Clarence “Sonny” Muirhead Passes, was from old Coronado family
CORONADO – Through his long life and extensive travels, Clarence Muirhead’s fondest memories remained those of growing up in Coronado. Known as “Sonny” to his family, Clarence William Muirhead passed away March 24th at a senior living facility in Lafayette, CA. He was 81.
Clarence was born in San Diego on May 16, 1932 to Clarence and Mary Muirhead, residents of Coronado. He graduated from Coronado High School in 1950.
This photo, taken in 1934, captures a young Clarence Muirhead enjoying all Coronado had to offer from the seat of his trusted mount, a trike.
On his path towards graduation from San Diego State University (SDSU) Clarence learned about “business machines,” his nickname for early computers. He went on to work for National Cash Register (NCR), as well as other mom and pop business machine companies.
After a little baseball, Clarence Muirhead (left) poses with a friend, Charlie Marvin, and younger brother Mike.
After graduating 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. In 1972 he taught for a year in Australia.
Here, in 1943, Mike Muirhead (left), Clarence, and a neighbor pose with the results of their trash collecting on behalf of the war effort. This was taken in front of their home at 625 Margarita.
Upon returning, Clarence taught at Hesperia Junior High and also coached cross-country for a number of years – a job he really enjoyed. He also taught at Apple Valley High School. Clearly, teaching was his passion. Thumbing through class yearbooks, the family discovered that his students had great love and admiration for their teacher, “Mr. Muirhead.” He retired from teaching in 1992.
Clarence, teaching in the high desert, 1972.
Throughout his youth in Coronado, Clarence and his brother Mike Muirhead (who was four years younger) found the island to be the perfect playground. The ferryboats still carried cars across the bay as the primary point of access to Coronado. Many a time the Muirhead brothers would ride the ferryboats all day, or explore areas of San Diego on adventures that began and ended on the ferryboats, and sometimes were only as far as a bicycle would carry them.
Coach Muirhead, at Hesperia Junior High School.
In later years, Clarence and his brother Bruce (who was 12 years younger than Clarence) hiked and climbed their way into trouble at every opportunity. Their uncle Bruce worked for the Coronado Public Works Department and seemed to know everyone in Coronado. He often shared stories of exploits from his youth growing up in Coronado tales of Tent City and the early days at the Hotel del Coronado.
For the Muirheads, family has been their everything. Seen here are Bruce (left), Uncle Bruce, and Clarence. The boys traveled with Uncle Bruce to reunions for the USS Aaron Ward. This was the Chicago Reunion of 2005.
Years later, when Uncle Bruce retired, Clarence and Bruce would dutifully take him around the country to reunions of his World War II ship, the USS Aaron Ward. This gave them one degree of separation from a view of history on the actual decks of ships at sea, at war, and under attack by Kamikaze aircraft. Reliving WWII through the eyes of their Uncle Bruce gave them an appreciation for history both locally and globally that Clarence and his brother nurtured throughout their lives.
Reflection is always the reward of a climber. Here, Clarence Muirhead reflects on his climb of Boundary Peak, the highest peak in Nevada.
Clarence had called the Mojave Desert home since 1967, and only recently moved to Danville, CA to be with his brother Bruce and family, altering plans to return to Coronado because of ill health. He never tired of his Lucerne Valley hillside view overlooking the desert. Clarence 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’s Parish.
Clarence Muirhead biking to British Columbia.
Clarence enjoyed hiking into the High 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 fortunate to be able to do these things with family and friends, and to do so around the world.
After climbing Kearsarge Pass, Clarence (left) and younger brother Bruce pause to celebrate their efforts.
Clarence is survived by brothers, Michael (Barbara) of El Cajon and Bruce (Denise) of Danville. 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. Clarence will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego. There will be no public services.
Telescope Peak, overlooking Death Valley. Brothers Clarence (left) and Bruce Muirhead, hamming for the camera after a good climb.
The 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.
Clarence, at the top of Mt. McLoughlin, Oregon, doing what he loved most in life – challenging the wide outdoors.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made “In Memory of Clarence Muirhead” to one or more of the charities he most admired: Earth Justice, Friends of the Gorge, National Wildlife, the Sierra Club or Salesian Missions.
