Herschel R. Musick

Herschel Robert Musick, age 90, died on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at his home in Santa Ana, with loved ones by his side. He was born to Leonard Herschel and Olive Gertrude Musick in Santa Ana, CA on October 28, 1932. As a child, he enjoyed playing sports, especially football. He went to the beach often with his uncles for fun in the sun, body surfing, and playing catch with the football. He loved to be out in the sun. His dad went by Herschel, so young Herschel became known as “Sonny.” His love for the beach stayed with him. As a father, on summer days he would pack up the station wagon with his kids, along with their neighborhood friends, and head down to Big Corona where they would play football, wiffle ball, and body surf.

He attended Santa Ana High School where he was captain of the football team and student body president. In high school is where he met the love of his life, Barbara (deceased in 2021) who, at the time, had just migrated with her family from Massachusetts. Three years after high school on February 28, 1953, Herschel and Barbara married. They had a true devotion for each other with a marriage of over 65 years. After two years in the army, Herschel returned to college and earned a degree from Long Beach State. He returned to Santa Ana High as a teacher, assistant football coach, and JV baseball coach. When Santa Ana Valley High School opened he accepted a teaching position there, as well as the head coach for baseball. His involvement with football continued and for over 35 years he worked as a high school football referee. His 24 years of leading the Falcons included over 300 wins, eight league championships, and coach of the year nine times. Herschel also experienced great success as a youth baseball coach, leading multiple teams to state championships. Herschel was a coach of coaches. He taught various coaching clinics throughout the county where youth coaches learned techniques, strategies, and how to teach the proper fundamentals of baseball. Many of the coaches that Herschel mentored went on to have great success as well. He made an incredible impact on the quality of coaching that the youth players in Orange County continue to receive. Herschel truly had a gift when it came to coaching. He was tough, but fair and had a unique way of connecting with his players through his honesty and sense of humor. He had the ability to get every ounce of talent out of his players and prepared them so well, which created a team atmosphere rich in confidence.

After Herschel & Barbara were well-established as teachers, they started a family. Many great times were had as a family. Herschel and Barbara loved to spend Summers in their Mammoth condo, especially with their children, grandchildren, and friends. Hiking, fishing, and playing cards at the condo were just some of the popular activities. However, Herschel did not participate in fishing, but he especially enjoyed eating fish that the rest of us, including Barbara, would haul in.

Herschel is survived by his sisters Lela Kovalenko, Mary Pat Brown & Judy Heumann, brother Tommy Musick, daughter Karen Musick, sons Kurt, Jeff & Todd Musick, grandchildren Tad Shimada, Alissa Shimada, Erika McKie, Kristin Musick, Benjamin Musick, Kayla Musick, Cameron Musick, as well as his great-grandchildren Eric, Isaac, Charlie Mae, Harbor & Sonny.

We will miss his laugh, his humorous stories, and his larger-than-life personality. The open and warm feeling of Barbara and Herschel’s home will forever stay alive in our hearts and memory. Rest in peace!

Herschel’s Celebration Of Life will be at 10:00 am on Friday, June 23 at La Purisima Catholic Church 11712 N. Hewes St. Orange, CA 92869

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