Joann Baker, “Jack” Houston, Robert W. Jaross, M.D., Myung So Chung Kim
Joann Marie Naumann Baker of La Crescenta passed away Aug. 1 at the age of 78.
Born in Miskawaka, Ind. on March 17, 1929, she moved with her family to Glendale in 1940. Graduating from Hoover High School, she continued her education, graduating from Woodbury College (now University) in Burbank in 1949 with a bachelor of science degree; Occidental College in 1955 with a bachelor of arts in English; and Syracuse University, N.Y. in 1957 with a master of arts in education.
While continuing doctorate studies at Columbia University, she served as the assistant dean of students at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Va. Her leadership in the field of education was recognized by Who’s Who in American Education (1961-1968) and Who’s Who in American Women (1967-1968).
In 1962, she married Bruce Wendell Baker; the couple eventually made their home in La Crescenta. There she taught briefly for Glendale and Burbank unified school districts, but devoted nearly 30 years to Glendale Community College, retiring as associate professor. She served as executive secretary to the president and secretary to the board of trustees at Occidental College, (1986 to 1996). Upon her retirement, she was named secretary to the board of trustees emerita. Remaining active in the local educational institutions, she accepted a seat on the board of trustees of Clairbourn School, San Gabriel, in 2000, becoming president in 2005.
Joann will be remembered for her lifelong interest and skill in doll-making and quilting and her devotion and love of the properly spoken and written word. Joann is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bruce W. Baker, her sister Jeanne, her brother John, her four sons, Wendell, Stephen, Roger and Tremayne, and eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Clairbourn School, 8400 Huntington Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91775. No service is planned.
John F. “Jack” Houston, born June 27, 1924 in New York City, N.Y., passed away Aug. 17 at his Pasadena home.
A retired major in the United States Marine Corp, Jack was an avid golfer who was a member of Annandale Golf Club. He also belonged to the Jonathan Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses Assn. and the Rotary Club.
Jack was a very generous man and a loyal friend. He was well loved by his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Anne; daughter Anne Barrows, son James Houston and by four grandchildren: Brenden, Gordon, Katharine and James.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 30 at Church of the Angels, 1100 Avenue 64, Pasadena, with a reception following at 2:30 p.m. at the La Cañada Thursday Club, 4440 Woodleigh Lane, La Cañada.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be directed to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, 715 Broadway St., P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, VA 22134; or to Hillsides Home for Children, 940 Avenue 64, Pasadena, CA 91105.
Robert W. Jaross, M.D., a longtime resident of La Cañada Flintridge, passed away Aug. 14, 2007, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born in Duryea, Penn., in 1929, and had been a Southern California resident for the last 55 years, practicing dermatology in downtown Los Angeles. He was on the consulting staff of The Hospital of the Good Samaritan and St. Vincent’s Medical Center.
At the close of WW II, he joined the Marine Corps and was assigned to the Washington Marine Barracks also known as “8th and I” in Washington, D.C., the oldest active post in the Marine Corps, which is home to the Marine Drill Team, Honor Guard and security services. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, he graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with a degree in chemical engineering.
He came to California and was employed by Union Oil. Bob returned to school as a graduate student at California Institute of Technology, studying under Nobel laureate Linus Pauling. Deciding that medicine was his calling, he took biology course work at Occidental College to complete the needed requisites for medical school. In an embryology course at Occidental, he met his wife of 51 years, Lorene.
Bob graduated from University of Southern California Medical School and was a professor of medicine, dermatology, at Los Angeles County and USC Medical Center. Several of his students practice nearby.
For eight years Bob was a reserve police officer with the Pasadena Police Department, patrolling every Friday night and providing medical triage New Year’s Eve for those in need along the Rose Parade route. He greatly enjoyed being a judge of 7th-12th grade student science projects at the Los Angeles County Science Fair and California State Science Fair. He did this for many years.
He was an avid fan of Langer’s Delicatessen at 7th and Alvarado and Schreiner’s in Montrose, where he practiced his German, which he was told had no American accent.
His signature bow ties were admired by all. He enjoyed travel and had made trips through Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America, a highlight being a walking pilgrimage from Leon to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, with his daughter.
He is survived by his wife, Lorene; daughter, Julie; son, Jason and wife Michelle; and five grandchildren: Holly Shreckengast, Eric Shreckengast, Jordan Jaross, Juliana Jaross and baby James Jaross to be born in October. Per Bob’s wishes, there will be no service. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Epler Lung Research Fund and mailed to Roxanne Beal, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 116 Huntington Ave., 5th floor, Boston, MA 02116. See www.epler.com and click on BOOP (Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia).
Myung So Chung Kim, a La Cañada resident since 1981, passed away on Aug. 20.
She was born in Seoul, Korea and was the eldest sibling of the Chung Family which Time Magazine has called one of the most successful musical families of the 20th century. Myung So was a nationally recognized flute teacher whose students have been winning both state and national competitions since 1982. She graduated from Juilliard in 1959 with a B.S. in flute and received a master’s degree from Yale University in Sacred Music Conducting. From 1976-1980, Mrs. Kim was the music minister of Yoido Church in Korea, the world’s largest Presbyterian Congregation Church in the world.
Myung So is survived by her husband, Ke B. and her two sons, John and David, both graduates of La Cañada High School.
The memorial service will be held at The Garden Christian Fellowship where David is the senior pastor, located at 20745 Nordhoff St. in Chatsworth on Aug. 22.