Teen’s Family, Friends Mourn a Life Cut Short : Funeral: John La Bord, killed in a hit-and-run last week, is buried with fond memories--and his guitar.

He loved to wear green--green hats, shirts, pants, even tennis shoes. Except on St. Patrick’s Day. That’s when John La Bord wore red, just to stand out.

And John La Bord was nothing if not a standout. A young man whose sharp sense of humor allowed him to make fun of himself, La Bord fronted a band called Idiot Savant and had recorded his own CD.

That individualistic streak was recalled Tuesday during a memorial service for the 18-year-old killed Aug. 22 in a freak hit-and-run accident, the circumstances of which shocked even jaded police detectives.

The college-bound teen was struck while walking with his bicycle from his job at the Block in Orange. Friends who were there that night said it was like he just vanished. In fact, his body had become lodged in the windshield of the car. The motorist fled the scene and drove 13 miles before allegedly dumping La Bord’s body near a highway median in an attempt to cover up the crime.

About 200 friends and family gathered Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church in Orange to celebrate a life cut short. Friends recalled that La Bord was the first in his family headed to college. He was to have started classes at Santa Ana College the morning after he was hit.

“He was the kind of kid that worked extra hard,” said Michael Seltzer, La Bord’s swimming and water polo coach at Orange High School. “He wanted to get a good education. It was important to him. He wanted to do it for his dad.” La Bord did a lot for others too, Seltzer said.

“If someone was down,” he said, “it was his job to pick them up.”

La Bord was buried with his electric Gibson guitar. He is survived by his sister Anawa, 24, and brothers Brine, 31, and Benson, 21.

When Benson and John were little, they pretended they had super powers, “and crashed into each other on scooters, just for fun,” Benson recalled. As they grew up, they shared music, boogie-boarding and lots of laughs too. “I’m going to miss his great sense of humor,” he added.

Many in attendance wondered aloud how the teen’s parents--who separated earlier this year--were holding up.

The two sat at opposite ends of a church pew. The teen’s mother, Robin, sobbed--at times uncontrollably. Alex sat square in his seat, staring ahead at his son’s solid poplar wood casket draped with white and green carnations, and cinched with a large green ribbon.

“No parent should ever outlive their children,” said Seltzer, who knows the family well after years of water polo matches and swim meets.

Friends were still in shock and filled with anger over the violent nature of the teen’s death. The motorist who allegedly hit La Bord, Isidro Calderon Hernandez, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a crime.

“[The driver] could have driven him to a hospital,” said 17-year-old Claire Diederich. “Maybe that could have saved his life,” added Lisa Rice, also 17.

Paul Estebo, the officiating minister, had asked loved ones to put aside their anger.

“Hold on to the gifts” that John gave you, instead, he said. “Make them as meaningful today, as when you received them.”

He then gave each parent a single white rose.

The family has established a memorial fund to help with funeral costs. Donations can be made to The John La Bord Memorial Fund at the Bank of Orange County. Information: (714) 634-3535.