/ Jordan High School Class of '69

Remembering Our Classmates

Classmates then. Friends forever.

/Class of '69 Memorial

Honoring Our Departed Panthers

We hold space for the friends, classmates, and Panthers who shaped our high school years in Long Beach and whose presence remains woven into our shared history.

Steve Paladino

what can we say about Steve

Cathy Griffith Maynard

It is with great pain and heartache that I announce the world lost one of my most loved a favorite woman in the world. Cathleen Griffith (Maynard) was the coolest most loving and caring person I have ever known. She was one who cared to world for everyone and loved life and all it had to offer. She was a feisty woman and if she didn't agree with something or someone she would surely let you know. She showed love and respect to everyone around her and woupd give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. I loved my aunt with all my heart and will miss her forever. Rest in Peace Aunt Cathy. You will never be forgotten. — Scott Maynard

Paul Allen Barber

Paul Allen Barber of Norwalk, California, passed away Sunday, December 11 at PIH Whittier Hospital after a long battle with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his loving wife, son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren.

Paul was born on October 12, 1951 in Van Nuys, California to Oscar Paul Barber and Emelia (Millie) Griego Barber Borgfield. Paul lived his entire life in the Long Beach-Norwalk area. He attended David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach (Class of 1969)

Greg Lakin

It's with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Gregory Lee Lakin April 26, 1951 - August 07, 2024. Greg was born in Long Beach, CA, later moved to Alma, NE and then to Lake Havasu, AZ. Greg and his wife Ellen were married for 38 years. Greg has 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Greg was a car enthusiast his entire life.
Rest in paradise pops. You will be greatly missed. — Tony Reeves

Susan Fondren

Susan Annette Fondren passed from this life on December 7, 2024, at the age of 74 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Susan was born on February 22, 1950, in Stockton, California, the daughter of Stanley S. Snelling and Mary Luan (Holderfield) Rocha.

Susan grew up and attended school in the Long Beach, California, area and graduated in 1968. She moved to Bristow, Oklahoma, where she resided until the early 1980s before returning to California. On June 19, 1982, Susan was united in marriage to Terry Fondren in Bellflower, California, establishing their home in Long Beach, California, until 1992. At that time, they moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma, where they continued to reside. For several years, Susan worked at Cleveland Nursing as a beautician before attending administrative school. After completion, she became the administrator in Cleveland before moving to the Pawnee Nursing Home, retiring in 2009.

Susan was an avid shopper, enjoyed arts and crafts, and spent time with her grandkids. Going camping with her children while they were growing up and trips to Branson were memorable times. Susan is described as stubborn and feisty but always compassionate.

Survivors are her husband Terry of the home, daughters Angela Gentry-Harrison, Kim Stewart, and Amanda Taylor; grandchildren Caleb Merriman, Jaiden Merriman, Elizabeth Demaree, Cole Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, Shelby Taylor, and Sophia Taylor; great grandchildren Harper, Hayden, Connor, Billie, Fallyn and a host of other relatives and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Stanley Snelling, mother, Mary Rocha, and brother, Steven Snelling.

A Celebration of Life was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel, with Gary Holderfield officiating. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will handle the arrangements.

Friends and family may visit an online guest book and memorial page for Susan at www.chapman-black.com.

Dennis Peterson

Dennis Peterson Aggressive 98 Ib. Champ
Dennis Peterson is not typical of most 98-pounders. He is not a weakling; in fact, he is highly regarded by fellow wrestlers. His five-point pins have contributed heavily to several Panther victories.
What Dennis lacks in size, he makes up in aggressiveness, as shown by his status as top 98-pound wrestler in the city. Thus far he has lost but one match... that when he wrestled in 106-pound competition against Poly. His coach, Ross MacDonald says, "Pete has fine potential to be a champion CIF wrestler."

Chris Brannon

I am so saddened to this day of the passing of my dear friend and classmate. She was so much more than a classmate—she was a devoted committee member who gave so much of her time, love, and energy to our school and our reunions. She truly cared about keeping our classmates connected and making sure our reunions continued through the years. Her friendship, dedication, and love for all of us will never be forgotten. I feel so blessed to have known her and to have shared so many memories. Rest peacefully, my dear friend. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered. 💙

Roberta Carambia

Another beloved Panther classmate has left us. Roberta Carambia was a devoted member of our reunion committee and someone who gave so much of her time, energy, and heart to keeping our class connected.Roberta was always there to help make our reunions and class activities special. Her dedication, friendship, and commitment to our Panther family will be deeply missed.She leaves behind her husband, John, who was also an important part of our class activities—helping with shows and participating alongside Roberta on the reunion committee.Our hearts go out to John and all of Roberta’s family and friends.
Roberta will always be remembered as a cherished member of our Panther family.

Mary Ann Spear Walker

Sadly at 11:45 this morning....my beautiful wife MaryAnn Spear
Walker, the love of my life, my best friend and mother to our children...took her last breath on this earth...and her beautiful heart stopped beating.... lost a big piece of my heart that day...! can't believe it's been a year now... her loss has crushed my soul...it's left a smoking hole in my heart that will never heal...the sadness is overwhelming at times...l'm learning to live with the pain...thanks to my friends who have been calling and messaging me this morning....this will be a difficult day for my daughter Brittany Nichole Walker and I to get through...she was with me at her bedside...love to you all.
THANK YOU so very much...
Thank you for all of your love and support over this difficult time of loss. There are no words to describe our gratitude for each and every one of your heartfelt sympathies.
MaryAnn is remembered by her daughter Brittany, her husband Rick, her brother Cephas, and countless loving grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews...oh, and grand-pets!
Her love and generosity were beyond measure, and she will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
With love and gratitude, the family of MaryAnn Spear Walker.
Those we love don't go away... They walk beside us every day... Unseen unheard, but always near... Still loved... Still missed... And forever dear.

Eileen Portele Howell

Sometimes you meet someone only once, yet they leave a lasting impression. That was Eileen Howell, Howard’s wife, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at our 50th reunion.
Although our time together was brief, Eileen’s warmth and genuine spirit stayed with me. She graciously helped with our reunion photos and identifying names, giving her time to help preserve those memories for all of us.
Eileen faced a terrible muscle disease with strength and courage, and I only wish I could have had more time to know her. I will always be grateful that our paths crossed, even if only for that one special reunion.
Rest peacefully, Eileen. You made a lasting impression and will always be remembered as part of our Panther family.

Jim (James) Langley

Sad news Jordan HS lost another alumni as previously posted by Vickie Folts Mullis on Oct 19th. Jim Langley was a great friend of mine and will be missed. He went to Hughes JH & Jordan HS class of 1969. He played JV Football in 1968, see pics. In 1974 he moved to McCall, Idaho along with about 7 other LB friends. Then in 1984 he and a few close friends moved to Maple Valley, Washington where he married MaryAnn Botsford & had one daughter. Services were held Saturday, November 4, 2023 AT 3 PM
Private • Event by Laura Beth Langley

Michael Mooney

High school classmate, Michael J. Mooney, deployed to Vietnam in June of 1969 and was killed in August. Medals awarded posthumously Mike was a classmate of many ar David Starr Jordan High School, Class of 1969.

Today is the birthday of my late brother Jack Martin.
He was six years older, and was my best and most constant friend throughout my life. My parents didn't know what to do with me; Jack did. It was Jack who got me to read Lovecraft, Asimov, Darwin, Melville, Clarke, Shakespeare, Orwell, and so many others. He insisted I be an autodidact. And he always believed in me and what I could do, no matter how far I fell short.

Brother, I love and miss you. Rest easy.

Jack Martin

These photographs of my brother, Jack Martin, were taken in May 2023, shortly before his long illness and passing. In one, I managed to make him smile. In the other, he gave me that familiar, mischievous look that was so uniquely Jack.
The keychain pictured here is one I made for him when I was just sixteen years old. He carried it with him every day for more than fifty years. After all those years, the embossing of his initials had worn away, but the meaning behind it never did.
I don't know what became of that little keychain, but I know what it represented: a lifetime of love between a brother and sister.
Jack believed in me more than anyone—and he believed in me for more years than I can count. I will always be grateful for that love, that faith, and the memories we shared.
Rest easy, brother. You will always be loved, always be missed, and always be a part of me. — Mark O. Martin