Obituaries
Courtland H. “Corky” Barr, Donald E. Hoyt and Donald Winfield Scott
Courtland H. “Corky” Barr
Courtland H. “Corky” Barr was found deceased in his home in La Cañada Flintridge on July 29. He died of natural causes resulting from a long-term health condition. Sheriff’s deputies discovered him after being alerted that he had failed to return telephone calls from friends and family. He was 50 years old.
A La Cañada High School 1976 graduate, Corky was perhaps best known by people in La Cañada Flintridge for his work with the La Cañada Unified School District. He had a successful career as a sound engineer and sound system designer. Starting at Paramount Sound, then a division of the movie studio, he went on to manage his own company, Custom Tailored Sound.
He served as a sound engineer for various live performance venues and consulted on, designed, and/or installed sound systems at such places as The Crystal Cathedral, UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, the cruise ship SS Norway, the former Warner Bros. Movie World amusement park in Bottrop, Germany, and the Big Bear Performing Arts Center. Perhaps his favorite project was the Alex Theater in Glendale, of which he was particularly proud. He also did work with many area businesses, churches and civic organizations.
He is survived by a sister and many, many friends who will miss him greatly. One such friend said of him, “One gained much [by being his friend]. He was a selfless man, honest, of great, great integrity, an increasingly rare commodity these days. I rarely if ever heard him say a negative thing about anyone. If he didn’t have a good word to say, he’d say nothing.”
He will be interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, with his parents and grandparents. Memorial gifts may be made in his name to the Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale, 91208.
Donald E. Hoyt
Donald E. Hoyt, 82, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 surrounded by his loving family, from complications of acute leukemia. Don and his wife Jane settled after their marriage in 1952 in Pasadena and later La Cañada Flintridge. He worked for the Southern California Gas Company for almost 30 years, eventually as vice president of public relations.
In addition to raising seven children, Don gave generously of his time to community organizations and causes. He taught Catholic religious education at the local high school and public relations at CSU Los Angeles. He became president of the L.A. Press Club and actively worked with the NAACP and other civic groups. An avid reader, Don co-authored a murder mystery, “Death is a Drag.”
Retiring from the Gas Company in 1981, Don and Jane moved to Carlsbad and later Oceanside, where he started a travel agency, Travel Plus. He became president of the Carlsbad Rotary Club, board member of the Boys and Girls Club, and president of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
Don is survived by his sister Jean, his wife Jane, their seven children and 11 grandchildren: Kevin and Lisa Hoyt, their children Michael, Christopher and Lauren; Kristine and Bill Einstoss; Sue and Steve George, their children Philip and Katie; Jenny and Charlie Cochrane, their children Casey and Mackenzie; John Hoyt, his daughter Holly; Kate and Mike Mims, their children Robert, Kevin and David; and Molly and Greg Hoyt-McKenney.
Vigil service to be held at 7 p.m. on Friday Aug. 22, at the Oceanside Mortuary, 602 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054, phone (760)722-4264. Funeral mass at 1 p.m., Saturday Aug. 23, at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church: 609 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054, phone (760) 722-1688. Reception to follow in the Parish Center: 509 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don Hoyt’s name to the Tri-City Hospital Foundation, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside, CA 92056 (760) 940-3370.
Donald Winfield Scott
Donald Winfield Scott passed away on Aug. 13 after battling Parkinson’s disease.
He taught at La Cañada High School for over 20 years and, upon his retirement in 1985, became a handyman. He and his wife, Alice, have lived in La Crescenta since 1950, raising three sons, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills.