Reflecting on the man who gave me my start

Don Jacobs was my mentor and one of my closest friends.

He was like an older brother.

Had I never met him, my life would have been different. Drastically different — and that’s no exaggeration.

Without him I’d never have met my wife, Hedy; had the children and grandchildren we’ve had; enjoyed a 37-year Orange Coast College career; made the friends I’ve made; or, plain and simple, lived the life I’ve lived.

It’s odd how things turn out.

Don (I called him “DJ”) died late last month at 85.

He was hired as OCC’s second full-time director of community relations in 1965, replacing Dave Epperson, who served in that post from 1962-64.

Epperson knew DJ. They’d worked together on the staff of the Monterey Herald newspaper. When Dave left OCC to go into the magazine publishing business, he recommended Don to fill his job.

Don spent time in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. For the rest of his life he suffered brief relapses of the malaria he’d originally contracted in Korea.

Following his discharge, he earned a bachelor’s in political science at UCLA and a master’s at Cal State Long Beach. An excellent writer, he moved to Monterey to pursue a career in journalism.

DJ served on OCC’s faculty and staff for 30 years, until his retirement in 1995.

He was community relations director for six years. He hired me as his successor in 1971 and 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 DJ in the summer of 1970. I knew of him, of course — I’d been an OCC student — but didn’t actually know him.

I was beginning my senior year as a communications major at Cal State Fullerton. During my final semester I was required to complete an internship in my communications specialty.

I sought out Jacobs at OCC to see if I might serve my internship with him in what was then called the News Bureau. He had a great professional reputation. DJ graciously granted me the internship, and it took no time for me to realize that he had my “dream job.”

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 many constituencies.

I applied those skills during my 37 years at OCC.

My one-semester internship with Don proved to be life-changing. He took an interest in me, advised me and set me on my career path.

He hired me in the summer of 1971.

After Don went into the classroom, we maintained a close relationship. At least once a week we went to lunch, or quaffed cups of java at a table in the quad while discussing a myriad of subjects.

I had the privilege of reading both of his novels before they were published.

Characteristically circumspect, Don didn’t readily share personal feelings or emotions, but I felt I knew him as well as anyone. And he knew me … boy did he know me!

Even after his retirement — and, later, after mine — we stayed close. We maintained our lunch tradition.

Over the past couple of years his health declined and he was in a care facility. I thought of him often, and prayed for him.

Several months before he died I visited him. I had an opportunity to share with him how much he meant to me. I’m grateful for that.

I had tears as I spoke. He seemed touched.

“Thanks DJ for being a wonderful mentor and friend,” I croaked. “I can’t thank you enough.”

He smiled and said he was proud of me. That meant everything.

I don’t know what — or who — I would have become without him.

JIM CARNETT, who lives in Costa Mesa, worked for Orange Coast College for 37 years.