Donald Gunderson

Beloved brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher and mentor, Donald Gunderson, 89, born on February 20, 1936, in Montana, passed away January 05, 2026 from natural causes. He resided in Buena Park, CA at the time of his passing. While growing up he spent the school years in Renton, Washington and summers on the farm in Montana. High school band brought him together with his lifelong love, Judy Battello,and they were married February 1955. The couple pivoted from a life on the farm to Don working toward a career in music education. Daughter Kathryn Mary was born in 1956, and son Michael George joined the family in 1958. After graduating from Western Washington State College in 1958, Don's first teaching gig was at Burlington Edison High School. In 1961, after 30 straight days of rain, Don sought employment in sunny California. There, he opened Crescent Junior High School (1961-1966), and also directed the Orange County Optimist Youth Band (1962-1971). Son Mark Kevin was born in 1965. A shift to Savanna High School was made in 1966, and Don stayed a Savanna Rebel though 1978, teaching both Kathie and Mike during his tenure. The next move was to California State University Fullerton, where he developed the jazz program and bolstered the music education department. His last teaching position was at Los Altos High School (1981-2000), a portion of which son Mark was co-director. In addition to concert bands and jazz bands, Don was proud to teach orchestra, and served a couple times as song and cheer advisor. He created opportunities for students: from domestic and international travel, to participating in parades at Disneyland, the 1984 Olympics and on film, he recognized and nurtured the talents of others. He and Judy founded the California Leadership Academy to develop leadership skills in band students across Southern California. A respected judge of bands on the field and at concert festivals, Don mentored many music educators before and after his retirement in 2000, serving as a leader in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). Former students and colleagues remember his caring and integrity. His family remembers his love and unconditional support.

Don is survived by his wife, Judy; his sister, Dianne Petchnick Cummings and her husband Tim; son Mike with his wife Stephanie; son Mark with his wife Phyllis and their children Matthew and Camille; daughter Kathryn with her husband Robb Rogers, their children Alexander, and Morgan with her husband Jeff Cale and great-granddaughter, Scottie. 

Funeral Mass at St. Pius V Catholic Church will be held at 10am, January 22, with burial at Forest Lawn, Cypress immediately after.

A Celebration of Life is slated for January 24 from 12-3pm at the Doubletree Hotel on Beach Boulevard in Buena Park.