John Frederick Duston, Jr.

John Fredrick Duston Jr., known as Jack, was born November 7th, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only son of Violet and John Duston Sr.

After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Jack attended Iowa State University, where he graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Through the campus ROTC program, Jack entered the U.S. Air Force as an officer and was stationed at the Air Reserve Records Center in Denver, Colorado. It was there that he was first exposed to data processing, and he immediately became hooked. He would go on to become a Major in the USAF Reserves.

At 27, he went to work at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota as an industrial engineer for 5 1/2 years. While in Rochester, Jack met and married Dixie Lee Blackman, who was working as a resident physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic. Having become more interested in the use of computers, he transferred to the company's Los Angeles office as an industrial engineer / systems engineer / marketing representative.

They moved to California, settling in Palos Verdes. Jack's career blossomed, and after another 5 1/2 years with IB,M he went to work for Logicon, a software company. He then went into business with a group of other data processing professionals and formed Medical Data Systems, a company that developed and installed computer systems for hospitals, a revolutionary concept at the time. Jack's breakthrough helped hospitals cope with the challenges presented by the emerging Medicare and Medi-Cal systems and took the health care industry from the ledger-card days to the high-tech era. He went on to help form the CPA firm Linford, Jenson, Bradford and Company, specializing in the health care industry. They were highly successful, eventually merging with Ernst & Whinney in 1983. Jack became head of all Public Sector Systems for the West Region and expanded the firm's consulting horizons to include the installation of new financial systems for the City and County of Los Angeles. Jack retired as a partner with Ernst & Young in 1990 to pursue his many other ventures and interests.

During the mid-1970s, Jack was active in Palos Verdes politics. During his tenure, he served on a committee to negotiate a complex series of cable television contracts, served on the Planning Commission, and ran for city council, where he was elected Mayor. In addition to his many hats in Palos Verdes politics, Jack formed and headed a committee to save and rebuild the Palos Verdes Beach and Athletic Club after it had been left derelict for many years due to a fire that had destroyed much of the club.

He was also active in community and nonprofit organizations...

Lifetime Member Freemason

Board of Governors of the Iowa State Foundation

Board and Treasurer, Palos Verdes Art Center

Board and President, South Coast Botanical Gardens

Board and Treasurer, Long Beach Museum of Art

Board and Trustee Little Company of Mary Hospital

President San Pedro Chamber of Commerce

Founding member of Palos Verdes High School Boosters Club

In the late 1970s, Jack and Dixie developed a strong interest in the real estate industry, which led them to acquire an eight-person real estate company in Lunada Bay, running it successfully for many years. In the early 1980s, Jack was active in helping form Malaga Bank. The Bank opened in 1985; Jack and Dixie were among the first investors. Dixie went on to become Chairman of the Board.

Jack and Dixie joined the Los Angeles Yacht Club in 1981. Jack, of course, became very involved and was the club secretary for many years. He was also known for planning the club's international cruises for several years. His cruises were legendary, planning time on land as well as time on water.

Even with his many endeavors, Jack prioritized family, buying a cabin in Mammoth, and later in June Lake, teaching the children a love of the outdoors, including fishing, hiking, and skiing. The family also enjoyed beach time, sports, and traveling. After 38 wonderful years together, Dixie's untimely passing came in 1997.

Later, Jack met and married Wendy Morrison. They enjoyed a life full of adventure. On a memorable sailing trip to New Zealand, they unexpectedly purchased a house in the beautiful Bay of Islands, where they would welcome family and friends to share the joy of all things New Zealand for 15 years. They would share 25 years of marriage, splitting their time when not traveling, between Palos Verdes, June Lake, and New Zealand.

Jack loved his family most of all, a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He had a special bond with his only sister, Alice Jo Vlasnik (Bob). His 4 children, sons John III (Lori), Jay (Michele), Jeff (Celeste), and daughter Debbi (Damon). Grandchildren Julia (Scott), Jessica, John IV (Charissa), James, Marisa, Samantha (Claire), and Sydney. Great-grandson Christopher. Stepsons Zak Morrison and Joel Morrison (Jeni).

A private service and celebration are scheduled per Jack's wishes.