Don Cardinal

OXNARD/VENTURA - Don Cardinal passed away on Friday, July 28, 2023. He was born in Oklahoma City on March 10, 1933 to John and Lois Cardinal. As a kid, Don was adopted by Bud “Papa” Stegall after the death of his father. Don graduated from Santa Paula High School in 1951 where he showcased his natural athleticism by earning 9 varsity letters; baseball 3 years, track and field (league champ in shot put), basketball and football 2 years a piece. He was named All American Honorable Mention his senior year as a quarterback and All County his junior and senior years for football. Don met and married the love of his life, Joan, in high school and in 1955and they embarked on a 46 year marriage filled with love, travel and children.He always considered Joan to be his “hero” and the light of his life. Together they traveled with their 3 children- Mike, Pam and Tim along with other family members and friends, creating many joyous memories and doing what they loved the most, spending time with family. Unfortunately, this chapter closed when Joan passed in 2001. A new chapter began in 2003 when he ran into an old high school friend,Joyce, whom he met and married the same year. Blessed with finding love again, he also gained 2 step-children, Jamie and Stacey whom he loved very much. They had 17 years together before Joyce too passed. Don was also lucky in life finding a career he loved in being a teacher and a baseball coach. His career began at Hueneme High School as a teacher and a JV baseball coach. In 1967 a new school opened up, Channel IslandsHigh School, and he had the opportunity to transition into the job he really wanted, Head baseball coach. With fortitude and a team full of sophomoresDon molded them into an unstoppable force, winning league championships their first year! It was the first of seven straight league titles. The “Raiders”of Channel Islands won CIF in 1969 and were runners up in 1972. Don coached from 1967 until 1992 and established a 431-220-4 record to become the baseball coach with the best winning record in Ventura County history, thus appropriately having the diamond on the field he loved so much named the “Don Cardinal Field” after him. While he was proud of his record on the field, what he was most proud of was the impact he had on the young men in his program. He was tough, but fair. He was just as apt to yell at a player as he was to praise them, and through it all drilled into them principles of hard work and dedication they could apply to other areas of their lives. His goal was to not only have a winning season but to prepare his players for life outside the field. “Coach”, “Pops”or “Papa Don” as he was known to many will be missed by all. Don is survived by his children, Mike, Pam and Tim, and his daughters in law Barbara and Denise. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Joshua,Nikki, Kimberly, Jacob and Taylor, great grandchildren Deleon, Mya andNathan and great great grandchild Elijah. Services will be held Friday, August 11th at 9:30am at Church of Christin Santa Paula located at 276 W. Santa Paula Street. Anyone who wants to speak or tell a story about Don will be provided the opportunity. This will be followed by a graveside service at Santa Paula Cemetery then lunch back at the church after the service to celebrate Don’s life.