Notable Lives

You’ll marvel at the impressive list of “Permanent Californians”, which signifies many famous and accomplished people laid to rest here at Inglewood Park Cemetery. They are all distinguished in some way by their renowned contributions to the worlds of sports, theater, movies, music, law enforcement, government, the military, and business.

Annie P Reed 1920-2014

Ms. Reid, along with three other women interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for her work during World War 11was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for their work. Is it possible to add that detail? was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for their work. Is it possible to add that detail? as a member of the Army unit known as the “Six Triple Eight” who were responsible for sorting and clearing up a two-year backlog of mail for Americans stationed in Europe.

Betty Grable 1916-1973

Actress. Her success as a G.I favorite pin-up girl during WWII led to a career as a mainstream movie star. She performed in 42 films in the 1930s and 1940s grossing more than $100 million. She is interred within the Mausoleum of the Golden West, Sanctuary of Dawn, Crypt A78

Caesar Cardini 1896 –1956

Italian restaurateur, chef and hotel owner is credited with creating the popular Caesar salad at his Tijuana restaurant. He is buried in the Elm section near Manchester Garden Mausoleum.

César Romero 1907-1994

The actor/dancer began his career as the suave Latin lover in a bevy of 1940’s “Golden Age” musicals, and portrayed the Cisco Kid in a number of movies for 20th Century Fox. He is probably best known today for his role as ‘The Joker’ in the TV series “Batman.” Within the Mausoleum of the Golden West, you’ll find his unique harp-shaped urn displayed in the Alcove of Music, #408.

Chet Baker 1929 –1988

The iconic poster boy for West Coast cool jazz, he left a profound mark on jazz as a trumpeter and vocalist in his 40-year career leading him to be nicknamed the “Prince of Cool”. His grave is located in the Elm section near Manchester Garden Mausoleum.

Edgar Bergen 1903-1978

Edgar John Bergen was an American actor, comedian and radio performer, best known for his proficiency in ventriloquism and his characters Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. He is also the father of actress Candice Bergen. He is buried atop a small knoll in the Miramar section, two sections northeast of the lake.

Ella Fitzgerald 1918-1996

Singer/Recording Artist. Referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz and Lady Ella. Noted for purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, intonation and “horn-like” improvisational ability. She in interred within Sunset Mission Mausoleum, second floor in the Sanctuary of the Bells, Crypt 1063.

Etta James (Jamesetta Hawkins) 1938-2012

Award-winning vocalist. Known for the legendary blues song “At Last”. These words are engraved on her memorial tablet, marking her crypt outside the Garden of Chimes.

Ferde Grofe 1892 - 1972

Ferde Grofe is the noted conductor, pianist, violinist, arranger and composer that created the Grand Canyon Suite. Grofe played for the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra and also played jazz piano for Paul Whitman and did orchestration with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. 

George Huntington Peck, Jr. 1856 - 1940

George Huntington Peck, Jr. was an American real estate broker and developer.  He began his career as a railroad conductor and is credited with driving the first Southern Pacific train into San Pedro.   Convinced of the need for harbor facilities, he later bought land along the seashore and established the first bank in San Pedro.

Peck eventually acquired virtually all of San Pedro and much of the north part of what became Manhattan Beach.

George Myers 1843 - 1917

One of a number of Civil War veterans laid to rest at Inglewood Park Cemetery, George Myers AS presented the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in bravery while serving with Company F, 101st Ohio Infantry.

George Pepperdine 1886-1962

A successful entrepreneur, generous philanthropist and best known as the founder of what is now Pepperdine University. He was a man of much faith and wanted the students of his school to live a Christlike life. His grave can be found at Division B, Lot 499 Evergreen close to the flower shop.

James J. Jeffries 1875 - 1953

James J. Jeffries was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1899 to 1905 but he is best known to history for coming out of retirement (and billed as “The Great White Hope”) to take on Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight champion in history, in what was then called “The Fight of the Century”.

Jim Gilliam 1928 - 1978

Can you imagine being asked to replace Jackie Robinson at second base for the Brooklyn Dodgers? While there can only be one Jackie Robinson, Gilliam’s first year as Robinson’s replacement resulted in him being the Rookie of the Year. Not a bad way to start and just one of the many reasons he was a team favorite during his 13 year career …all with the Dodgers.

John G. Bullock 1871 -1933

Recognized as visionary within the retail world, John Bullock opened up two of the most popular stores and shopping experiences in Los Angeles history…Bullock’s and then the lavishly appointed Art Deco-style Bullock’s Wilshire. His mark on the Los Angeles retail stage will be forever remembered.

Johnnie Cochran 1937 - 2005

Johnnie Cochran established himself as a sought after attorney dealing with high-profile police brutality cases and defended numerous celebrities including the likes of  Michael Jackson and O. J. Simpson.

Junípero Serra 1713 - 1784

Junípero Serra founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California. Serra was beatified by Pope John Paul II on 25 September 1988 in Vatican City. Serra’s missionary efforts earned him the title of “Apostle of California”. His enduring legacy lies in the cultural and historical impact of the missions, which continue to be important landmarks in California’s history.

 

Kenneth Hahn 1920-1997

A familiar and respected name in Los Angeles politics, Kenneth Hahn served on the Board of Supervisors for over 40 years and is memorialized with the main county building, city park, rail station, etc., named after him. His grave is located the Memorial Vista section.

Paul Revere Williams 1894 –1980

Recognized as one of the premier architects of his time having designed many city landmark buildings along with private residences for Lucile Ball, Frank Sinatra and many other celebrities. He is interred in Crypt A-142 located in the Sanctuary of Radiance within Manchester Garden Mausoleum.

Ray Charles Robinson, Sr. 1930-2004

Singer, musician, conductor. Legendary entertainer known as Ray Charles. His unique style overcame his blindness to perform favorites like “Georgia On My Mind,” “What’d I Say” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” His crypt is located in the Mausoleum of the Golden West, Sanctuary of Eternal Love, Crypt A32.

Ricky Lynn Bell 1955 - 1984

Having had an illustrious college career at USC, Ricky was Selected by Tampa Bay first overall in the 1977 draft ahead of future hall of famer Tony Dorsett. As his college coach would say, “The one distinctive characteristic about Ricky is his great desire to play and be the best”.

Samuel Crouch 1896-1976

Bishop Crouch uncle of Grammy award-winning gospel artists, Andraé Crouch and Sandra Crouch, blazed trails throughout the Church of God in Christ and was an instrumental figure in and Church’s growth in Los Angeles and nationally as well.

Spanish Explorers windows (Portola, Cabrillo)

Gaspar de Portola was born in 1723 and died in 1784. In 1767, the Spanish monarchy sent Gaspar de Portola to California to serve as the governor. As the first governor of Upper California and the founder of Monterey and San Diego, he played a key role in establishing the Franciscan missions in Upper California.

 

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo led the first European expedition that explored what is now the west coast of the United States. He came to California in 1542 and claimed the territory for Spain.

Sugar Ray Robinson 1921 –1989

Often regarded as the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time by boxing historians, Sugar Ray Robinson was renowned for his classy and flamboyant lifestyle outside the ring with many crediting him as the originator of the modern sports “entourage”.  After his boxing career ended, Robinson tried his hand as a restauranteur and entertainer. He is buried in the Pinecrest section overlooking the lake.

Thornton Chase 1921-1989

Chase was a distinguished officer of the United State Colored Troops during the American Civil War and the first western convert to the Baha’i Faith. His grave is memorialized with a black marble monuments within the Sierra section near Sunset Mission Mausoleum. 

Tom Bradley 1927-1998

LAPD (21 years). The first African American elected to LA. City Council and Mayor of Los Angeles (1973-1993). Business friendly, he led the transformation of Los Angeles into a “world-class city” with a new skyline and vibrant downtown. In Bradley years, Los Angeles surpassed Chicago to become nation’s second largest city. His crypt is within Sunset Mission Mausoleum , Vault 1086D.

Willard Woods 1918-2002

A fighter pilot and member of the Tuskegee Airman would fought honorably and with much success during WWII. He is interred within the glass front niches in the Capistrano Garden of the Mausoleum of the Golden West, Niche 214.  

William Thomas 1931 - 1980

As a child actor, Williams is best remembered for portraying the character of Buckwheat in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films from 1934 until the series’ end in 1944. His date of his death in 1980 was 46 years to the day after his mother brought him to audition at the Hal Roach Studios.

Willie Agee 1921-1989

Known affectionately as “Mr. Inglewood”, he was the long-time Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the City of Inglewood and instrumental in establishing many popular park program and features. He is interred within the Manchester Garden Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Valor, Crypt 635 (lower level)

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