Dr. Jack E. Williamson

Jack Williamson was born to Earl E. and Vernal H. Williamson (nee Doty) on April 14, 1925, in Porterville, California. Jack loved God, family and Christianity. He shared over a half century of his life with his wife and best friend, Rose Pitman Williamson. He loved and enjoyed many people he worked with or knew when going to school, while coaching or as competitive athletics. He was quite fond of the many students and athletes he taught in his career. The core of Jack's life was athletic competition as an athlete, coach and official, especially in the central valley, and referred to himself as a "good country athlete." In college at COS and Fresno State, he held a National Championship, a national runner-up, and some conference championships, named athlete of the year, and earned seven varsity Bulldog letters in three years for football, basketball and track. In 1944 while a U.S. Marine, Jack was invited by the US Olympic Committee to run in the Olympic festival but the military had other plans. After college he played basketball in National AAU Championships for the Olympic Club as well as the Valley Athletic Club and Valley (NSL) Softball League. He "loved to play against the best in the world and go hard to win." He regretted that he never held a creative job that he really loved. Construction came close on projects like Mammoth Pool Road, California highways, Kings River Project Dams, Beale Air Base, Lemoore Air Base and subdivision housing, especially in Merced. Dr. Williamson retired from coaching, teaching and administration after 30 years service at COS, Fresno Unified, Fresno City College, Clovis Unified and Merced College. He is survived by Rose, his beloved wife; and children, Russell of Fresno, Kristi Eaton and her husband Bill of Merced, Todd, and Jodi Kemp and her husband Joe of Clovis; and six grandchildren. There will be no services upon Jack's request. Any remembrance would be well directed to athletic programs at Hanford High School, College of the Sequoias, the Clovis Unified School District, or California State University, Fresno.