Carol Earnshaw Ersbak

I didn't spend much time with Carol in high school but I always admired her spirit. The most I ever talked with her was at our 50th reunion (pictures from the reunion). Rest in peace Carol.

At SPHS 40th reunion, Carol and I renewed a long time friendship. I love this dear friend for all the reasons many of you shared. Carol introducied me to "The Beatles", shared numerous Dodger stories, hosted my journey through her beloved Hawaii, staying at her home inLeilani Estates, sharing our love for family, always her twin daughters a priority! Visiting our home in Washington, Aunty Carol, loved up our son and cheered his high school baseball pitching on to a 3-0 record, on her visits. Certain the Lord has given this Aloha woman a front row box seat. I will deeply miss my friend, as her daughters shared, "fun, crazy and wonderful mom." Mahalo Carol! 

Fare thee well, Carol, my quirky, vivacious friend. 

Hail the Traveler!
We commit you back from where you came—
to the arms of your ancestors.
May there be peace where there was anger.
May there be healing where there was hurt.
Go quickly to the place that your old ones called home.
For those who grieve for your passing, let there be healing.
For those who grieve for who you were, let there be healing.
For those who grieve for what you could have been, let there be healing.
Hail the Traveler. We celebrate your journey.
~  by Quetta Garrison-Madsen

Jim's tribute -- so touching, caring.  So glad to hear Carol had Jim those many years till the end. 

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While at her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carol KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again. 

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be part of the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field of Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While at her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carol KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again. 

To say Carol will be missed is a huge understatement for me. Carol and my love story goes back to the summer of 1965 when we were in training to be part of the cheerleading squad for our upcoming senior year. Carol was the Head Song Girl, and l was one of the three guy cheerleaders. We had so much fun together. While my senior year interests were centered on being with Carol, doing my best at cheerleading, cars and surfing, Carol was devoted to leading the Song Girls, her studies, the school newspaper, and being the world's greatest Dodger fan every chance she got. Needless to say she wasn't too happy with my inattention to my studies and I would get reprimanded when I did too much partying. But, despite my behavior Carol was always there for me, and with me. I was, and still am a terrible dancer. Carol was a phenomenal dancer but she never made fun of me and we danced anyway all through our SPHS '66 year right on through graduation. 

We went our separate ways in 1968, and with the exception of a few chance encounters we were not to be with oneanother again for 39 years. In 2007 we were reunited and for the past 16 years we have shared a unique and serious love affair that took us many places and bound us together as never before. It would take volumes to describe these 16 years. Two events stand out the most... In spring of 2007 we went to Field of Dreams in Iowa. We got to play catch together on that sacred field, sat in the stands and realized our own Dream was coming true. While in her office at Zemrus Escrow in Pasadena on a day in July of 2010 she was listening to her radio when the station announced their contest, "...Tell us your own personal Love Story for a chance to win tickets to the James Taylor/Carole KIng Reunion Tour Concert at Honda Center in Anahiem..."  Carol called in to that radio station and told them our Love Story !! She won !! What a night that was, July 10, 2010 - our own private limo ride to and from the concert, front row seats, and an amazing performance by two of the most legendary singers/songwriters of all time. 

In closing I want to let Carol's own words speak again. This is what she wrote in 2007:

"What's a Girl To Do?

The Life of reason lies in shambles at my feet, leaving me no place and nowhere to make a retreat. Forward I must move, beyond my fears and mental roadblocks. Love, with such beauty and promise lies ahead within my reach. Do I dare gather it up and hold it close? My heart tells me it will never be happy unless I get on that merry-go-round and take the chance that only comes once in a lifetime - The brass ring... the beat of my heart pounds in my ears - Listen! Listen! "

We rode some carousels together. I can see her still smiling back at me from the pony in front of me. I miss her smile, her joy for life, her love for her Islands home, and all those she loved.

As a veteran of all manner of wars I can say this...I curse the gawd damned incideous Alzheimers that took her from us way too soon. But, more than anything now, I praise God that she has been released from the grasp of the illness and is in Heavenly peace, surrounded by Infinite Love. 

Aloha and farewell to my dear Carol. I will carry the years, the decades of love we shared and all the wonderful memories thereof, in my heart and spirit forever. We shall meet again someday and we will dance again.