Memorial Services Held for Prof. Justin Colyar, 46
Memorial services were conducted Wednesday for Justin P. Colyar, an Orange Coast College professor of music who died of a heart attack Monday.
Colyar, 46, was stricken and died at his Huntington Beach residence.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by Dr. Colyar’s death,” said Edward R. Baker, dean of the college’s fine arts division. “His death was completely unexpected, and the college’s faculty and staff are stunned by it.”
A native of Ogden, Utah, Colyar held a doctorate from USC. He joined the Orange Coast faculty in 1964 and taught courses in organ, piano and music theory. He was also director of the college’s Coast Master Chorus.
Colyar served as organist for several Orange County churches during the past 20 years, including First Presbyterian Church in Garden Grove, St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach and First United Methodist Church in Costa Mesa. He was a member of the American Guild of Organists, serving as president of the Orange County chapter from 1967 through 1970.
The memorial services Wednesday were held at United Methodist Church in Garden Grove. He is survived by his wife, Monique, and their four children.
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