8 Thursday, November 12, 2020
Obituaries
Donald Lewis Higley 8/8/27 – 11/12/19
This being human is a guest house Each morning a new arrival —Rumi Don didn’t plan to leave this life when he did. He still had much too much to do; exciting conversations to engage in, poems to share, people to meet, projects to start and even more to finish. Start to finish, Don enjoyed a great life. Don was born in Findlay, Ohio to parents Caroline and Willard and attended Woodward High School in Toledo. After graduation, he served in the Army. In college, Don studied anthropology and real estate while participating in theater and government with life-long friends. He attended the University of Toledo and Northwestern University. Don worked in Chicago for many years and had the opportunity to travel the world as director/cinematographer for Fred A. Niles Company producing documentary films. He also worked
for Bing Crosby and Walter Schwimmer Productions producing syndicated shows such as Paul Harvey, Kup’s Show, Bowling for Dollars, Indy 500, Computer Football Forecast and the World Series of Golf. Don spent seven memorable years leading safari expeditions in Kenya. Don was a sports enthusiast and followed sports seasonally. He pitched in the Los Angeles City Baseball League for a time, but when he moved to Santa Barbara in 1977, he spent many days on the golf course and on the tennis court. Poetry became Don’s passion in later years. A life-long learner, he was introduced to Emily Dickinson at SBCC where his instructor encouraged him to write a poem a day. Don’s poems reflected his many and varied interests as well as his keen and often witty observations on current affairs, daily thoughts and events. Don and his wife of 38 years, Jane, spent time traveling. Favorite travels included Hawaii, as well as road trips throughout California and the Northwest. Just two weeks before his death, they enjoyed a relaxing two weeks on beautiful Kauai. Although Don enjoyed a lifetime of experiences and interests, he seemed most happy at home in Carpinteria with Jane, nephew Jason and beloved pets, Kara, Tembeya, Saba and Nina. Don left this beautiful life on Nov. 12, 2019. The Surgical ICU staff at Cottage Hospital, Serenity House and Simply Remembered provided Don with incredible warmth and care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Carpinteria Education Foundation (CHS Golf and Tennis), the Humane Society of Santa Barbara or your favorite charity. Don leaves his wife Jane (Craven) of Carpinteria, sister Barbara Derby and niece Susan Jacobs of Toledo, nephew Douglas Jacobs (Terri) of Tucson, nephew Jason Himeon of Carpinteria, greats Cadie, Lucas and Zack of Toledo and many, many special friends.
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Pat Blakeslee 3/14/1929 – 11/4/2020
Pat Blakeslee passed away with family by her side in Carpinteria, California on Nov. 4, 2020. Pat was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1929 and met her husband, Richard Cleveland Blakeslee, while attending the University of Chicago. His college teaching career would take them to: Evanston, Illinois; Stevens Point, Wisconsin; and Sepulveda (North Hills), California. While in North Hills, raising five children (three of her own and two from her husband’s previous marriage), Pat completed a master’s degree in Psychology (1962) from San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge). She began her teaching career at Pasadena City College in 1963 and accepted a position at Los Angeles Valley College in 1965 where she taught until 1992. During her time teaching at Valley College she continued her academic pursuits and earned a doctorate in Psychology from UCLA in 1979. Pat was passionate about family, travel, music, civil rights, reading, birding and snorkeling. After retirement, she and her husband moved permanently to their second home in Carpinteria, California, and traveled extensively. Pat was a regular attendee of the Camerata Pacifica and Santa Barbara Symphony performances and every summer attended master classes and performances at the Music Academy of the West. A lifelong member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), she supported a myriad of causes and candidates over the years, contributing as much as she could to organizations such as the Santa Barbara County Foodbank and Doctors Without Borders. Until her failing eyesight made it impossible, she was an avid birder and docent at the Carpinteria Salt Marsh and the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Special thanks go to Pat’s first grandchild, Sarah Barbara Trigueiro. Sarah Barbara was a constant visitor and companion to her grandmother and arranged for Pat to move into her home with her (and her husband Tim Trigueiro) so that Pat would not be isolated from family during the pandemic. The family would also like to thank her caregiver and friend of many years Bianca Perry, as well as Leticia Perez who, along with Bianca, cared for her so lovingly in her last months. Pat is survived by her three daughters, Debbie (Ernie) Crane, Barbara (Mark) McCourt and Sarah (Vance) Blakeslee; her son, David (Susan) Blakeslee; and grandchildren, Sarah (Tim) Trigueiro, Adam (Sammi) Mascarenas, Kirk Anderson, Alissa McCourt, Mandy McCourt, Laurie (Kip) Clark, Jenny Blakeslee and Andrew (Brandy) Blakeslee. She is predeceased by her husband Richard Cleveland Blakeslee, her son Richard Collins Blakeslee, and her grandson, Charles Blakeslee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Carpinteria Salt Marsh docent program at City of Carpinteria, Attn: Matt Roberts, 5775 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, CA 93013.
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Darrell Wesley Johnston 2/21/1930 – 10/28/2020
Darrell Wesley Johnston, age 90, of Carpinteria, California, passed away on Oct. 28, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Bellflower, California to Ruth Varley and Bruce Johnston on Feb. 21, 1930. He went to Leusinger High School in Hawthorne, California where he was Senior Class President in 1947, and liked by many. He also played football and competed in track. He graduated from Pepperdine University in 1955 where he majored in business. He joined the US Navy after graduation. He was a Navy Air Crewman and was stationed in Hawaii. He flew a Navy Night Fighter, F7F Tiger Cat as a radar operator in the Korean War. He was very proud to serve his country. In 1957, he married the love of his life, Joan. They recently celebrated their 63rd anniversary on Oct. 15 of this year. He worked at Aerospace Industries as a purchasing agent. He also worked in real estate and finance. He worked for 15 years as an assistant manager for the Shephard Place Apartments, where he and his wife Joan resided for more than 28 years. He was a baseball coach for his three sons. He is survived by his wife Joan Johnston and his children, Steve Velliotes (Tuyen), Vicki Falk, Darrell Bruce, Brett (Danielle), and Heidi (Ben) Medel. His grandchildren are Brian Falk (Amber), Aubrey Falk (Lauren), Aaron Johnston and Elena Velliotes. His great-grandchildren are Amalei and Mareya. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his mother, father, stepfather and two brothers. Our father was an honest, giving man who showed respect to everyone he met. He spoke of his family every day and said how thankful and proud he was of us. He loved his daily walks in beautiful Carpinteria and would say how much he loved living here. If you were to ask him what his favorite day of the week was, he would say Thursday because it was poker night with his friends. He was amazing and unselfish. Dad, you are our light and love. You will live in our hearts forever. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Assisted Home Health and Hospice Service, especially Diane Arden, Irving Roca and Holly Joseph. Your love and care for our father will always be remembered. Graveside services will be held at the Carpinteria Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. Due to Covid, there will only be 50 people allowed at this service. Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ventura.
Previously published obituaries may be read online at coastalview.com
