Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Philippe III, Jean Leon July 17 2004 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K Taylor bluewolf@onemain.com July 20, 2004, 3:51 pm The Bakersfield Californian Jean Leon Philippe III August 14, 1923 July 17, 2004 Mr. Jean Leon Philippe III passed away due to complications following surgery late Saturday, July 17, 2004. Jean was born August 14, 1923, in Taft, CA, and moved to Bakersfield with his parents in 1936. The eighty year old Philippe was a surviving member of a Kern Pioneer family who came from Gap, France and settled in this area in 1883 and later erected the Universal Hotel in the town of Sumner, now known as East Bakersfield. He was in the first graduating class of East Bakersfield High School in 1941 and served as the student body president that same year. Jean was the first graduating student to return as a teacher and began his career in education teaching typing and social studies in 1951. Mr. Philippe went on to serve in all of the administrative chairs at the school before he became principal of his alma mater in 1982 until his retirement in 1989. He was extremely honored when East High was identified in 1985 as one of the top 25 high schools in the State of California in 1984. This was the first time East High had been recognized as a California Distinguished Schools. Mr. Philippe was a fair and dedicated principal who walked the campus daily and treated staff, classified personnel and students with loving care. In the decade following his retirement, he watched with pride as seven people from his administration become principals of local high schools. After retiring in 1989, he taught student teachers in the Secondary Credential Program at California State University Bakersfield from 1989 through 1998. Mr. Philippe graduated from Bakersfield Junior College in 1943 and earned his BA degree in economics from the University of California Berkley in 1946, his Teaching Credential from the University of California Los Angeles in 1950 and his Masters Degree in School Administration from California State University Fresno in 1953. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta, a social fraternity at Berkeley in 1944 and the Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity in 1950 at UCLA. He served in the United States Naval Reserves from 1941-44 as an ABS Officers candidate and was honorably discharged in Fulton, Missouri. He was an active member of the Bakersfield Swim Club and High School swimming program from the late 50s through the 60s and served as the President of the Bakersfield Swim Club. Mr. Philippe was also an active member of the Kern County Kiwanis from 1955-87, President of the California Activities Directors Association 1971, President of the Executive Board of Community House for four years, President of the East High Alumni in 2000, served as the Big Sir for SIRs (Sons in Retirement) in 2002 and was currently serving as the Area Governor for SIRs. He was a member of the Stockdale Country Club since 1974 and active parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church. As if he was not active enough with his school and volunteer work, Jean was co- founder/owner of Kern Surgical Supply Co. with his brother-in-law Gene Dedick and family relative, Art Edis from August 1961 until 1991. Jean is survived by his Best Gal of 56 years, Margaret and four devoted children, Matthew Philippe, a successful businessman in Orange County, Claire Philippe-Dennen, a retired school teacher/counselor, Diane Macchi, Director of Human Resources for the Kern Regional Center, and Linda Basman, Principal of Saint Joseph Elementary School in Pinole, CA. Jean is also survived by his five loving grandchildren, Ryan Basman, Amanda Philippe, Sara Basman, Katie Philippe, and Julia Dennen. He is also lovingly remembered by his step brother Jim Burke, his two sons-in-law Robert Macchi and Chris Basman and daughter-in- law Sharon Philippe. Jean was a devoted husband and loving and supportive father who took great pride in his family. He will be forever cherished in their hearts. He will also be remembered by all those who knew him as a kindhearted and generous man. As Mr. EB he was committed to the field of education and the betterment of his community. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 21 at Hopson- Anspach Family Mortuary, at 620 Oregon St. Rosary and Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 22, with internment following at Hillcrest Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 5420 California Ave., Bakersfield Community House or other charities of your choosing. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/gob815philippe.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb