Red Betts (left) being presented the Navy Cross. The award was presented at the premier of the movie Retreat Hell, documenting the Marine actions in the Chosin Reservoir, where Betts actions earned him the Navy Cross. Frank Lovejoy (center) starred in the movie.
Harrison Ford "Red" Betts passed away on March 1 at the age of 87. Betts was the owner of Betts-Sine Lumber Company which was located on East Washington Blvd. for many years.
He served as President of the Culver City Chamber of Commerce in 1974-75. He was a Charter member of the Culver City Jaycees: Charter Member serving as the President 1957 -58, Culver City Rotary Club President 1971-72, a founding member of Culver City Rotary Plaza, Culver City Community Chest Chairman 1961 Culver Palms Family YMCA: Board of Managers, Chairman 1973-1974. He was active in the Presbyterian Church and was an Ordained Elder 1946. He served on the church's Board of Trustees and was their President 1966-1969
He was born at Santa Monica Hospital on April 8, 1925. He graduated from Venice High in 1942, Santa Monica City College 1943, Arizona State Teachers College 1943, Colorado College 1944, and received a B.A. in Business Administration from UCLA B.A. 1949
Betts served in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and as a reserve 1942-1957 where he was awarded 17 medals, including the Navy Cross, and four bronze stars
In addition to Betts-Sine Lumber he was a Vice President & Director of Financial Savings, President of Santa Monica Commercial Co., and as a director of Culver National Bank.
Locally he received many awards and commendations including Culver City Jaycees Life Member, Boss of the year, Culver Palms Family YMCA: Man Of The Year, 1973, Culver City Board of Realtors; Community Service Award 1973, Culver City Lions Club: Citizen of the year, 1975, Culver City Rotary Club: Paul Harris Fellow, 1974, Culver City Chamber of Commerce: Man Of The Year, Culver Palms YMCA Man Of The Year, 1984 and Los Angeles YMCA Book of Distinguished Service, 1979.
He was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Dorothy Betts. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Helen "Kit" Betts (ne. Fitzgerald), sons, Tom and Rick, daughter Jody, six grandchildren Doug, Shane, Heather, Tiffany, Christopher and Keegan, one Great Granddaughter Fiona, his brother Bob and sister Barbara.
Services will be held on Friday, March 14 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.
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