Warren Michael (Sheridan, 1941-43) passed away June 27, 2005. He was a native San Franciscan and a Cal alumni “die hard.” He radiated enthusiasm for whatever he did. This showed in his early Boy Scout days as a leader in his troop and when he became an Eagle Scout.

He was a successful insurance man, persistent and yet caring. Few could say no to him. His organized the successful Sheridan Hall reunions. His dedication to the co-ops showed itself two years ago when he undertook the task of raising over $8,000 from his many friends and relatives of Sheridan Hall.

He traveled extensively with his wife, Frances. Despite many physical ailments, which limited his walking, he rarely complained and maintained a radiant smile at all times.

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By Ivan J. Houston (Oxford, Cloyne, 1942-47)

My brother Norman B. Houston (Oxford, 1941-42) passed away on January 13, 2005. He was one of the first African-American football players at Cal. He earned his freshman football numerals in 1941 and his Big “C” as a varsity player in 1942. World War II interrupted his studies at Cal and he returned from the service to finish college at UCLA.

Norman lived at Oxford Hall where several other Black students from Los Angeles also resided. Norman’s son, Norman A. Houston (Oxford, 1966-67) also lived at Oxford Hall and received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration at Cal.

I can only add that none of us would have made it through Cal without the Co-ops.

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By Andrew Watry (Chateau 1981-82)

James Demma (Lothlorien, Chateau 1979-82), a longtime fixture at Bette’s Oceanview Diner, died on March 2, 2005, from malignant melanoma. He is survived by his wife Rosa, son Frank, daughter Anna Maria, mother Anna, and four sisters.

Jim moved into Lothlorien during his first semester at Cal (Fall 1979) and moved to Chateau in Spring 1980. Jim was a central part of the social life at Chateau when I moved there in Spring 1981. When we’d had enough of Chateau (or graduated) Jim, Doug Cantwell (Cloyne, Chateau 1979-82), Noel Shaw, and I moved to a shared house on Cedar St. in Berkeley, known for its live-action TV sculpture in the front yard, from 1982 to 1985.

Jim was an English major, graduating from Cal in 1982, and was proud to have read Joyce’s Ulysses. Jim waited tables at the Good Earth restaurant on Oxford where he met then-girlfriend Judy Smith, moving on to Bette’s Oceanview Diner in 1985, where he was a waiter and manager from 1985 to 2000. Jim was a fixture at Bette’s, always right at the front of the store with a smile, funny comment, or friendly/goofy greeting for everyone. He and Vince Bennett (Ridge Project, Chateau 1978-82) were an engaging Chateau-alum team there for years. Jim was a lively, restless, outgoing, fun-loving guy, always doing something exciting, fun and creative.

Jim met wife Rosa in 1994, and they were married in 1996. Jim became a stay-at-home dad, and was a generous, giving, loving husband and father. Jim’s death is a great loss to his family and to those who knew him. Hundreds of friends and family members were attended a memorial service in Petaluma.