Thursday Throwback: Don Jacobs -- Pirate Legend
As life's seasons pass in succession, I note with alarming rapidity my missteps along the way.
They seemingly went unnoticed.
Not by me. Today I see clearly my multitude of miscues … both of omission and commission.
Like not offering a satisfactory "thank you" for words of encouragement extended generously in my direction. Were I able to retrieve such moments now, I might be able to utter a better-late-than-never apology. My gratitude was real at the time, but infrequently and inarticulately expressed.
Now in my eighth decade, I cherish people who sacrificed their own comfort on my behalf. There were many that I failed to thank. Most are now gone; maybe it's too late, huh?
Though, perhaps not. I still have in my possession a computer keyboard. I've not lost the ability to write, and to project into the ether genuine thoughts of gratitude. So, here goes: a thought of gratitude that's high on my list.
There once was a man who was for me a mentor and friend. He had as much an influence on my life as any living person, save my parents. I speak of OCC's Don Jacobs.
Fourteen years my senior, Don was the older brother I never had. Had I never met him; my life would have been decidedly different. As Shakespeare mused, without him I'd have been a "walking shadow."
Minus Don Jacobs, I'd never have met Hedy, my wife of 45 years; never had the children and grandchildren we've been blessed with; never enjoyed a 37-year Orange Coast College career; never have made the friends I made; or, put simply, never have lived the life I've lived. Without Don, I would today be someone else. Perhaps unrecognizable. Not necessarily better or worse, but different.
Don (I called him "DJ") died in 2016 at the age of 85. He was hired as OCC's third full-time director of community relations in 1965, replacing Dave Epperson, who served from 1962-64.
Epperson knew DJ. They'd been colleagues on the staff of the Monterey Herald newspaper. When Dave left OCC to enter the magazine publishing business, he recommended that Don fill his post.
Don spent time in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. Coincidentally, 15 years later I served in Korea. For the rest of his life Don was burdened with relapses from the malaria he'd contracted while on duty on the Korean peninsula. But he refused to let that disrupt his life. He was indefatigable in front of a Royal Typewriter.
Following his military discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science at UCLA and a master's at Cal State Long Beach. An excellent writer, he moved to Monterey to pursue a journalism career.
DJ served on OCC's faculty and staff for 30 years, until his retirement in 1995. He opened his own successful PR firm.
He was Coast's community relations director for six years and hired me as his successor in 1971. He then entered the classroom as a political science and journalism professor. Don was adviser to the student newspaper for a number of years, and an assistant OCC football coach.
I first met him in the summer of 1970. I knew of him before that, of course — I'd been an OCC student — but I didn't know him. As a student, and member of the college newspaper staff, I had occasion to see Don's press releases. I followed up on several with telephone calls: cub reporter to PR chief. He offered information and advice to this rookie, and I admired his professionalism. 
I regularly saw him in the Athletic Department talking with or interviewing coaches, players and/or media reporters. He also covered games. Quietly I concluded that he had my dream job.
As I began my senior year as a Cal State Fullerton communications major, I faced a daunting semester-long internship requirement. That requirement would put the cap on my B.A. degree in public relations. I had to come up with a hands-on, 150-hour assignment that was meaningful and that tested my skills. I then had to sell it to my Fullerton advisor.
I did so, and sought out Jacobs at OCC. I visited his office and made an appointment to talk with him through his secretary, Idamae Keily. Later, when I sat with Don, I asked him if I might be permitted to do a one-semester internship in his "News Bureau" office. I was confident that he could teach me what I needed to know to be successful in the profession. And, he did.
I assured him I'd work for free … and I did.
DJ graciously granted me the internship. I learned from him how to write press releases, feature stories and speeches; how to write, edit and design brochures, flyers and newsletters; how to shoot news and sports photos; how to cover athletic contests and board meetings; how to design and edit sports media publications; how to conduct interviews and chair committees; and how to represent the college before its various constituencies.
The internship proved to be life-changing. Don took an interest in me, advised me and set me on my career path. He hired me as his assistant in the summer of 1971 and I remained at Coast for 37 years, until my retirement in 2008.
After Don went into the classroom, we remained close. Once a week we went to lunch, or quaffed cups of java at a table in the quad while engaged in discussing a myriad of topics.
Characteristically circumspect, Don didn't readily share personal feelings or emotions. Like my own father, he could be inscrutable and private. I resonated with that. I knew him as well as I knew anyone. And he knew me … boy did he know me! Often, he served as my counselor.
Even after his retirement — and, later, after mine — we remained close. We maintained our lunch tradition.
In his last couple of years his health deteriorated alarmingly. He entered a care facility. Weeks before he died, I visited him. I had an opportunity to share with him how much he meant to me – and I grabbed it. Tell him, Jim!
Tears accompanied my words.
"Thanks DJ for being a wonderful mentor and friend," I croaked. "I can't thank you enough."
He nodded and smiled.
I sometimes speculate as to who I might have become without Don Jacobs.
I know this, I wouldn't have been me.
