Tag Archives: Orange County California

The Great L.A. Gravecation of 2011 Revisited – Westminster Memorial Park

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Pushing on with “The Great L.A. Gravecation of 2011 Revisited” series of articles. The next installment is about Westminster Memorial Park, which is in Westminster, CA. Geographically speaking, located a few blocks to the north is the Garden Grove Freeway, located about a block to the west is the I-405/San Diego Freeway. Facing east you will find Beach Blvd, to the south is Bolsa Ave, facing west you will find Hoover St., and finally north you will face Hazard Ave.

Westminster Memorial Park sign. Photo from Find A Grave

The History:

Most of the terrain that cover the picturesque views Orange County, California is known for. Used to be inhabited by Spanish ranchos, dairy farms, fruit & citrus orchards, along with various family homesteads. As time went on and more people from various ethnic backgrounds started relocating to the area. The ranchos, farms, orchards, and small homesteads, were replaced with sprawling tree-lined residential subdivisions, shopping meccas, various businesses, a thriving school system, among other amenities. One of the neighborhoods you will find nestled in suburban Westminster is the “Little Saigon” neighborhood. This hamlet of Asian markets, restaurants, and other shops, boasts the largest Vietnamese community in America.

Behind the gated tranquil confines of Westminster Memorial Park. You will stroll along 150 acres, of beautiful manicured lawns, an overabundance of various miniature waterfalls, and a vibrant small lake, which is the home to many wildlife species. As your strolling along this tranquil godly acre, you will no doubt visualize the palm trees, swaying in the wind, or the aroma of olives growing on nearby trees. There are over 1300 tree varietals planted in this memorial park. The sections are a representation of names reflecting:  Four Seasons, Memories, Pines, Good Shepherd, Apostles, among others. There are also various columbarium’s (where cremains are stored), and mausoleum buildings.

The Tour:

Joining me at Westminster Memorial Park, was my good friend and Orange County based grave hunter Terry Myers. While there isn’t a large representation of celebs, and athletes buried in Westminster Memorial Park. Compared to say the Forest Lawn conglomeration, Westwood Memorial Park, or even Hollywood Forever. There is a decent amount of well-known personalities, whose names you might recognize. Before we begin with the grand tour I invite you to check out the Westminster Memorial Park, Find A Grave page to get the 411 on the personalities buried there. Or if you’re a bookworm like me, a very good well-rounded alternative to Find A Grave, is the highly informative grave hunting literary work “Final Resting Places: Orange County’s Dead & Famous” by Michael Thomas Barry. You can buy this book at your local book store or the website Amazon.

While I can’t recall who Terry, and I found first. I’m just going to go over the rather short list in alphabetical order. I’m also going to throw together a concise overview on other people who live peacefully in this beautiful memorial park, who Terry, and I didn’t get a chance to find. So lets begin.

Neal Leslie Frederick portrait photo. From Find A Grave

First on the list is American motion picture cinematographer Neal Leslie Fredericks. Raised in Newport Beach, CA, Fredericks is mostly known for the cinematography work he did on the American psychological horror film The Blair Witch Project, the film received high accolades by critics because the cinematographers on the film utilized the distinctive Cinéma vérité style of camera techniques. Fredericks other film credits include but is not limited to Dreamers, Killer Me, The Stonecutter, Erosion, The Burkittsville 7, Abominable, and CrossBones. While filming aerial footage for the film CrossBones, the Cessna 206 aircraft, Fredericks, and the films writer/director Daniel Zirilli were traveling in crashed into the sea below, after encountering engine trouble. Out of the five people aboard the aircraft, Fredericks was the only one who didn’t survive. If your interested in checking out the films this promising cinematographer was involved with, I invite you to check out his page on the IMDb website.

Next up is another cinematographer Loyal Allen Griggs. Born in 1906 Griggs got his start in the motion picture industry in the mid 1920’s, during the silent era, as an assistant in the special effects department at Paramount Pictures. During his highly productive, & storied career he was a camera operator for thirty years, before being promoted to director of photography. In 1953 he won an Academy Award in Cinematography for the film “Shane” In 1978 Griggs passed away at his home from unknown causes. If your interested in checking out the versatile projects Griggs was an integral member of I invite you to check out his IMDb page.

The next person on the list of gravesites Terry, and I checked out was that of Brad Nowell who was the lead singer of the Southern California based musical group “Sublime“. The band formed in Long Beach, CA in 1988, the line-up of Sublime included drummer Bud Gaugh and bassist Eric Wilson. After the band formed, the trio began to play at parties, small clubs, and other small venues. In 1992 the band independently released the album “40 Oz. To Freedom,” in 1994 Sublime released another album “Robbin’ The Hood.” On May 25, 1996 while the band was on tour in Northern California, Nowell tragically lost his life after suffering from a heroin overdose. If your interested in learning about Nowell’s life, I invite you to visit his biography on the Wikipedia website.

The last graveside Terry, and I checked out was that of Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth Lee Worley. Worley served in the United States Marine Corps, at the time of his death his rank was that of Lance Corporal. Worley was an orphan in his youth, who was eventually raised by Don and Rose Feyerherm who resided in Modesto. In June of 1967 Worley enlisted in the Marine Corps. After basic training Worley was deployed for combat to the Republic of Vietnam and was Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On August 12th 1968 while serving as a machine gunner Worley was killed in action, saving five fellow Marines in the process, and was thus awarded the Medal of Honor. Worley’s Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Machine Gunner with Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Vietnam. After establishing a night ambush position in a house in the Bo Ban Hamlet of Quang Nam Province, security was set up and the remainder of the patrol members retired until their respective watch. During the early morning hours of 12 August 1968, the Marines were abruptly awakened by the platoon leader’s warning that “Grenades” had landed in the house. Fully realizing the inevitable result of his actions, Lance Corporal Worley, in a valiant act of heroism instantly threw himself upon the grenade nearest him and his comrades, absorbing with his own body, the full and tremendous force of the explosion. Through his extraordinary initiative and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from serious injury and possible loss of life although five of his fellow Marines incurred minor wounds as the other grenades exploded. Lance Corporal Worley’s gallant actions upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

To Close:

So that pretty much covers who Terry, and I found at Westminster Memorial Park. Out of the eighteen personalities ranging from politicians, athletes, celebs, and a Medal of Honor recipient. Terry and I just found one musician, a hand full of celebs, and the lone Medal of Honor recipient. I wasn’t really interested in the politicians, or the athletes. Over all it was a great day, after Terry, and I went to Westminster, we cruised over to Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, which I chronicled the other day. The next blog article I plan on writing, is a revisited recap on Pacific View Memorial Park cemetery which is in Corona del Mar, CA.

On a final note if your interested in learning more about Westminster Memorial Park, or any cemetery in Orange County, California. The book I highly recommend you pick up is “Final Resting Places: Orange County’s Dead & Famous” by Michael Thomas Barry. This book is THE definitive guide to pretty much any celebrity, athlete, politician, & military figure buried in Orange County. Most of what is in the book is not listed online.

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The Great L.A. Gravecation of 2011 Revisited – Melrose Abbey Memorial Park

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

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Short video of me being interviewed by Terry Myers
As I’m sitting here wishing I had an EO Brand no. 21 double corona cigar to smoke while writing the next installment of  “The Great L.A. Gravecation of 2011 Revisited”. Today’s topic of discussion is Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, which is situated in the charming tree-lined Orange County, California community of Anaheim. Nestled alongside the I-5/Santa Ana Freeway to the north, and a few miles from the Garden Grove Freeway to the south. Founded in 1929 Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, was set in stone at 2303 S. Manchester Ave. Anaheim, California  92802.

The History:

Before Melrose Abbey Memorial Park came to be known what it is today. The area that surrounds the tree-lined tranquil confines of this non-denominational sacred burial ground, was comprised mostly of citrus groves, ranchos, and other homesteads. After doing some online research, I was unable to come up with how many acres the cemetery circumvents, so unfortunately I can’t provide that data.

Melrose Abbey Chapel & Mausoleum contributed by Terry Myers

Some of the highlights of this true gods acre include The Abbey Mausoleum & Chapel building. This particular building was designed by Laguna Beach architect, Richard Haley, and reflects Southern California’s, Spanish roots in the design and decor, of this majestic building. The sections you will find in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, include but is not limited to “Pine Crest” “Whispering Pines” “Paradise Garden” “Angel’s Lawn” among others.

The Tour:

Joining me at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park once again, was my good friend, & Orange County based grave hunter Terry Myers. After leaving the Cypress location of Forest Lawn Memorial Park (which I’ve highlighted before on the blog), I followed Terry in the Kia Forte rental car I had during my California visit, over to Westminster Memorial Park, in Westminster, CA. I’ll be going over Westminster Memorial Park, in the next installment of The Great L.A. Gravecation of 2011 Revisited series of articles.

While there isn’t an insane amount of celebrities buried in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park. There is a decent representation of athletes, and personalities who were involved in one way or another in the motion picture industry. After arriving at the cemetery, Terry and I strolled over to The Abbey Mausoleum & Chapel building. In this beautiful Spanish style building rests a few people worth mentioning.

The first being actress Carolyn Jones. Jones got her start in motion pictures in the 1950s. In 1957 she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “The Bachelor Party” in 1959 she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for being one of the most promising actresses. In 1964 Jones, began playing the role of Morticia Addams the matriarch of the The Addams Family in the short-lived TV series “The Addams Family” On August 3rd 1983 Jones passed away peacefully at her West Hollywood home, from complications of colon cancer. If your interested in learning more about her life, I invite you to check out her bio on the Wikipedia website. Also worth noting her film/TV credits can be found on the highly popular IMDb website.

Continuing through the beautiful mausoleum the next graveside Terry and I checked out was that of Olympic Gold Medalist, Dallas Bixler. Bixler was a gymnast, who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics, in Los Angeles. While competing in the 1932 Summer Olympics, against two favored contenders from Finland, Bixler used the newly formed dismount technique called the reverse giant and was thus awarded the gold medal for his first place performance in the high-bar competition. Bixler was the only gold medalist in the gymnast category, up until 1984 when U.S. gymnast  Peter Vidmar won gold. After retiring from the Olympics as a contender, Bixler became an internationally known gymnastic judge, and played an integral part in the career of U.S. Olympian Cathy Rigby. In 1984 when the Olympics returned to Los Angeles, Bixler was one of the Olympic torch bearers during the opening ceremonies. In 1990 at the age of 80, Bixler passed away peacefully from natural causes. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest living Olympic contenders.

After visiting the cremains niche of Dallas Bixler. Terry, and I strolled over to the wall crypt, where silent film actor, writer, and director,Edward Marshall Stedman rests peacefully. Stedman appeared in many of the silent era’s western film genre, starting in 1910, and ending in 1919. His wife was Myrtle Stedman, they divorced in 1919 and had one son who was also an actor Lincoln Stedman. In 1943 while at his home in Laguna Beach, California, Stedman suffered a deadly heart attack. If your interested in researching Stedman’s prolific film roles, I invite you to check out his biography page on the IMDb website.

Rounding off the celebrities in the mausoleum area, the last gravesite we checked out was the cremains niche of Canadian born  actress Barbara Read-Talman. Read-Talman appeared in twenty-one films during her career beginning with the 1936 comedic film “Three Smart Girls”. In her last role she appeared alongside Randolf Scott, and Marguerite Chapman, in the 1948 western film “Coroner Creek”. This film would be her last appearance on the screen. In 1963 while distraught over failing health, and several failed marriages, Barbara Read-Talman took her own life by putting a blanket over the kitchen oven, turning on the gas, and sticking her head into the oven. If your interested in checking out the film roles Read-Talman portrayed I invite you to check out her online credits on the IMDb website.

After leaving Barbara Read-Talman’s cremains niche, Terry and I strolled over to the “Carnation Urn Garden” section where highly acclaimed film producer Robert M. Fellows rests. Fellows started out in motion pictures working as an assistant director near the end of the silent era. In 1940 he was the associate producer for the western genre film “Virginia City”. The last film he worked on was the 1963 epic western “The Girl Hunters”. During Fellows career he worked with some of the biggest names in the golden era of Hollywood. Which included but was not limited to Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Glen Ford, Bing Crosby, among many others. In 1969 Fellows suffered a massive heart attack which ultimately took his life. If your interested in learning more about Fellows highly successful career I invite you to check out his Wikipedia profile, or his page on the IMDb website.

Rounding out the visit at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, in Anaheim. The last gravesite Terry, and I checked out was that of actor, composer, & vaudeville performer Jack Norworth. Norworth is credited as the co-writer of many Tin Pan Alley hits. He is also the lyricist of the highly acclaimed 1908 unofficial baseball anthem “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” which is still a very popular hit to this day, and can be heard in many baseball stadiums around the country, during the 7th inning stretch. Ironically Norworth never attended a baseball game, before writing the lyrics to his smash hit. Thirty-two years after writing the song in 1940 Norworth finally attended his first ballgame.

Norworth was also involved with theater productions most notably the vaudeville circuit with The Ziegfield Follies. The Ziegfield Follies is where Norworth was introduced to the charming Nora Bays who would eventually become his bride. The duo worked the vaudeville circuit for many years, along the way writing the 1908 pop culture standard “Shine on Harvest Moon”. In 1959, after returning home from behing hospitalized after suffering a stroke. Norworth suffered a fatal heart attack. If your interested in learning more about Norworth I invite you to visit his Wikipedia page.

To Close:

So that pretty much covers Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, in Anaheim. There was only one gravesite I missed out on visiting. And that was the graveside of actor Robert Dudley. Unfortunately while Terry, and I were there. The area where Dudley rests peacefully was being sprayed with water from a nearby sprinkler. There are also several Major League Baseball Players buried within the tranquil confines of Melrose Abbey, however I wasn’t really interested in checking out their gravesides, as the sole reason I came to Southern California, was to check out the gravesites of celebrities, and a few gangsters. If your interested in checking out what Melrose Abbey Memorial Park has to offer, I invite you to check out the Find A Grave website, or if your more inclined to do so I highly recommend purchasing the book “Final Resting Places: Orange County’s Dead and Famous” by Michael Barry. On a final note a sampling of the graveside photos I shot at Melrose Abbey Memorial Park, can be found below this paragraph.

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