Donald G. Champlin

Donald George Champlin was born in 1934 in Oak Park, Illinois. Don was baptized at Harvard Congregational Church in Oak Park, Illinois, where his family attended church. He lived with his mother, father, and his younger brothers, Bob and Thom. He spent much of his time in his grandparents’ home across the street, and summers at Brown Lake in Wisconsin. His family moved permanently to Altadena, California in 1946. He qualified for ROTC at UCLA where he majored in Political Science and minored in Physical Science from 1952 – 1956. He was commissioned in the US Navy as an Ensign upon graduation where he began serving at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station. In 1956, he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida for flight training on airships (blimps), he received his wings in 1958. He was stationed in Lakehurst, New Jersey where he moved up in rank to become airship commander. After his naval service, Don became a history teacher in Brawley, CA. He continued his education becoming a counselor and assistant principal in Huntington Beach. In 1974, Don and his family moved to Modesto, CA where he became the principal of Thomas Downey High School and then Beyer High School. In 1981, Don moved to Irvine accepting a position as principal of Costa Mesa High School. In 1983, Don received his doctorate in Educational Administration from USC. He went on to become Assistant Superintendent in Redondo Beach City School District and then Assistant Superintendent in Santa Ana Unified School District. He served as the Interim Superintendent for Santa Ana for six months. Don was highly involved in the Association of California School Administrators. Upon retirement, Don worked as counselor for the State Teachers Retirement System and for Phase II Early Retirement Incentive Program. Don was most recently a faithful volunteer for Mariner’s Resource Ministry, Meals on Wheels, the John Wayne Airport, and the CA State Highway Patrol. Don loved his golden retrievers, his Big Bear home, his many travels around the world, reading, puzzles, and games. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Champlin, his daughters, Susan Fraser and Carol Flores, his brothers, Bob Champlin and Thom Champlin, his grandchildren, Matthew Flores, Hilary Fraser, Holly Fraser, and Jake Fraser as well as his extended family whom he loved and cherished. Don was a wonderful husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Donald Champlin's name to:

The American Heart Association www.heart.org

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary www.bestfriends.org

Golden Retriever Club of the Greater Los Angeles Area http://grcglarescue.org/

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.