Don Yurk OBITUARY

Longtime resident of Manhattan Beach, CA. Born on Oct. 1, 1928 in Sheboygan, WI.Don is survived by his wife of 70 years, Carolyn, their three children; David (Michelle), Rick (Laura), and Jamie (Damien); six grandchildren, two of whom were particularly close: Riley Yurk (Jackie) and Jacob Diaz. Don is also survived by his loving sister, Jean Edwards, a constant throughout his life, along with her children, Andy and Katie, and the sons of his older brother, Dick; Lonnie (Jane) and Cary.Imagine moving with your family as a boy of 13 from the shores of Lake Michigan to the beach communities of Los Angeles during WII. Both of Don’s parents, David & Ruth, found work in the busy defense and airplane factories nearby. Ruth was a true Rosie-the-Riveter at AiResearch during the war years. Their first house was a rental in Westchester near Sepulveda (or, as Grandma Ruth always called, “Sep-El-Vee-Da.”) in a neighborhood that was eventually vacated to expand the airport (now LAX). While life wasn’t easy for a family of five, the year-round sun, ocean breeze, and victory garden in Southern California made the transition easier. Through sports and school activities, Don made new friends who became lifetime friends. When his Westchester buddies decided to attend El Segundo High School instead of Dorsey High, Don was right there with them.At El Segundo HS, Don met his future wife, Carolyn Snider. Don was captain of the football team and Carolyn was Student Body President (first female elected to that office). Both graduated in the class of 1947. After ESHS, they each attended the newly built El Camino College, where Don played on the football team. After ECC, Don went south to play football at San Diego State and Carolyn went north to San Jose State, both majoring in education. They both returned to the South Bay with teaching degrees. Don began teaching at Crozier Jr. High School in Inglewood, and Carolyn at Lynwood Jr. High. Don continued his education taking courses at night and over summer breaks at USC to earn a Masters in Education.Don and Carolyn were married in 1953 at the El Segundo Methodist Church in a ceremony officiated by Carolyn’s uncle, Rev. Arlis Hoelscher. In 1956, Don was hired by his former coach, Norm Verry, to join the football staff and teach full-time at El Camino College. They moved to Hermosa Beach in 1957 and bought their first house, a duplex near the beach. Then in 1962, with two kids in tow and another on the way, they moved to Manhattan Beach and into the house they’ve lived in ever since. For the next 30 years, Don’s commute was straight down Manhattan Beach Blvd., past Alondra Park to the ECC campus. During that time, he coached hundreds of players (27 seasons) and taught PE and health classes to thousand of students (36 years).Football at El Camino in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s was a big deal. Don’s fellow football coaches, along with everyone in the athletic department, became part of our big extended family. Always ranked as one of the top teams in California and often in the nation, the Warriors played their home games on Saturday nights at Murdock Stadium to enthusiastic crowds in the thousands. Running out of the tunnel onto the grass field under the lights at El Camino is a memory shared by everyone who played or coached in that stadium (which was sadly demolished in 2013 for new campus facilities). Highlights from Don’s coaching career were many; but winning the State Championship in 1971 and having his son, David, play on the team in 1978-79, were two of the best.Don loved sports, the outdoors, and being active. Besides Manhattan Beach, his two favorite places were Mammoth Mountain and DL Bliss State Park on the California side of Lake Tahoe. As a teacher, winter and springs breaks meant family ski trips, first to Utah and then Mammoth after they had a cabin built. An avid skier, Don loved it when he reached 80 and could ski for free at Mammoth. He also loved x-country skiing and snowshoeing on the trails around Mammoth Lakes. At home, Don had his weekly golf and tennis groups he played with until his 90s, season tickets for USC football, and he always enjoyed, “A walk on the Strand.”When he was teaching, with summers off, it was time for family camping trips – each year a new route through the western states or across the country (a few times). Don and Carolyn, with kids in tow, visited almost every state and Canadian province, and camped in most of the national parks. There were also multiple trips to Europe, the first in 1970 while on sabbatical – a 6-month trip in a VW Camper Van with his family of five. Once retired, Don and Carolyn traveled even more, exploring over 70 countries and visiting every continent, except Antarctica, at least once. Their last trip abroad was to Egypt, Jordan & Israel when Don was 91.Everywhere he went Don made friends. At El Camino, he knew everyone. When traveling, he would make new friends, often leading to longtime friendships. He was one of the most kind, thoughtful, and caring person you could meet. Never hurried, always present, he lived life with a smile and simple grace. And he lived that way until the very end. For all who knew him, Don will be deeply missed.A celebration of life will take place on Thursday, April 11 from 2-5pm at the Bluewater Grill (in King Harbor). As an expression of condolences, please consider a donation in honor of Don to the Norm & Steve Verry Scholarships at El Camino College supporting student athletes. Mail to El Camino College Foundation, 16007 Crenshaw Bivd., Torrance, CA 90506. Donate online at elcaminocollegefoundation.org