South Pasadena High School
Alumni Association - Classes of 1907-2013

James Tomlin

Class of

1961

Residing In:

Irvine, CA USA

Homepage:

www.seakingstrack.com

Spouse/Partner:

Sheila Fischer since 1966

Children, Grandchildren:

Jeffrey born 1967 All CIF Water Polo, US Navy NeuroSurgeon Matt born 1970 All CIF Soccer, former US Navy SEAL, now in cell phone industry Sarah born 1981 interior desiger Grandchildren Margaret 20 Fiona 18 Charlie 13 Sheila 10 Samantha 13 Tyler 10 Trey 7

Occupation:

teacher/coach retired

Occupation/Career(s) Details:

Head Varsity Track Coach 1977-1989 99-6-5 Nine League Championships Also coached football & basketball Taught social studies, and advanced placement history. Program grew from 22 in 1992-3 to 125 in 2006 with 90% passing rate

Different places you have lived:

Redlands, Hemet, Willamantic, Con, Irvine

Family history living in South Pasadena:

My parents separated 1946, moved to SP to live with aunt and uncle in 1947. Went through SP Schools K-12. My lucky life not to have grown up in Philadelphia

Family members who are SPHS or SPSMHS grads:

Andrew and Sheila Gafvert

Other SPHS graduates you keep in touch with:

Dave Moore, Bill Little, Jeff Howe, Marty Gafvert, Linda Borton,Candy Reiter, Tom Bernard, Mary Gill,

School Memories:

Homecoming Dance 1958, dancing with a princess. Some great teachers who really cared about me. The best coaches in CIF. Ditching a class for the first time and my mom sent my lunch, which was delivered to that class. Watching Al Kinser steel pole vault over 12 something and land in about 3 inches of sawdust. Thinking how he could have been the top guy in any event, running or jumping, why would he want to vault? Watching 5'6" Frank Z run perfectly over 39" hurdles knocking wood chips off the top, and in competition winning most of the races aided by perfect form and two tight jockstraps. Beating Harriman in the 220 at league, [Ive got the photo] and having the judge call it the other way. Never wanting to race John Kovak in a 440, and succeeding. Watching Kinser do bear crawls like a cheeta as he passed me going the other way on a BIG 3. Two interceptions in the Eisenhower game. Tackling Matt Hudson twice on kickoffs. Bounce pass, Temple City 40-41. Moore to Canfield with almost no time on the clock, SWISH San Marino 61. Catching Dave Dickson in an American Legion baseball game when Donnie hurt his thumb and having a sore hand for the rest of the summer. The cold fear when Donnie handed me his glove and asked if I was wearing a cup. The warm unconditional friendship of Marty Gafvert, Bill Little, Kent Warner, Chuck Hubbard and Dave Moore. Tackling Donnie, well OK, having him run over me and trip on my body. Playing varsity quarterback and completing 6 straight passes. OK, two were to Bell Gardens guys, but hey? Finally being tall enough to dance with 61' girls. Setting the school record in the relay with Todd, Paul and soph Bill Patrick, thanks Coach Swift for making us believe we could do it, the record was 10 years old. A crush on a 61 girl since 1955. Having Jeff Howe help me learn to play safety after he was hurt. Beating San Marino 1960 in the relay with senior teammates, Randy Wilson, Micky Furtado and Ed Loosli... who made me run last. Not understanding chemistry, physics or Trig despite the best efforts of Mr Gruhn. Having Coach Solari say, "We're counting on you," and being really worried about that. Actually being with Weikel during some of his more tame adventures. Having Miss Spellicy tell me I was smart. Seeing Reece beat the crap out of the scumbag who stole my wallet. The hell with the 4 dollars, it had a picture of ...... in it. Did she even know I had it? Forgive the person who put hot rub [not me, but he knows who he is] on Skeeter's jockstrap. Beating SM in football, basketball & baseball, but not track :( Being able to say I was a teammate of Dickson, Johnson, Curry, Forster, Ritchko, Reece, Clement, Kinser, Brem, Moore, Kovac, Paris, and Little. Seeing Toby attired in a cape in Garfield Park in 1951. Looking under the hood of my car in 1960 having no idea what anything did. Taking an eye exam and reading the letters S Z E R D A H E L Y I. Then thinking, "READ IT, HELL I know HIM." Spending hs having no idea what I wanted to do with my life, but enjoying the fact that the pool of available females increased each year.Stories are listed in the 1950's and 1960's Tiger Topic Forums. The Bear Meeting Jessie Owens Moon River A Right Turn The Corsage The Wedge A Grown Up Dinner A Great Counselor The Toggery The Open Gym Maverick Night Saddle Up White Lightning The Mud Bowl The Big Hit Fourth and Goal Opportunity Communists My Teachers in South Pas Kiner & West Garfield Park Remembering Bob Sutton If You Make It Life Lessons Coaching Soph Football The Rescue The Wedge 2 The Most Supportive Parents Going The Wrong Way' The Relay Record Chuck Hubbard

Milestones & Epiphanies:

Retired 2006 after 41 years teaching/coaching high school

What's happening in my life now:

Travel, writing, grandkids, working on my daughter's new home as chief landscape architect [gardner]

Pastimes & Hobbies:

Photography Writing 1 book posted at www.seakingstrack.com and some short stories of high school memories posted on the Tiger Forum Enjoying grandkids and camping/hiking/backpacking/boogieboarding Sometimes nothing, and there's not enough time not to do it and it's hard to tell when you're done

Favorite Music, Songs, Bands

Kingston Trio Celtic Women Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Enya

Favorite Books, Magazines, Movies, TV etc:

Enjoy my library, including the book I'm coloring in right now

Additional Comments:

Thanks for this website it's great to have a way to reconnect with old friends, and to make new ones based on the shared experiences of life's early journey.

Last Updated:

June 22, 2012

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