Page 5 Foothills Sentry APRIL 2025 JOHNSON MOTORCARS 34 Years of Specializing in the Service and Repair of Mercedes-Benz Gary Johnson 714-997-2567 982 N. Batavia # B13, Orange, CA 92867 gary@johnsonmotorcars.com @ramblingroseoc North Tustin’s Hal Marshall feted on 99th birthday By Scott Logue Longtime North Tustin resident and community volunteer Harold “Hal” Marshall was celebrated by his friends, neighbors and family members at a private party, sponsored by the Foothills Community Association, in honor of his 99th birthday. Hal Marshall was born on Nov. 19, 1925 in Economy, Indiana, exactly a century after his greatgreat-great-grandfather Charles Osborne purchased, platted and founded the town in 1825. Its location was considered more “economical” than where they were before. Hal was raised among the farmlands of Economy, a town not far from Dayton, Ohio, where the Wright Brothers had studied flight. As a child, Hal had only watched planes fly high overhead from the airbase at Dayton until he went to investigate a P-38 fighter that crashed in a farm nearby. It was the first plane he would see up close in a long life of aviation and engineering. During Hal’s senior year of high school, he met Faye, who had just moved to town. One of Hal’s best friends had access to a 1932 Ford Phaeton four-seater, perfect for a first double date, wherein Hal and Faye shared their first kiss, ultimately leading to a lifetime of happiness together. Hal enlisted in April 1943, and at the age of 17, began his naval pilot training, leaving for active duty in August of that same year. Hal trained across several airbases in Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida and trained on many aircraft, including the Taylorcraft monoplanes, Stearman Biplanes, the SNJ Texan, a multiengine Beechcraft Model 18 and a PB4Y-2. In August of 1945, the Japanese surrendered, and one month later Hal graduated with his wings and as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. Hal returned to Economy to marry Faye, his high school sweetheart, on Oct. 11, 1945. As a married couple, Faye and Hal moved together for Hal’s various operational training assignments until Hal was assigned to Sangley Point in the Philippines for anti-submarine training maneuvers, at which time Faye returned to her parents’ house. Humble beginnings With the GI Bill, Hal enrolled in Purdue University in 1947, buying a house trailer nearby for $1,500, with electricity and plumbing. Hal studied aeronautical engineering while working Friday nights for 50 cents an hour in a bakery and installing floors and roofs in the summer for a builder. After four and a half years, Hal graduated from Purdue with a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. In 1952, Hal and his family moved to Garden Grove, and he began his career with Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach. In 1959, he accepted a job with Ford Aerospace in Newport Beach for a further 30 years, eventually retiring in 1991. It was in 1961 that Hal and his family moved to North Tustin, and it was during Hal’s time at Ford Aerospace that he met Bruce Junor and Rick Nelson, all three now serving together on the Board of Directors for the Foothill Communities Association (FCA) for North Tustin. Across a loving marriage spanning 74 years, Hal and Faye were blessed with three children: Douglas, Vicki and Philip, seven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Faye and Hal had a very happy and fun-filled life with their children and friends, all the while supporting their children’s schools and extracurricular activities. In the 1970s, Faye and Hal became international travelers and visited roughly 50 countries, making many friends along the way. In the early 1990s, they purchased an RV and traveled throughout the U.S. by themselves and with travel clubs. Though Faye passed away on Nov. 16, 2019 at the age of 93, Hal continues to be involved in the North Tustin community, still actively serving on the FCA board, and pursuing his many other interests. Orange Key Clubs receive recognition By Randy Garell With financial support and encouragement from the Orange Kiwanis Club, the El Modena and Orange High Key Clubs were honored in four categories at the The Elks donate to Santiago Charter Middle School Orange Elks #1475 visited Santiago Charter Middle School to personally deliver a $500 donation to be used for a graduation trip for eighth grade students who will be promoted. Left to right, Elk JC Cortez, Santiago Principal Lisa Adray and staff Cynthia Robles and Elk Kevin Wagner. Old Towne celebrates National Historic Preservation Month By Valerie Smith The Old Towne Preservation Association (OTPA) is celebrating National Historic Preservation Month by providing a variety of workshops, free of charge to residents interested in learning more about preservation and, possibly, becoming a preservation enthusiast. Look over the workshop summaries and see if something interests you. Contact OTPA at info@otpa.org for additional information. Preservation 101 – Sunday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Pitcher Park, 204 S. Cambridge Curious about historic preservation? Join us as we kick off National Historic Preservation Month exploring strategies and challenges maintaining and advocating for historic homes and landmarks in Old Towne. Tour the Pitcher Park Museum following the presentation. History in your Hands – Wednesday, May 14, 10 a.m. – noon Hart Park Bandshell, 701 S. Glassell Come to this hands-on workshop to learn the proper techniques for cleaning and maintaining historic markers, while exploring their significance in shaping our community. Visit with our mayor and other historians of Old Towne. Lost & Found – Discovering the Hidden History of your Home – Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 22 11 a.m. – noon. Orange Public Library and History Center, 407 E. Chapman Discover secrets of your home, learn how to trace past owners, uncover architectural changes, and find historical records that reveal the stories behind your home’s walls. A tour of the History Center and presentation by an archivist is included. Foundations, Frames and Foliage – Saturday, May 31 10 a.m. – noon. Play Coffee Orange (Wells Fargo bldg.) 101 E. Chapman Whether you’re preserving original features or making era appropriate updates, this workshop will cover the essentials of foundation care, period appropriate landscaping, and restoration techniques. The workshop will be held in the upstairs area of the historic building. The Foothill Communities Association hosted a party to celebrate the North Tustin icon's 99th birthday. Hal Marshall at his birthday celebration. Hal Marshall and future wife Faye shared their first kiss in a 1932 Ford Phaeton. Division 4 Awards Ceremony, representing about 40 Key Clubs in Orange County. Liliana Estrada from the El Modena Key Club was named Key Club Member of the Year. Kiki Hamilton from the Orange High Key Club was named President of the Year. The Key Club of the Year was Orange High School Key Club. Greg Lewin, from Orange Kiwanis Club, was named Kiwanis Advisor of the Year.
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