Dr. Aaron Baer Koran; Oral Surgeon Aided Poor

Dr. Aaron Baer Koran, 85, pioneering oral surgeon who provided free dental care to the poor. In practice in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills from 1937 until his retirement in 1981, Koran was an early advocate of titanium implants to repair facial disfigurement. He served as chief of oral surgery and dentistry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for more than two decades. He was also active in professional organizations, serving as international president of the Alpha Omega dental fraternity, which he helped increase to 15,000 members. As a volunteer, Koran provided free dental services at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, City of Hope and the Vista del Mar Children’s Home. After prominent Hollywood writers were blackballed because of hearings before the House un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, Koran provided free dental care to them and their families. He was founder and chairman of the King David Benevolent Society, president of the Professional Men’s Club of Los Angeles and dental chairman for the United Jewish Welfare Fund and the Beverly Hills chapter of the American Red Cross. During World War II, Koran left his practice to serve as an Army captain in Europe, earning five battle stars, two commendations and the combat medical badge. On Saturday in Los Angeles of cancer.

LuLann McGriff; San Francisco NAACP Chief

LuLann Sapp McGriff, 55, president of the San Francisco NAACP who helped integrate that city’s schools. A strong civil rights advocate, McGriff played a key role in monitoring an integration consent decree signed by the San Francisco Unified School District in 1983. She was elected president of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP in 1986 and was the only person to serve four consecutive two-year terms. She also served as chairwoman of the NAACP’s western region, which oversees operations for several states. With a master’s degree in social work, she became a counselor and chair of the counseling department at City College of San Francisco. McGriff served on the Mayor’s Planning Committee and Allocations Committee for Children, Youth and Their Families. She was also president of the San Francisco Economic Opportunity Council Board. On Sunday in San Francisco of a lung infection.

Dr. John Alfred Morgan; Battlefield Surgeon

Dr. John Alfred Morgan, 79, who served as battle surgeon with ski troops in the Italian Alps during World War II. A history of the Army’s elite 10th Mountain Infantry details Morgan’s establishment of emergency operating facilities on the slopes of the Dolomites, where he treated American ski troops in the thick of Italian theater fighting. He earned a Bronze Star with oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star and a Purple Heart for bravery in action. Born in Provo, Utah, Morgan earned degrees at the University of Utah and USC School of Medicine. With his general surgery practice based in Larchmont Village in Los Angeles, he worked as chief of staff at French Hospital and on the staff of St. Vincent Medical Center and California Hospital. On Thursday in Santa Monica.

Don R. Sawyer; Former South Gate Mayor

Don R. Sawyer, 87, real estate broker and former mayor and public official of South Gate. Born and reared in Dakota City, Iowa, Sawyer attended Drake University and the Coyle School of Law. He practiced law and served as Dakota City justice of the peace and city attorney. Moving to South Gate in 1943, he soon established Don Sawyer Real Estate and Insurance. He served 16 years on the South Gate City Council and was mayor in 1963, 1970 and 1973. At the end of his final term, he recommended that South Gate become a charter city and elect a full-time, paid mayor, declaring the position too important to be a part-time job. Sawyer served on the city’s Planning Commission and was chairman of its Redevelopment Agency. He also served as president of such local organizations as the Rotary, Southeast Board of Realtors, Peace Lutheran Church Congregation and Men’s Brotherhood and the YMCA Men’s Club. On Friday in South Gate.