David George Adlesh

David George Adlesh was born on July 15, 1943 in Long Beach, California. He was the son of Hessie Mae and Francis Adlesh. Dave grew up in Long Beach and attended St. Anthony Catholic High School, graduating in 1962. At St. Anthony Dave was an athletic standout in football and baseball. He earned all-CIF honors in both sports his junior and senior years. He was offered scholarships to play football and baseball at Notre Dame, USC, ASU and the Air Force Academy. Although he loved football, Dave was also scouted by every major league baseball team at the time and decided to sign with the Houston Colt 45's as a catcher, landing one of the biggest signing bonuses at the time. Dave played for the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, California Angels, Chicago White Sox in a professional baseball career that lasted through 1971. One of the highlights of that career was calling and catching Don Wilson's first no-hitter in the Astrodome in 1967 against the Atlanta Braves. As modest as Dave was about his baseball career, he enjoyed telling baseball stories to anyone who asked. Dave owned the successful night club "The Limit" in Long Beach with his brother Frank from 1966-1971. The Limit was a very popular night club at the time, featuring performances from rock legends such as Ike and Tina Turner, Jackie Wilson, Bo Diddley and Linda Ronstadt. Dave also worked the Southern California horse racing circuit for 17 years, running the press boxes at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita and Del Mar. While Dave accomplished many things in his life, his greatest satisfaction came from working with his hands alongside his Son Darren. Together they completed hundreds of remodeling projects working together. Dave will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, uncanny timing, funny sayings and more than anything else, his love and devotion to his family. He was a great friend to many and wonderful Husband, Father and Grandfather to his family. In recent years, his devotion to family was demonstrated by how much he cherished any opportunity to be with his grandchildren, watching them at all their various sporting events. Dave showed courage throughout his life, and was never more brave as he battled cancer, never giving up, even through 90 treatments. He battled to the very end, when on the evening of February 15, 2016, Dave passed away at home surrounded by his loving family. He was 72. The lord took a great man who will be missed by many. Dave is survived by his wife Betty Ann, brothers Frank and Ray, son Darren and wife Kim, son Steve and wife Mary, daughter Cindy Ann, grandchildren Ryan, Brannon, Andrew, Allison Ann, Nolan, Quinton, Aaron and Jonathan. Dave was preceded in death by his mother and father. We will feel his strength, courage and wisdom someway every day in our lives. We love you Dad! Memorial Service will be on Tuesday March 8, 2016 at 11:30am at Forest Lawn Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Ave. Cypress, CA 90630 in the Church of Our Fathers