In Memoriam : Donald Bastady

Donald Bastady Donald E. Bastady - age: 86
(September 18, 1937 to July 04, 2024 )
Resident of Porterville, California

Visitation Information:
Visitation will take place on Friday July 19, 2024 from 3-6 p.m. at Evans Miller Guinn Chapel. Service will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Evans Miller Guinn Chapel. Burial will take place on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Exeter District Cemetery.

Obituary:
Donald (Don) Emmanuel Bastady passed away on July 4, 2024 in Porterville, California at the age of 86.

He was born in Whittier, California on September 18, 1937 to his parents, Ernest and Mary Helen Bastady. Donald lived with his family in Buena Park. They lived down the street from Knott’s Berry Farm and often visited the Ghost Town where his mother worked. Many of Donald’s childhood friends from Buena Park remained life-long friends. He attended Grand Ave. Elementary and Junior High, then he graduated from Fullerton High School in 1955. He attended Fullerton Junior College for one year. After relocating with his family to Exeter, he completed his second year at C.O.S. He graduated from Fresno State with a degree in Business Education in 1959. During his college summers, he worked at the YMCA Camp Tulequoia as a camp counselor.

From 1960 to 1966, Don taught consumer education, general business and business correspondance classes at Porterville High School. Donald had a passion for travel and was able to visit Hawaii and Alaska at the beginning of his teaching career. Don needed a date for his 10 year Fullerton High School class reunion and was set up on a blind date with Shirley Montgomery through a mutual friend. After one year of correspondence and three weekend visits, the two were married on June 18, 1966 in Garden Grove, California. In 1967, he transferred to Monache High school where he taught general business, business economics, typing, and accounting. He enjoyed teaching with his fellow colleagues and his cousin Anna Atkin. In 1967, he received a Master’s degree in Business Education from Fresno State. He continued to teach at Monache until his retirement in 2001.

After retiring from Monache, he taught as an adjunct accounting professor at Porterville College. He continued to manage the family’s citrus ranch during his retirement. In his later years, he enjoyed time with his family. His church family was very important to him also; he served as treasurer, sang in the church choir, participated in the Vesper services, and taught Sunday School. Don wrote the family Christmas and Round Robin letters. He received lots of comments on them due to his dry sense of humor. He enjoyed taking care of his succulents, swimming, and reading. He taught his family to be responsible, caring, and hardworking. His life reflected his belief in serving others.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Mary Helen Bastady, his brother James Edward Bastady, and his son David Emmanuel Bastady.

Don is survived by his wife, of 58 years, Shirley of Porterville, two daughters, Lisa Bastady Burns (Peppard) and Sheri Bastady-Mariano (Frank), two grandchildren, Zachary Burns and McKenna Scow (Erik), a great granddaughter Eva Marie Scow, and cousins Anna Atkin, Ann Webster, Charles Mitchell, Mary Schwab, John Bastady, and Robert Bastady.

A scholarship is being set-up in Donald’s name for Monache Business students.







Mike & Lisa Redick - July 19, 2024Contact this person Contact this person
Dearest Shirley and Family, We were so sad to hear about Don's passing but couldn't help but talk about how happy he must be in heaven! And how he would have said don't worry about me now, just take care of yourselves! Want you to know we are with you in prayer now and always along the way. We will be back in the states, Lord willing in a few months and hope to see you then. Lord bless, Mike and Lisa