Community honors longtime south valley educator

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Loved ones are remembering a longtime educator who died suddenly on Monday.

A celebration of life took place Saturday for Don Warkentin at West Hills College Lemoore.

Warkentin worked there for nearly 30 years and was the college president from 2004 until his retirement in December. Colleagues say he was a larger-than-life member of the community for decades, and his death has been profoundly felt on the campus and across the area.

Warkentin was 69.