The Memorial Wall

Jim Pike, co-founder and lead singer of The Lettermen, died on June 9 at his home in Prescott, Arizona. The cause of death was from complications of Parkinson's Disease.

Pike is survived by his brothers, Gary and Donny Pike, his sister, Candace Doyle, his wife Sue, and his daughter, Kelly Pike.

As a member of the Lettermen, he is best remembered for his lush vocal harmonies.  Pike co-founded the Grammy-nominated trio in 1961 with college friend Bob Engemann and completed the line-up with fellow vocalist Tony Butala.

After signing with Capitol Records in 1961, the group had its first hit and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Performance by a Vocal Group with “The Way You Look Tonight,” which peaked at No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot 100. They also earned Grammy nominations for best new artist of 1961 and for 1962′s “A Song For Young Love." 

The Lettermen became one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1960s and would place 19 more songs on Billboard charts over the next 10 years. Some of their most popular songs include, “When I Fall in Love,”  “Everything is Good About You,” and “Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You.”  Pike also published an autobiography titled, 'My Lettermen Years: The Journey To Hell and Back!' in September 2012. 

After living in the heart of Hollywood for thirty-five years, Jim and Sue Pike decided to move to the quiet solitude of Big Bear Lake, California, where they enjoyed fishing, boating, and entertaining their numerous friends from all over the world. They subsequently moved to the desert, where they shared a love for swimming, golf, tennis, biking and visits from friends, and their daughter Kelly. The Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) is especially grateful to the Jim and Sue Pike family for their entertainment contribution to the 2004 PRO Spring Gala.

Jon Charles Hanson

February 6, 1943 - May 13, 2019

and

Lyn Carl Hanson

October 22, 1940 - August 16, 2016

Jon Charles Hanson and Lyn Carl Hanson were born to Frances Bjorgum and Carl Hanson. Lyn was born in Deadwood, South Dakota. Jon was born in Long Beach, California.

When Jon was five years old the family moved to Azusa, California, where he lived for 22 years and where Lyn’s first job was in an ice house.  When Lyn turned 21, he began working for the Azusa Fire Department. 

Jon served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1967 stationed in South Korea along the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

Lyn married Carolyn Ray on August 27, 1960.  They moved to the Sacramento area where they had relatives and friends.  Lyn tried out for the Rancho Cordova Fire Department and made it. After several years, he decided he wanted to become an engineer so he could drive the fire trucks.  He took the engineer’s test and came out number one.  He worked for the Rancho Cordova Fire Department, subsequently the county station for Sacramento Metro, for 35 years and retired when he was 54. 

Jon married his wife Martha and they settled in Glendora, California where they lived happily married for 49 years until his passing. Jon served as a Glendora mail carrier for 27 years. He had a love of working on vehicles so spent time restoring cars that included a 1955 Austin Heely, a 1955 Triumph TR-3, and a 1962 Chevy truck. Jon is survived by his loving wife, Martha.

Lyn and Carolyn were married for 56 years when he passed away from Parkinson’s Disease.  He was 77.  Lyn and Carolyn had three children: Shari, Jon, and Mike.  They also have four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

NOTE: When making your donation please include your message to the Hanson brother’s family member. A personal card, on your behalf, will be sent by Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO). We thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers to the family and your contribution to the work of PRO.

Janice Yvonne Hayhurst left her mortal state on May 28, 2019 after living 79 years of an active and heroic life. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, but their relationship actually started at college when they both were 18 years old, so they were together for over 61 years. She also is survived by her two children, Ren Hayhurst and Jill Upton, and by her brother Larry Schmidt. Janice lived an active life, including being a house wife until her children were in school; taking on the role of bookkeeper for the family business; being a private a banker at Wells Fargo Bank; and, being the senior officer for a medical supply business. Despite her working life, she always loved and attended to her children's, husband's and family's needs and activities; including attending all of her children's sporting practices and games; always cooking healthy and delicious meals every night; and, making sure that her children's respective friends always felt comfortable by having their favorite snacks and beverages on hand. Janice always showed love to all of her extended family members and created a loving home for every person who ever entered her family home. Janice also was a brave person, skiing until she was 68 years even though she had Parkinson's Disease for 35 years, and she continued her inspirational life for at least 31 years after she was diagnosed with her disease, because she wanted to live life to the fullest, which she did. She was beloved by all of her family and friends because of her sense of humor and her commitment to everything she did for those persons who had the benefit of having a relationship with her. She leaves this world with a footprint of joy and love for everyone who had the pleasure of interacting with her. Love and service where her mark that she leaves for those who loved her and mourn her passing.

Dan died at the age of 86 peacefully in his sleep at home after a long battle with the progressive complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born in Los Angeles to Daniel Boyde and Elizabeth (Betty) Cathcart. He was raised in Cheviot Hills with his younger sister, Carol. Following graduation from Hamilton High School, Dan attended California Polytechnic and then transferred to USC where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. He was sworn in early so that he could start his first trial the next day. During his high school years Dan had eyes for only one woman, Jackie Conterno. They were married on June 20, 1954. Jackie passed away in January 2018. Dan had a passion for flying. He held multi-engine and instrument ratings acting as pilot-in-command in Piper, Beech and Cessna aircraft. He parlayed his aviation experience with his legal knowledge to become one the pioneers of plaintiff aviation accident litigation. He tried product liability cases across the country against the general aviation manufacturers with remarkable success. Magana, Cathcart and McCarthy was known as one of the leading national firms representing families who lost relatives in commercial airline crash cases as well. In a career with many highlights, he was honored to present one of his client's cases before the United States Supreme Court. With all his successes, Dan realized that his greatest was finding a love for his God and his family that he did not know in his early years. His attendance at church was first motivated by the Sunday brunch that followed. But, as the years passed, he began a relationship with his Creator that was fostered by his study of the Bible. He moved from the Board of Directors at Bel-Air Country Club to the Board of Directors at the St. James Inn, an organization that provided housing for families of patients admitted at UCLA Medical Center; and to the Board of Directors of Paulist Productions, an organization producing religious movie and television programs. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) he passionately represented children in the Los Angeles County Foster Care System. Dan is survived by his four children, Peter (Tina), Jan Masi (Herb), Monty (Maria), and Kelly (Liz); his nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Christopher (Megan), Frank (Rebecca), Jim (Katy), Anika, Steven, Austin, Jack and Julia; and his sister, Carol Cribbs. Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on August 31, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 10750 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. A Celebration of Life will be held at Bel-Air Country Club immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson's Resource Organization, 74090 El Paseo #104, Palm Desert, CA 92260 and Olive Crest, 2130 E. 4th Street, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

Published in the Los Angeles Times from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, 2019

November 24, 1942 - August 29, 2019, Joe Sessa died at Cedars Sinai Medical Center at the age of 76 after a valiant battle against the progressive complications of Parkinson's disease. Another man who desired to be smart, sweet-tempered, handsome, retired, a globetrotter, passionate golfer and an even more passionate husband and father, might have wanted to be him. Joe was born in 1942 to parents, Anthony J. Sessa and Inez Cavinato Sessa of Brooklyn, New York. As a young child and beyond, he was raised among his younger brother, Tony Sessa, and 11 permanent members of his Italian family. At dinners, they talked and laughed and ate pasta "all at the same time," he said. He was an active sportsman at Princeton University graduating with a BA in Economics in 1967. Afterward, he enlisted in the US Naval Officer Candidate School and later served with distinction as an officer assigned to the USS Ticonderoga (sister aircraft carrier to the USS Intrepid) for four years. Following his tour of duty, Joe attended Stanford Law School receiving a degree in law. In 1968, he married Alice Barbara Van Nuys and moved to Chappaqua, NY where they eventually welcomed their two daughters, first Tina and then, Andrea. With a close, loving relationship, Joe was continuously proud of "his girls." He was a true family man; nevertheless, in 2003, Alice preceded him in death following their retirement in Scottsdale, AZ. Joe began his career with Sterling Drug, Inc. working on legal matters for this global pharmaceutical company. When acquired by Reckitt & Coleman, Inc., a consumer products company (now Reckitt Benckiser), he became General Counsel until it was eventually acquired by Eastman Kodak. He retired at age 55 realizing his true calling had turned to golf. Joe approached the game in the same way he approached everything in life, with enthusiasm and commitment, becoming a skilled gentleman golfer, always in his trademark vests and diet cokes. Recently, he also revived his love of bridge, again working diligently at fortifying his game, never fond of disappointing a partner. In 2004, Joe met Dale Sessa (née Engelson) on a blind date. It was Valentine's Day and Cupid's arrow struck that night resulting in an almost immediate and loving union. She found him to be romantic, astute, sensitive, supportive, kind and caring and when he proposed to her at Westwood's Big Chill Yogurt Shop, she said YES. Joe and Dale married at The Water Club in Manhattan in 2005 and enjoyed a wonderfully full and joyful life with homes in the Los Angeles and Palm Springs areas (where a golf course was close at hand). Knowing that love is the only tool with a chance against death, Joe is survived by his devoted and adoring wife, Dale Sessa, his loving children, Tina Sessa (Chris Otter) and Andrea Sessa Sayago (Ed), his brother, Tony Sessa (Donna), doting step-children, Deena Appel (Ron Miller) and Dan Appel (Kym Bye). "Nonno" to his grandchildren, Nicholas, Sam, Evan and A.J. and "Joe-Joe" to his step-grandchildren, Chloe, Charlotte, and Oliver. Each of them treasured Joe's company and will miss him dearly.