Joseph Earl Homer passes away

DOWNEY - Joseph Earl Homer passed away peacefully at home Oct. 9 after a lengthy illness with Parkinson's disease. He was 83.Born in Trenton, Utah, on Aug. 20, 1928, he was the eldest of four sons. His parents relocated the family to Southern California when he was 8 months old. He is survived by his wife, Laura; son, Denny Homer, daughter, Janette Hallmark and brother, William Homer; He was predeceased by a daughter, Laurita Kaczmarek, brothers, Benjamin and Wallace Homer and parents, Joseph and Reta Homer. Earl and his wife recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They were school sweethearts beginning their courtship in Clearwater Middle School and marrying in 1948. He and his brother, Ben, dropped out of high school and falsified their ages in 1945 in order to join and serve with the U.S. Merchant Marines. They made it around the world on the Liberty and tanker ships before they turned 18. After a four-year apprenticeship at Overmyer Mould Company, he became a journeyman mould maker and worked the following 25 years making intricate, detailed cast iron moulds for major manufacturers in the glass industry. The 15 years prior to this retirement in 1992 were spent asssisting medical research work for Environmental Health Services at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. Earl coached the same Downey Junior Athletic Association team, the West Tigers, in all three sports from 1958-65. He led his team of 13- and 14-year-olds to the city championship, clinching the title after playing two games in one day. He was a resident of Downey since 1949. Private graveside services were held at the Downey Cemetery on Oct. 24.

********** Published: October 27, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 28