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Richard Acres Obituary
May 1934-June 2012
Dick went to see Jesus on June 14, 2012. He was a fun loving, compassionate, kind, and very special, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sandi, 3 sons, Jeff, Mark (Veronique), Matt (Andrea) and grandchildren, Pauline, Karl, Laine, Isobel, Milo and Lili. Dick was born in Santa Barbara May 17, 1934 to Frank and Lillian Acres. He graduated from UCSB with a BA in education and later received his master's from LA State. He played varsity basketball for UCSB and played semi-professional basketball for Kirby Shoes. He started teaching at Mark Twain and then went to Carson High School where he taught and coached basketball for 25 years. He won the 1st California State Championship in Oakland in 1982. He joined Oral Roberts University in September 1982 and became the head coach for 3 amazing years, coaching his 2 older sons, Jeff and Mark. They won the Mid-Western City Conference Title and also went to the NCAA tournament. Besides coaching Dick was a referee for basketball, football, and baseball at the high school level. For a time he also refereed college basketball. He even got to Officiate Pop Warner Football with his youngest son, Matt. For 25 years one of Dick's passions was being involved in the Financial Services Profession. He helped many people with their financial goals. Dick had a green thumb and loved plants and gardening and his yard showed it. He also loved to travel all over the world. To honor his life there will be a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 25th, 2012 at Harbor Church 25401 S. Western Ave., Lomita, CA. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Acres
March 3, 2013
Coach Acres was my driver's ed teacher...what a brave and patient man! My Mom was close friends with his wife, Sandy. Love and prayers to all the extended Acres family.
Mary Ann Ryan
March 3, 2013
Coach Acres was my driver's ed teacher...what patience! Later my Mom was close friends with his wife, Sandy. Our love and prayers to all the Acres family.
Mary Ann Ryan
July 8, 2012
I remember Mr. Acres as my drivers Ed teacher also. My prayers to the family. What a Blessing to have him in our lives.
Becky Ortega Thomas class of 69 Carson
Kenny Hunt, Carson High School 66
July 6, 2012
Coach Acres has always been in my thoughts over the years and he will never be forgotten. My condolences to the Acres family.
Ken Houp
July 5, 2012
Jeff and Mark, I am saddened to hear of the loss of your dad. My condolences to you and your families.
Ken Houp- ORU Baseball '79 - '84
Rod Holm
July 5, 2012
I was very saddened to hear that Coach Acres had passed away. He always had a great deal of good advice, as well as love for his players, and even after graduating from CHS, he came to see my brother Bob and I play at Pepperdine. My thoughts and prayers to the Acres family.
Wendell Yoshida
July 1, 2012
To a great coach, official, teacher, colleague, friend and most of all a great person. I will remember all the fun talks and laughs we had throughout the years. You have touched many lives and you will live on. To the Acres' family, you have been blessed.
Michael Fleming
June 29, 2012
Next to my immediate family Coach Acres changed my life more than anyone. He was always there for us -- I was part of two league championship teams in two years --- our teams would practice after all the other Carson sport teams had long gone home, we would bring sack lunches and meet at the noon hour to go over plays in his homeroom --- he would get tired using his left hand to have us slide back and forth on the court and switch to his right hand -- he led the entire league each year I played for him in technical fouls because he cared some much for us --- he knew us all individually --- he would walk up and down the in front of the players on the bench and teach non-stop as the game progressed -- when we made a mistake and caused the game to be close in the last seconds, we knew he was in our corner --- the sports awards dinners were expressions of great love from him and unforgettable --- I still draw upon his teachings everyday and I have tried to pass his examples on to my kids and grandkids.
Randy Allen
June 28, 2012
I put Coach Acres right up there with John Wooden. He was a great guy, didn't compromise, and was a fantastic role model for us at Carson high. He taught us how to drive too. I'm sure he's slam dunking in heaven in his glorified body, having good clean fun, like he lived. I look forward to seeing him again some day.
Raphalone Mertens
June 27, 2012
Like so many people have already mentioned, one of the things that I will always remember about Coach Acres was his smile; however, his intensity and passion stand out as well - during our basketball practices he was always pushing us to work harder, to compete longer, and to continually strive beyond what we all thought was possible. Thank you Coach Acres for these life lessons. May God's grace and mercy be sufficient for the Acres' family. (Class of 1981)
Wilson Labasan
June 26, 2012
I thought of writing a message prior to the funeral, but I simply couldn't find the right words to justify what I felt about my Coach (1980)..His legacy lives on in me as the Head Coach of the Girls basketball team at Carson HS..He will be missed, but never forgotten..All my love to the Acres family! I enjoyed seeing you again! God bless..
David Shahnazarian
June 25, 2012
Acres Family,
I have had the most honorable opportunity to learn the great game of basketball from Coach Matt Acres as a Peninsula student 2003-07. I will take away values of life learned from Matt Acres along with a friendship anyone would envy. I can only imagine how influential of a role model Dick Acres was to have passed this quality onto his sons and them onto the multitude of lucky others, such as myself. Thank you Dick for making me a better person, it's not always obvious who's life you can affect.
Love
David Shahnazarian
June 25, 2012
"Be quick but don't hurry"...one of many life lessons learned from Coach Acres and passed on to my own children. My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Acres and family. He was a great coach, a great teacher and a huge influence in my life.
Rick Lovelady, Carson HS, Class of 1976
Abeille
June 25, 2012
(Révélation 21:3-4) Alors j'ai entendu une voix forte venant du trône dire : “ Voyez ! La tente de Dieu est avec les humains, et il résidera avec eux, et ils seront ses peuples. Et Dieu lui-même sera avec eux. 4 Et il essuiera toute larme de leurs yeux, et la mort ne sera plus ; ni deuil, ni cri, ni douleur ne seront plus. Les choses anciennes ont disparu. ”
Mike Mullin
June 25, 2012
To the Acres Family: I would like to extend my deepest condolences. Eventhough we were coaching rivals, I always had the greatest respect for Dick. He was a fun person away from the court and a tiger when coaching. I know that he was most proud of his family. He will be missed.
Dale St.John
June 25, 2012
My deepest condolonces to the Acres family. Dick was one of the finest people I have met and worked with over the years in highschool sports. He umpired many of our highschool games and was always gracious no matter the call.Aside from this he was also a great neighbor and a true teacher of the higher value in youth sports. He will be missed.
Jon Minami
June 24, 2012
Beneath the years of dominance demonstrated by the Carson High football program....quietly stood a proud Coach Acres.....with crew cut hair and whistle dangling from his neck. Intense- yet patient...demanding- yet understanding....focused- yet able to still share a laugh. Coach Acres had provided many of student and athletes- lessons to be remembered and applied for a lifetime. Carson High has lost another one of our heroes!
Don Cline
June 24, 2012
We cheered and argued balls and strikes, foul and no foul as Dick Acres refereed my boys baseball and basketball games over two decades. We never questioned his character or fareness. May the lord comfort your family during this time of grief.
Yasse Romain
June 24, 2012
Toutes mes condoléances à toute la famille. Nous pensons à vous en ces moments difficiles.
Romain Yasse
June 23, 2012
My condolences to Mrs. Acres and Family.
I have many good memories of Coach Acres.
He was a great coach, teacher and most important, a good man.
My Deepest Sympathy.
May God Bless.
George W. Mitchell S'68
Phoenix, AZ.
DAVID ELECCIRI
June 23, 2012
1ST..MY CONDOLENCES TO THE ACRE BOYS AND FAMILY...I 1ST MET "THE TALLEST COLT" IN 1965-66 10TH GRADE YEAR AS I TOO , HAD MR. ACRES FOR DRIVER EDUCATION...I WAS AMAZED WHEN HE COULD SIT DOWN IN A REGULAR CHAIR AND CROSS THOSE LONG LEGS!..AN EXXCELLENT INSPIRING TEACHER! AN EXCELLENT BASKETBALL COACHH..BEES & CEES LOVED HIM AS COACH EZELL WAS THE VARSITY BASKETBALL COACH MY CARSON YEARS 1965-68 IN FOOTBALL , WRESTLING & TRACK...THEN WHEN I CAME BACK AS A TEACHER AT CARSON IN 1976-77 AND MR. ACRES GREETED ME WITH THAT EAR TO EAR SMILE...WILL NEVER FORGET HIS LAUGH AND HOW HE GOT ALONG WITH THE GREATEST GROUP OF COACHES IN THE LAND..COACHES VOLLNOGLE, GALCERAN, EZELL, MAC DONALD...PCAHECO....WOW..THANKS FOR ALL YOU DID FOR CARSON AND I STILL STILL SEE HIS LITTLE COLT SONS..WHEN THEY BECAME BIG COLTS! AMAZING PERSONS FROM THE BIG MAN ON CAMPUS.."MR. ACRES"! RIP JUNA HIS LEGACY!
Pat Akins
June 23, 2012
Dear Sandi, Mark, Jeff, Matt and families,
I was so sorry to read of Dick's passing. I know you will miss him terribly. He was an extraordinary man and you were all blessed to be loved by him.
May he rest in peace and may you remember the great memories as you adjust to life without him.
Warren Fairbanks
June 23, 2012
My condolences to the Acres family. He was a great coach and a great man. Coach Acres will forever be in our hearts and minds.
June 23, 2012
What a wonderful Drivers Education teacher Mr. Acres was. He was so kind and caring. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Sherry Pulley
Class of 1969
June 22, 2012
Dear Acres Family,
I am saddened by Coach Acres passing but I know he's in good hands. He was an inspiration in my life and my basketball career as my high school coach at Carson High School. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family! I'm hoping to visit you before the memorial service on Monday if time permits.
If you can provide a home address I'd like to possibly visit the Acres family at your Palos Verdes residence. You can send a test message at (209) 509 7124.
Mission Labasan
June 22, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow. We were deeply saddened to hear of his passing, but our life's are deeply enriched because we had the honor of knowing him. Mr. Acres displayed all the qualities in life that I admired.
Respectfully,
John Moon & Family
Bob Heintzelman
June 22, 2012
Dick will always be my friend. he was a great husband, a loving father and a classic athletic official,, He will be missed big time and will always be in my prayers. God bless you Dick.
KELLY MOSER SR
June 22, 2012
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO MR ACRES FAMILY HE WAS MY DRIVERS ED TEACHER AT I WATCHED HIM DO GREAT THINGS WITH OUR BASKETBALL TEAM COLT LOVE TO THE WHOLE ACRES FAMILY COACH KELLY MOSER CLASS OF 1982
Cheryl Makale
June 22, 2012
Dear Sandi, Mark, Jeff, Matt.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We will miss his humor and smile.
May God bless you all.
The Makale's
Cheryl, Gary, Ashley and Danny
Elizabeth Ferreira
June 22, 2012
Thank you Mr. Acres for all you taught me in Drivers Education. I know you're in a better place now. RIP.
Elizabeth Ferreira (Chapa)
Class of 1974
Brad Brink
June 22, 2012
Dear Sandi,
Karin,Kelsi,Amber and I wanted to let you know how sorry we were to hear about Dick. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. I will always remember our great times with Grandma and Grandpa Bates snipe hunting at the lake in their moterhome. Dick was so excited to have Kirk and I get rich "snipe hunting". We love you!
Brad
June 22, 2012
He was my coach and my teacher and I will always remember him..May the Lord comfort his family, knowing he's in His hands...Mr Acres will be truly missed and always remembered ....Condolences,
Jim Guthrie Littleton,Colorado
Betty McCardle-Canedy
June 22, 2012
Mr. Acres was my Drivers Ed Teacher. Thank you Mr. Acres. I always have these words in my head while making a move to pass other cars, don't be afraid to make your move....may you rest in peace..Carson High 73
June 22, 2012
Sandi, As you know, in my mind, Dick was "TOPS" in every way. (And you two were role models when it came to marriage.) I was telling Ed Austin (Track starter.) what a perfect couple you and Dick were and he said "they were that way in college!" (I had no idea Ed went to the university in Santa Barbara.) All of us are going to miss Dick, he is not a person you forget. Love and condolences, Ken Wilson
Jeff Halbert
June 22, 2012
Mr. Acres Was My Basketball Coach at Carson High School Over 40 years Ago. He Was a GREAT Coach & I Have Very Good Memories Of Him!!! Over The Years Some of Guys Would Share Stories Regarding Mr. Acres & The Good Times Back Then At Carson High!. My Condolences to His Family He Will Surely be Missed by Many of Those Who Lives He Made a Difference! Goodbye Coach & Thank You For Making a Difference in my Life!
Keith Wattenbarger
June 22, 2012
God Bless Coach!
Monique Conardi
June 22, 2012
May God comfort you during this difficult time. C/O 1983
June 22, 2012
Mr Acres was a great drivers ed teacher, although he failed me once, the next semester I got a B...LOL...all my fault, he was great. You will never be forgotten..Starlo Mead, North Dakota, CHS 1972
Vince Pino
June 21, 2012
Thank you Coach Acres for teaching us that hard work on and off the court pays off. You turned boys into men and in return we gave you a State Championship. Your legacy will live forever ! My thoughts and prayers are with your family. CHS Basketball 1982
DOUGLAS BROWN
June 21, 2012
My condolences to the Acres family. He was a great coach/mentor and an even better human being. You are in my prayers. Yes I got the habit of saying GEEZO PEEZO, Thanks Coach for always showing me Jesus comes first. See you in heaven. State Champs 1982
Bruce Fujimoto
June 21, 2012
Great Man, awesome coach. His teams were in GREAT condition and disciplined on the court. My favorite sayings, "wood on wood", and "Gezzo-Peezo". He will be missed by all he touched.
Danny Conway
June 21, 2012
What a great man! What an awesome coach! Ol' stoneachs taught me a lot on and off the court. I have thought of him often over the years. My sincerest sympathys for his family and all who came in contact with him. I know he will be sorely missed.
Nancy Walker-Rodriguez
June 21, 2012
Mr Acres, A Great & fun teacher. CHS class of '78.
June 21, 2012
Our condolences to the Acres family on the loss of their loved one. He was a
terrific fella & we have fond memories of
Dick & the boys in their early basketball
days. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Bill & Audrey Leddy
June 21, 2012
Acres Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. I have nothing but great memories of Mr. Acres. He was always encouraging even when he would scream out "Geez O' Fridays". My thoughts are with you.
Erich Schultz and Family
Thomas Shores
June 21, 2012
My coach,my teacher...great at both.All I can say is geezo peezo...
Scott Brown
June 21, 2012
Acres Family,
Nicky and I send out our prayers and love to the entire Acres family at this most difficult time. We grieve but also know that now is the time now to remember and celebrate what a great husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach he was and how much he gave back. We are going to have one heck of a game of HORSE when we reunite with Dick in heaven!
Scott & Nicky Brown and Family
Juanita (Perez) Silva
June 21, 2012
Mr. Acres was my Drivers Ed teacher to, loved his class, Loved his excitement on the basketball court. Prayers to the families.
Terry Patterson
June 21, 2012
Coach Acres was also my Driver's Ed teacher,very good teacher and excellent B-Ball coach.RIP COLTLUV.
Carolyn (Huey) Pedego
June 21, 2012
Mr. Acres was my Driver's Ed teacher!! So sorry to hear of his passing. I know he will be missed by so many!! My condolences and prayers to everyone who's lives he touched!!
Vic Resendez
June 21, 2012
One of Carson High School Best,Condolences From Vic Resendez
John Barbieri
June 21, 2012
My condolences to the Acres family. He was a great coach and an even better human being. You are in my prayers.
Colleen Tucker
June 21, 2012
Sandi, I'm so sorry to read of Dick's death this week. It's tough to lose a partner and you're in my prayers. I'm living in South Dakota now but read the Daily Breeze slmost daily to keep in touch.
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