Clarence William Muirhead (Sonny to family), 81, passed away March 24, 2014 at Atria Senior Living in Lafayette, CA.
He was born in San Diego, CA on May 16, 1932 to Clarence and Mary Muirhead, residents of Coronado, CA. Clarence graduated from Coronado High School. On his path towards graduation from San Diego State University (SDSU) he learned about “business machines”, those early computers, and worked for National Cash Register (NCR), as well as a “Mom and Pop” Business Machines company.
After he graduated from SDSU, his “business” card read – Clarence Muirhead, Teacher. He was serious about teaching. Beginning in 1967 he taught mathematics at Apple Valley Junior High. There was a break in service when he taught in Australia. Upon returning he taught at Hesperia Junior High, and also coached Cross Country for a number of years, a “job” he really enjoyed. The school mascot was fittingly, the Roadrunner! He also taught at Apple Valley High School. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and was well liked by his students as can been seen by thumbing through class yearbooks. He retired in 1992.
Clarence called the Mojave Desert home since 1967, and only recently moved to Danville, CA to be with family. He never tired of his Lucerne Valley hillside view overlooking the desert. He had many close friends, though his closest neighbors were coyotes, bobcats, quail, and cottontails. One of his hobbies was manicuring his desert landscape. He also helped out with a little “yard work” at St. Paul Parish.
He enjoyed hiking getting into the Sierra early in the 1950s. He did a lot of biking, completing 300 miles last August. He rounded out these outdoor activities with skiing, mountain climbing, birding, travelling and exploring. He was able to do these things with family and friends. He was fortunate enough to do so in the USA as well as internationally.
Clarence is survived by brothers, Michael (Barbara) of El Cajon, CA and Bruce (Denise) of Danville, CA. He leaves nephew Richard (Jodi) and their children Ariel, Benjamin and Jillian of Santa Clara, CA; nieces Valerie (Victor) Tiscareno and daughter Madeleine of Issaquah, WA, and Amy (Bob) Weas and daughter, Rosalie, of San Diego, CA. Clarence will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego, CA. There will be no services.
His family would like to thank Dr. Jewel Johl and staff at Diablo Valley Oncology, the Lines, Infusions, and 5A Oncology Teams at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, and his Vitas Hospice Team.
Earth Justice, Friends of the Gorge, National Wildlife, Sierra Club, and Salesian Missions are charities he admired.