OCC loses its voice of 37 years

In the 1940s, Jim Carnett’s parents met on the dusty landscape of the Santa Ana Army Air Base, which later became home to OCC. He grew up near the college, putting the biggest playground a boy could want only a short walk away. Carnett remembered he and his brother sneaking into the gym several times to play basketball, only to get caught and sent home.

After graduating high school, OCC welcomed Carnett on campus, then as a student. At 26, Carnett got his first big job and, not surprisingly, it was at OCC. He even met his wife there.

At the end of January, the 62-year-old Carnett retires after 37 years as the voice at OCC and writer behind so many of the school’s public announcements. On Wednesday, current and former faculty members thanked “Mr. OCC” for his service.

“He has written about us to the community and told the community how great we are, and that set a tone and a standard for us to be that kind of college in every way we possibly could,” OCC President Bob Dees said. “In years to come when people roll off names of who really influenced what this place has become, Jim Carnett will be there.”

Carnett’s passion for education, and OCC in particular, didn’t stop with the school’s reputation.

“In high school he was always, ‘You’re going to OCC,’” said Jade Fatzaun, one of Carnett’s three daughters. Carnett’s grandchildren easily spot him in the airport, she said, because he’s the only one wearing an orange and blue hat and shirt.

“I kind of feel like a second wife,” said Carnett’s wife, Hedy. She said the couple will divide their time between here and North Carolina, where they also own a home.

“I always knew he was going to do something good,” said his mother, Betty. “But I never knew he would be so revered and so loved. I’m so proud that he’s my son.”

Carnett was humbled by all the accolades, crediting his long and decorated writing career at OCC to his colleagues.

“I’m going to miss these people. I’m overwhelmed with their expressions of kindness and friendship. I’m just touched by it,” he said. “I saw how this place changes lives. It’s changed my life.”

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.