CLARE SLAUGHTER

Clare Slaughter was born on December 8, 1920, and passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, November 30, 2013. Clare was born in Porterville Ca., the son of Hodge and Millie Slaughter. While growing up on the family farm he was taught the importance of hard work, family bonds, sports, fair play and above all a deep and abiding love of God. Clare demonstrated early on that he was a person who enjoyed the challenges and delights of a life well lived. Clare attended Porterville High School, Porterville Junior College, and was an exceptional athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track. He accepted a scholarship to University of California, Los Angeles and was in the middle of spring practice when he heard that College of the Pacific had a flight training program. He eventually had enough hours to qualify as a commercial pilot and immediately left UCLA and enrolled at COP. While at COP, he lettered in football, track and field, and basketball. He was a star high jumper and participated in the West Coast Relays. In basketball, he was captain and all conference center. In football, he played both offense and defensive end under the tutelage of the legendary coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg. After Pearl Harbor, Clare and his best friend, John Camicia (brother of Eveline) enlisted. Clare was in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. In 1943, Clare was called to active duty with the rank of Second Lieutenant. During the war he was promoted to First Lieutenant and eventually Captain. Clare led a platoon which saw action at the Battles of Tinian, Saipan and Okinawa. After the war, Clare returned to Stockton to pursue the love of his life, Eveline Crudeli. He managed to win her heart and they married on August 18, 1946. In 1945, Clare was drafted by the Washington Redskins but he decided instead to accept a teaching and coaching position at Galt High school. When asked why he didn't play professional football, he said that at the time he "would make more money as a teacher then as a professional football player". At Galt he served as a successful multi-sport coach. While at Galt, Clare and Eveline enjoyed the birth of their first son Jim. In 1950, Clare accepted the head football coaching position at Sanger High School. During this time they enjoyed the births of their children, Jeff, Jon and their long awaited daughter Julie. Clare coached and taught at Sanger High School from 1948 to 1954. In 1955, Clare became the assistant football coach at Fresno City College and in 1959, he was named to the head coaching position. During the ensuing 20 years of Clare's direction at FCC, his team won seven conference championships, appeared in four post season bowl games, won four state championships and was undefeated in all 12 playoff games. Clare was also voted the California Community College Coach of the year four times during his tenure and literally hundreds of his players continued to play college football after being a Ram. In addition, 11 of his players went on to play in the National Football League. Clare Slaughter has been inducted into the Porterville and Fresno Hall of Fames. Clare was the first inductee in the California Community Colleges Coaches Hall of Fame and is a cornerstone inductee into the Fresno City College Wall of Fame. After retiring from coaching and teaching, Clare devoted his time to his family and spent countless hours volunteering at VA of Central California, the Maroa Home and his Church. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed for his gentleness of spirit, strength of character, genuine humility and always calm and thoughtful demeanor. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Faye; and son Jim. He is survived by his wife Eveline; brother, Keith of Tucson Arizona; children, Jeff Slaughter and wife Fran of Merced, Jon Slaughter and wife Sally of Libertyville, Il., Julianne Ely and husband Tom of Fresno; and numerous grandchildren; and great grandchildren. A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park in Fresno on Friday, December 6, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. Remembrances in his name may be made to The Maroa Home, 1509 N. Maroa, Fresno Ca. 93728.