Jan Harp Domene – Class of 1969

May 13, 2012 by

Jan Harp Domene was a life-long Anaheim resident who was married more than 40 years to her high school sweetheart Greg Domene, also Class of ’69.

Jan dedicated her life to her family and the community. From serving as the president of the National PTA to working in her three children’s classrooms more than 30 years ago, Jan’s life centered around advocating for children. Jan and Greg’s children are all Colonist graduates and include Christina, Class of 1988; Kevin, ’92; and Kyle, ’95.

She started as Edison Elementary School’s hamburger chairman and became president of the Anaheim High PTA. She moved on to higher levels of the PTA and ultimately served as president of the national organization with a membership of more than 5 million parents, teachers and students, including 155,000 in Orange County.

For several years she commuted from Anaheim to the PTA’s Chicago headquarters and to the organization’s Washington D.C. policy office to oversee a 28-member Board of Directors and 70 staff members. In addition, she traveled around the world and the United States to visit individual school sites and PTA’s and to speak in front of governmental bodies, including the U.S. Congress. She later joined the AHS Alumni Association as board president and was elected to the AUHSD Board and served as a trustee until her passing.

Jan (Harp) Domene - Class of 1969

Jan (Harp) Domene – Class of 1969

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JEANETTE HASTINGS McCONNELL – ’39

May 13, 2012 by

Jeanette Hastings McConnell peacefully passed away Sept. 22, 2011, at her home in Gold Hill, Oregon. She was born in Fullerton, CA. on October 1, 1921, to Herbert H. and Sarah D. Hastings. She attended Katella Grammar School, Anaheim Union High School (Class of ’39) and graduated from Fullerton Junior College in 1941. She was married to Lieutenant Donald Davis in 1941 who was killed in action during WWII (Flying Tiger B25 pilot).

She married her high school sweetheart, Jarrett W. McConnell, on June 7, 1946. She was married for 55 years before her husband passed in October 2001. During that time, they traveled the world living in Okinawa, France, Belgium and Turkey while her husband served for the United States Air Force.

Lifetime member of the PTA and a 50 year member of the Ami Tai Chapter #147 Order of Eastern Star. She was active in Scouts, Softball, Band, Little League and any activity involving her children and family. She loved to bowl, play bridge (in which she started a bridge group in Anaheim), play cards and sew.

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GEORGE BRAGG – ’59

May 13, 2012 by

George Bragg '59

George Bragg is remembered by his wife Marilyn Bragg, also a Class of 1959 graduate. He is also eulogized by his classmate Gary Shepard who remembers George, his best friend, as “the most thoughtful and caring friend you could possibly hope for. He lived life bravely, faithfully, correctly, and as cheerfully as he could.”

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PAUL BRUCE – ’39

May 13, 2012 by

Paul Bruce, who passed away in September 2000, was a role model to his five children, as well as to the hundreds of students whose lives he touched as equipment manager for Fremont Junior High, a volunteer with the Anaheim High football program, as well as a successful businessman and active community leader.

After graduating in 1939 from Anaheim High, where he lettered in four sports, plus played in the band and orchestra and appeared in the junior play, he went on to Fullerton Junior College. But then the United States entered WWII and he joined the U.S. Marines and served as a rifle instructor. He stayed in the military and also served his country in the Korean War.

After 1953, he was Bruce of Bruce & Runyon and Paul Bruce Chevron Service (Broadway at Los Angeles Street now Anaheim Boulevard), employing many AUHS students and alumni.

But in 1961 things changed. He became “Mr. Bruce” the field and equipment manager at Fremont Junior High. He touched many lives while in this position. His classmate and close friend Bud Fassel served in the same position at Anaheim High. Paul worked on instilling the same qualities of pride, devotion, truthfulness and self-worth in his Junior Colonists.

In his 24 years with the Anaheim Union High School District, Paul also worked at Lexington Junior High and John F. Kennedy High School. Aside from his time at Kennedy, Paul spent most fall Friday nights on the sidelines for Anaheim football.

Paul supported both the community and his alma mater. There was more than one trip to Las Vegas for the Anaheim High football series of the 1950s. For many years, he also did the job of following the horses with a shovel and wheelbarrow during the Anaheim Halloween Parade. Paul’s service station always sponsored youth teams in the City’s Summer Leagues. In the Sixties, he was a volunteer fireman. Later in life he was an officer for Anaheim’s 20-30 Club and the Elks Lodge. He was also an instructor and officer in the OC Baseball Officials’ Association.

But his greatest achievement was raising five official outstanding citizens and Colonist alumni. His children, who include Paul Jr.-’63, Virnell-’64, Vernalee -’67, Richard -’70 and Jim -’72, shared him with hundreds of other young people and his contribution to Anaheim’s youth is immeasurable. Although he wasn’t an official teacher or instructor, those students with whom he interacted still recognize his name and remember his support and encouragement. Many children besides his own flesh and blood thought of Mr. Bruce as Dad.

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NORMA BRASTAD GOODRICH – ’25

May 13, 2012 by

Norma Brastad was born in Oakes, North Dakota, in 1907. Her family moved to Anaheim in 1916. She graduated from the old Central School and enrolled at Anaheim High in the fall of 1921, graduating in the spring of 1925. She served on the student body self-government committee and as a senior class officer. She was also the calendar editor of the 1925 yearbook. A well-rounded student, Norma also enjoyed sports and ran track and managed the girls’ basketball team. The caption next to her senior photo said: “Just imagine her doing anything naughty.” Her best friends included Grace Jackson, the younger sister of druggist Earl Jackson, Sarah Fay, who later married long-time Anaheim mayor Charlie Pearson, and Elizabeth “Sis” Schweinfest.

After graduating from AHS, Norma attended UCLA, earning an elementary teaching credential. She went on to teach grade school for many years in the Placentia-Yorba Linda and Ventura school districts. She married Jerry Goodrich of Santa Ana and settled once again in Anaheim to raise her two sons, both AHS graduates. John graduated in 1958; Bob in 1963. Her sons remember her as a “very loving and wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and teacher.” She died in 2008 at age of 100 years.

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LARRY TAYLOR – ’64

May 13, 2012 by

Larry Taylor

Larry Taylor was actively involved in the AHS drama program and Mozart Choir. After leaving Anaheim, he became a successful stage actor in New York. His classmates remember his grand entrance at their 25th reunion in 1989. Always a showman, Larry arrived in a limo, dressed in a tuxedo with his “date,” Mrs. Thompson, his former drama teacher. Larry was very appreciative of her and he thanked her for the guidance that led to his acting career. Larry is remembered by his 1964 classmate Candice (Hintenberger) Linn.

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JOHN HENRY MASON – ’30

May 13, 2012 by
John Mason Henry, an AUHS Class of 1930 graduate, was born in Anaheim on June 18, 1913, and passed away in his sleep on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. He is survived by Helen, his wife of 61 years, and his children, Susan, Cathy, Douglas and David.
While at AHS, Mason was a member of the Honor Society – ’27, ’28, ’29, ’30; Classic Club – ’27, ’28, ’29, ’30; Commerical Club; R.O.G.D.; Hi-Y; Forensics; Mozart Club; Orchestra; Music Club and Junior Play. He also spoke German and French.
He was a teacher and counselor at Anaheim High School for 42 years, leaving between 1942 and 1946 to serve in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
Mason’s grandfather was Captain Alexander Henry, who lived on the corner of Broadway and Claudina streets. Captain Henry showed his patriotism every Fourth of July by pulling a canon onto his front lawn and into the street to shoot of several rounds. Mason’s father and uncles owned the Henry Drug Store on Lemon and Center.
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FAYE KERN SCHULTZ – 1918

May 13, 2012 by

Faye Kern Schulz

After graduating from USC, Faye Kern Schultz was hired in 1922 to teach speech and social studies at her alma mater, Anaheim Union High School. She later became the drama coach and filled that role for many years. She co-wrote the school’s first musical comedy, HEIGH-HO, presented in 1928. Her co-writer was Charles Walter, who later became a Hollywood director and choreographer most noted for his work in MGM musicals and comedies. Mrs. Schulz retired in 1963 after teaching at Anaheim High School for 41 years. She is remembered by Barbara Mahaffie as “My teacher, my friend.”

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ELIZABETH DICKERSON – ’28

May 13, 2012 by

Elizabeth Dickerson entered the world of academia after graduating from Anaheim Union High School in 1928. She achieved the position of principal of Cypress Elementary School and later became the superintendent of the Cypress School District. There is a elementary school named for her in Buena Park. She is remembered by Barbara Mahaffie as “a distinguished educator, compassionate woman and my friend.”

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RUTH SHAVER CHANCE – ’32

May 13, 2012 by

A true blue Colonist , Ruth Shaver Chance, who graduated from Anaheim High in 1932, saw her four children, Dennis ’59, Sallie ’63, Dee Ann ’64, Gary ’67, and two grandchildren, David ’90 and Jennifer ’92, also graduate from her alma mater. (Her children were taught by many of the same teachers, including Miss Faye Schultz and Mr. Henry Mason and Miss Dora Jean Golder.)

An Anaheim resident since age 9, her family home was a citrus ranch on the property where Katella High School is now located. She also attended Broadway Elementary and Fremont Junior High.

A fun-loving young woman, Ruth participated in all her alma mater had to offer in her favorite areas of music and athletics. She played basketball, baseball, volleyball all four of her years at Anaheim High. She was also played hockey for three of those years. She served as the Varsity Basketball Team Manager her senior year, earning her Block A membership in the Girls’ Athletic Association because of her athletic abilities.

Filed Under: In Memory
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