Deukmejian Remembered

Courken George Deukmejian Jr. was remembered as being a great political leader, a loving family man, a warm neighbor, modest, humble, honest, gracious and down-to-earth with a great sense of humor.

Elected officials, dignitaries, family and members of the public turned out to celebrate the life of the former California governor and Long Beach citizen during a two-hour public memorial service at the Long Beach Terrace Theater Saturday, June 9.

Deukmejian passed on May 8, a month before his 90th birthday.

“What I most remember is the feeling of comfort when you were with Governor Deukmejian,” said former Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, who was one of several guest speakers. “You felt relaxed, accepted and he listened to what you said. You could not help but feel affection for him. He was a good, decent and honorable man who viewed himself as ordinary, but he did extraordinary things.”

As mayor, Foster developed a relationship with Deukmejian and would call on him for advice. They discussed city issues at Taco Surf on Second Street.

Foster said Deukmejian enjoyed walking through Belmont Shore and got haircuts at a barbershop on Second Street.

“He would often stroll Second Street trolling for ice cream,” Foster said to the crowd, which laughed in response. “One of his passions.”

“He would take long walks through Naples and around Marine Stadium and then over to Bluff Park wearing large, yellow headphones; couldn’t miss him,” Foster said.

Foster shared funny stories of the serious community and world leader.

“Now when you think of Governor Deukmejian, you really don’t think of a wild and crazy guy. He was steady, serious and diligent. However, he did have a well-hidden and well-homed sense of humor.”

Foster recalled the groundbreaking of the George Deukmejian Courthouse. The ceremony took place in a tent onsite.

“The governor’s introduced, he moves up to the lectern to speak and the first thing he does is say, ‘You know, they usually only name these things after dead guys.’ And everyone laughed in no small measure, because the humor was unexpected.”

Foster added that the wind was severe that day and the tent poles behind the Republican governor started coming out of the ground and threatened to collapse the tent.

That’s when Foster and Congressman Alan Lowenthal ran up to hold down the poles to prevent a serious situation from happening.

“The governor turns around and looks at us, and then turns back to the audience, and he says, ‘It gives me great comfort to know that these two Democrats have my back.’”

Of Armenian descent, Deukmejian was born in the small town of Menands, New York on June 6, 1928. His parents immigrated to America to escape the Turkish genocide that was taking place against the Armenian people, according to his biography in the event’s program.

He graduated from Watervliet High School, received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Siena College and earned his juris doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law.

He entered the Army in 1953 and served in Paris for 16 months, assigned to the Judge Advocate Corps.

Upon returning to the United States, he worked for Texaco in the land and lease department. He then became deputy counsel for Los Angeles County.

Deukmejian married Gloria Saatjian in 1957. They have three children; Leslie, George and Andrea as well as six grandchildren, Samantha, William, Dylan, Holden, Anna and Lucas.

In 1958, Deukmejian established a law practice in Long Beach.

He started his first term in elected office in 1963 as California assemblyman from 1963-1967. He was state senator from 1967-1979. He was California Attorney General from 1979-1983. Deukmejian served as governor of the State of California from 1983-1991.

“During his 16 years in the California State Legislature, George authored more than 180 laws. As governor, he appointed more than 1,000 ‘common sense’ judges; made investment in the state’s higher education system a top priority; led the state’s divestiture from apartheid South Africa; and signed the nation’s first assault rifle ban. He ended his public career in 1991 untouched by scandal,” the program reads.

He was awarded 10 honorary doctorates.

In addition to speakers, video presentations were shown and a Gershwin medley was performed by Long Beach Symphony musicians, as Deukmejian liked Gershwin.

Rev. Michael Fincher of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church ended the celebration of life with prayer.

“Loving and life-giving God, we give joyful thanksgiving for the life of Governor George Deukmejian; loving husband, father and grandfather, devoted friend and colleague, generous and compassionate benefactor, accomplished legal mind, statesman and public servant,” Fincher said in part.

“But most importantly; beloved child of God; a man who was not only a devout follower of your word, but faithfully lived your gospel, seeking to love you and to love others as himself.”

kirt@beachcomber.news