Year: 2026

It’s hard to imagine a more meaningful, impactful life. His family and friends grieve that he was robbed of the time we thought he would have but are glad that he had so many fine adventures while he lived.

Jim moved to Oxnard in 1981 and made it his home. He received a tenure-track position at Oxnard College in 1985. There, he spent his career as an active member of the college community and as professor of English and ESL, teaching and chairing his department until his retirement in May of 2017.

In 1985, he married Kitty Ann Balabanov. They had two daughters and enjoyed a rich family life. Jim and Kitty raised their children in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, where they both served in several leadership positions. Jim served two separate terms as president of the board of trustees, sang in the choir from its founding until his death, and was active in regional Unitarian Universalist governance.

Jim showed his love of community in his actions. In the ‘90s, he chaired the Tierra Vista Neighborhood Council and was the campaign manager for the Measure N School Bond. In 2001, he joined the Ocean View School Board and continued to serve first as a trustee and then board president until his death. In all his leadership roles, he saw himself as a caretaker and referred to himself not by his title, but as one serving in that position.

His service to the wider world was nurtured by his deep devotion to family: as a spouse, a daddy, and a brother. He leaves behind his wife Kitty, daughters Erin and Caitlin, daughter-in-law Raven, and brother Tony and sister-in-law Gena. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his older sister, Judy.

His deep intelligence, quick wit, and love of storytelling made Jim a delight in conversations and a superb partner in Trivial Pursuit games. He traveled to many lands and enjoyed exploring and visiting the far-flung friends that made up his extended family. As a talented musician, he was quick to take the harmony line and to regale his family with a lullaby, ditty, or jingle. We will miss the music and joy he brought to our lives.

While at Oxnard College, Jim composed the College’s Alma Mater, which is framed and now hangs in the Liberal Studies Building, where his office was located.

A memorial for Jim will be held on March 1st, 1:00 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St., Ventura, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to:

• CAUSE https://causenow.org/
• 805 Undocufund https://www.805undocufund.org/
• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura https://unitarianuniversalistventura.org/giving/
• The Ocean View School District https://www.oceanviewsd.org/en-US
• Oxnard College https://oxnardcollegefoundation.org/donate/
• The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Carmen Guerrero

Retired (February 2015); Dean, Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College (2008-2015); Professor, Business, Oxnard College (1992-2008); Adjunct Professor, Business, Business Information Systems, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1976-1992); Intermediate Steno Secretary, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1970-1974).

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Gary’s career began as the Southern California prep sports editor for the Los Angeles Examiner, 1959-1961, and then as the sports editor for the Star-News, National City, California, 1960-1961. Subsequently, he then moved to broadcast journalism as an announcer at KFUN Radio, Las Vegas, New Mexico, 1963-1966. He then took a position as the sports information director for the New Mexico Highlands University, 1964-1966. He was a graduate teaching assistant in the English department at Colorado State University, 1966-1968. H then served as the information director at Mount Plains Intercollegiate Athletic Association, 1968-1971 and 1974-1976.

Gary moved into education as an assistant professor in journalism at Metropolitan State College, Denver, 1977-1984. In 1984, Gary accepted a position as a professor in journalism at Oxnard College, California. The following year he received the Mark Dever Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1985-86. Gary Retired in 2003.

Additional information about Gary’s career can be found at https://prabook.com/web/gary_b.morgan/800299.

Frank taught music at Oxnard High School. Then in 1956, he became a member of the faculty at Ventura College, where he shared his love of music with thousand of students and mentored many young professional musicians. He delighted in watching them develop their talents and find joy in the world of music. For so many of his students, Frank’s encouragement and support was a powerful influence in their lives.

In 1962, Frank founded the Ventura County Symphony and was the conductor and music director until his retirement in 1992. Frank was active in bringing fine music to the County of Ventura through many music festivals, such as the Midsummer Music Festival (1965 to 1977), and by featuring many nationally known artists in performances with the Ventura County Symphony. He also conducted and performed numerous concerts in Southern California, Mexico, Spain, and Switzerland.

In recognition of such an accomplished lifetime, Frank received such honors as the first Latino Achievement Award from Gente magazine in 1983; was named Outstanding Community Contributor by the Oxnard City Council in 1984; was named “one of the area’s 10 most influential citizens of the last half century” by the Ventura County Star Free Press in 1985; was named Citizen of the Year by the City of Ventura in 1986; received the Ventura College Academic Senate Community Award in 1987; and was entered into the Congressional Record for enhancing “the cultural resources of Ventura County” on March 24, 1992.

Favoring all types of music, Frank said that his favorite piece was that being performed at the present moment. He was a great artist and a generous and faithful friend to many. His love of music enriched the community and the lives of everyone with whom he came in contact.

Carmen Guerrero

Retired (February 2015); Dean, Career and Technical Education, Oxnard College (2008-2015); Professor, Business, Oxnard College (1992-2008); Adjunct Professor, Business, Business Information Systems, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1976-1992); Intermediate Steno Secretary, Moorpark and Ventura Colleges (1970-1974).

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