FOREST LAWN MEMORIAL PARK
CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA

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Karen Carpenter

SINGER
BORN: MARCH 5, 1950
NEW HAVEN, CONNECITICUTT
DIED: FEBRUARY 4, 1983
DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
CAUSE: HEART FAILURE DUE TO CHRONIC ANOREXIA
LOCATION: MAUSOLEUM, SANCTUARY OF COMPASSION

Karen was the lead vocalist for the singing group "The Carpenters", along with her brother Richard, who played piano and sang backup vocals. The Carpenters were one of the biggest groups in the 1970's. Raised in Downey, California (not far from my home town of Lakewood), The Carpenters won a "Battle of the Bands" competition in 1966. They signed on with A&M Records in 1970, and recorded until her death in 1983. Not a wedding has been attended without one hearing the song "Close To You". Karen battled her weight for years; her death was caused by heart failure due to her anorexia. She died in her bedroom closet at her parents home in Downey. Her parents are now both buried with her, while her brother still leaves Karen flowers every week.

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EDDIE COCHRAN

SINGER
BORN: OCTOBER 3, 1938
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
DIED: APRIL 17, 1960
CHIPPENHAM, WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND
CAUSE: HEAD INJURY SUSTAINED IN CAR CRASH
LOCATION: ABIDING FAITH, LAWN CRYPT 4, BLOCK 2996

Eddie was born, Edward Ray Cochrane. He joined a County Western group named "The Cochran Brothers", and later went off on his own as Eddie Cochran. His most famous song was "Summertime Blues". He had a small cameo appearance in the film "The Girl Can't Help It". Eddie, along with his girlfriend Sharon, and singer Gene Vincent were riding in a limo to Heathrow Airport in England, when the limo blew a tire and crashed. Sharon was paralyzed, Gene breaking his leg, and Eddie suffered severe head injuries. He later died from his injuries at England Hospital at the age of 21.

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KEN MAYNARD

COWBOY ACTOR
BORN: JULY 21, 1895
VEVAY, INDIANA
DIED: MARCH 23, 1973
WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA
CAUSE: MALNUTRITION CAUSED BY ALCOHOLISM
LOCATION: CHURCHYARD. LOT 2840, SPACE 1

Ken was a trick rider for the "Buffalo Bill Wild West Show" before becoming an actor. His career started in the movie biz in 1923. His specialty was trick riding with his horse "Tarzan". His brother Kermit, was often his stand-in or stunt double.

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PHILIP "JOHN PHILIP" FORD
DIRECTOR
BORN: NOVEMBER 16, 1900
PORTLAND, MAINE
DIED: JANUARY 12, 1976
WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA
CAUSE: UNKNOWN
LOCATION: GARDEN OF PROTECTION, LAWN 1B, LOT 5190

John was the son of actor Francis Ford. He directed mostly Western films from 1945-1952.

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MY-CA DINH LE
BORN: JANUARY 23, 1975
DIED: JULY 23, 1982
CAUSE: HELICOPTER CRASH
LOCATION: CHURCHYARD, LOT 1839, SPACE 1

My-Ca was a child actor who was killed with actor Vic Morrow in the filming of the "Twilight Zone" movie.

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GEORGE GRANDEE
ACTOR
BORN: MAY 20, 1900
BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUTT
DIED: AUGUST 1, 1985
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
CAUSE: UNKNOWN
LOCATION: SHELTERING TRESS, LOT 5730, SPACE 4

Actor in films from 1925-1934

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H.B. "TOBY" HALICKI
ACTOR
BORN: ?
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
DIED: AUGUST 20, 1989
CAUSE: STUNT ACCIDENT ON MOVIE SET
LOCATION: ETERNAL PEACE, GRAVE 1, LOT 505

Toby was killed in a stunt accident, during the making of the original "Gone In 60 Seconds" Toby and his wife, wrote, produced and directed the film.

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VERNE A. JOHNSON
FOUNDER "CHIEF AUTO PARTS" STORES
BORN: 1906
DIED: 1994
LOCATION: ETERNAL PEACE, LOT 505, GRAVE 1

Verne started "Chief Auto Parts" stores in 1955, in a small store front in Norwalk, California. He sold the chain to the Southland Corporation, based in Dallas in 1978, which also owns and franchises the "7-Eleven" store chain. "Chief Auto Parts" was purchased from Southland by "Auto Zone".