Obituaries
Lawrence Menkin
Former Los Gatos resident Lawrence Menkin died on July 26, in a Santa Clara nursing home. He was 88.
Menkin was born on Dec. 25, 1911, in Manhattan, N.Y. During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army and broadcast on the Armed Forces Radio. An early Dumont and NBC television executive, he was best known for creating the early TV series Captain Video. He also produced the first network TV series, Wide Wide World, and was the story editor for many episodes of early TV series, including Perry Mason, Rawhide and California Highway Patrol. He wrote many episodes of The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Death Valley Days, Bonanza and Dragnet.
In his retirement years, he taught acting and comedy at community colleges in San Francisco and San Rafael. During this time, he also appeared in cameo roles in Peggy Sue Got Married and Tucker.
Survivors include sons Lawrence Christopher Menkin of Los Gatos, Michael Riland Menkin of Bellevue, Wash., and Peter Alan Menkin of Novato; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are pending. Donations may be made to the Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 330 Distel Circle, Suite A, Los Altos, 94022.
Josephine Walters
Longtime Los Gatan Josephine Grace Walters died on June 15, in the Florida home of her daughter. She was 98.
Born Feb. 24, 1902 in Red Bluff, Walters was a graduate of San Jose State University in its pre-university days and worked as a schoolteacher in Santa Clara for three years before moving to the then-two-room Lexington School in the Santa Cruz Mountains. She remained there for 26 years as a kindergarten teacher.
Walters enjoyed being active in the community. She was a volunteer with the American Red Cross, a member of the History Club of Los Gatos and of the Retired Teachers Association. She also served as educational director for the Kappa Mu chapter of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha International Sorority. A renowned vocalist in her younger years, Walters gave recitals, sang at numerous weddings in the area and was a church soloist. She was a Los Gatos resident for 66 years.
Walters was predeceased by husband John R. Walters, Sr. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Beverly J. and Ray White; son and daughter-in-law John R. and Jacquelyn Walters; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
