Teacher Jim Proffitt passes away: September 2012
Jim Proffitt died on Saturday September1st. His death was unexpected, quick and we believe painless. He collapsedwhile riding his bike with my brother Noel. As bike riding was one of his many favorite activities, we like to think that he went with his boots on.
Jim was born in Washington, DC and moved from Maryland to Orange
County as a young teenager. He loved to hike and ride his bike, and
met my mom Kristen while surfing -- he challenged her to a swimming
competition and fortunately she was up for this and subsequent
adventures. He added caving to his list of activities in the 1970s
after he and my mom went on the Wild Cave tour at Mammoth Cave in
Kentucky. He joined the SoCal grotto shortly thereafter, and was an
active member for many years. My family attended NSS conventions
regularly through the 1990s. He taught math, electronics and computer
science at Villa Park and El Modena High School in Orange County and
always had some college night classes to teach as well. After retiring
several years ago, except for continuing his part time college
teaching, Jim enjoyed going on trips with the Desert Explorers, on
walkabouts in Southern California, and on cruises with my mom.He will be buried in a private ceremony near Joshua Tree on Saturday,
and a memorial service will follow at the Garden Grove community
center on September 22nd (I can provide more details to those who are
interested in attending). Jim is survived by his wife, Kristen, his mother, Helen Proffitt, his
sister Carrol Hanson, four children (Merrilee Proffitt, Noel Proffitt,
Joshua Proffitt, and Penelope Bullock) and three grandchildren
(Nicholas Proffitt, Owen Proffitt, and Karydis Johnson). The family
requests that everyone who wants to pay tribute to Jim spend some time
this weekend doing something special with those they love, in lieu of
flowers or donations.
County as a young teenager. He loved to hike and ride his bike, and
met my mom Kristen while surfing -- he challenged her to a swimming
competition and fortunately she was up for this and subsequent
adventures. He added caving to his list of activities in the 1970s
after he and my mom went on the Wild Cave tour at Mammoth Cave in
Kentucky. He joined the SoCal grotto shortly thereafter, and was an
active member for many years. My family attended NSS conventions
regularly through the 1990s. He taught math, electronics and computer
science at Villa Park and El Modena High School in Orange County and
always had some college night classes to teach as well. After retiring
several years ago, except for continuing his part time college
teaching, Jim enjoyed going on trips with the Desert Explorers, on
walkabouts in Southern California, and on cruises with my mom.He will be buried in a private ceremony near Joshua Tree on Saturday,
and a memorial service will follow at the Garden Grove community
center on September 22nd (I can provide more details to those who are
interested in attending). Jim is survived by his wife, Kristen, his mother, Helen Proffitt, his
sister Carrol Hanson, four children (Merrilee Proffitt, Noel Proffitt,
Joshua Proffitt, and Penelope Bullock) and three grandchildren
(Nicholas Proffitt, Owen Proffitt, and Karydis Johnson). The family
requests that everyone who wants to pay tribute to Jim spend some time
this weekend doing something special with those they love, in lieu of
flowers or donations.
We learned last week from Russ 'Dog' Murphy that Steve Wilson died this past Sunday evening (1-11-2009) in a Reno Nevada Hospital. Russ received a call from Coach Wilson's wife Friday and told Russ that Wilson was checked into the hospital. Russ and Tim Owens (former VPHS basketball coach) drove to Reno Saturday to visit Wilson Sunday around noon. Russ told Steve Brown (class of 79) he was in good spirits and telling stories and laughing about the old days a VPHS.
On Dec 4, 2008, VPHS80 lost one of our own Spartans. Bobby Derifield passed away from complications caused by a heart attack. Bobby leaves behind a wife, 3 children and many friends and family. There will be a funeral service for Bobby at Fairhaven Memorial in Santa Ana on Dec 14, 2008 at 2:00 PM. Cards of condolence can be sent to 27516 Wild Fire Court, Corona, CA 92883
Mel Slavick apparently passed away in early March 2010 due to a heart attack. Mel was a sculptor and completed works for many well known people. You can view his work at www.melslavick.com
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