Teachers We Remember

Coach Don Phillips - 1922 - 2019

Donald Edwin Phillips
December 1, 1922 – September 9, 2019
Resident of Lafayette, California
Donald "Don" Edwin Phillips was born on December 1, 1922 to Edwin and Gretchen Phillips of Turlock, California. Don passed away peacefully at home the morning of September 9, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
Don graduated from Turlock High School in 1942 in the early days of World War II and joined the United States Marine Corps. He married his high school sweetheart, Suzanne Shirley Gartin, while stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, on July 6, 1944. The two were inseparable. Married more than 75 years, together they raised five children; Kathy, Pat, Jimmy, Doug, and Charlie. Don and Suzanne welcomed anyone and everyone, and through the years the Phillips family home was the neighborhood hangout.
When the War ended, Don earned a Master's degree from San Jose State College and began a 40-year career as a teacher, eventually finding a life's work in coaching high school sports. For over 31 years at Miramonte High School, he mentored hundreds of student athletes, and inspired many of them to become the leaders of today. In 2018, Don was inducted into the Miramonte Athletic Hall of Fame and honored for his many contributions to high school athletics.
He was a man who liked to be outdoors, especially if he could have his dogs by his side. When he took time for himself, he would hunt, fish, ski, and bike – anything to be active and in motion. When at home, he was a handyman. He built additions onto the house by himself, taking pride in what he could create. His many upgrades to the house allowed for large family gatherings. You could see the joy in his eyes when he completed a project; a job well done.
He touched countless lives as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach and friend. Don was a man who made a difference, a man who mattered to his family, his friends and his community. He will be missed by all.
Don is survived by his wife Suzanne, daughters Kathy and Pat, sons, Jimmy and Doug, grand children, Charlie, Molly, Kelly, Lauren, Emily and Hunter, great grandchildren Warren, Wyatt, Genevieve, Drew, Tyler, Sean, George, James, Penelope and Dawson.
A celebration of life will be held on November 9, 2019 at 1:30 PM at the Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive. Donations in Donald Edwin Phillips memory can be made to the SPCA.
The Phillips family would like to thank the many caregivers who cared for Don over the past two years, a special thank you to Joyce Washington, Elana Chudnovsky, RN, Dr. Robert Cole and all the extraordinary staff members at Hospice of the East Bay.

Ted N. Boyce - 04/15/1922 - 01/08/2019

Resident of Pleasant Hill, CA
Ted Boyce passed away peacefully January 8, 2019, at Bruns Hospice House, Alamo.
Ted was born and raised in Oakland, CA, until his teenage years when his family moved to San Francisco, CA. He graduated from Mission High School in 1940 and in 1942 enlisted in the Army Air Force during World War II. He was discharged in 1946, and then with the G.I. Bill in hand, he continued his education pursuing his goal of becoming a schoolteacher. He graduated from San Francisco State College with a BA degree and two years later received a Teaching Credential from the University of San Francisco. Ted's first teaching position came in 1952 when he was hired to teach the 8th grade in the Orinda School District. Four years later when the school district opened a new intermediate school, Pine Grove, Ted was appointed Principal. This was a position he held until the school closed in 1976. During this time he also earned a Doctorate of Education from U.C. Berkeley in 1974. Between 1976 and his retirement in 1982 he served both as a Principal and Dean of Students at Orinda Intermediate School, and Principal of Wagner Ranch. Shortly after his retirement Ted missed the students so much, he decided to substitute teach at Orinda Intermediate School on a regular basis until 2009. By all accounts he continued to be a favorite with students. He maintained lifelong friendships with many former students. This was evidenced by the large 90th birthday party they gave him. Former students also included Ted in many dinners and an annual Super Bowl party. Ted also had a love for travel and the outdoors. Many were surprised when at age 95 he was still going tent camping!
Ted was predeceased by his mother, Anita Cova, and his stepfather, Wally Cova.
Though he never married, Ted loved going to work every day and he considered his students his children. Some of his last words were "that he wanted to thank all of his students who made his life so wonderful and full, and the kids blessed my life".

 

Jack Darrah - March 16, 1932 - March 31, 2015

The world lost a true original on March 31, 2015, when Jack Darrah passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Palm Desert. His spirit lives on through his wife, daughter, son, and granddaughter. Jack was a man who cherished every day and lived his life to the fullest. He was active, funny, competitive, and adventurous, with a great love for tennis, animals, and the outdoors. Jack was born to Leila and Earl Darrah in Lodi, California on March 16, 1932. He was a proud native Californian, always living in the state he loved. Jack grew up and lived for many years in San Francisco's Bay Area, where he attended UC Berkeley and San Jose State before teaching Math and coaching at high schools in Moraga, Orinda, and Burlingame. Jack's great love of tennis took him traveling around the world and playing internationally. In summers he coached and traveled with the US Junior Davis Cup team as their captain. He met his wife Joan in 1967 and they married in 1969. They had 2 children, Laura and Jason. In 1973, Jack decided to leave teaching and follow his passion for tennis by managing SF's California Tennis Club and the Moraga Country Club. In 1979, Jack and Joan purchased the Westlake Tennis and Swim Club and made the big move to Southern California. They owned the club for 19 years, enjoying life in Westlake Village before retiring to Palm Desert, playing golf at the Palm Valley Country Club and tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. Jack had a great love of life and family, and will be dearly missed. His close relatives will be celebrating his life and honoring his spirit in a small, private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a donation to in his name or do a kind deed for someone. - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=jack-darrah&pid=174567849#sthash.5OWoz6MJ.dpuf

Jack Darrah

March 16, 1932 - March 31, 2015

The world lost a true original on March 31, 2015, when Jack Darrah passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Palm Desert. His spirit lives on through his wife, daughter, son, and granddaughter. Jack was a man who cherished every day and lived his life to the fullest. He was active, funny, competitive, and adventurous, with a great love for tennis, animals, and the outdoors. Jack was born to Leila and Earl Darrah in Lodi, California on March 16, 1932. He was a proud native Californian, always living in the state he loved. Jack grew up and lived for many years in San Francisco's Bay Area, where he attended UC Berkeley and San Jose State before teaching Math and coaching at high schools in Moraga, Orinda, and Burlingame. Jack's great love of tennis took him traveling around the world and playing internationally. In summers he coached and traveled with the US Junior Davis Cup team as their captain. He met his wife Joan in 1967 and they married in 1969. They had 2 children, Laura and Jason. In 1973, Jack decided to leave teaching and follow his passion for tennis by managing SF's California Tennis Club and the Moraga Country Club. In 1979, Jack and Joan purchased the Westlake Tennis and Swim Club and made the big move to Southern California. They owned the club for 19 years, enjoying life in Westlake Village before retiring to Palm Desert, playing golf at the Palm Valley Country Club and tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. Jack had a great love of life and family, and will be dearly missed. His close relatives will be celebrating his life and honoring his spirit in a small, private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a donation to in his name or do a kind deed for someone. - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=jack-darrah&pid=174567849#sthash.5OWoz6MJ.dpuf

Jack Darrah - March 16, 1932 - March 31, 2015

http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=jack-darrah&pid=174567849

 

Ted Boyce - April 15, 1922

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_20381764/longtime-orinda-teacher-administrator-ted-boyce-be-honored


Tio Giambruni - August 30, 1925 - May 17, 1971

http://texts.cdlib.org/view?docId=hb6h4nb3q7&doc.view=frames&chunk.id=div00017

 

Bob Campbell - Dec. 2, 1928 - Jan. 23, 2017

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/eastbaytimes/obituary.aspx?n=robert-campbell-bob&pid=183911818

 

Bob Callan - 1922 - Dec. 29, 2016

http://obituaries.mendocinobeacon.com/obituaries/mendocinobeacon/obituary-search.aspx?affiliateId=3244&firstname=robert&lastname=callan&stateid=7

 

 

Jack Darrah

March 16, 1932 - March 31, 2015

The world lost a true original on March 31, 2015, when Jack Darrah passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Palm Desert. His spirit lives on through his wife, daughter, son, and granddaughter. Jack was a man who cherished every day and lived his life to the fullest. He was active, funny, competitive, and adventurous, with a great love for tennis, animals, and the outdoors. Jack was born to Leila and Earl Darrah in Lodi, California on March 16, 1932. He was a proud native Californian, always living in the state he loved. Jack grew up and lived for many years in San Francisco's Bay Area, where he attended UC Berkeley and San Jose State before teaching Math and coaching at high schools in Moraga, Orinda, and Burlingame. Jack's great love of tennis took him traveling around the world and playing internationally. In summers he coached and traveled with the US Junior Davis Cup team as their captain. He met his wife Joan in 1967 and they married in 1969. They had 2 children, Laura and Jason. In 1973, Jack decided to leave teaching and follow his passion for tennis by managing SF's California Tennis Club and the Moraga Country Club. In 1979, Jack and Joan purchased the Westlake Tennis and Swim Club and made the big move to Southern California. They owned the club for 19 years, enjoying life in Westlake Village before retiring to Palm Desert, playing golf at the Palm Valley Country Club and tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. Jack had a great love of life and family, and will be dearly missed. His close relatives will be celebrating his life and honoring his spirit in a small, private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you make a donation to in his name or do a kind deed for someone. - See more at: http://obituaries.desertsun.com/obituaries/thedesertsun/obituary.aspx?n=jack-darrah&pid=174567849#sthash.5OWoz6MJ.dpuf