* Stephen Kingsford; Educator, Oak Park Advisor

After a yearlong battle with asbestos-related lung cancer, Stephen Bourne Kingsford passed away Saturday. He was 59.

Born in Hollywood on July 6, 1939, Kingsford became a star in the classroom. Considered a passionate and respected educator, Kingsford first began teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1962 after receiving his bachelor’s degree from Cal State Northridge and his master’s in education from Cal State Los Angeles. He also received a PhD in psychology from Claremont Graduate School.

Kingsford, who moved to Oak Park in 1967, continued as an educator for the Los Angeles district for 15 years.

During a career that spanned four decades, Kingsford served as an assistant superintendent for Ventura County schools, a teacher of educational administration classes at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks and chairman of the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council. He also served as a management consultant for numerous school boards, special advisory boards and city councils.

Although he will be remembered by students and colleagues for his service to the public, his relatives recall him as a loving family man who liked the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, gourmet cooking and being a handyman. To those who knew him, what stood out most was his sense of humor.

“He was funny, even at the end,” said Jeannie Kingsford, his wife of 37 years. “He was zany. You never knew what he was going to say.”

She said her husband recently told one of his nurses, as she finished making notes: “I want you to add that Kingsford was his usual charming self.”

In addition to his wife, Kingsford is survived by daughters Julie Santia of Thousand Oaks, Susan Goei of San Jose, Patty Carter of Los Angeles and Gail Phinney of Elk Grove; brother Brian Kingsford of Los Angeles, and sister Leslie Kingsford of Oregon.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Westlake Church of Religious Science, 2649 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village. Burial will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks in Westlake Village.