CROOK ,

Verlyn James

Passed away on Thursday, Nov. 12 with his family by his side in Spokane, Washington.

Verlyn was born on Dec. 16, 1930 in Long Beach, California to parents Gardner and Hallie Crook. He attended Jordan HS, Long Beach City College and U.C.L.A. At all three schools he pitched for the baseball team. A highlight in his baseball career occurred as a pitcher at U.C.L.A. He picked off a baserunner at first and without throwing a pitch, whirled around and threw the runner at second out. He was proud that the legendary basketball coach John Wooden

was sitting on the bench that day and witnessed it. Another highlight was being the eighth man to ever hit a homerun out of Stanford's Sunken Diamond. Verlyn worked for LBUSD as a teacher, coach, counselor and administrator He loved kids and athletics and enjoyed watching all three of his grandsons compete at Central Valley High School. He is survived by his daughters Cindy Johnson (Bob) and Cathy Franks; three grandsons - Brian (Brooke) and Brad Johnson and Derick Beck. A private family memorial will be held December 4. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Valley Activities Foundation: CVAF, PO Box 58, Greenacres, WA 99016

U-----C-----L-----A, UCLA fight fight fight!

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