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Dwayne Kling Obituary
Sept. 4, 1929
Aug 22, 2017
Dwayne Kling was born in Turlock, California where he spent his childhood on his family's farm. He graduated from Hilmar High School in 1946 and attended Saint Mary's College on a baseball scholarship. He was inducted into both his high school and university's athletic Halls of Fame.
After graduating from Saint Mary's in 1950, Dwayne signed with the New York Yankees and played three years on their farm team. In 1951, his life changed forever when two letters came in the mail—one from the Yankees, asking him to report for spring training on April 23, the other from the Draft Board, instructing him to report for duty for the Korean War also on April 23. Dwayne served nearly two years in the Panama Canal Zone as a lifeguard and professional Panamanian baseball player. After being discharged from the Army, he played two more seasons. Dwayne got to wear the famous pinstripes and play for Casey Stengel, alongside some of the Yankee greats during spring training before his Minor-League season began.
In 1954, Dwayne started out as a dealer at Harold's Club, working his way up to becoming general manager of four major casinos and part owner of the Silver Spur. Dwayne was loved by his employees and remembered for giving them a second chance (or third or fourth).
When not putting in 50 to 60 hours a week at the clubs, he loved racquetball, hiking, and picnics with his family. He was proud of the fact that he and his wife of 50 years, Rose Kling, had traveled to all 50 states. Dwayne was a voracious reader and extremely proud of all of his grandchildren's accomplishments.
In Dwayne's later years he began extensive research on the history of gaming in Reno. He is the author of five books, including The Rise of the Biggest Little City, the quintessential book on casino history in Reno. He considered this to be one of his life's greatest accomplishments.
Dwayne Kling is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rose Kling, brothers Roger and Ralph, his daughters Michelle and Connie Kling, and Debbie Zamora, grandchildren Nic, Scott, Jenny, Chad, Allison, and great grandchildren Grayson, Juli, Hazel, and Lincoln. He is predeceased by his brothers Bill and Leon and his parents August and Ruth.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, August 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Baldinis Casino. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Nevada Historical Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dwayne Kling
Mary Larson
August 28, 2017
I was one of the lucky folks who got to work with Dwayne at the University of Nevada Oral History Program. He was a gentleman and a scholar, and he was always nice to me even though I was a Red Sox fan! He will be sorely missed. Rose and family, please know that we are thinking of you all!
D
August 26, 2017
I had the extreme pleasure of working for Dwayne at the Silver Spur. Whenever he saw me throughout the years he always called me by my three married names and we had a laugh about that! His books were GREAT-Reno is lucky to have so much of this history available to them. I used to Love to see him at the Harolds' Clubs functions also. You will be sorely missed......Sunnie
August 25, 2017
I had the pleasure of working with Dwayne for many years both at the Silver Spur and the Horseshoe in Reno. He was a great man and one of my mentors and probably the reason I stayed in the gaming business for 40 some years.
RIP my old friend
Rod Jones
Sault Ste Marie, Michigan
Dad and family
Connie Kling
August 24, 2017
Da with all the family
Connie Kling
August 24, 2017
Guy Clifton
August 24, 2017
Dwayne was one of the great go-to sources for reporters in need of information on Reno's history. I used his "Rise and Fall of the Biggest Little City" book thousands of times as a reference for articles and books of my own. He was always kind and gracious.
Nancy Van Landingham
August 24, 2017
Dwayne married my sister in law 50 years ago ... (difficult to believe 50 years) they are a classy couple. He was loved and respected by the family. I am so grateful to have known him. He enhanced all of our lives. I know he is peacefully in heaven. RIP good man !
Rod Nelson
August 23, 2017
Dwayne was a longtime, dedicated member of the Society for American Baseball Research and Pacific Coast League Historical Society. He was extremely helpful and very generous in researching the great history of the St. Mary's College baseball program for several of our database projects as well as fondly sharing his personal experiences with many of the greats in the Yankee dynasty. Dwayne made a significant contribution to the SABR Scouts Committee publication "Can He Play? A Look at Baseball Scouts and Their Profession" in writing the biography of Joe Devine, the Yankees super-scout who had signed him. His was a life very well lived. He will be greatly missed.
http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/b0496c7e
August 23, 2017
My grandfather was such a legend, a talent, an athlete, a brain, and a role model to many. I am who I am because of you Pop and I will miss you sorely. I'm eternally grateful for the memories we shared.
Connie Kling
August 23, 2017
I was blessed to have this wonderful man as my father.
My heart aches, but I know you are at peace.
Love you!
Your #2 daughter
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