By Travis Lucas deZarn, an 18-year-old freshman at Cal State Long Beach, died in an automobile accident on Nov. 3 in the Palisades Highlands district of Los Angeles.
DeZarn was born Oct. 17, 1989, in Beverly Hills to Tim and Gail Lucas deZarn. He lost his birth mother as an infant, and was raised by Tim and Janine, both actors, in Los Angeles.
He attended Westwood Charter and Paul Revere Charter middle schools, and graduated from Palisades Charter High School in the spring of 2007. He was a charter player and 4-year starter for the Palisades High lacrosse team.
His teammates meant the world to him and he to them. Friends said he had an easygoing personality and a kind soul coupled with a wicked sense of humor. The school’s lacrosse team has retired deZarn’s jersey number, 22.
DeZarn was awarded a scholarship by the Masons of Palisades Riviera Lodge No. 780, and began classes at CSULB in the fall of 2007. He planned to major in film.
Friends have created a group on Facebook.com in his memory: Rest In Peace Travis deZarn. More than 900 have joined and more than 100 photos have been posted since the group was created. Friends and acquaintances have also posted stories of special times on the webpage.
Some of deZarn’s closest friends e-mailed their memories to the Daily Forty-Niner.
“He would always want to do something, and always had a smile on his face,” wrote Griffin Mekelburg, one of the dedication page’s administrators. “[I] grew to be one of his best friends, and he was definitely my best friend.”
Mason Hays, a friend of deZarn since the ninth grade, delivered his “Top Five Moments with Travis” at his deZarn’s service memorial service on Nov. 10 in Pacific Palisades. The list included after-school football, playing charades and posing for bogus high school ID pictures.
“Travis was the kind of guy who never had a frown on his face,” Hays wrote. “[He] would always make the best out of every situation.”
Lizzy Hale, who had known deZarn since kindergarten, wrote, “I think the best way to describe him is genuine … He just made everyone laugh and smile, but not because he wanted to be ‘the class clown,’ but because that was how he was. He didn’t even need to try.”
DeZarn is survived by father Tim and mother Janine, and younger sister Emma.
