend. He gave me a whirlwind lesson on ballroom dancing a few days before a formal dance - I had no idea what I was doing because my mother wouldn't let me take the after-school dancing lessons we were offered at Walter F. Dexter Junior High. I was in a panic before the dance, and mentioned it to Rick. He invited me over the his house and patiently taught me some basic steps while I trampled his feet. A happy memory of a fine character!

Joyce Walker Breithaupt

 

I have fond memories of Rick who was quite talented. He had a very nice voice and was a good actor. We sang in the Cardinal Ensemble together and performed in the school musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in which Rick was the lead man and carried the part very well.

Jenelle Sparks Miller

 

Lindsay Sanders

 

 

"Rest in Peace, Lindsay Sanders"

Terry Sorenson

Occupational Auto Mechanics Major

"Rest in Peace, Terry Sorenson"

Terry was a brave guy, sticking up for his friends when he thought they needed some back-up. He had a ready smile, a joke to cheer up a person who was down, and a great sense of adventure. His passing was a complete and total shock.   Grace (Francisco) Sandy "I lived two doors down from Terry Sorenson in those days. The oldest of 3 boys, he was the toughest kid in our neighborhood, but never a trouble maker. Nice level headed guy, with the usual interests; cars, girls, going to the beach. He had told me that since his dad would not give him permission to be in the armed services at 17, he was going to join the Marines after his 18th birthday."  "A car accident took him just before that could happen. I will always remember where I was when we got that devastating news about Terry. We still miss him."

-- Sincerely, Clyde Bradley

Debra Ann Strong

https://www.forevermissed.com/debra-ann-strong/about?fbclid=IwAR1vJS7L8zhcNNhZJaOcAjEULeteutkRCp4T4BhZn340dedHFS-ThgxtMII


The legacy site is www.forevermissed.com/debr-ann-strong

Born in March of 1953 with a congenital heart defect, she fought hard until the end. The wonderful tribute her brother Robert administered describes Debbie's focus in life and her many talents. Many in our class remember her graceful and quiet quick witted humor. She was an excellent high school student and excelled in her career. She passed April 10, 2022 after battling with life-long heart disease. She leaves behind her two brothers, Robert and Curtis, and Patricia, her mother.

Merrilee Studebaker

 

 

"Rest in Peace, Merrilee Studebaker"

 

Merrilee was so nice. I always enjoyed talking with her and sharing classes together. I send my sincere condolences to her family. Merrilee and I were friends in elementary and junior high school and were still in touch for part of our college years. Merrille was such a character. She loved to laugh. In our junior high school years, I recall staying at a beach house with Merrillee. She and I went on a ferris wheel one day and desptire the "good girls" we were, every time we reached the very top, we would scream out every curse word we could think of as fast as we could, knowing no one could hear us and would both laugh our heads off.

 

-- Carol Willford

Donna Townsley

A.S.B Song Leader

"Rest in Peace, Donna Townsley Wagner"

In December, 2014, Donna's husband reported the diagnosis of brain and advanced lung cancer.  Too soon widespread disbelief and tears for Donna followed after February 10, 2015.

 Beautiful, adventurous, bright, and with an inhesitancy to blurt something obvious that nobody else cared or had courage to utter -- marked Donna as more unforgettable.

Our shenanigans!  The summer prior to our senior year we bonded, though we knew of each other since Longfellow, 5th grade. She and I shared a dorm room at Redlands University Summer Songleader Training Camp. As 16.5 year-olds, we seized that enormous freedom! Distancing from family for a week on that campus equated to heaven ... and it was not Bible Camp. Wreckless fun poured out, full-force.  By five o'clock each day after being filled with difficult songleading drills, learning routines, we fled before dusk to jump on dorm beds like five-year olds, ate junk food, shared stored-up jokes, spoofed and crank-called Adela, Denise and Julie from our dorm rooms.  

Years later she studied nursing at Rio Hondo to eventually acquire a "Super Nurse" peer branding and worked as an RN, mostly in (ER.)  At her 2015  memorial service, many at the St. Jude Memorial Hospital recalled her excellent mentorship and how she made them laugh.

 

Mike Walton

 

 

"Rest in Peace, Mike Walton"

 

Mike lived on Friends Street, down the street from the ele mentary school Lydia Jackson. He had a sister, Kathy, and a very loving family. He was kind, friendly and lots of fun. He attended Dexter Junior High.

 

-- Jenny (Johnson) Sterling

 

We lost Mike just before our 30th reunion. He had a massive heart attack.

 

-- WHS Grad

Bill Waltz

 

 

"Rest in Peace, Bill Waltz"

 

I remember both Bill and Cam who always were communicating and planning, usually smiling!  I picture the two of them together, along with Gary Day. They always made things fun and entertaining. I know their families and friends are heart sick at their passing.  They were in the club named Esquires.

 

-- WHS Grad

Mike Wilson

Math Major

 

Rest in Peace, Mike Wilson

Gordon Wyman

 

 

"Rest in Peace, Gordon Wyman"

James Youngblood

Occupational Graphics

 "Rest in Peace, Jim Youngblood"

Anyone who knew Jim knew he was having health challenges. But he ALWAYS kept up a positive outlook and great sense of humor. He never ran out of stories to tell and bragging about the love of his life -- his dear Nornie. He was a friend of everybody he met. If you were on Facebook, please visit his page and leave a kind word. He drew followers who adored his updates.

 

Jim Youngblood was always an inspiration to me. He called me one day probably Junior Year to suggest we form a band together. I could play drums and he would sing. But, he mostly wanted to talk about the shirts we would wear. Purple with 3/4 sleeves like the "Youngbloods" wore. I loved that conversation. He was so into it. Years later I caught up with him on Facebook and I learned we were both religious. Every message he sent was full of love and good vibes. Made me a better person.
Thanks, Jim. 

From Jim Oberholtzer

Randy Winnans

Randy Winans passed away on January 7th, 2022. Throughout his life, the many who met him were left with a great sense of a happy, kind and thoughtful person who children loved to learn lessons from. He married Martha in 1974 and they lived in Whittier, creating a loving and caring intellectual home with six sons and one daughter (twins in the mix). He suffered in the end from complications due to a 2018 bone marrow transplant. High School friends remembered him as always contributing his positive spin on developments. He enjoyed his German trip with class mates in the 1970's. He will be missed.