‘He had a big heart’

DON ELAM

* Born: Dec. 14, 1926

* Died: Nov. 20, 2005

* Services: Held for family and friends

* Survived by: His wife, Bertha “Bert” Elam; his sons, Michael and Alan Elam; his daughter, Donna Brown; and three grandchildren

Don Elam was a proud member of the 19th Street Gang -- a group of neighbors who often socialized together and frequented popular local eateries such as O’Joe’s restaurant and bar and Pink’s Drug Store.

Elam could be reserved at times -- but not when surrounded by his family and friends.

“He liked being with his crowd,” said Bert Elam, Don’s wife of 53 years. “He was very generous with friends and would do anything for them.”

Elam died Nov. 20 at age 78.

Born in Orange to a Sunkist orange packer and a gas station owner, Don Elam went to grade school in Costa Mesa and attended Newport Harbor High School.

He never graduated from Harbor High because after his sophomore year he enlisted in the United States Navy. Stationed in Long Beach, Hawaii and Florida, Don Elam served as a medical corpsman for about four years.

“He wanted to help his country,” Bert Elam said. “Everyone was joining at that time.”

After his service in the military, Don Elam re- turned to Costa Mesa and ran a one-person gardening and landscaping service. Later on, his children helped out with projects.

Don Elam’s family said he was the kind of person who wasn’t happy unless he was working in the field.

“He would never sit at a desk,” Elam said. “He had to be outdoors.”

Don Elam met Bert Herrera at an Orange County dance hall. The two were married in 1952 and bought a home together in Costa Mesa a few years later.

He went to Santa Ana College to receive his plumber’s certificate. Don Elam was a journeyman plumber, working for different companies throughout his career. He specialized in commercial buildings and new homes.

In his spare time, Don Elam was an avid hunter and deep-sea fisher. He enjoyed taking his sons on the trips.

“A lot of the time they came back with nothing,” Bert Elam said. “But he enjoyed going every bit as much.”

Don Elam enjoyed taking his family camping. Yosemite and Tahoe were two of his favorite destinations. He was actively involved in his children’s lives, Bert Elam said. That included playing basketball and baseball with them and attending their scouting activities.

Don Elam was the vice president of the Harbor area’s first boys club. During his final years, he was active in the Costa Mesa Senior Center and was a regular attendee on bus trips.

Every day, he did water aerobics and used workout machines at a 24-Hour Fitness club near his home.

After Don Elam retired, his wife said jokingly that he told his friends not to ask for free plumbing work. But the reality was that Don Elam would help out if someone he knew was in a bind.

“He would do anything for anyone,” said Donna Brown, Elam’s daughter. “He had a big heart.”