Always a fan of football and track, John spent after-teaching hours as a referee for football games. As an alumnus of the University of California, he and his wife attended all the football games and track meets possible. They also went to all the Olympic track and field events for 20 years. John’s other love was jazz.John met and married Ruth M. Harrison, who came to their marriage with two children, Pam and Jeff, who were like John’s children. John and Ruth spent much of their spare time playing golf.After a lengthy battle with cancer, John succumbed on April 26, 2004 at his home in Santa Rosa.
John G. Bamesberger, Class of 1940
June 18, 2004
Santa Paula High School
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By B. J. Harding, President, SPUHS Alumni Association
Biography #236 (Have you submitted yours?)John was one of two children of John and Rose Lea Graham Bamesberger, his sister being Carolyn, Class of 1941. He was born in Los Angeles in 1922, and the children came to Santa Paula with their mother, who will be remembered as a popular schoolteacher in the grade schools in Santa Paula.While at SPUHS John was into athletics, playing basketball, track and football, as well as managing the football team. He was a good student, a member of the California Scholarship Federation during his school years, and also served his senior class as class president.Following graduation he went to the University of California, Berkeley to study physical education but, as happened to so many young men during World War II, his education was interrupted to serve Uncle Sam. John was sent to the Pacific Theater of War, where he served with the 7th Calvary Division.At the end of World War II, John was honorably discharged and resumed his education at Pepperdine College, receiving his teaching credentials. He then proceeded to the town of Corning, California, where he taught and coached. He later moved to Santa Rosa. John eventually received his master’s degree at Berkeley, and after 30 years of teaching and coaching he retired from Santa Rosa City Schools.
